16 Comments
Aug 3, 2023·edited Aug 3, 2023Liked by Raphy Mendoza

Love the Tiny Bennett duets too! Recommending this documentary on Photographer W. Eugene Smith: Jazz Loft. Here is the trailer: https://youtu.be/BRHXDrOjCE4

Expand full comment
Aug 2, 2023·edited Aug 2, 2023Liked by Raphy Mendoza

If you like Jazz, you should probably catch up on what's happening with it today...

Here's a 3+ hour playlist with no tracks from before 2019: https://ifrqfm.substack.com/p/is-jazz-having-a-moment

Expand full comment

Thank you for the shout-out! I’m currently reading a slender biography of Van Gogh that’s really good. It’s called Van Gogh: A Power Seething by Julian Bell. Recommended!

Expand full comment

Great share, thank you 😊

Expand full comment

This is excellent. Apologies for only just discovering you. Just the sort of curiosity I love. I’ll be back for more!

Expand full comment
author

No need to apologise! I’m glad you like it here, and so happy you found it :). Xxx

Expand full comment

I recommend the Sheryl Crowe and Go-Go's documentaries. I also enjoyed listening to Bono's memoir on audiobook.

Expand full comment
Jul 31, 2023Liked by Raphy Mendoza

A real Jazz Master!

Expand full comment

Oh wow, thanks for including me in this Raphy. Honestly I'm so grateful. And as a jazz lover, it's probably the only time I'll get be mentioned in the same place as some of my greatest jazz heroes! Loving the biography recommendations in the comments too :) BBC2 recently ran a great series on Frida Kahlo called 'Becoming Frida' with some superb video footage I'd not seen before.

Expand full comment

I second Just Kids by Patti Smith- One of my all time favorites

Reborn: Journals of Susan Sontag is also incredible

I’m also a David Lynch fan, and I saw “The Art Life” a few years ago- along with his book Consciousness, Creativity, and Catching the Big Fish

Expand full comment

I second the recommendation of Sontag’s journals (both volumes)! And this reminds me that Sigrid Nunez’s brief memoir/biography of Sontag, Sempre Susan, is superb and worth seeking out too.

Expand full comment
Jul 30, 2023Liked by Raphy Mendoza

Respect : The Life of Aretha Franklin - David Ritz

And A Voice to Sing With: A Memoir - Joan Baez

Chronicles V.1 - Bob Dylan

Just Kids - Patti Smith

I'm Your Man: The Life of Leonard Cohen - Sylvie Simmons

Expand full comment
author

Thanks! Have you seen 'Amazing Grace' - also Aretha Franklin. REMARKABLE.

Expand full comment

About 5 times! I've had the album for years and was delighted when they released the footage after she died. It's amazing.

Expand full comment
Jul 30, 2023Liked by Raphy Mendoza

I should also add to the list:

Lady Sings the Blues - Billie Holiday. While a lot of it is (apparently) quite inaccurate, her voice comes through amazingly as does the fire of her spirit.

Expand full comment