The White Album Turns 40

Only a bit older than mom and dad, there's the "The Beatles" a.k.a. "The White Album", which turned 40 on November 22. NPR had a great program commemorating it that I found fascinating. They include a bunch of outtakes, songs that didn't make it onto the record, and rough versions of the final songs we know and love so well.

My guess is that Dad and Benjamin will also appreciate the interview, mom maybe a little, and Diana, maybe you shouldn't even bother. But here's the link to the mp3. Mom, you should pay particular attention to the discussion of your least favorite Beatles song: Revolution 9 (the word song there, of course, is used in the loose sense); it starts a little after the 22 minute mark.

The White Album is my favorite Beatles album so this was quite a treat for me. Let me know what you think? Learn anything new? Gain any more appreciation for Revolution 9?

Harry Reid has a new book out!?

I didn't know either. But it sounds interesting. Here you can read a positive review of it. I had no idea he'd been investigated as "Mr. Cleanface" and alleged to have been in the pocket of the mafia when he was Nevada Gaming Commissioner (he was cleared of all wrongdoing).

What do you think? Want to read it? Give it to dad for Father's day (what do you think about that, dad)? When is Father's day, anyways? Or maybe to Kevin when he gets home?

Where were you?

I guess this post is aimed mostly at Mom and Dad. I read this really cool post over at By Common Consent about people's memories of where they were on June 8, 1978. Kind of like hearing about where people where when Kennedy was shot or on 9/11, but happy instead of devastated. Check it out, read the comments, there are some good stories in there. Dad, you were on your mission, right at the end of it, correct? Mom, you said the next week you were in a ward where a young black kid was able to pass the sacrament, right? Where exactly were you when you heard the news? What kind of changes have you seen in the church since then?

For Diana and Benjo (and me): how hard is it to even comprehend how different the church was back then? Any thoughts/impressions/whatever?

Bonus (x2): one of the responses on the original post linked to another awesome story here about the first black woman to serve a mission. Great story with her, and also read the fifth response there for another awesome anecdote about how that day changed peoples' lives miraculously!

Nobody Knows

I thought this was a good review of Nobody Knows: The Untold History of Black Mormons. What are your thoughts? Want to see it? I want to buy it when it comes out on DVD.