Jazz

101 Must Have Jazz Standards from Various Artists - 101 Must Have Jazz Standards on Myspace.
Here is a must have list of standards, that have become classics!

2013 Auto Show Top Models

Here are some of the hottest cars on the planet, gathered together in one place! If you are anything like us, there is more than one dream car that you would like to take home, from the smorgasbord of automotive delights offered here. Some anything but attainable for the average person, while some are quite affordable. Supercars, muscle cars, electric cars, and hybrid cars of every stripe. Sedans, coupes, economy cars, and sports cars. There is something here for everyone! So peruse and perhaps choose your next car.

Victims of Crime

If you live in any large city in America, the chances are that at some time in your life, you will be the victim of a crime. The statistics are alarming.

The 2014 Golden Globe Nominees

 

       It's that time of year again, the Golden Globe Awards are nearly upon us and can the Oscars be far behind? Okay, so let's not put the cart before the horse. Savor the moment. Alright, ready? Here are the nominees for 2014, in the category of Best Picture: "12 Years a Slave;" "Captain Phillip;" "Gravity;" "Philomena;" and "Rush."
          For Best Actor consideration: Chiwetel Ejiofor, for "12 Years a Slave;" Idris Elba, for "Mandela:Long Walk to Freedom;" Tom Hanks, for "Captain Phillips;" Matthew McConaughey, for "Dallas Buyer's Club;" and Robert Redford, for "All is Lost."
          For Best Actress: Cate Blanchett, for "Blue Jasmine;" Sandra Bullock, for "Gravity;" Judi Dench, for "Philomena;" Emma Thompson, for "Saving Mr. Banks;" and Kate Winslet, for "Labor Day."
And to round out the list, we have a great crew vying for Best director, including: Alfonso Cuaron, for "Gravity;" Paul Greengrass, for "Captain Phillips;" Steve McQueen, for "12 Years A Slave;" Alexander Payne,  for "Nebraska;" and David O. Russell, for "American Hustle."
          For a complete listing of the other categories and the nominees, follow this: link.

Nobel Laureates for 2013

 Dear Readers, we here at the Cosmic Heretic are not elitist snobs or academic misfits out of touch with the common man or the "real" world. But we tend to think that our populace has been dumbed-down, in respect to the obsession with celebrity and gossip-mongering. We should, at the very least, be as concerned and well-informed about those things that influence the quality of life on our planet for all of its inhabitants, i.e., plants, animals, and men. It is from this point of view that we offer this, our latest post, for your enjoyment and enlightenment.
          The oh-so prestigious Nobel Prizes were awarded December 10, 2013. There are six categories of excellence that are highlighted and each category carries a, cash prize of $1.2 million US dollars. In the field of physics, Francois Englert and Peter Higgs shared the honor for their discovery of the predicted subatomic particle (the Higgs-Boson particle) that accounts for how particles acquire mass; the prize for chemistry was awarded to, Martin Karplus, Michael Levitt, and Arieh Warshel, for demonstrating that complex chemical reactions can be modeled on computers; the prize for medicine was awarded to James E. Rothman, Randy W. Schekman, and Thomas C. Sudhof for their research that advances our understanding of how lipid vesicles work (vesicles are tiny membrane-enclosed sacs that transport materials within our cells); the literature prize was awarded to Alice Munro, for her mastery of the contemporary short-story; the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in economic sciences was awarded to Eugene F. Lama, Lars Peter Hansen, and Robert J. Shiller, for their empirical analysis of asset prices; and, finally, the much coveted Nobel Peace Prize went to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.
          Hopefully, one day, achievers of this magnitude will be as widely celebrated as actors, athletes, and musicians.

       

Poets Weigh-in on Racism

Many artists believe that the artist has a responsibility to society, to advance the cause of understanding the racial dichotomy that exists in America. Recently, I read an exchange between two poets; one white, one black; one male, one female. The white male poet's name is Tony Hoagland. The black female's name is Claudia Rankine. They challenge, in one way or another, the assertion that we live in a post racial society. They also raise other issues, for instance, sexism. A host of other people, in and out of the arts community, join the debate and offer much food for thought. I think we would all do well, to examine this issue honestly and from all angles. What lessons do we have, yet, to learn from the subject of not just racism, but about "isms," as a whole? The poem that sparked the conversation and the controversy, Is Mr. Hoagland's poem, entitled, "The Change." Which is reminiscent of the saying that "you must be the change, that you hope to see."

