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On this page is a list of links to other web sites that
I think are important or just enjoy for whatever reason.
The following is the link to the official Robert
Johnson web site which contains a great deal of information vital to serious interest in the bluesman. This site features
exquisite reproductions of both of the two known Robert Johnson photographs as well as a film still from the archival footage
everyone swore was Johnson.
www.deltahaze.com/johnson/
This is a fascinating British web site that includes several Robert Johnson recordings slowed down to a speed they deem
historically correct. There are lots of pros and cons about their arguments but hear the results yourself at:
www.touched.co.uk/press/rjnote.html
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| Ed Ward In Berlin |
My friend, the critic Ed Ward, who was one of Rolling Stone magazine's earliest and best reviewers and editors has
been an expatriate in Berlin for some years now. His blog never fails to enlighten, entertain, and amuse.
www.berlinbites.blogspot.com
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| Harry Crews |
Once again the web site for writer Harry Crews is:
http://www.harrycrews.com/
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| Tom Disch, R.I.P. |
One of my favorite people and favorite poets, critics,
novelists, and all-around geniuses is Thomas M. Disch. His almost daily poetic musings can be read at:
http://tomsdisch.livejournal.com/
*A sad note: Shortly after I posted this link,
Tom Disch shot himself. I spoke to him about six months prior to his death to discuss a writing matter with him and
to catch up on news. He had been one of my teachers at the Bennington Writers Workshop in the summer of 1996 and we
had kept in touch off and on since. He told me that his health was rapidly failing, he was being evicted from his New
York apartment, his country home was in ruins due to mildew infestation, and his long-time companion had died. In spite
of his usual wit and amusing anecdotes it was definitely a dark, disturbing, and prescient conversation. Foreboding
-- that's the word that best describes the vibe. Disch is one of the few writers I've known who could master
just about any type of writing or genre, from science fiction to poetry to plays. A lot of people don't know just
how good a theater critic he was for The Nation. A few years back he wrote a series of newspaper columns that were priceless.
One of them was a devilishly accurate swipe at off-leash dogs in Central Park and their off-leash owners. I use that
little essay in my own writing classes and it never fails to either incense readers or make them stand and cheer.
Tom, alas, you will be missed my friend.
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| Vidal As A Young Writer |
Gore Vidal is simply one of the most fascinating writers and personalities
of my lifetime. An excellent web source for him is:
http://www.pitt.edu/~kloman/vidalframe.html
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| The Unflinching John Simon |
I thought it was criminal that the new editors of New York
magazine fired the esteemed critic John Simon just as he was celebrating his 80th birthday. However, turning 80 didn't
slow down America's most acerbic, eloquent critic one bit. Although much to my regret he has apparently retired
from writing film reviews -- writing I cut my teeth on in the 1970's when I aspired to the roll of critic myself
-- he is still firing live rounds at the theater world at:
http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=533001
If you would like a professional web site designed for
you, my brother Norris Graves is a professional web site designer with capabilities of dazzling, interactive displays and
more. For information contact:
http://www.dgdesigns.com
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