AGE should not matter, but when it comes to some cultural criticism there is such a thing as appearing over the hill. I still recall with a slight shudder of embarrassment a review of hip hop artist Childish Gambino/Donald Glover’s video, This is America, by a middle-aged critic who really should have known better. The piece was perfectly informative and well written, and it would have introduced a lot of people to something that might not have been on their radar. But it was like Mary Beard reviewing the latest Little Mix album, or Tom Devine deconstructing the Christmas Irn Bru advert. Some things are best left to the young.
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Jason EskridgePhoto: Eric England
The devastating global impact of COVID-19 dominated both news and cultural headlines throughout 2020, but Nashville’s jazz, blues and roots music communities responded by displaying a resolute spirit of perseverance and adaptation. Artists continued making vibrant music, and doing whatever they could to help offset a pandemic that shuttered music venues and ground tours and live shows to almost a total halt.
Before that happened in March, Music City enjoyed a pair of super blues concerts with the return of Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and the legendary Taj Mahal to area locales. Likewise, bop veterans Bobby Watson and Curtis Lundy rocked Rudy’s Jazz Room with a superb series of weekend concerts. In a hopeful sign, Louisiana bluesman Tab Benoit launched his national tour from the Ryman Auditorium in November.