Posted: June 14th, 2009 by Stevie
Summer 2009
This is a very busy season!
From June 20th-27th I will be attending (and co-coordinating) the Peninsula Writers summer retreat at Glen Lake in northern Michigan. This will be the fifth time I’ve attended this conference and each year has been a little different, but always wonderful. We have our largest group yet, 37 writers!
Our keynote speaker this year is Laura Kasischke. Laura is a novelist and poet extraordinaire. She has been highly celebrated, won numerous awards (most recently the Guggenheim for poetry!), two of her novels have been made into films and is a best seller in France. I’ve known Laura for, I think, over twenty years. I had known her for at least a couple of years before she showed me her poetry, before she’d even been published. It has been an honor to watch her career blossom. The very last time I saw her we were watching Allen Ginsberg perform Howl in Ann Arbor. I’m really looking forward to seeing her again and hearing her read and talk about her writing.
From July 8th-12th I will be traveling to Montreal to speak at the International Policy Governance Association Conference. I’ll be presenting my ideas an work with Board of Directors and businesses on the Solution Focused Process, a model that combines therapy and coaching techniques with the world of governing systems. I combine systemic, narrative and solution based models to address challenges and enhance strengths for organizations.
I’ll be introduced by my old business partner, Susan Siers Stratton Radwan.
The Montreal trip also happily coincides with the Montreal Jazz Festival!
For more information on the Montreal Conference, look here:
http://www.policygovernanceassociation.org/conference_09/sponsors.html
On July 16th-17th I will be teaching a course for the Michigan State University’s Summer Institute in Traverse City, Michigan. This is the first Summer Institute by MSU and is being done in conjunction with the efforts of Monkey Business Consulting as well as several other MSU instructors. I’ll be teaching a two day workshop on weaving Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies into your clinical work. This workshop is designed for people in the helping professions but would probably be of interest to anyone interested in the science of change. I always do this workshop in a manner that leaves audiences touched, moved and inspired. Really looking forward to it. I’ll follow up with a book signing at Horizon book store in Traverse City on July 18th at 3p.m.
For more information on the MSU Summer Institute, look here:
http://socialwork.msu.edu/ceu/glsi.html
Tags: Laura Kasischke, Montreal, MSU Summer Institute, Peninsula Writers, Solution Focused Process, Traverse City
Posted: May 30th, 2009 by Mike
It has been a while since I posted anything so here is a little flood: an article on torture I wrote a couple of weeks ago, a review of Jim Harrison’s book “The English Major” and a couple of old playlists for the Vinyl Side of Midnight.
The English Major
by Jim Harrison
This is a very funny book, filled with bawdy humor. Harrison’s protagonist is a teacher turned farmer from Boyne City who has been divorced by his wayward wife. This and the death of his dog unhinges him to the extent that he takes to the road with a childhood jigsaw map of the U.S., in an attempt to visit and rename each state of the union. It is a kind of “Travels With Charley” without the dog.
Along the way he meets up with an old student, now twenty years later, and they start a wild affair. As he weaves his way across the north towards California he explores several themes. Who are we without our families and familiar landscapes? What’s in a name, or a label? How do we look at a cow and not think the word ‘cow’? Harrison’s character finds solace in nature, good food and the occasional whiskey.
“Be careful what you wish for” seems to be one of his messages. “F@#& Republicans” seems to be another.
This book is a quick read and I highly recommend it.
A college professor friend of mine taught Harrison (both as a student, then as a subject) and later wrote about him. He interviewed Harrison as part of his research, and allowed me the pleasure to listen to the tapes. Anyone who has heard Harrison speak publicly knows that he writes like he speaks, which indicates to me something along the lines of what his thinking must be like: a winding wild river, clear, gushing, babbling, sometimes deep and prone to take circuitous pathways. Always worth camping nearby and fishing for uncommon riches.
Memorial Day Entry
Politics, Torture & The Evolution of The Species
For some reason I watched Valkyrie, the movie starring Tom Cruise, this week. I watched it back-to-back with a documentary of the same event. I’d always assumed Valkyrie was the plot to kill Hitler, but it was actually an operation to use the German army reserves to do a coup against the SS after the assassination to kill Hitler.
