"Truth Be Told" by Larry King (2012)

One of the best things about doing this blog has been that, from time to time, I get books sent to me for free. Of course there is an expectation that I will post a review of the book, which is perfectly fine with me, as that’s what I enjoy doing anyway.  I received this book last Thursday and have spent the past few days dipping into it. It’s a delightful read, recalling, as it does, Larry King’s remarkable career which spans 50 years, during which he has interviewed virtually everyone of note on the planet.

This is an excellent book for vacationing, lying on the beach, or poolside. You can literally open this book to any page and instantly be entertained. And let’s face it; Larry King is the entertainer’s entertainer. The book teems with stories about some of the most memorable moments of Larry King’s incredible life in broadcasting. His encounters, including the famous kiss with Marlon Brando, as well as some of the friendships he has forged along the way are mind boggling. After all, how many people can ever say that they were able to just pick up the phone and talk to Marlon Brando? Who even knew that he answered his own phone?

As richly textured, and funny, as this book is, I should also point out that this is probably Larry King’s 17^th book. I’ve lost count. So, if you really want to know Larry King’s story; when you are finished with this quickly read, and highly enjoyable book;  you really need to read his full autobiography, “When You’re From Brooklyn, Everywhere Else is Tokyo.” That book gives you an insight into just how Larry King became “Larry King”. 

However, if you’ve never read anything else by Mr. King, “Truth Be Told”, is a wonderful place to begin.

"Three Little Pigs" - Silly Symphony (1933)

In this 1933 release from Walt Disney’s “Silly Symphony” series of cartoons comes the classic children’s story of “The Three Little Pigs.” With a bit of literary license on the part of the writer’s, the story is a bit different than the original, but the moral is the same.

While one pig labors industriously to complete work on a brick house; in order to be safe from the Big Bad Wolf; the other two pigs, who live in a straw shack next door, are busy playing and singing “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?” They mock their neighbor’s efforts at security, until one day the Big Bad Wolf really does come around with ill intentions. It is only then that they see the wisdom in being prepared.

"Ishi - The Last Yahi" (1992)

Imagine being the last living person of your nationality, religion, or even just family. Now imagine having to hide in order to avoid being hunted down as a trophy. If you can possibly imagine these two scenarios successfully, then; and only then; will you fully understand the story of “Ishi – The Last Yahi”, which tells the story of an Indian named Ishi, who had fled into the foothills of California after the massacres of his fellow tribesmen in the 1860’s and 70’s.

With only a handful of warriors, their squaws, and scant supplies, the group chose to live in hiding rather than to surrender their age old customs for the white man’s world. For forty years, just as the Israelites had spent 40 years in the wilderness, Ishi and his fellow tribesmen were forced to survive in the foothills of California. Using all of their native skills they established a community, with leaders to make decisions and mete out justice, and hunters who provided the wild game on which they existed. They became a mythological presence; everyone knew they were out there; but no one had actually seen them.

And then, one day in 1911, Ishi, the last of the Yahi tribe, emerged from the wilderness half dead from starvation, to enter the white man’s world. After an initial stay in prison; there was simply no other way proposed to deal with him at the time; he was persuaded by anthropologist Alfred Kroeber to spend the last 4 years of his extraordinary life at the Museum of Anthropology in San Francisco, where he regaled visitors with his history of the Yahi people. He also told of his 40 years in exile, explaining how the tribe lived, and died in the wilderness, cut off from the life, and traditions, they had always known.

Fascinating in its detail; and with the use of photographs, some actual silent film footage, and even a rare voice recording of Yahi himself; this documentary film will make the viewer think long and hard about the foundation upon which America was built. “From sea to shining sea” takes on a whole new significance when confronted with the price paid by the people who were essentially victims of our policy of Manifest Destiny.

Fats Waller in Sormy Weather - "Ain't Misbehaving" (1943)

Fats Waller, legendary piano player, recorded this version of “Ain’t Misbehavin”’ for the 1943 film “stormy Weather.” I like this version even better than Billie Holidays because of the fun Mr. Waller is having in the performance.

“Ain’t Misbehavin’” is one of those older songs which crossed the bridge from blues to jazz before returning to its original format. There is also a great drum solo in this song  by Bob Rosen, who was from New York City.

Written by Fats Waller, collaborating with Harry Brooks on music and Andy Razaf  on lyrics, the song was first recorded in 1929. Waller’s original recording for Victor Records was later one of the highlights in the 1943 film “Stormy Weather.”  Eddie "Rochester" Anderson stated that Fats claimed the song had its origins while Fats was “lodging" in prison for back alimony; which is why he was not "misbehaving."

