Well, since I was bamboozled by a viral-artist (undoubtedly wearing pajamas and headphones, stained with the fluorescent orange dust of cheese curls) with the toxins of Rihanna recently, I thought I'd balance things out with real stuff, the stuff of timely beauty.
A hat tip to my brother Ben for reminding me about Bill Mallonee, who he saw recently in Ohio singing solo. This link is to one of his better-known numbers (the backup vocals are happily provided by the great Emmylou Harris).
Mallonee is a fan of Wendell Berry and Walker Percy: need you know more?
I like this stuff: a little offbeat, melodic, kinda prophetic (and poetic). I know I sound like a broken record-player here. We all need to get off the beaten path and hike up on the alternate, harder trails that go to the better views.
Because if we stick to the beaten path -- you know, the wide and easy way -- we'll get sort of ... well, beaten.
For the arts, let's all get choosier, more substantial, addicted to real (not academic) beauty.
For Scripture, I suggest a focus on the Prophets in general, Isaiah in particular (Jeremiah too).
Beauty in a time of craziness.
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