My dad was in WWII, European theater. He’s been gone since 1995. Whenever I see something about WWII I wonder how he’d like it.
My dad was also a staunch Republican and Richard Nixon was his hero. Really. As much as I love Obama, that is how much he loved Richard Nixon. We didn’t quite see eye to eye on that.
I wonder if he would even recognize his political party these days. Declaring pre-emptive wars, falsifying information through torture to justify the invasion and occupation of a nation, the enrichment of corporations and the dismantling of the middle class, the use of the government to conduct an enormous transfer of wealth from the middle class to the highest reaches of the upper class. Conducting a war without raising taxes. The ruin of Wall Street and New Orleans.
The news this week has been on Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House. She said the C.I.A. had mis-lead her in a briefing on torture. Now the Republicans want to make the issue whether or not she has lied, what did she know when, etc. (Also last night they voted on whether or not they should re-label the Democratic Party the Democrat-Socialist Party – so it’s come to name calling?).
When I look at what the Republicans did in the last decade under Bush and Cheney, I see a very cynical administration that, more than anything, operated as though the ends justified the means. They wanted results and didn’t care how they got them. Even if this meant moral corruption.
The irony is that moral corruption leads to other types of corruption. Real flesh and blood results. The corruption of systems and ideals and… well, look at the economy, look at our standing in the world.
The idea of torturing our enemies because we can get confessions and information is so arcane and midieval that it is almost beyond belief. My favorite bumper sticker of the week was “Who would Jesus torture?” And the hypocrisy behind calling it “Enhanced Interrogation Techniques” is so cynical. But the fight is not just moral. What is right or wrong. It is also for our very evolution as a species.
I looked at a book once that was about travel in third world nations. The author made the point that travel in such countries was like time travel to him. Want to visit the 18th century? Here are places you can go… How about the 15th century? Here are some other places.
It hits me that examples of the evolution of our consciousness are walking amongst us. And I’m not just talking about IQs. There are plenty of smart people who don’t have the ability to see subtleties, the ability to see things from different points of view, the ability to value the process along with the content of an argument.
You really cannot separate process from content. The ‘how’ is just as important as the ‘what’. Understanding that takes a little sophistication. Which is an indication of an evolved intellect. I won’t say I have one of those, but Obama certainly does. Any species has to evolve and adapt given the change of it’s circumstance. And a world that faces multi-culturalism, a shrinking world with a polluted eco-system and dwindling resources, a world that, more than ever, must operate on understanding, respect, cooperation, and innovation, this is a world that calls for a new set of solutions. And the way we address this is just as important as the ideas and ideals we hope to implement.
So this rant started out as a comment about my dad and memorial day and WWII. Sorry that I got distracted but my brain is loosely associated this early in the morning. The title came later.
Tags: book review, Cheney, English Major, Jim Harrison, Obama, torture
Posted: April 20th, 2009 by Mike
This weekend I received an piece of news that bowled me over. Whitney Spotts of Schuler Books in Eastwood Mall, East Lansing, contacted me via email saying that they needed more copies of Everybody Dreams. She then shared that they had just reviewed their sales, and Everybody Dreams was their best seller in General Fiction for the first quarter of 2009!
So thank you all for buying and reading the book. I have had some amazing feedback from many of you and I am deeply touched at much of what you’ve shared. Some people are actually making profound changes in their lives as the result of reading this book. I’m glad it is making a difference and giving some people the courage to change. I’d go into more detail, but that would be giving away some of the fun of reading.
I’d also like to formally apologize to Lansing readers for all the lost sleep, the crazy dreams, the tears that some of you have experienced as the result of reading Everybody Dreams. Just kidding. I love it!
On Friday (4/24/09) I’ll be delivering the keynote Friday for the Wise Woman Program (Michigan Breast & Cervical Cancer Control) at the Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City. My topic is Motivation & Beyond, and will be focused on how to access the healthiest parts of our selves in order to do the work to help others gain access to their own motivation to change. I’ve worked with this group before, delivering a two day training last spring. It was the only time in my career that I received completely unanimous 5 star ratings (on a scale to 5, you smarties!). So we have some history and some chemistry.
