Don't Tell Them It's Hot Outside, Make 'Em Pray for A/C.

   “Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader—not the fact that it is raining, but the feeling of being rained upon.“  -E.L. Doctorow

   I read this at Get Published page at Wordpress - I'm doing some late night pokin' around on the interwebzorz for research. Like, real research and not "research kept open in a background window just in case mom walks in" research. Don't act ignorant.

   I respect music that doesn't scream to make its point heard. I suppose this is why classical music is held in high regards in ivory tower thought-ista barracks - is it not the most subtle genres of music? Soft, lilting oboes are mammoth migrating animals, piccolos a flitting, fleeting birdling and a single drum the inexorable march of some terrible army.  Not heard are trumpets, birdcalls or gunfire - the rest of the scene is filled in by the listener's brain.

   Youthful pop music is dripping with straightforward, linear storytelling, where the listener can easily inject themselves into the "you" or "me" personae scattered throughout the tune.  Not that straightforward simplicity doesn't have its proper time, place and enjoyment, but art is in leaving the right details out...purposeful ambiguity, people!

A dyptich by JM Rizzi (photo Steven P. Harrington)

   Found at Brooklyn Street Art, a killer blog for, you guessed it, Brooklyn street art.  More JM Rizzi stuff may be found at his blog - holler.

   It may be a cliche, but as Lisa Simpson says, you have to appreciate the notes a great musician isn't playing.