This morning, I'm listening to this recently-released Levon Helm record. The man's been on a creative tear over the last few years. Electric Dirt is a stunning continuation of 2007's Dirt Farmer, bringing elements of country, blues (including two Muddy Waters tunes), R&B, and gospel. It's a musical melting-pot. He had me with the fantastic cover of "Tennessee Jed" that opens the album.
So happy 4th of July, Americans. Feel good about your country however you see fit. Me, I'll be listening to some music and enjoying a burnt hot dog.
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Article comments
1 - Glen Boyd
Amen Mark. Especially the part about the flag wavin' rednecks (though you didn't use that word, I will).
-Glen
2 - Triniman
Mark, I like your idea of patriotism, "...pointing out my favorite bits of the country " that includes not only places but art, the written word, and music" and I do believe in our own small people, we can affect positivity through the butterfly effect. I'd like to think that we can are making positive contributions through BC and our own blogs.
Happy Independence Day from one of the Canadian writers.
3 - Mat Brewster
I remember the first time the wife and I lived abroad. It was very enlightening to realize that not everyone thought that the USA was the greatest country in the world. In fact, some believed that *gasp* France held that title.
I do love a great many things about this country, but the older I get the less patriotic I feel and the more I try to make the world about me (no matter where that is) just a little bit better.