It has been recorded by most of the great jazz singers for the past 6 decades, including such luminaries as Anita O'Day, Billie Holiday, Eartha Kitt, Ella Fitzgerald, Django Reinhardt, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Kay Starr, Frankie Laine, Art Tatum, Sonny Stitt, Sam Cooke, Johnnie Ray, Sidney Bechet, Ray Charles, Nat King Cole, Elkie Brooks, to name a few.

With the success of the 1978 musical of the same name, came renewed interest this old favorite. “Ain't Misbehavin'” is a musical tribute to the artists of the Harlem Renaissance created by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby, Jr., with music by various composers and lyricists. It is named after the song by Fats Waller and his co-writers. Much of the action takes place in the Cotton Club, the premier nightclub in the 1920’s through the 1950’s. All of the best jazz acts in America performed there, creating a new genre known as “swing music” while they did. The show had a good run on Broadway, even being revived in 1988, and still touring today.

For the live film version of this song, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mF-QyvBqgs

Happy 26th, Sue

This is Sue, my wife. I have written about her here and also posted photos of her before now. But this is one of my favorites. It really captures the inner light of the woman I married; so different than myself. When I see only darkness, she sees only light. That's what makes this picture so special to me. And, with all the ups and downs of marriage, I do believe we would both do it all again. That's love...

Happy 26th, Sue. Love grows.

Happy Fourth of July!

And to the rest of my fellow Americans, have a safe and happy Fourth of July. A lot of thought went into the creation of our nation; let's not allow partisan bickering to tear it all down. And, wherever you are today, "let freedom ring!"

Andy Griffith - "Whoa Mule"

Andy Griffith, the iconic star of Broadway, movies and television, has passed away this morning at the age of 87. He will be missed. Before there was an Andy Griffith Show there was Andy Griffith the Broadway Actor, who appeared in "No Time for Sergeants".

From Broadway he headed to Hollywood, where he starred with Patricia Neal in the 1957 film "A Face In the Crowd", a searing drama in which Mr. Griffith played; against type; a drifter named Dusty Rhodes, a singing vagabond who skyrockets to fame, only to come crashing back down as the result of his own ego. In that movie he really gets to show off his guitar playing and singing abilities, as well as his story telling, which is what made him famous to begin with. Look up "What Is Was Was Football" sometime.

His "Andy Griffith Show", from the early 1960's, always carried a message. A liberal Southerner during a time of great social change, his shows were like lessons in life; don't lie, cheat or steal, and above all, learn to laugh at yourself.

In the above clip from You Tube, Andy performs with the fictional Darling family on his show. In real life the group played, and recorded, as The Dillards.  Some of the younger members of that band are still performing today.

There will never be another Andy Griffith. Thanks for the music, the stories and the love. Here he is telling Opie the story of Romeo and Juliet;

Private Parts in Public Places

This is a delicate subject, one which has sparked debate between various co-workers and I over the years past. I say “past” as I no longer have co-workers; being retired; but the subject of this particular debate applies in the private sector as well. I’m talking about washing your hands when using the bathroom. Don’t take me wrong; I am a firm believer in washing your hands; and mine as well; whenever either of us use the “facilities.” My point of contention is whether, or not, this said washing of the hands should take place before, or after, using the bathroom.

I look at it in this way; when I go to use the bathroom my hands have been all over God’s creation; touching things in stores, shaking hands with people; you name it, they’ve been doing it. And, while they have been so active, they have probably picked up a few germs along the way. So, that is why I wash my hands before I use the “facilities”, as opposed to after.

Think about it; while my hands have been involved in all the aforementioned activities, my private parts have been safely ensconced in a clean pair of underwear, right where I put them after taking a shower. So, in my mind, washing my hands before makes perfect sense. I wouldn’t want to inadvertently place public germs in my most private of places.

Would you believe that I have observed men who simply walk into a rest room; right after working on their car, or digging a ditch; just unzip and spray away? Only then, after sullying their “best friend” in such a manner, do they wash their hands. I have often wondered what was on their clean “private part” that needed to be scrubbed away with so much vigor before they go back to digging the ditch.

Realistically, I do like that there are signs for restaurant employees which instruct them to wash their hands before going back to the kitchen.  That seems to make sense. I mean, when you come right down to it,  your meat should never touch my meat;  in any way, at any time. Besides, I know where my meat’s been, but I haven’t got a clue about yours.

So, in summation, I think it would be best to wash both before and after. Take this missive in whatever light you prefer; mild satire, silliness, plain ribaldry, or just the ramblings of someone with nothing to say today. Either way, I’m glad to have finally gotten this off of my chest.