Thanks for looking at the web site. Feel free to send me a note or feedback on what you’d like to see.
Tags: Everybody Dreams, speaking
Posted: April 5th, 2009 by Mike
An Amazing Weekend:
On Friday I attended the Robert Busby Memorial Benefit at the Creole Gallery. Even though I’ve been in the Creole for several other events over the past two years, it was great to hear MSU’s Jazz Orchestra I under the direction of Rodney Whitaker, great to see Meegan Holland introducing the music, great to see John and Mary taking tickets and Cathie Blumer serving coffee. The show was oversold and the place was packed with new and old fans. And the music was sublime! Rodney claimed that this was his best band yet and I’m thinking we’ll be hearing from a bunch of these folks in the future. I’ll get some names and share them in the future but there are some hot players in this group: baritone and tenor players, the pianist and drummer, trumpet and the singer… you know who you are!!! I hope to have a recording of the show and maybe feature some of the students in a future Vinyl Side of Midnight.
Then the Spartans beat UConn to make the NCAA basketball finals. This team has peaked at exactly the right time. The whole state is abuzz over this amazing team. Good job, Tom Izzo. Good job, Michigan State!
This week on the Vinyl Side I’ll play some music by local musicians: I’ll post the playlist below. There maybe a chance that I can begin some podcasting in the near future! Keep your fingers crossed and your ears open, all of you that can’t stay up that late….
Vinyl Side of Midnight 2009
This is the playlist for this week’s Vinyl Side of Midnight, which can be heard on 89.7 FM WLNZ in the Greater Lansing area, or you can tune in internationally on the web on www.wlnz.org – hosted by Mike Stratton, Sunday nights, 9- midnight, Eastern Standard Time
Feel free to forward this to friends.
If you’ve received this and would like to be removed from the list simply contact me at dreamtrane@sbcglobal.net
You can use that same address for promotional information.
For more information, visit www.mikestratton.com
4/5/09
Miles Davis – Mystery; DOO BOP; Warner Brothers
Various (Red Hawk) – Now’s the Time; BIRD UP (CHARLIE PARKER REMIX PROJECT) Savoy
Charlie Parker – Now’s the Time; CONFIRMATION: BEST OF… Verve
Joe Kap Organ Trio – Myrtle Avenue Steet Crawl; STREET NOISE; Severn
organissimo – Bleeker; GROOVADELPHIA; Big O Records
Sean Jones – The Ambitious Violet; THE SEARCH WITHIN; Mack Avenue
Derrick Gardner and The Jazz Prophets – Mac Daddy Grip; A RIDE TO THE OTHER SIDE…Of Infinity; Owl Studios
Ray Levier – Ray’s Way; RAY’S WAY; Origin Records
Jimmy Greene – Trials; MISSION STATEMENT; RazDaz Records
Esperanza Spalding – I Know You Know; ESPERANZA; Heads Up
Tierney Sutton – Get Happy; ON THE OTHER SIDE; Telarc
Rick Roe – Minor Shuffle; MINOR SHUFFLE; Unknown Records
Arlene McDaniel – Monk-Like; TIMELESS;
Thelonious Monk – Misterioso; THE COMPLETE BLUE NOTE RECORDINGS
Bob Sneider/Joe Locke – Theme From Blow Up; NOCTURNE FOR AVA; Origin
The Diego Rivera Quartet – Hercules; HERCULES; Rivera Records
Wessell “Warmdaddy” Anderson – Warm It Up Warmdaddy; SPACE; Warmdaddy Music
Carol Fredette – Without Rhyme or Reason; EVERYTHING IN TIME; Soundbrush
Fat Cat Big Band – I Do Know What Love Is; ANGELS PRAYING FOR FREEDOM; Smalls Records
Bill Wimmer – I Thought About You; PROJECT OMAHA; WimJazz
Rodney Whitaker Quintet – The Way They Always Said It Should Be; BALLADS & BLUES; Criss Cross
Kendra Shank Quartet – So Far Away; MOSAIC; Challenge Recordings
The Omar Sosa Sextet – Gabriel’s Trumpet; ACROSS THE DIVIDE; Half Note
Charles Tolliver Big Band – On The Nile; EMPEROR MARCH;
Sunny Wilkinson/Tom Gavin – O Cantador; A GENTLE TIME; CMG
Miles Davis – Bye Bye Blackbird; ROUND ABOUT MIDNIGHT; Columbia
Posted: March 22nd, 2009 by Mike
Updates on the book:
1) There is another book signing at Schuler Books at the Lansing Eastwood Towne Center Mall on March 23rd at 7p.m. The last book signing at Everybody Reads had 85 attendees! I’m amazed and flattered over the response the book is getting. At this reading/signing someone from CMU public radio will be recording the proceedings!