Museum Mania

There are a wealth of cultural venues in Chicago. The museums here are legendary and world-class. Visitors to our fair city flock to these sites in droves. But the fact is that many of the residents of Chicago never go to them, or go only as part of class outings in elementary school. I would like to bring these great institutions to the attention of, not only those who are new to the city, but also to the many inhabitants of the city who are under-served, or ill-informed as to the great cultural wealth that exists here. The great diversity, of which I speak, extends from one side of the city to the other; on the south we have, The Museum of Science and Industry as well The Oriental Institute. Traveling north,  we encounter The Field Museum, on LSD (Lake Shore Drive), and moving downtown, there is the storied Art Institute. These are highlighted in our map, for your enlightenment and enjoyment.

Hospitals on the South Side of Chicago

View Tony's Hospital Walking Tour in a larger map

CHICAGO is called the "City of Neighborhoods." And while that phrase could loosely apply to any city in the world, it is easy to see why it was coined for Chicago. There is such a richness of diversity from one area of the city to the next, as to constitute almost a different city altogether. A traveler to the city's west-side, could not fail to notice the difference between, say, Austin and Oak Park; or on the South-side, between Bronzeville and Hyde Park; or going north, the distinction of Uptown from Lincoln Park. Each of these areas has a wealth of history that includes architecture from Sullivan to Frank Lloyd Wright; and habitats and haunts of musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Quincy Jones, Ramsey Lewis, Buddy Guy, and Maurice White of "The Elements," (that's EWF, to the uninitiated). History aside, it's important to know the places of importance, in a given neighborhood. Obviously, if you were in need of medical attention, the location of the nearest hospital(s) would be of great interest to you. For that reason, this week's post is a guide to the hospitals in the area in which I live. I sincerely hope you never need to make use of this guide, but it is far better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it!

The Incomparable Nicholas Brothers

 Musicals - In the early days of film, musicals were all the rage. The matinee idols who worked steadily, were the most versatile. All the way back to the days of "Vaudeville," the song and dance man was coveted.

Blacks In Film - Early on, actors like Stepin Fetchitt and Hattie McDaniels, could only get roles as subservient butlers, maids, etc. Then came the era, ushered in by movies like "Stormy Weather," and suddenly, there was a market for actors who could sing and dance, as well as act. This was the time when stars like Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, came to the fore. Here, we see perhaps the greatest dance team of all time, the "Incomparable" Nicholas Brothers, in what was probably their most memorable movie appearance. There were a number of good, even great , white dancers and dance teams, such as Gene Kelly, and Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. But watch this, and you will probably believe, like me, that these are the greatest dancers of all time.

The "Stormy Weather" Dance Scene - This movie highlighted the talents of the greatest black acts that were in Hollywood, at the time. Fred Astaire, reportedly called this scene, featuring the Nicholas Brother's, the greatest of all time. High praise, from one of filmdom's greatest dancers.

Dance in Film

Gene Kelly skating in

Fred Astaire dancing on ceiling in "Royal Wedding" (1951)

Gene Kelly and Jerry Mouse in "Anchors Aweigh" (1944)

The "Godfather of Soul"

This is THE KING! The originator. Mr. Entertainment. The Godfather of Soul. He is the one from whom Michael, Hammer, Prince, Usher,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MXOspWx7icand countless others got their act, and they have all said as much.Talk about light on your feet, James epitomizes a touch that is hardly there, yet it bowls you over with it's overwhelming force and power.As moving as his vocal performance is, so too is his visual effect on his audience. Look at these performances, the people are mesmerized by his smooth flawless motion, the very essence of "cool". Like a boxer on steroids, J.B. glides across the stage, like
an ice skater on acid. Bumping, grinding, physically emphasizing every nuance, of the music. Like a human baton, a lightning rod, a dynamo. James Brown  is canned lightning.A force of nature. A National Treasure, for a black nation!

