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Monday 11 April 2016
Sunday 10 April 2016
Politics These Days
This Paul Ryan Video Sure Looks A Lot Like A 2016 Campaign Ad
There's an interesting comment left at the link above which goes as follows:Its a long shot, IMO, but this is how it worksUPDATE:
Trump loses on the first ballot, Cruz loses on the second and probably third ballot. Delegates start getting panicky and starting looking for a quick way out of the mess while the national cameras are rolling. Ryan gets presented as someone who can bridge the gap between establishment and anti establishment wings, while declaring he doesn't want the job..which clearly means he is above reproach. That argument sells with the majority of delegates and they rally behind him to give him the nomination. Ryan takes the stage and delivers a humblebrag speech that says all republicans need to unite against the evil of Hillary, aka Obama's third term, and though he is reluctant, the danger is so great that he will humbly take up the banner and lead them all into the breach.
Nobody gets EXACTLY what they want, but they settle for someone who isn't prerceived as completely loathsome by either wing..and hey, he IS bailing them out in a tight spot, even though he says he doesn't want the nomination. He said so himself, repeatedly. Some grumbling, but they mostly put it behind them and move on to the fall.
The notion that Ryan is also unbloodied by the primaires, as opposed to Trump and Cruz, will also be whispered in lots of ears.
Like I said, its a major reach, but have no doubt that Ryan has his eyes looking for just such an opening to emerge.
Paul Ryan has ruled out a 2016 Presidential bid
Saturday 9 April 2016
Merle Haggard: Learning To Live With Myself (A film by Gandulf Hennig)
I have decided to make my film Merle Haggard: Learning To Live With Myself available for free streaming on Youtube for a limited time for those of you who haven't seen it, or would like to see it again. Please share and spread the word.
I spent three years following Merle for this project and filmed him and his family on the road and at their home. We did a number of in-depth interviews with Merle and with his family for the film, and it wasn't always easy sailing. Besides Merle and his family we also interviewed Keith Richards, Robert Duvall, Dwight Yoakam, Marty Stuart and many other artists for the film. The film aired as part of the PBS/American Masters series in the US and on the BBC and German television in Europe but for a number of reasons it hasn't been available to the public for a while, and it is currently not available on DVD or home video.
I want to thank everybody again who worked so hard on this film with me, first and foremost my old production partner Alfred Holighaus back in Berlin, our editor Dava Whisenant, our cinematographers Roger Pistole and Matthew Dyer, our sound engineers Thomas Morrison, Matt Hamilton and Jeremy Mazza, and all the other great people who worked with us. Merle's publicist Tresa Redburn, his lawyer Anthony Kornarens and Merle's long-time road manager, Frank Mull were essential in the making of the film - I simply would not have been able to pull it off without their help and support.
Merle is gone, but his legacy will live on forever. My work on this film has defined my American experience like nothing else. It's time to make the film available for everybody now
Gandulf Hennig
Ornery
Norman Westberg (Swans) Brisbane/Melbourne/Perth (April 14-17)
Guitarist extraordinaire and all round nice guy Norman Westberg is undertaking a series of shows in Australia starting next week. These will be the first solo shows to be played outside of the United States.
The dates are:
Brisbane: Institute of Modern Art 7PM April 14 (Free)
Melbourne: Monash University Museum of Art 3PM April 16 (Free)
Perth: Club Zho April 17 7PM ($20/15)
Following these dates Norman will be back on Swans duty with hopefully the band rolling back into town in early 2017
From 13
From the new album MRI available now (Info)
Thank you John for the kind permission to use that wonderful photo of Norman
Flashback
Friday 8 April 2016
Thursday 7 April 2016
Wednesday 6 April 2016
Getatchew Mekuria R.I.P.
Getatchew passed away today (4/4). At the age of 81 and after a musical career of 68 years. He was a truely unique saxophone player. Born in the countryside of Ethiopia, he heard the saxophone on the radio at the age of 13 and went to Addis Abeba straight away. He wanted to play saxophone! And soon after that he got himself into the Municipality Band. Later he played in the Haile Selassie Orchestra's, the National Theatre Orchestra and more.
Since 2004 he played regularly with The Ex. It was his choice after hearing us at one of our festivals. He recognized something in our music which reminded him of the early groups he was in, like the Fetan Band (Speed Band). He loved playing with us and for us it was also an incredible experience. He was always totally himself, full-on intense and dedicated. We played more than 100 concerts and made two beautiful albums together.
The last few years, his health was not very good. He couldn't really go on tour anymore. As a kind of farewell concert for his fans, we organized a big event in the National Theatre in Addis Abeba. He got lots of attention and respect that night: 1500 people in the audience, three TV stations and a legendary concert. Getatchew was playing while sitting on a chair, but his playing was stronger than ever.
His whole life was music. With his unique sound and approach he leaves behind an eternal inspiration!
We will miss him.
The Ex & Friends
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