2) Two more radio interviews on 3/23: Check out WJIM (1240 am) at 8:50 a.m. for an appearance on the Michael Patrick Show, and then WLNZ (89.7 fm) at 9:30 a.m. for an appearance on the Coffee Break Show.
3) Ray Walsh has a review of the book in this week’s Lansing State Journal, Sunday edition.
I’ve been receiving so much good word of mouth about the book, so many positive remarks. I’m sorry the book has made so many of you cry (NOT!!)
Tags: book signings, Everbody Dreams, radio interviews
Posted: March 12th, 2009 by Stevie
A Big Thanks
I’m still walking on air from last week’s round of interviews and the book signing at Everybody Reads. There are so many people I need to thank: Tim Baron, Bill Castanier, Lawrence Cosentino, Berl Schwartz, Dan Mulhern, Dawn Parker for the press and interviews. Thanks to Scott Harris for allowing me and 80+ readers in taking over his bookstore, Everybody Reads, on March 5th. Thanks to all of you who showed up, stopped by, bought a book, said hello… Thanks to the fabulous Blumer sisters who brought cake, veggies, cheese & crackers. Mary Blumer came from Chicago for the event! Ken Osmar flew all the way from Florida! I am humbled by how many of you believe in this book. As I said at the reading, this is OUR book. Thanks so much!
I am just starting to get feedback from readers, and, dare I say, fan mail? I’ve heard from three people how they stayed up late at night/early in the morning to finish the book. I’m very pleased, because that was exactly my intent. I wanted to write a page turner that was hard to put down.
If you missed this signing, the next one is scheduled at Schuler Books, Eastwood Mall at 7p.m. The store is already carrying the book. And, as usual, you can purchase the book right here on this web-site. Or Amazon.com.
This next week:
I’m getting ready for Sophie Millman’s concert at the Wharton Center on March 19th. Some of you remember her performance at the East Lansing Summer Jazz Festival, singing with the Professors of Jazz. This time she is bringing her own band. I’ll be giving the pre-concert lecture, so stop by and say ‘hi’. The Vinyl Side of Midnight this week will focus on several tracks by Sophie, along with a mix of new music and classic female vocals.
Posted: March 5th, 2009 by Mike
This has been an amazing week. As I write this, I’ve just finished the Tim Barron interview (http://www.wqtx.net) and I’ll be going to the Dan Mulhern interview this afternoon, which will play this weekend (http://www.wjimam.com). Yesterday I was interviewed on air by Berl Schwartz (impact89fm.org) and on the web by Bill Castanier (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=50082981). City Pulse is running a really good, solid article by Lawrence Cosentino on Everybody Dreams (http://www.lansingcitypulse.com/lansing). And the book signing at Everybody Reads tonight (http://www.becauseeverybodyreads.com/)! Tomorrow is the Dream Workshop at the Kellogg Center, hosted by MSU School of Social Work Continuing Ed (http://www.socialwork.msu.edu/ceu/index.html).
After this is all done, I’m looking forward to going to see The Watchmen with Cathie, my favorite movie goer.
Posted: February 27th, 2009 by Stevie
Four events this week (3/1/09 – 3/6/09)
March 1 Sunday 9p.m. to midnight
89.7 fm WLNZ or www.wlnz.org
I’m finally doing my Anthony Braxton profile. I’ve wanted to do this since I began doing the show, many years ago. It wasn’t until I received the Mosaic box set of Braxton’s complete Arista recordings for my birthday (thanks Cathie!) that I’m able to pull it off. See below for the set list and my notes.
