Daniel Woolf 🇨🇦
@woolf-atthedoor.bsky.social
History professor & Principal Emeritus, Queen's University. Interests include historiography/theory, and early modern Britain. Also woolfd1958 on 'Threads'. Dog servant to Layla and occasional practitioner of several hobbies; part time radio show host.
Sad to learn of the death of the remarkable non-profit activist/ BBC presenter Dame Esther Rantzen,of "That's Life"(1973-94), a show I looked forward to each year on visits to my UK grandparents, and while living in England in the early 80s. Amid the humour of "TL" it dealt with many serious topics.
Today on @cfrcradio.bsky.social Dark Glasses, the 1st show of a mini-series devoted to jazz guitar. Today's artists include some legends (Wes Montgomery; Mary Osborne; Charlie Christian) as well as contemporary artists such as Mimi Fox and Sheryl Bailey; Canadians Bob McAlpine and Jocelyn Gould.
Elizabethan playhouses were supplied by a network of tailors, merchants & craftswomen. Their names survive in records, but little is known about their lives. I’m working on new research that brings the stories of these makers & traders centre stage. Here is the project in biscuit (cookie) form. 🍪
Today on @cfrcradio.bsky.social we pay tribute to 2 musical greats (in very different genres) who died during the past few weeks: in the 1st half, Dolly Parton; in the 2nd, Cassandra Wilson. Tracks from both artists and covers of Dolly tunes by John Scofiel, Nicole Zuraitis, and the Pentatonix.
born OTD 100 years ago, actress turned torch singer turned actress again Julie London. She began acting in 40s, and after divorcing TV's Jack Webb, she turned to a recording career, mainly with her 2nd husband Bobby Troup. "Cry me a River" was a signature tune.
Born OTD 100 years ago, the great saxophonist John Coltrane. Even most non-jazz folk know this name after a meteoric, short, but revolutionary career cut short not by drugs like several of his contempories, but by cancer.
RIP Gerrit Graham (b 1948). A steady career in film and tv up till 2012. His most memorable turns came early, in 2 of my favourite underrated films: in Robert Zemeckis' early hit Used Cars (1980), and above all as "Beef" the glam-rocker in Brian De Palma's immortal Phantom of the Paradise (1974).
On today's @CFRC Dark Glasses, it's Trane time: a show entirely devoted to the early and mid-career of John Coltrane to mark the centenary of his birth on Sept 23. We'll feature some of his first work as a leader together with collaborations with Miles, Thelonious, and the Duke. Tune in at 2 EDT.
Born OTD 100 years ago, Jazz organist Eugene McDuffy (d 2001) better known as "Brother" or "Cap'n" Jack McDuff. In a long career as a leader he recorded for nearly every major label; and gave a young guitarist named George Benson his first break.
Owing to tech issues (mine, not @cfrcradio.bsky.social), the show in the post below is airing today, a week later than planned. Enjoy!
Daniel Woolf 🇨🇦@woolf-atthedoor.bsky.social · 4w agoDark Glasses on @cfrcradio.bsky.social is back for a new season at 2 pm today, with the annual Labour Day special: today featuring a diverse assortment of genres and artists, from Mulgrew Miller, Nina Simone, and Carl Allen, to Judy Collins, BTO, 2 Roys (Orbison and Clark), Cowboy Junkies, and more!
Me with my pal Gayle (Arts '80) at the Thousand Islands Theatre yesterday with our (out-of-frame) spouses, 50 years after we first met on Benedickson Field as part of "Gael Group 109" which sounds like a mix of "Seal Team 6" and JFK's "PT 109", but less dangerous. Good fun marking the anniversary.
