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Sean Murphy
Sean Murphy

473 Followers

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Mar 5

Why Wayne Shorter Matters

Wayne Shorter is, for my money, possibly the most underrated genius in any genre of music. To be sure, he certainly received plenty of props within jazz circles and the people who know really know. In his wise, humble way, he always seemed cool with that. He was, from start…

Jazz

6 min read

Why Wayne Shorter Matters
Why Wayne Shorter Matters
Jazz

6 min read


Mar 1

I’ll See You on the Dark Side of the Moon: Rock Music’s Apex at 50

It doesn’t matter whether Pink Floyd’s masterpiece is the best rock album of all time (just as we can agree that there are other worthy contenders for the imaginary throne, including, of course, Sgt. …

Music

7 min read

I’ll See You on the Dark Side of the Moon: Rock Music’s Apex at 50
I’ll See You on the Dark Side of the Moon: Rock Music’s Apex at 50
Music

7 min read


Jan 12

Jeff Beck: Guitar Grandmaster

As impossible at it is to believe Jeff Beck has died (aged 78), it’s just as difficult to fathom that he was with us in the first place. If you’re not a fan or are unfamiliar, pay attention to what your favorite guitar players are saying right now. We live…

Rock

5 min read

Jeff Beck: Guitar Grandmaster
Jeff Beck: Guitar Grandmaster
Rock

5 min read


Dec 30, 2022

Pelé: Ambassador of Joy

There are two ways to describe what a big deal it was to receive this toy as a Christmas gift in 1970-something. First, it was high tech entertainment for the time when games, like the people who played them, were decidedly analog. It was an era when, if sleeping didn’t…

Soccer

3 min read

Soccer

3 min read


Dec 22, 2022

The Fire Sermon: T.S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land” at 100

Art is long, and Time is fleeting, Longfellow wrote, and we’d already read it — words largely if not entirely lost on the average university freshman. It was 1989, and I was still laboring under the illusion that I’d soon be practicing L.A. Law. Thus, majoring in English was a…

Literature

5 min read

The Fire Sermon: T.S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land” at 100
The Fire Sermon: T.S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land” at 100
Literature

5 min read


Oct 24, 2022

Deliver Me From Nowhere: Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Nebraska’ at 40

Perhaps because of what followed — the next album, the acclaim — Springsteen’s decision to make the ultimate lo-fi album seems even more prescient, appropriate, and perfect. …

Rock

3 min read

Deliver Me From Nowhere: Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Nebraska’ at 40
Deliver Me From Nowhere: Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Nebraska’ at 40
Rock

3 min read


Sep 27, 2022

Steadfast and Inimitable: The Sound & Vision of Pharoah Sanders

Not a fan of Led Zeppelin, The Clash’s Paul Simonon once opined: “Just looking at their album covers makes me want to throw up.” When it comes to Pharoah Sanders, who passed away this weekend aged 81, all I have to do is consider one of his album covers and…

Jazz

9 min read

Steadfast and Inimitable: The Sound & Vision of Pharoah Sanders
Steadfast and Inimitable: The Sound & Vision of Pharoah Sanders
Jazz

9 min read


Sep 5, 2022

Barbara Ehrenreich and the Dignity of Labor

It seems specious, even disingenuous, to suggest that a well-known, best-selling author is both underrated and insufficiently read. …

Labor Day

5 min read

Barbara Ehrenreich and the Dignity of Labor
Barbara Ehrenreich and the Dignity of Labor
Labor Day

5 min read


Aug 20, 2022

Roger Waters: Shining On

There are so many musicians I admire, a smaller circle I adore, a smaller one still I revere, and a relative handful I’m grateful for. Artists whose work has changed my life, immeasurably for the better; artists who have demonstrably made the world a happier, more intelligent, passionate, inclusive place…

Pink Floyd

3 min read

Roger Waters: Shining On
Roger Waters: Shining On
Pink Floyd

3 min read


Jun 24, 2022

Here’s “The Thing” at 40

In the early summer of 1982, two distinct entities from outer space infiltrated planet earth. One was a prehistoric creature with the ability to kill, then imitate its prey: it could attack its victims while remaining disguised amongst them by, in effect, becoming them. …

Film

6 min read

Here’s “The Thing” at 40
Here’s “The Thing” at 40
Film

6 min read

Sean Murphy

Sean Murphy

473 Followers

Executive Director, 1455, @1455LitArts. Avoiding quiet desperation by any means necessary http://seanmurphy.net

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