March 4 Wednesday 1p.m.
Wednesdays at One with Bonnie & Bill www.lansingonlinenews.com
Interview with Bonnie Bucqueroux (pronounced Buck-A-Roo) and Bill Castanier on the new novel, Everybody Dreams.
March 4 Wednesday 7p.m.
88.9 FM WDBM City Pulse Live On The Air
Interview with Berl Schwartz and Kyle Melinn. Lawrence Cosentino interviewed me a couple of weeks ago and I anticipate that a piece will be printed this week in the City Pulse.
March 5 Thursday 6:30p.m. – 9p.m.
Everybody Reads
Reception, reading, Q&A, discussion and book signing.
I have tended to move in wide circles. I am really interested in seeing the intersection of media, therapy, music, writers, family and friends. This is a book launch for Everybody Dreams and I’m expecting it to be a blast.
March 6 Friday 9a.m. to noon
The Dream Workshop – Kellogg Center, East Lansing
This is a workshop directed to therapists but open to any dreamers who have an interest in working with dreams, or creating a Dream Group. Call 353-3060 to register. Cost is $75.
THE VINYL SIDE OF MIDNIGHT
LIVING LEGENDS: ANTHONY BRAXTON
3/1/09
Living Legends: Anthony Braxton
Multi reedist/avant composer/ Anthony Braxton is a unique entity in the history of jazz music. His influences range from Paul Desmond to Stockhausen, Charlie Parker to Albert Ayler. His music has been likened to mathematic equations, or sound geometry. Compositional architecture. A blend of brains and blast, for a time Braxton was seen as the next great creator on the landscape. Maybe he still is? Tonight we’ll tear through a huge stack of his music, and you can decide for yourself.
Almost all of the music played tonight will be from the sumptuous Mosaic collection of Braxton’s work for the Arista label from 1974-1978. Arista was unique in giving special attention to a special kind of genius, even funding the composer’s Music For Four Orchestras project.
I actually had a chance to meet Anthony at Michigan State University in the late 1970s while he spent a week as an artist in residence at the jazz program. I listened to his lectures, interspersed with records he’d play, and also sat in on rehearsals he held with the MSU big band. Ron Newman was the chair of the jazz program at that time, and at the concert he and Anthony performed an amazing duet. Through the rehearsals and the lectures, Braxton really taught me how to listen to music that had before been inaccessible to me. Perhaps I can return that favor with you on Sunday.
Set List:
Anthony Braxton w/Muhal Richard Abrams – Maple Leaf Rag; THE COMPLETE ARISTA RECORDINGS OF ANTHONY BRAXTON; Mosaic
Anthony Braxton – Opus 40N – CREATIVE ORCHESTRA MUSIC; Arista
We open with a ragtime composition, if Eric Dolphy had jammed with Scott Joplin. Then break into a fierce piece of swinging angular Braxtonia.
Anthony Braxton – Opus 23B; THE COMPLETE ARISTA RECORDINGS…; Mosaic
Anthony Braxton – Opus 23D; THE COMPLETE ARISTA RECORDINGS…: Mosaic
Two tracks from a blazing quintet that features trumpeter Kenny Wheeler and bassist Dave Holland.
Anthony Braxton – Opus 37C; THE COMPLETE ARISTA RECORDINGS…: Mosaic
Anthony Braxton – Opus 40M; THE COMPLETE ARISTA RECORDINGS…; Mosaic
Anthony Braxton – Opus 55(F); THE COMPLETE ARISTA RECORDINGS…: Mosaic
These tracks feature the wonderful drummer, Barry Altschul. The first two are quartet pieces, the third is the orchestra.
Anthony Braxton/Muhal Richard Abrams – Miss Ann: THE COMPLETE…; Mosaic
Anthony Braxton/Muhal Richard Abrams – Opus 40P; THE COMPLETE…; Mosaic
Anthony Braxton – Red Top; THE COMPLETE…; Mosaic
Duets, again, the second displaying Braxton’s contrabass saxophone, then a selection of solo alto.
