Super Sonic Sets
Steve Martin Writes the Written Word, Noshing with the Oshers, Clarence White, Cal Raleigh, Picture Postcard
Welcome to my weekly newsletter. This issue includes ten favorite songs by May Erlewine, a compilation of Steve Martin’s writing, two spots where I dined with our Franklin friends, a world-class guitar picker who died too soon, the catcher who won the Home Run Derby, and a post worth sharing. I hope you like the picks and pics.
Sonic Lunch on Thursday featured two musicians who have performed at our home. The opening act was The Rebel Eves, whose keyboard playing singer/songwriter is Katie Pederson. Their set was sensational.
The headliner was May Erlewine, one of my favorite singer/songwriters. Her set with Packy Lundholm was superb.
After Sonic Lunch, May and Packy recorded an Acoustic Alternatives Podcast with John Bommarito. They performed four songs during the show, which sound great.
After recording his podcast, John and his wife Peggy Najarian made it to our house to join our recently revived monthly Euchre Night. Kudos to Jeri Johnson for starting this back up again last month. Many years ago we started this regular event, which eventually ran out of steam. Now that we’ve restarted it, we are enjoying reconnecting with friends we have not seen in a long time.
On Saturday, the first David Oljace Memorial golf outing had been planned by Roger and his friend, Matt Emmenecker, in memory of their late friend. The weather did not cooperate, and heavy rains washed out the main event. But the dinner morphed into an afternoon meal and was held. In addition to the golf and dinner donations, additional funds were raised through a silent auction of collectibles and 50-50 raffle.
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Fave Five 145: Super Sonic Sets
Written Word Works (Steve Martin Writes the Written Word), Noshing with the Oshers (Nawab, Howe’s Bayou), Fabulous Flat Picker (Clarence White), Big Dumper (Cal Raleigh), and a Picture Postcard.
Fave Five List: My Ten Favorite May Erlewine Songs
I always enjoy seeing May in concert, and this week I also had the pleasure of viewing her performances on the Acoustic Alternatives podcast. Here are my favorite songs from her extensive catalog.
The River Jordan
Easy
Love and Desire
Down to This
Your Someone
He Knows
Shine On
Never One Thing
Nothing But Love
The Cost
Book Best Bet
Steve Martin Writes the Written Word: Collected Written Word Works by Steve Martin
Roger gave me this for Father’s Day. I had previously read Roger’s copy of Shopgirl and listened to a tape of Pure Drivel, both of which are included in this compilation. But to my surprise, I really enjoyed reading them again. The second novella that was included, The Pleasure of My Company, took a while to get into, but once I did, it proved to be satisfying. And I laughed uncontrollably at many of the shorter pieces.
From Amazon: With an exclusive new introduction and some never-before-published pieces, a collection of greatest hits from one of the most beloved comedians of our time.
Steve Martin Writes the Written Word is a perfect introduction for new fans and a must-have for longtime fans, showcasing the longevity, range, and—above all—hilarity of the master. Filled with his singular characters and musings--Daniel Pecan Cambridge, a modern-day neurotic yearning to break free in The Pleasure of My Company, to the comedic and heartbreaking relationship between Neiman Marcus shopgirl Mirabelle and businessman Ray Porter in Shopgirl, to meditations on bad neighbors and so much more--this collection shows the breadth of Martin's work, which is bolstered by a mix of brand-new and previously published selections of his writing for the New Yorker's "Shouts & Murmurs" column.
A tantalizing page-turner from start to finish that will appeal to a wide range of literary appetites, Steve Martin Writes the Written Word is a brilliant tour through a singular mind.
Restaurant Recommendations
Noshing with the Oshers
On two occasions last year I dined with Barbara and David Osher in locations closer to their home in Franklin than to mine in Northville.
Nawab British Indian Cuisine 3354 12 Mile Rd, Berkley, MI 48072
Passage to India was a restaurant that Barb and I used to go to with the Oshers in this same location. In fact, one time we were almost thrown out for laughing so hard that we stood out in the otherwise quiet establishment. When this newer place reopened after a prolonged closure, we gave it a try. Not as good as the former spot, but not bad.
Saag Paneer: Spinach and Indian cheese cooked in creamy sauce.
Chicken Tikka Masala: Marinated chicken grilled in tandoori clay oven and cooked in delicious sauce.
Onion Kulcha and Garlic Naan
Howe’s Bayou 22848 Woodward Ave, Ferndale, MI 48220
When Barb was out of town, I joined Barbara and David at this place near the Magic Bag theater, where we were going to see a May Erlewine solo show. This place is no substitute for being in New Orleans, but it does a decent job with the cuisine.
Gumbo Ya-Ya: Chicken and Andouille sausage, in a dark roux with rice and okra
Shrimp Po Boy: Traditional New Orleans Sandwich - Lightly seasoned fried shrimp with Cajun Remoulade served on a French roll with Southern slaw
Marvelous Musician
Yesterday marked the 52nd anniversary of Clarence’s passing I saw him with The Byrds on September 9, 1972 at Washington University in St. Louis. He is one of my favorite guitarists.
From Wikipedia: Clarence White (born Clarence Joseph LeBlanc on June 7, 1944 in Lewiston, Maine; died July 15, 1973 in Palmdale, California), was an American bluegrass and country guitarist and singer. He is best known as a member of the bluegrass ensemble the Kentucky Colonels and the rock band the Byrds, as well as for being a pioneer of the musical genre of country rock during the late 1960s.
White also worked extensively as a session musician, appearing on recordings by the Everly Brothers, Joe Cocker, Ricky Nelson, Pat Boone, the Monkees, Randy Newman, Gene Clark, Linda Ronstadt, Arlo Guthrie, and Jackson Browne among others. Together with frequent collaborator Gene Parsons, he invented the B-Bender, a guitar accessory that enables a player to mechanically bend the B-string up a whole tone and emulate the sound of a pedal steel guitar. White was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016.
White died on July 15, 1973, after being struck by a drunk driver. The accident occurred shortly after 2 a.m., while he and his brother Roland were loading equipment into their car in Palmdale, California, following a White Brothers concert. Gram Parsons was especially shaken by his death; he led a singalong of "Farther Along" at White's funeral service and later conceived his final song (before his own death), "In My Hour of Darkness", as a partial tribute to White.
I Am A Pilgrim and Soldier’s Joy
Listen To The Mockingbird
Arkansas Traveler
You Ain't Goin’ Nowhere
My Playlist
Sports Star
The “Big Dumper” is the MLB home run leader at the All-Star break with 38 homers. He helped his Mariners sweep my Tigers just prior to the break. And then he won the Home Run Derby. Had he been available to participate in the swing-off that decided the All-Star Game last night, he might have overcome the NL’s Kyle Schwarber’s three homers and helped the AL prevail. The fact that Cal is also the best defensive catcher in the AL to go along with his slugging prowess is quite impressive.
From Wikipedia: Caleb John Raleigh (born November 26, 1996 in Cullowhee, North Carolina), nicknamed "Big Dumper", is an American professional baseball catcher for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB). Raleigh is widely regarded as one of MLB's elite power threats, all-around catchers, and switch hitters.
In 2024, Raleigh received his first Gold Glove Award and won the American League Platinum Glove Award, given to the best defensive player in the league. In 2025, he earned his first All-Star selection and became the first catcher in MLB history to win the Home Run Derby.
Young Cal Raleigh Predicts Winning Home Run Derby
Picture Pun
Sharing this posthaste.
