H is for "I Hate Yuppies!

My boss might get mad at this entry, but I sure am sick to death of watching coiffed yuppies buying Freakonomics (Incidentally, it's a book that I encouraged my boss to stock in larger numbers when last spring yuppie after yuppie was asking me for it. You think I'll get a raise for such observational talents? No). Anyway, my non-point here is that I loathe this book even though it may be great and wise. I saw the authors on a talk show and they seemed intelligent. Anyway, anyway, I'm highly suspicious of books that purport to subvert conventional wisdom only to replace it with a new formula that everyone takes as the new gospel (yuppies love people to do their thinking for them so they can go on with the business of disappearing up their well-lotioned asses). Not that I've read the book, just the phenomenon.

Whew! That felt better! I think I'll start off every entry with a no-nothing rant.

Another more positive "H" besides hate is Hamilton, as in Patrick Hamilton. I've just read his 1941 novel called "Hangover Square." It takes place in London in 1939 on the eve of Britian's entry in WWII. The protagonist is a sad, shy alcoholic called George Harvey Bone who is besotted with a beautiful bitchy actress-wannabe called Netta (she also is sexually turned on by fascists and has a crush on Hitler) who merely strings him along for drinks. What Netta doesn't know is that George has a split personality and that this personality which is increasingly taking over his being is planning on killing her. I suppose the book will be read by some as misogynistic, but I'd go for misanthropic. "Hangover Square" is a study of the fine line between unrequited love and psychosis, not to mention a portrait of pre-WWII English pub life.

Our "H" vinyl listening has included a Billie Holiday twofer called "God Bless the Child." It features "Jim," a song co-written by my grandfather, Milton Samuels (more on this in my next 'zine).

Also, a Buddy Holly comp of odds and sods called "For the First Time Anywhere" which features unreleased (in the eighties) tracks. Wonderful stuff. I need a comprehensive Buddy Holly comp. What would he have become? An orchestral pop artist on the level of Brian Wilson?
A country rocker?

Also, two blues Hookers: Earl Hooker's Arhoolie release, "Two Bugs and a Roach." The songs are ragtag but the guitar playing is snappy. Also, a John Lee Hooker twofer called "Boogie Chillen." It's so-so stuff of John Lee playing solo for a folk crowd. The disc of unreleased performances, including a brooding version of "Night Time is the Right Time," is better than the released one.