Sister Rosetta Tharpe rocked the Gospel Truth

Rhythm and Blues, Rock and  Roll and Soul music have many fathers but relatively few mothers. One of the greatest "mothers" of them all, and "The Original Soul Sister" was Sister Rosetta Tharpe.  

Oscar Wilde; King of the Epigram

Oscar Wilde; King of the Epigram

Several weeks ago, I set out to read, collect, collate, and share a few of my favorite epigrams by Oscar Wilde. Those several weeks later, I am left with dozens and dozens of indispensable pithy observations that I am thoroughly unable to parse or whittle down any farther. Many are sobering, some silly, most witty and all revealing of the artist's true vision. Thus, I present these and crown the author with the sobriquet, King of the Epigram.

Oscar Through the Years Part One 1934 - 1973

I rarely watch the Academy Awards anymore but I'm glad they exist so that I know who's who, who's in and out, whose star is shining and whose has dimmed.  And which artists are compiling enduring bodies of work worthy of public notice. 

 

For every Hollywood motion picture actor who boards the bus bound for stardom, another must get off. That explains the dimming stars of Macauley Caulkin, Ali McGraw, Linda Blair, Mira Sorvino, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Yasmin Bleeth, Rocky Stallone and so many other former luminaries whose lights inexplicably faded despite their overarching talent. 

Then there are the performers in the clips below who took the front row seats and through one performance after another, announced to the world, "I'm the brightest star in the firmament and I'm not going anywhere." 

TO BE CONTINUED ...