Citypaper, November 26

The second cover story in a row (the reasons why are in Brian Howard's Editor's Letter) tells the 35-year history of free-funk rhythm section Jamaaladeen Tacuma and G. Calvin Weston. Also, a review of Baz Luhrmann's simultaneously overindulgent and incredibly dull Australia, a Daytripper for an exhibit of punk rock photography in Lancaster, of all places, and a pick for pianist Kenny Werner, bringing his new trio to the Art Museum.

Metro, November 17-21

This week, two interviews with fellow journalists: NY Times jazz critic Ben Ratliff, promoting his new book The Jazz Ear via a live interview with pianist Orrin Evans, and New Yorker classical critic Alex Ross, interviewing John Adams at the Free Library. And a preview of I-House's 3-movie FilmChile series.

Citypaper, November 20

The first of two cover stories this week, with my delayed feature on John Oates, originally meant to run in October's music issue. Alongside the main story, there's this timeline of Oates' life and career. Also, reviews of Arnaud Desplechin's A Christmas Tale and the self-reflexive, surprising Jean-Claude Van Damme mindwarp JCVD. In music, a feature on turntablist Maria Chavez.

Citypaper, November 13

This week: A review of the French animated compilation film Fear(s) of the Dark, along with an interview with NoLibs graphic artist Charles Burns, one of the directors; a pick for Bowerbird's duos show, featuring the team-up of trumpeters Nate Wooley and Peter Evans; and a Soundadvice blurb for Nmperign.

November 3-7

In the Metro: An interview with Arie Kaplan, author of From Krakow to Krypton: Jews and Comic Books.

In the Citypaper: A feature on the First Person Festival's Complaint Choir; an interview with Bruce Campbell on his new film My Name is Bruce; a feature on the Music & Mentorship program's fundraising salute to drummer Mickey Roker; a pick for drummer/bandleader Bobby Sanabria; and another for I-House's Contemporary Voices show, featuring the duets of David Grubbs/Susan Howe and Alan Licht/Aki Onda.

October 27-31

In the Daily News: A feature on the Kimmel's season-long series celebrating the 50th anniversary of Miles Davis' Kind of Blue, including interviews with Jimmy Cobb, Bobby Watson, and Randy Brecker.

In the Metro: A look at the Art Museum's retrospective on outsider artist James Castle, and for Halloween, a piece on Secret Cinema's Bela Lugosi Halloween Grab Bag.

In the Citypaper: A piece on Exhumed Films' second annual 24-Hour Horrorthon - with an extra hour thanks to Daylight Savings; a feature on UArts' symposium on the life and music of Wilmington native Clifford Brown; a pick on the West Philadelphia Orchestra's CD release show; and Soundadvice blurbs on the Oscuro Quintet, Dynamite Club, and Joe McPhee's Trio X.

October 20-24

In the Metro: An interview with ex-Nickel Creek mandolinist Chris Thile about his duo gig at the Kimmel with bassist Edgar Meyer.

In the Citypaper: No music pieces in the Music Issue - my feature on John Oates got squeezed for space and will show up as the cover story on 11/20. So this week, just an interview with Philly Poe expert Edward Pettit, a brief discussion on the Roger Corman Poe films screening just before Halloween.