The source for the film of the same name, this account of the 1919 World Series scandal delves far more deeply into that fascinating chapter of American history in which eight Chicago White Sox players were induced by gamblers to lose the Series. And does so with a cinematic depiction of the many personalities involved, the times and the tale itself, suggesting that the incident might better have been done as a cable mini-series than movie.
It’s one of those stories where almost every party involved has some taint or even inadvertent role in the affair, the issue of guilt both legally and otherwise becomes cloudy, and the twists and turns prove how life can be at least as dramatic as the best fiction.
Rather than my annual wrap-up of the year’s most notable political music – since there’s not enough of any significance to note – I offer this one song. First, as a musical example of what political music should strive to be: utterly up to date if not cutting edge yet firmly tied to popular music’s deepest roots, and also danceable as hell (capture their bodies and their minds may follow). Secondly, because it reflects my not so good mood regarding the fractious and corrupted state of politics in America today. And how some kind of change must come.
The lyrics and recitations on both love as a solution plus how change must come as Mao said “at the barrel of a gun” pull from the gospel music tradition, the chorus is a potent pop music hook, and the conundrum I see in of the state of our political nation – can the right and left somehow find accommodation to create a viable center, or are we dangerously close to a genuine culture war? – is captured by this song by the English band (best known for the theme song to The Sopranos) that’s two decades old yet right on time today, at least for me (who quips that I want my 60s in age to be more like the ‘60s decade in spirit). Check it out at <http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=PLo9YE5hd6Q>.
It takes more than a potent high concept – a rapture-like disappearance of two percent of the world’s population and its effects on a small American town – to make for compelling quality TV. And this latest HBO offering seems to have fallen short and flat on the follow through.
Does that augur that the new and wonderful golden age of television might have peaked? We shall see.
From The Progressive Populist, December 1, 2014
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