Add caption

These clips exemplify the reason we love this man and why the whole world loves him. Not only the greatest boxer of all time, but a truly engaging, charming individual. We followed him through his victorious campaign in the Olympics, hosted by Mexico in 1968 (famous for the clenched fist salute of the first and second place sprinter from the US, Tommy Smith and John Carlos); to his third capture of the coveted Heavy-weight belt. A world traveler, Ali has been a Chicagoan since his conversion to Islam. The world embraced him, as much for his refusal to join the Armed Forces during the Viet Nam War, as for his dominance in the ring.

Fame, Infamy, and Ignominy: The Many Facets of a Twitterer

Theses are people that I admire for their accomplishments, though I am not a fan, as fan implies fanaticism. Anyways, here they are: many of the people that I name are veritable no-brainers; for instance, as media communications majors, how could we fail to admire and maybe even envy the success of Oprah Winfrey! Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is another notable, for his historical documentaries, his work in genealogy, and his general erudition. Cornel West is another who comes to mind, for not only his huge intellect and scholarliness, but likewise for his unapologetic blackness, which is visibly displayed in his seventies-style afro hairdo. And then there is the Rev. Michael Eric Dyson, who is not afraid to tackle and land, on the controversial side of contentious issues. these are just a few of the people that I have chosen to follow. More to come, later.

The Cover from one of  Rev. Dyson's books.

https://twitter.com/ibuyforeclosure/lists/notable-figures.

Unidentified scholar, Dr. West, and Dr. Gates.

All the News That Fits

Here are a list of sources/resources that I find indispensable in gathering information:
https://twitter.com/ibuyforeclosure/lists/news-organizations

Where's the Beef?

No, it's not what you thought! This post is about vegetarianism. Kinda sneaky, huh? Well I don't want to preach, and I certainly don't intend to make meat lovers swear off their dead delights, just want to give you a little food for thought. You like that? In a video for mercyforanimals.org, hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, says that due to his practice of vegetarianism, he hasn't been sick for five years! The rationale behind vegetarianism is fourfold:1) The animal for food industry inflicts untold suffering on the animals that end up on your table and in your systems, by cutting your consumption by just 50%, you can spare hundreds of animals from a lifetime of suffering; 2) for those of us who believe, like the Buddhists, that we reincarnate into numerous lifetimes, causing the suffering of others, yes, even animals, creates negative karma, i.e., as you sow, so shall you reap (or in simpler terms, what goes around comes around); 3) Many illnesses that people are plagued by, don't "haunt" the lives of the vegetarian (many maladies that befall black folks, such as high blood pressure, hypertension, etc. would virtually disappear); 4) Wise men throughout the ages have extolled the virtues of a meatless diet. For example: Daniel the Hebrew prophet during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar, and Greek philosophers Pythagoras and Porphyry, who wrote a book promoting vegetarianism entitled "On Abstinence from Animal Food." This post should put a little more fat between your ears, as opposed to around your waist. Peace!

Gun Control

On September 29, 2013, the Chicago Tribune printed a story entitled, "State grapples with keeping guns from mentally ill." This article, written by Bonnie Rubin Miller and Dahleen Glanton, speaks of the fact that both sides of the raging debate in Illinois over gun control, agree that the dangerously mentally ill should not be allowed to own firearms.
Lawmakers in Illinois recently passed a concealed carry law, effective January 2014, that would require mental health practitioners to report patients they believe pose a "clear and present danger to themselves and others.
Even so, the background checks will still do little to keep a senseless act of mass violence from happening in Illinois, according to some experts.
I think that all of those desirous of preserving the freedoms written into the U.S. Constitution by its founding father's, should be extremely vigilant in monitoring this debate, because this flashpoint issue is just the latest assault on our liberties.
A few short months ago, a Chicago alderwoman stopped just short of accusing the Chicago police force of having something to do with the high murder rate in Chicago. Now while I do not subscribe to that line of reasoning, I do believe that events as distant as the French Revolution, and the murder of Czar Nicholas and his family (the Romanovs), and as recent as the September destruction of the twin towers in New York, have been cleverly conceived catastrophe orchestrated by a cabal of powerful men, to get we, the American people to willingly surrender our rights to freedom and privacy.
Ask yourselves this question: "Why have so many mentally ill folks been able to acquire firearms in the first place; and how do they get them into places you would think they couldn't?"

