- Kirsty MacColl. I wrote yesterday about the thrill of discovering a new artist—this past week it was Kirsty MacColl. From her final album Tropical Brainstorm, stuffed with compelling and never cheesy riffs on Cuban, Mexican, and Brazilian music, to her early singles, like her definitive version of Billy Bragg’s “A New England,” I was delighted, inspired, and challenged by this all-too-short discography. Learning of MacColl’s tragic death in a boating accident—she saved the life of her son!—hit like a gut punch two decades after the fact.
- Robert Christgau. One of my favorite writers. His dedication to brevity and caustic wit are two of many reasons I enjoy his capsule album reviews. I get Christgau’s Substack newsletter And It Don’t Stop, and was tickled to find a career-spanning selection of 25 capsule reviews, circulated to mark a recent reading.
- Merlin Bird ID. As part of my determination to know where I live, I decided to learn more about the birds around me. This fantastic app includes a feature that can identify birds just by me holding my phone out to the backyard and recording a snippet of birdsong.
- Spring break. Even though I’m not on it, there’s a relaxed vibe in the air. More than half of the principals I work with are on vacation with their kids, and out-of-office responses abound. I, too, was in a very “we’ll deal with that later” mood.
- English muffin pizzas. Remember these? A pantry blast from the past.
- A simple stepstool. My first completed woodworking project! My toddler can now reach the bathroom sink.
- My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout. As mentioned, I have continued digging into Elizabeth Strout’s published work. This slim novel is a real gem, meticulous in construction with a narrative voice that I could read pages and pages more from.
On 7 things from last week (3/27/23)
Published
Taylor Coe 