Notablog

Rand Studies

“AYN RAND” v. JARS

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September 30, 2025

For more than two decades, I was associated with The Journal of Ayn Rand Studies (JARS). That journal’s debut issue was published in September 1999. The brainchild of Bill Bradford, the journal became the first (and only) nonaligned, interdisciplinary double-blind peer-reviewed scholarly periodical to feature critical commentary on Rand’s work,…
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Music, Remembrance

Phil Woods – Live at Hopper’s

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September 29, 2025

Ten years ago on this date, September 29, 2015, the legendary saxophonist Phil Woods died at the age of 83. He was among the greatest jazz musicians of his time. Popular audiences knew him—without realizing it—as the guy who took that melodic sax solo on Billy Joel’s classic, “Just the…
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Music, Remembrance

Song of the Day #2234

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September 26, 2025

Song of the Day: Cry Me a River, words and music by Arthur Hamilton, was recorded in 1955 by actress and vocalist Julie London, with Barney Kessel on guitar and Ray Leatherwood on bass. Featured as the first single off London’s debut album, “Julie is Her Name,” the recording was…
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Music

Song of the Day #2233

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September 22, 2025

Song of the Day: September Morn, words and music by Gilbert Becaud and Neil Diamond, is the title track to the Brooklyn-born artist’s thirteenth studio album, which was released in 1979. This lushly orchestrated ballad provides an appropriate finale to my Tenth Annual Summer Music Festival. Indeed, we’re hanging onto…
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Music

Song of the Day #2232

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September 21, 2025

Song of the Day: Waka/Jawaka [YouTube link], composed by Frank Zappa, is the title song to the artist’s fourth solo album. The 1972 song is famous for a classic Minimoog solo, peformed by jazz-rock keyboardist Don Preston. It is considered one of the most notable synth solos ever recorded. Preston…
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Music

Song of the Day #2231

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September 19, 2025

Song of the Day: Le Freak, words and music by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers, was released in 1978 as part of Chic‘s second album, “C’est Chic“. It scored a triple play, going to #1 on Billboard‘s Hot 100, R&B, and Disco charts. On this date in 1952, the prolific…
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Culture, Politics (Theory, History, Now), Rand Studies

Ayn Rand vs. Brendan Carr

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September 17, 2025

Over 60 years ago, in April 1964, Ayn Rand addressed “The Property Status of the Airwaves.” She wrote: It was [Herbert] Hoover who fought for government control of radio and, as Secretary of Commerce, made repeated attempts to extend government power beyond the limits set by the legislation of the…
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Film / TV / Theater Review, Remembrance

Robert Redford, RIP

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September 16, 2025

I was very saddened to learn of the death of actor, producer, and director Robert Redford. Redford died early this morning at the age of 89. During his prolific film career, Redford received an Oscar, two Golden Globes (and its Cecil B. DeMille Award), a SAG Life Achievement Award, the Kennedy Center Honors,…
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Culture, Politics (Theory, History, Now)

On Political Violence

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September 15, 2025

The “ink” wasn’t even dry on last week’s essay — “When Hatred for the ‘Woke’ Left Trumps the Love of Liberty” — and, well, here we are. In the wake of the assassination of Turning Point USA co-founder, Charlie Kirk, it’s already customary to put one’s cards on the table. So, here goes: I…
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Music, Remembrance

Song of the Day #2230

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September 15, 2025

Song of the Day: September Fifteenth, composed by jazz guitarist Pat Metheny and jazz pianist Lyle Mays, appears on the 1981 album, “As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls.” Accompanying the duo is percussionist Nana Vasconcelos. The title of this song refers to that 1980 date on which legendary jazz…
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