Dave Holland – Four Winds; CONFERENCE OF THE BIRDS; ECM
Anthony Braxton – Opus 40(0); THE COMPLETE…; Mosaic
This set of music starts with the opening track of Dave Holland’s stunning free bop excursion, featuring Sam Rivers w/Braxton; then is Anthony’s homage to John Phillip Sousa, a parade march that slowly evolves into a trip to Gonzo-ville, with a screeching Jon Faddis trumpet solo over the proceedings before we return to main street red, white and blue.
Anthony Braxton – You Stepped Out Of A Dream; THE COMPLETE…; Mosaic
Anthony Braxton – Opus 6(C); THE COMPLETE…; Mosaic
Braxton in extremes – covering a standard (see, he can do it when he wants!), then with the quartet w/George Lewis live at Montreaux.
Anthony Braxton – Opus 23J; THE COMPLETE…; Mosaic
Anthony Braxton – Opus 37; THE COMPLETE…; Mosaic
This set features the most avant/classical influence of the whole show: a track from the Berlin Philharmonic concert, fronting the Berlin New Music Group, followed by a saxophone quartet that features Oliver Lake, Hamiet Bluiett and Julius Hemphill, a fore-runner to the World Saxophone Quartet.
Anthony Braxton – Opus 40K; THE COMPLETE…; Mosaic
A longer piece from the Berlin Philharmonic concert.
Anthony Braxton – Opus 57; THE COMPLETE…; Mosaic
Anthony Braxton – Opus 77C; THE COMPLETE…: Mosaic
Anthony Braxton/Muhal Richards Abram – Nickie; THE COMPLETE…; Mosaic
We finish off the night with three portraits of the artist: one, with his creative orchestra, stringing together a soundscape of seemingly random textures and timbres; two, the soloist, almost at practice, the Paul Desmond influence clearly evident; three, in duet playing a sweet and heartbreaking ballad.
Posted: February 21st, 2009 by Mike
I’m on the shore of Grand Haven with the snow coming down at a rate of an inch an hour. I’ve been here for several days, enjoying the solitiude and working on my next book. Attending a Peninsula Writer’s retreat that is hosted at Khardomah. I’ve sold some books at the retreat, dropped off some copies at Grand Haven’s Bookman for a reading and signing event this spring or summer, and the plan was to drive back to East Lansing Sunday morning. This blizzard may change that plan. We’ll see. Ain’t Michigan grand? And haven’t we had the winter to end all winters?
This new book is a mystery. I’m almost embarassed to say that I scared myself in the last scene I wrote. A member of my writing group asked, “How can you possibly scare yourself?” I think I’ll read her this scene and see what she says.
Meanwhile I just got a call from my sister Gail who told me about the wonderful buzz she’s hearing from Everybody Dreams. She says people are loving it and many more are wanting to buy it. If you can hold off for a week, PLEASE come to one of my signings. I’d love to meet you and sign your book for you. The next copy of the book will be edited to contain reviews, so books purchased now may become collector’s items.
For info on purchasing books, scan below for my instructions.
Stay warm.
Posted: February 14th, 2009 by Mike
CD REVIEW FOR FEBRUARY 2009
NOCTURNE FOR AVA – Bob Sneider & Joe Locke; Film Noir Project on
Origin Records
This is one of those CDs that I haven’t been able to remove from my player since I first put it in. Trumpeter Sneider and vibist Locke have latched onto a concept of celebrating the music of noir; think black and white detective movies from the 50s, or doomed romance, murder, shadow, attitude. If this kind of stuff floats your boat, this is a must have CD. The album opens with Last Tango In Paris, a composition that immediately evokes the overarching mood of the entire set. Sneider’s trumpet is just the right mix of muted tart lemon pucker, drizzled over the easy, smokey groove of the rest of the band. Other tunes include Theme From Blow Up, Black Dahlia, Kiss Me, Kill Me… the band is already at work on a follow up album, which suggests the popularity I suspect this group will endear.
People will often ask me, “I have Kind of Blue – can you suggest an album that is like that?” They are usually asking for something that is accessible but hip, nocturnal without being scary, evocative without being provocative. It’s usually a short list, but now I have another title I can throw at them – Nocturne For Ava.
!
