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In Memoriam
The last time I saw Joe Tartaglia — the 44 year old co-proprietor of Connie’s Ric Rac in the Italian Market — he saw me walking my greyhound around the neighborhood on a chilly early afternoon and told me that he had a friend who sold custom-made dog coats that played music.
“It’s like a dog iPod in his coat,” said Joe. “You should call him.”
That was the Little Joe Brown, or Joe Jr., or whatever-you-called him I knew: always something absurd at the conversational ready and always hustling, whether it was for his live music and comedy outpost on Ninth Street or someone else’s game.
Joe passed away this week after a long battle with brain cancer. I had heard he was sick but assumed, like everything else in the Market that he would always be there no matter what the trouble. Like the rest of his family — his dad Joe, mom Connie, brother Frankie — young Joe Tartaglia was a daily part of my life, and their struggles to get Connie’s Ric Rac off the ground and liquor-licensed a long time part of my reporting.
The other night, the Ric Rac (which is literally right behind my house) opened its doors and let his friends rock the joint despite the family’s loss. They said that Joey would have wanted it that way. I disagree. I think he would have liked it to be just a little louder.
Rest in peace, Joe.
The great Nigerian author of Things Fall Apart and several other novels, stories and essays has passed away. In this video, Bill Moyers interviews Chinua Achebe for PBS. Read the New York Times obit here.
Sad to hear that Jason Molina, the earnest-voiced leader of Songs:Ohia and Magnolia Electric Co., has passed away. Henry from Chunklet — who has written passionately about Molina's alcohol problems before — wrote some heartfelt things about the man.
"In a fair world, I should be carrying Jef's bags."
—Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson
I was sad to see that Germantown guitar veteran Jeff Lee Johnson passed away on Monday. Johnson never got super famous, but he was always there in the fringes: He put out several under-heard solo albums. He backed the likes of Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, George Duke, D'Angelo and McCoy Tyner. He played the starring role in that amazing Lonnie Johnson tribute album a few years back. Questlove loved him.
We put Jef Lee Johnson on the cover of City Paper in 2010. A.D. Amorosi did the interview. Mark Stehle did the photos. Here's a Johnson quote that sorta sums him up, maybe:
"I've had that said to me, that I'm too good at what I do and that I show people up. I'm not looking to show off other musicians' shortcomings. Their shortcomings are not my problem. I may be a guy who has said no more often than I said yes, but I'm just trying to knock the gig out of the park every time."
For more about Johnson's passing, check out Dan DeLuca's piece in today's Inky.
I was sad to hear David Rakoff passed away after struggling with cancer. If you don't know him, you should check out his books/films:
Don't Get Too Comfortable is one of my favorites books — hysterical, observant, trenchant. All those things you want books to be. Just read a few pages and you'll be hooked. Seriously funny.
David only starred in five films (Capote, among them) but it was his appearance in The New Tenants, an Oscar-winning short from a few years ago that made me seek him out. His opening monologue (which is the first three minutes) is unbelievably great. Dark as hell, but even more poignant given his passing this morning. If you've not seen this short (or if you have), at least play this up till the other guy says, "Are you done?!"
NOTE: David drops some F-bombs, so if you can't watch at work ... save for later.
This isn't really a video, but I've always liked this song. Here's something City Paper's ex-arts editor Lori Hill wrote about Doss just before The Sunshine Fix played The Khyber in 2002:
Make what you want of a guy who’s taken to calling himself "The Bill Doss," but this is someone in love with musical instruments. Ever since Olivia Tremor Control emerged from its cubist castle, giving birth to the Elephant 6 phenomenon, Doss has wanted to create surreal landscapes and soundtracks to unmade movies. Now, with The Sunshine Fix, it seems that choosing a subject like the sun — literally — was the focus he had been looking for all along. [Read the rest here.]
The news was tweeted by Flagpole earlier today. (h/t Maria T)
View galleryRashad Corey Productions brought glitz and glamour to Old City Friday with Stomp the Runway. This benefit for Women Against Abuse showcased fashions from a variety of Philly designers and served as a fitting tribute to late runway model Vanessa “Ms. Banks” Watson, who was murdered by her boyfriend in February. Here’s a peek at the head-turning style and attire that was on display.
(michael.blancato@citypaper.net) (@mikeblancato)
Photos by Kate Hennessey
Rashad Corey (pictured) presents Stomp the Runway, a premiere fashion gala designed to raise money and awareness for domestic abuse victims in Philadelphia. Inspired by the death of local model Vanessa “Ms. Banks” Watson, the proceeds of this event will go to Watson’s family and Women Against Abuse, the only non-profit organization in the area that provides shelter services to victims of domestic violence.
Famed Philly broadcasters MoShay Laren and Kendra G will host the evening’s festivities, which will include food, drinks, live music by DJ Hollywood and a silent auction. The runway show will showcase styles by designers Autumn Kietponglert, Shooney Frederic, Ava Bishop and more.
Tickets will not be sold at the door, so make sure to act fast. The super speedy among you will reap additional rewards, as the first 100 guests to purchase tickets will receive premium gift bags courtesy of Spa East.
Fri., June 15, 7 p.m.-11p.m., $40, TRUST, 249 Arch St., 215-592-8400, stomptherunway.com.
Sadly, five-time Grammy winner and undisputed Queen of Disco Donna Summer passed away today after a long battle with cancer. R.I.P.
We're bummed to hear Maurice Sendak passed away this morning. You can read what the New York Times says about it here. You also may want to stop by the Rosenbach Museum (2008-2010 Delancey Place) between now and July 15 to check out "From Pen to Publisher: The Life of Three Sendak Picture Books," an exhibition of pictures that traces the progress of 1960's The Sign on Rosie’s Door, 1981's Outside Over There and 2003's Brundibar.
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