Chinua Achebe discusses Africa 50 years after “Things Fall Apart”

The Literary Giant on his most influential novel, its impact on Africa and the rest of the world.

Buddy Guy wants blues music on the radio

Buddy Guy pushing for blues on popular radio, releases new CD featuring Keith Urban, Kid Rock
By Jonathan Landrum Jr., Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) — Buddy Guy knows that blues music isn’t the taste of today’s youth, but the Chicago guitar legend wants to show directors at radio stations and aspiring musicians that the classic sound is still alive with his new album, “Rhythm & Blues.”

“I’m not saying play the blues every day like everything else,” said Guy, who released the album Tuesday, the same day he turned 77. “Just play the blues two or three times a week and I’ll be happy with that.

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Cartoon of the Day

Coltrane’s ‘Afro Blue Impressions’ to be reissued

Concord to Reissue Coltrane’s ‘Afro Blue Impressions’ with Bonus Tracks
Expanded edition marks 50th anniversary of original recording dates

By Jeff Tamarkin

Concord Music Group will reissue a remastered and expanded edition of John Coltrane’s Afro Blue Impressions album on August 20. Enhanced by 24-bit remastering by Joe Tarantino, three bonus tracks, and new liner notes, the new reissue celebrates the 40th anniversary of Pablo Records, the jazz label founded by Norman Granz in 1973.

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Picture of the Day

Jane Austen will be the new face of Britain’s 10 pound note beginning in 2017.

Bob Dylan pays tribute to The Band

Bob Dylan and The Band go back a long time having made great music together during several important periods of their careers.

From Dylan’s current US tour, a rare but wonderful performance of their most famous song, The Weight.

Toussaint Louverture brought to life in play, book

“I was born a slave, but nature gave me the soul of a free man,” said Toussaint Louverture, the leader of the successful Haitian slave revolt of 1791 to 1804.

The Haitain revolution reverberated throughout Europe, interacting with the French Revolution, inspired Georg Hegel’s philosophy, changed the shape of the world and echoes down the years to us — still demanding a response.

Under Louverture’s political and military leadership, the Haitian slaves defeated a series of enemies. It was an international revolution, interacting with events around the globe, redrawing maps and effecting great empires.

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