Who I Am (Who Am I?)

"Empty not your soul to everybody and do not diminish, thereby, your importance." In spite of this Ancient Egyptian proverb, I will proceed. The subject of this post, is one near and dear to my heart. The portion inside the parentheses, is actually the title of a poem that I penned some years back. The Egyptian sages were known, also, to admonish their disciples to "Know Thyself." That was where their instruction began, and that was where their instruction would end. For it is said, "What does it profit a man to gain the world, if he should lose his soul (i.e., himself)?" But I guarantee you, that this is the hardest thing, that a man (woman), can ever attempt. Chuang Tzu, a famed Chinese philosopher, was quoted thus: "I awoke from a dream, wherein I was a butterfly. But now, I am not certain that I am a man who dreamed he was a butterfly, or that, instead, I am a butterfly, who is now dreaming that it is a man." The problem is one of perception. The earth appears to be flat, but is it? To complicate matters further, we are all chronic liars. So says G.I. Gurdjieff, a nineteenth century philosopher/mystic. And the worst of it, he says, is that we lie, not only to others, but more importantly, we lie to ourselves. If you would examine the matter deeply, you would be compelled to agree. Another problem that we encounter on the road to self-knowledge, is the duality and imprecision of words. Words are not the things that they describe, but merely symbols of those things. The Jewish rabbis, masters of a mystical tradition known as "Qabalah," were known to say, that for communication to take place, the ears of the listener (student), must be as quick as the mouth of the speaker (teacher). The deeper the concept(s) under discussion, the more relevant this statement becomes. Many misunderstandings take place, because the listener took the words of the speaker, in a way other than what the speaker intended.

King Solomon, known to be the richest, wisest man in the world, said: "He who increases knowledge increases sorrow," Ecclesiastes 1:18. That is reflected in this Tarot Card, "The Hermit." How many people can understand what a nuclear physicist would have to say? That which a man of wisdom might wish to communicate would be even less understood. So the depiction here, speaks of the supreme aloneness that the man of wisdom experiences. I hasten to add, that aloneness does not necessarily imply loneliness. Many people can be found, who would agree with the statement, "History, is his story," but I like to take it one step further and say, "Mystery is my story."

Wake Up People, Wake Up!

The phenomenon of boarded up buildings and vacant lots are nothing new to poor neighborhoods, nor can it be a coincidence that the bulk of the people who live in such neighborhoods are people of color. I'm sure, likewise, that we are all familiar with the hazards that these abandoned buildings pose to the residents and those just passing through. But recently there has been anew twist added to this macabre game. Houses all over the city (especially in our neighborhoods) have begun to be marked for demolition with a huge unsightly red "X" emblazoned on the front of the building. I cannot help but feel that this is having a profound effect on the psyche of our children and even the adults, to have houses in the places where we live marked for destruction. I feel that it also marks we who inhabit these places for destruction, too. Where are the voices of outrage, protest, and dissent among our black, "so-called' leaders? Yeah...they're silent. Gil Scott-Heron said, "Whatever happened to the voices of the sane? Whatever happened to the people who gave a damn?"

The Philosopher's Stone

I recently succumbed to a case of writer's block, as concerns my blogging posts. Couldn't think of one sentence to write. That would appeal to anyone other than myself, that is. But then it hit me. I was trying to write for an audience. But what audience? Maybe I was looking through the wrong end of the telescope. All the IM gurus that I've read have said to write about what you know. That makes sense, otherwise you come across as disingenuous. It's like the movie "Field of dreams," if you build it they will come. If your blog is well-conceived and well-executed, your audience will find you. I have devoted my life to living in the shadows. Flying under the radar. Not being noticed, on purpose. So this is going to be a 180 degree turn for me. To explain who I am, that is. My life has been dedicated to acquiring wisdom. And towards that end, I have studied every religion and philosophy known to man. That is what the title of my blog signifies, the search for meaning. I have had many teachers in my search for meaning

, and am now qualified to teach what I know. Now I must find my audience, those who are seeking for that philosophy that I have painstakingly acquired. They're out there, somewhere...searching. Maybe they will find me.

I chose the incomparable John Coltrane's poignant memorial, composed in tribute of the three little girls, who were blown up in the church bombing in the 60's in "Alabama," the title of the cut.

