Gutbrain Records

Sunday, 23 January 2005

A friend of mine recently sent me a clipping from the New York Times, a glowing article about the DVD release of Elaine May's Mikey & Nicky. That's okay with me, as it's a fine movie and well worth some attention from the mainstream media. The piece by Dave Kehr, though, is a tad hyperbolic: "When the film opened in New York in December 1976, it sank quickly out of sight and has remained a legend among those lucky enough to see it at its periodic revivals." Really? What about those who saw it when it was released on videocassette by Warner Home Video and then released again by Anchor Bay? Also, it would only remain a legend among those who didn't see it, right?

As long as I'm on the subject of the New York Times, I'd like to set the record straight on something else. A week ago, they had a notice in the Sunday Arts & Leisure section about a lute concert given by Paul O'Dette. I almost went to this. I think my brother and his wife did end up going. The New York Times pitched it thus: "The lute, that dodo of the guitar family, still gets respect from Paul O'Dette." Wow. Doesn't that make you want to go hear some music by Bach performed on the instrument for which it was written? I believe the dodo ceased to exist over 300 years ago. The lute has never ceased to exist. The lute is also a beautiful instrument that does not want for respect, except perhaps from the New York Times.