Daniel Woolf 🇨🇦@woolf-atthedoor.bsky.social · 4w ago50 years ago this morning I awoke in a residence room at Queen's University having arrived late the previous night from my home in Winnipeg. I'd not visited the campus before (that wasn't a "thing" back then). I couldn't have imagined the future role the university would play in my life. 1/2
50 years ago this morning I awoke in a residence room at Queen's University having arrived late the previous night from my home in Winnipeg. I'd not visited the campus before (that wasn't a "thing" back then). I couldn't have imagined the future role the university would play in my life. 1/2
60 years ago today a weird little sci-fi show premiered. 7 year old me, in the first week at a new school, was allowed to stay up a bit later for it. Having watched Outer Limits at 5 I didn't find the monster remotely scary, but the pointy-eared alien sidekick was kind of cool.
Dark Glasses on @cfrcradio.bsky.social is back for a new season at 2 pm today, with the annual Labour Day special: today featuring a diverse assortment of genres and artists, from Mulgrew Miller, Nina Simone, and Carl Allen, to Judy Collins, BTO, 2 Roys (Orbison and Clark), Cowboy Junkies, and more!
New from Historica Canada's Heritage Minutes. Gander, on Sept 11 2011, just in time for the 25th anniversary of that terrible day. (And perhaps a needed refresher for those who may have forgotten the importance of a friendly neighbour.) Rick Mercer as Gander's mayor! www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCjs...
NEW Heritage Minute: Gander and 9/11
YouTube video by Historica Canada
youtube.com
This liquor bottle is mysteriously shaking. Earthquake? Spirits in the spirits ?
In light of Agent Orange’s decision to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America” @jagwoolf.bsky.social and I are returning the favour.We’ve issued an executive order to all members of our household (i.e. our dog) that henceforth the most suitable body of water herein be referred to as “Lake Donald Trump”.
Congrats to my student Amelia Rosch on passing her PhD defence today with flying colours! Thanks to @newton-key.bsky.social for being such a great external. Amelia’s Thesis shows pretty definitively that Mary II was far more politically active than has been thought.
Born OTD 100 years ago: Fidel Castro (d 2016). Only a few movie credits, according to IMDb, but he also had a steady day job.
‘When danger reared its ugly head He bravely turned his tail and fled, Brave, brave, brave, brave Sir Donald’
Brave Sir Robin Ran Away
ALT: Brave Sir Robin Ran Away
static.klipy.com
Jon Cooper@joncooper-us.bsky.social · 2mo agoTrump Used Own Staff as Decoy During Iranian Assassination Threat Donald Trump let the press pool and some of his staff think he was on Air Force One, while really he had been smuggled in a catering cart onto a different plane.
Born OTD 100 years ago, actor/director John Derek (d 1998). A late 40s protégé of Humphrey Bogart (who gave him his stage name) and Nicholas Ray, Derek featured in Knock on Any Door and then, in 50s, as Joshua in The Ten Commandments. Better known in later life for his own protégé (and 4th wife) Bo.
Happy publication day to Thus Spoke Zarathustra, the newest volume in Stanford's The Complete Works of Friedrich Nietzsche series! 🎉 https://ow.ly/sCBX50ZylAo #ReadUP #FriedrichNietzsche #Nietzsche #ThusSpokeZarathustra
Miss Layla G. Hound relaxing after a hard day of relaxing.
Berghahn's books are good but rather expensive. Given the topic will there be a, well, Penguin paperback?
Daniella M.@farsouthhistory.bsky.social · 2mo agoWe are so pleased that this book, a project about 3 years in the making, is now out and available. Thank you so much to the contributors for making it happen! #envhist #envhum #histsci #STS #museumstudies #exploration #Antarctica #polar #oceanhist
1st day back at work after 3 weeks of semi-holiday. Tons to do before classes start in 4 weeks. August is to the academic year what Sunday is to the work week (I credit my non-academic spouse @jagwoolf.bsky.social for that observation).
Born OTD 100 years ago, Richard Anderson (d 2017). Best known as Oscar on 70s TV's The 6 Million Dollar Man, he was a regular guest star on tv and had several memorable film roles including Forbidden Planet and Paths of Glory. Played the regular cop in the last season of the original Perry Mason.