The Sea Meets the Shore

This photo intrigues me,  in the sense of what appears to be an exquisite sense of an eye for the dramatic. The photographer, has done precisely what the textbook says a photographer should do. He/she has created a work that speaks tons! The composition is inspired! The conflict between the NATO protestors and "Chicago's Finest" is clearly emphasized, and the line drawn. If we read none of the story, we would understand the gist of this story. Great composition.

Tesla Roadster Sport VS Porsche 911

Think an electric car is for aging baby-boomers and eco-minded extremists who wouldn't know a good time if it bit them in the ***? Then you clearly don't know Tesla. Check out this head-to-head test drive, and if you aren't convinced that you need a Tesla in your life, don't go out into the sunlight, 'cause you definitely don't have a pulse!

Jazz Lives!

Ken Burns is undoubtedly one of, if not the most, prolific and successful documentarist on the planet. However, I must challenge a famous conclusion he voiced, in his ten part series on jazz. You see my father schooled me in all things jazz, as he dandled me on his knee, and I can quote chapter and verse from the jazz bible, in my sleep. The point is, I strongly disagree with his statement that jazz is not a black or African-American art, but an American art. If I travel to Japan, and make a baby there with my wife, who is black as am I, our child will not be Japanese. Likewise, our art-forms are an expression of our very souls and jazz, blues, ragtime, hip-hop, R&B, etc, are black musical forms, just as classical music is a European art form. The fact that other peoples can excel at those various forms, does not change their point of origin, or the identities of their originators. As a testimony to the spiritual power of jazz, and it's greatest proponent, John Coltrane, the above portrait hangs in a church where he is the patron saint.Go here, to listen to some of his music.

Super Cars

In all the world, there is no greater example of the perfect blending of beauty and technology than the automobile. Just imagine, the ability to travel 1/4 mile in less than 10 secs., all the while cradled in the softest leather known to man, listening to a stereo system that would rival Bang and Olufsen, with looks that make you the envy of all but the wealthiest one percenters of the world, and all that, plus no fossil fuel carbon signature. Not possible you say? Join me in the world of Tesla. It's green. All the other supercars are green with envy.

Origin of the Cosmic Heretic

Hello, World! My name is Tony Thornton, and I suppose that the first thing I should do, is explain my blog title. Some years ago, my best friend (who was happily married at the time), invited myself and another friend to meet a woman he was considering as a second wife. Forget that it's illegal, there are various groups and individuals in America, practicing polygamy. I was once apprentice to a rabbi, who had three beautiful and intelligent wives. As a matter of fact, they were all pursuing higher degrees at the time, but I digress. 
This brother took us over to the sister's house, for a casual evening, in which we could check her out, and give our opinions, as to her suitability for his "situation." Which was sticky to say the least, and he didn't want it to blow up in his face.
Well, the sister was a gem. Beautiful, a great cook, and a witty, very adroit conversationalist. She no doubt knew that she was being graded, but she was wholly at ease and thoroughly captivating. We enjoyed a wonderful meal, and a great bottle of wine. We talked about everything under the sun, all the things that dedicated pan-Africanists talked about in the 70's.
Malachi was a devout Hebrew brother, Simpson a dedicated Kemetian, and I was, well, a devoted seeker, let us say.
I think it fair to say that we were, all of us menfolk, smitten with this beautiful, vivacious creature. And for my part, I dare say that my repartee was witty, indeed. I demonstrated formidable skill and knowledge in any and all topics that arose.
As Malachi and Simpson defended their respective positions, I danced philosophically from point to point, in a non-committal way. In the shank of the evening , our hostess turned to me, mesmerizing me with her dazzling smile, and laughing eyes, and with her pleasingly melodious voice said, "Bro. Tony, I know what these two brother's believe, but it seems that you don't believe in anything." To which I replied, "I believe in everything." Deep, right?
And then, she said, "To believe in everything, is the same as believing in nothing. You are a heretic. A heretic of cosmic proportions!" She had nailed me. Neatly, sweetly, and petitely. If she had been a he, I would have objected to that characterization. But I couldn't argue with this very feminine creature. And, after all, she was 100% correct.