Greg Kot
@gregkot.bsky.social
1.8K followers 170 following 140 posts
Co-host "Sound Opinions." Former music critic at Chicago Tribune. Author of 7 books, including "I'll Take You There," “Learning How to Die," "Ripped."
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gregkot.bsky.social
...Jon and Tony put the poetry into stories that touched on Dylan Thomas, Paczkis, Steve Earle, the origins of baseball and how stories can sustain us at all hours, in the most unexpected moments. It was just another uplifting evening in an uplifting life. Raise a glass to a Chicago original. (2/2)
gregkot.bsky.social
Chicago lost one of its best today. RIP Tony Fitzpatrick. I met Tony through Steve Earle, whose LP covers frequently became canvasses for Fitzpatrick's artwork. Jon Langford & Tony collaborated on a tribute to another one-of-a-kind Chicagoan, Lin Brehmer, at the Hideout in 2023 (pic below). (1/2)
gregkot.bsky.social
I talked to Bob Mould in Chicago last night: “I’m astonished at the lack of protest music in the face of everything that’s out there today.” Then he went out and did something about it. Like his recent albums, his solo set spoke to what's happening in our streets. The review:
tinyurl.com/3xd56ndw
gregkot.bsky.social
How the scene that emerged in a funky Manhattan neighborhood shaped the future of American music. @soundopinions.bsky.social with author David Browne.
My spiel here: bit.ly/4gVKQYx
Interview with David here: bit.ly/4mRRyjT
Enjoy!
gregkot.bsky.social
Jim Kimball (RIP) put the overdrive into bands such as Laughing Hyenas, Mule, The Jesus Lizard, and more. He also did some fine work with Duane Denison and Ken Vandermark in a completely different musical vein. A few words about a drummer supreme on @soundopinions.bsky.social: bit.ly/42fkXNs
gregkot.bsky.social
It’s a political movie but not a preachy one. It’s set in the now. And it’s both an entertainment and something much more. A reminder that the good fight can seem endless, unsustainable, but always remains essential to our humanity. A few words about "One Battle After Another":

tinyurl.com/meufdcsr
gregkot.bsky.social
Indie rock, we hardly knew you.
Where it started and where it went. We talk with @chrisdeville.bsky.social, author of "Such Great Heights: The Complete Cultural History of the Indie Rock Explosion," on @soundopinions.bsky.social.

Some spiel here: bit.ly/4gOQufk
The show: bit.ly/3IIqp4G
Reposted by Greg Kot
statter911.bsky.social
How many recognized @jimmykimmel.com's opening line was a tribute to Jack Paar? "As I was saying before I was interrupted," was Paar's opener upon his return after walking off the Tonight Show for 7 weeks in 1960 when NBC censors cut a joke about a water closet (bathroom). youtu.be/c1tjh_ZO_tY?...
Jimmy Kimmel is Back!
YouTube video by Jimmy Kimmel Live
youtu.be
Reposted by Greg Kot
chrisdeville.bsky.social
Excited and honored to be the guest on today's @soundopinions.bsky.social discussing my book SUCH GREAT HEIGHTS and 21st century indie rock with living legends
@gregkot.bsky.social and @jimderogatis.bsky.social.

Check it out at the link / wherever you get your pods: www.soundopinions.org/show/1034
gregkot.bsky.social
50th anniversary of a classic, from Mapplethorpe's cover shot to Patti's startling declaration of intent in the LP's first line. And then there's "Birdland," in which Smith pleads, “Please, take me up.” How did we get here? And how do we get the hell out? @soundopinions.bsky.social: bit.ly/3Vl7T5h
gregkot.bsky.social
Redford was terrific in so many potent movies. My faves include "Three Days of the Condor, "Sneakers" and "Quiz Show." But nothing tops "All the President's Men." For us journalism students of a certain vintage, this movie helped point the way forward.
gregkot.bsky.social
What the hell is "dad rock" anyway? Niko Stratis opens doors with some new perspective on how this maligned genre can change lives, as it did hers. bit.ly/4gg7Jpe
gregkot.bsky.social
Latin jazz legend Eddie Palmieri is gone, but his music still cooks. What a life, what a career. A few words about the master on @soundopinions.bsky.social: bit.ly/46jVZPj
gregkot.bsky.social
Looking forward to the conversation with
@bobmouldmusic.bsky.social, followed by his solo electric set at @oldtownschool.bsky.social. Oct. 5. Ticket info here: oldtownschool.org/concerts/202...
gregkot.bsky.social
It's all happening. And couldn't be more timely.
Reposted by Greg Kot
gregkot.bsky.social
It's a solar-powered @soundopinions.bsky.social this week, as ace journalist/activist @billmckibben.bsky.social returns to the show. As Bill says: “Renewable energy has suddenly become the obvious, cost-efficient choice… a very big and hopeful thing.” We provide the soundtrack. More: bit.ly/47BspGj
gregkot.bsky.social
Thanks to the No Wristbands podcast for this interview with @soundopinions.bsky.social in which we covered everything from music journalism in a one-of-a-kind scene to our divergent takes on Chicago pizza. shorturl.at/AyrXG
gregkot.bsky.social
Reconnected with my old Trib colleague Ken Wilson at the Bucktown Arts Fest in Holstein Park. Ken illustrated my Trib articles in the pre-digital era. I bought his mixed-media collage of Lou Reed and found a perfect home for it in my office. Check out Ken's music-centric work at Kawcuts.com.
gregkot.bsky.social
Donny Hathaway is long gone, but he made one of the greatest live LPs of all time. I've returned to it again in recent days, inspired by "Twisted Melodies," a one-man play written and performed by Chicagoan Kelvin Roston Jr. More here on @soundopinions.bsky.social: tinyurl.com/32xptrhn
gregkot.bsky.social
Swing, blues, a little bit of Ramsey Lewis, a dash of Beatles, a jaunt down Route 66 -- it was all on the menu. Guitar mainstay Joel Paterson with his trio on the Fitzgerald's patio this week dipping into what must be a miles-long repertoire.
shorturl.at/15iKD
Redirecting...
shorturl.at
gregkot.bsky.social
You'll hear these three people on @soundopinions.bsky.social this week. One of them is really good at playing a guitar, singing and writing songs steeped in blues, soul and country. Check out @valeriejune.bsky.social here: www.soundopinions.org/show/1029
gregkot.bsky.social
The arts scene in Chicago -- film, theater, music, visual art -- is one of the main reasons people live here, and yet the "paper of record" is telling its readers that it's not worth covering? I'm baffled. And angry. Hope you land somwhere that appreciates what you bring as a writer/thinker/critic.
gregkot.bsky.social
Our pool party with Swamp Dogg on @soundopinions.bsky.social. The documentary is great. Our conversation with the man himself was something else. You will be entertained: www.soundopinions.org/show/1026