Today's soul track:
"Freddie's Dead," from Mayfield's legendary 1972 soundtrack. This was one a few hits from this classic, smooth album.
Mayfield (1942-1999) was born in Chicago. He was a talented songwriter ("He Will Break Our Heart" for Jerry Butler, among others) and member of the influential R&B/gospel group The Impressions ("Gypsy Woman," "It's Alright"). He went solo in the early 1970s and became a noted social activist. He has been elected twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - for the Impressions (1991) and as a solo artist in 1999.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECgBXkil7YI
Book Review
Landay's legal thriller centers on an average suburban American family: Dad Andy is an assistant DA; mom Laurie is an ex-schoolteacher-turned housewife; son Jacob is a moody, aggressive loner. When a classmate of Jacob's is brutally murdered in a public park abutting the school, there are no immediate suspects. A lone fingerprint eventually incriminates Jacob. It turns out that the victim, Ben, was a bit of a bully towards Jacob. More and more evidence begins to pile up, but will it be enough to convict him?
The novel, which spans the aftermath of the murder, the endless pre-trial days, the trial itself, and the weeks after it, is more concerned with the effects Jacob's potential guilt has on the family than it is the actual nuts-and-bolts of the trail (which it nevertheless lays out clearly and ably for readers). Andy is devoted to Jacob's innocence, certain of it (almost ridiculously so, I think readers will find.) Laurie is not so sure. All is muddled even more when Andy reveals that violence runs in his family - his line is dotted with criminal, murderous acts. Laurie, shocked at this revelation, begins to wonder if these "murder genes" are in Jacob. Jacob's past behavior is seen in a new light, and both parents begin to reconsider secrets that have been withheld. Laurie can't get the doubt and self-condemnation out of her mind; Andy remains loyal to a fault.
The book poses challenging questions. Landay asks us to consider the old nature vs. nurture debate, but he also presents a challenging critique at how blindly we defend our kids. Andy, as smart as he is, seems a bit blinkered about his son, not allowing any sort of blight to enter his mind. He's frustrating, to be sure, but we get Landay's point. Parents don't seem to appreciate how rough high school can be, how lonely and alienating a time it is for some. Some parents are clueless too, purely inept, having no idea what their kids are up to. Individual guilt doesn't exist in a vacuum - society as a whole plays a part in it. The "murder genes" component adds a fascinating twist to the story. Is Andy as guilt as Jacob? What is it within a kid that makes him or her go so wrong?
The obvious reference point here is Scott Turow's Presumed Innocent, but the novel stands on its own, as both a courtroom drama and a social critique. As a thriller, it's a well-oiled, sinuous, finely-plotted affair. Landay makes Jacob a strikingly ambiguous creation; because we're never sure if he's innocent or not, we're never really quite sure where we stand with him, which is fine. There are plenty of twists and turns in the last act (including one that has a captivating inevitability). It's a novel that stays with you, that's for sure, long after the haunting ending.
(****)
History Lesson
I know, I know, Cinco de Mayo has come and gone. Do you know what the day celebrates?
No, not Mexican Independence, silly - that's September 16.
May 5 is the day, 150 years ago (1862), that Mexico defeated France at the Battle of Puebla. Mexico was already independent at that time, but the country was divided by Liberals and Conservatives; the Conservatives tended to side with the policies and ideas of Mexico's former European rulers; Liberals weren't keen on this, nor did they like the privileges given by Conservatives to the Catholic Church.
By mid-century, the Liberals were in power. They began to restrict the power of the church and the clergy, and confiscated church land. The Conservatives were furious. Civil War broke out.
The war was paid for by European powers - Britain, France, Spain. Mexican president Benito Juarez faulted on his loans, though, so European lenders came calling. Britain and Spain muscled Mexico around, got their money back, and then left.
France hung around, though, sensing an opportunity to make a statement. Again, war broke out.
On May 5, 1862, Mexico won an insignificant battle at San Puebla, the Liberals and Conservatives temporarily joining forces and believing they could win the war. The date attained a great significance.
The war went on for a year, and eventually France took Mexico City, and hoisted their own rule (and ruler) upon the city. France controlled the city for three years - until Mexican resistance ousted him.
Footnote:
Because France was so involved in Mexico for half of the 1860s, the country was unable to give its attention to the U.S. Civil War. France had made clear its sympathies with the Confederacy, so we can only ponder about what would have happened if its war with Mexico hadn't stretched out longer than planned and the Frenchies gave their aid and support to the South.
Thanks: http://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2012/05/05/power-money-and-taxes-the-history-of-cinco-de-mayo/
- Egats, I find myself not caring about some new TV shows that I was watching and enjoying for a while: Revenge, Missing, Scandal. Hate when that happens!
- For all you music fans, for all you rock and roll fans, try this quiz:
I got 118 of them. See how you do.
http://www.sporcle.com/games/g/rockrollHOFinductees
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