Nota Bene: The Prince Edition

On January 5, 2018 By chrisbarsantiIn Nota Bene, OmniculturalLeave a comment

The September 2017 edition of The Journal of African American Studies was devoted entirely to the study of one artist: Prince.

According to the editors:

It is our hope that this special issue will inspire readers to access previously untapped reservoirs of creativity, help reorient the thinking of those who endeavor to pursue similar ventures that place Prince at the center of analysis, as well as prompt scholars to devise nuanced and unconventional ways to probe, study, and analyze an artist whose persona and life’s work defied convention…

Writer’s Desk: Whistle While You Work

On August 21, 2016August 26, 2016 By chrisbarsantiIn Books, WritingLeave a comment

daydreamnation

Do you need absolute, deafening quiet when you work?

Maybe you’re one of those people that likes to work in a loud cafe.

Or are you the type that writes at home but with music on? And if so, what’s your album(s) of choice? Do you prefer background noise so that the lyrics don’t interrupt your train of thought?

undergroundrailroad In the acknowledgments to his newest novel, the Oprah-picked The Underground Railroad, Colson Whitehead has some very specific notes along these lines:

The first hundred pages were fueled by early Misfits … and Blanck Mass. David Bowie is in every book, and I always put on Purple Rain and Daydream Nation when I write the final pages; so thanks to him and Prince and Sonic Youth.

That’s a fantastic range of music, but sterling selections all. Speaking from experience, this writer can attest to the imagination-fueling powers of repeatedly playing Daydream Nation, though be warned it works best if you’re writing in a minor science-fiction key.

Weekend Reading: April 22, 2016

On April 22, 2016April 21, 2016 By chrisbarsantiIn OmniculturalLeave a comment

readingroom1

No, John Oliver (wonderful though he is) will not be enough.
Prince: the oral history.
All Prince, all the time, right here.
Awesome: Ramin Bahrani to write and direct new adaptation of Fahrenheit 451 for HBO.
Barry goes to Saudi, just as the place starts coming undone.
Tom Hayden’s reasons for going Hillary.
Some great bookstore cats.
Print and read: The legacy of the Mad Men of St. Louis; or, how deregulation and consolidation kills America’s smaller cities.
Bonus print and read: All the Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper and magazine stories.

Quote of the Day: When Questlove Roller-Skated with Prince

On April 21, 2016 By chrisbarsantiIn OmniculturalLeave a comment

From Questlove’s 2013 memoir, Mo’ Beta Blues, a story of that time Prince wanted to know if he wanted to go to a roller-skating party on Valentine’s Day.

Questlove, of course, said yes. He brought Eddie Murphy along. Then, after Prince asked Questlove to put his phone in coat check, he brought out his skates. And not just any skates:

Prince had the briefcase out on the floor. He clicked the lock and opened it, and took out the strangest, most singular pair of roller skates I had ever seen. They were clear skates that lit up, and the wheels sent a multicolored spark trail into your path.

He took them out and did a big lap around the rink. Man. He could skate like he could sing. I watched him go, so transfixed that I didn’t even notice Eddie Murphy appearing at my arm. “I’m going to go get your phone for you,” he said.