Steady Rollin’ Man

Seems the famous 1930s era musician, Robert Johnson, is setting off a bit of a storm among blogging blues afficianados. A certain John Gibbens has suggested that we've been listening to Johnson's recordings at the wrong speed all these years. Further discussion can be found here and here. I'm not even remotely qualified to know who's right here but I kinda like the slowed down versions.

Madeleine Peyroux

This woman sounds so much like Billie Holiday and yet is completely herself. How does she pull it off? Imitators are usually derided for being unable to find their own voice but Peyroux comes across as completely authentic. What great music! Her cover of Bob Dylan's "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome" deserves repeated listening. There's a nice (and somewhat critical) NPR Fresh Air piece that you can listen to here.

The Complete Calvin and Hobbes

The best comic strip of the last twenty years will now be available in one complete volume. It's supposed to be available in September 2005. Too cool!

Make a case for yourself

This looks really interesting: a better designed jewel case for CDs and DVDs. I'm always making homemade CDs for friends and I've always hated the off the shelf jewel cases that are available. Maybe I'll just try a pack of 30 and see how it goes.

Stupid comic book covers