Just as I remember where I bought certain books or associate books with a certain time and place, I remember the first time I heard certain songs or associate them with a time and a place. What I remember about this one is that I was in the back seat of a beige 1954 Pontiac being driven east on Titus Street in Mexia, Texas, about a block from the elementary school one night in the summer of 1958. Margaret Stubbs was the driver, and the car belonged to her parents. I don't remember who else was in the car, but the radio was tuned to some AM station that wasn't coming in too well. Probably nobody else was listening to the music, but I always did, even if with only half an ear. When this song came on, I was electrified. I practically jumped into the front seat to get to the radio knobs and turn up the volume. I yelled at everyone to be quiet so I could hear it. They thought I was crazy, which I probably was (and am), but they let me listen. I bought the 45 rpm recording of the song as soon as I could. I still have it, and I still love the song.
Robin Luke - Susie Darlin' (1958) - YouTube:
Monday, February 13, 2017
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Al Jarreau, R. I. P.
The New York Times: Al Jarreau, a versatile vocalist who sold millions of records and won numerous Grammys for his work in pop and R&B as well as his first love, jazz, died on Sunday in Los Angeles. He was 76.
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
The Spook Lights Affair -- Marcia Muller & Bill Pronzini
I enjoy the cases of John Quincannon and Sabina Carpenter in both short story and novel form. The setting of San Francisco in the Gilded Age is a bonus that I especially like. This time the two detectives are working on what appear to be entirely separate cases, but it won't surprise any crime-fiction fan that the cases turn out to be connected.
Carpenter's case is the apparent suicide of a young woman whom Sabina is being paid to watch out for. This occurs while a big party is going on at the home of her wealthy parents, and of course it's a big sensation. One little problem is that there's no body at the bottom of the cliff.
Qunincannon's case is a Wells-Fargo robbery that offers a big reward. He's not working in high society, and he follows a trail that takes him to the bars and dives of the Barbary Coast. Quincannon's a great character, very full of himself and sure of his abilities as the peerless detective. He's really very good, but foibles make him a lot of fun.
As I mentioned above, the setting is an important part of the book, with plenty of colorful San Francisco history interwoven into the story. If you're not familiar with this series, give it a try. Great stuff.
9 Amazing Things Disguised as Boring Things
Atlas Obscura: Look twice—these seemingly mundane objects are hiding something.
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