Stephen Foster

[We take a brief break from the World Cup–see post below–to mark the anniversary of the birth of Stephen Foster.]



From Wikipedia: Stephen Collins Foster (July 4, 1826 – January 13, 1864), known as the "father of American music," was the pre-eminent songwriter in the United States of the 19th century. His songs, such as "Oh! Susanna," "Camptown Races," "Old Folks at Home" ("Swanee River"), "Hard Times Come Again No More," "My Old Kentucky Home," "Old Black Joe," and "Beautiful Dreamer," remain popular over 150 years after their composition.

Above: performance of "Hard Times" by Mare Winningham is from the Ulu Grossbard's 1985 film "Georgia."

Almost Blue

Now back on the mainland, following some days on an island off the coast of Massachusetts, we ease back into the Data Stream with a rendition of Elvis Costello's poignant "Almost Blue," performed brilliantly by actor Jennifer Jason Leigh in "Georgia," the 1995 fictional biopic film directed by Ulu Grossbard.

Fans of the seminal Los Angeles punk band "X" will note singer/songwriter John Doe on stage with Ms. Leigh.]