The Cathedral Light Show: Welcome to Super Bowl Week in New Orleans

Checkout these psychedelic, kaleidoscopic images projected onto St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. It's been a nightly extravaganza that will continue through Sunday.

The laser light show splashes across the Cathedral and neighboring buildings including the Cabildo and the Presbetere. Photos courtesy America's photographer Gary Firstenberg.

A kissing booth for Travis and Taylor each time he scores.

The Vince Lombardi Trophy being delivered by
former New Orleans Saints player Deuce McAlester.

Our intrepid photographer.

Check out more of Gary's work at Smugmug

And here are images from last year's Big Game in Vegas.

For more, Google >>Gary Firstenberg Ennyman<<

 

THANK YOU, GARY

Reflections on Punky's Dilemma

One of my most recent earworms is a two-sentence statement from the Simon & Garfunkel song titled Punky’s Dilemma. The song appeared on their Bookends album and the lighthearted lyrics went like this:

I prefer boysenberry more than any other jam.
I'm a 'Citizens for Boysenberry Jam' fan.

The song brought back memories of Mr. Harris' high school English class (BRHS-W, late 1960s) in which he would take contemporary songs and have us break them down so we could analyze them, both as poetry and social commentary. "Punky's Dilemma" was one of these songs and despite the lighthearted, almost silly, imagery in the song, there were some serious messages.

Paul Simon's lyrics often contain layers of meaning, blending humor (A Simple Desultory Philippic), social commentary (At the Zoo), and personal reflection (Cloudy). So what's this boysenberry jam stuff tucked in here? What I remembered from more than half a century ago was the last section of the song making reference to mixed responses to the Vietnam War. 

Here are a few thoughts.

On a surface level, this could simply be an expression of a personal taste preference, which is a light-hearted, whimsical detail about the speaker. In the context of Paul Simon's songwriting, however, it's not a stretch to see he's thinking about more than that. "Citizens for Boysenberry Jam" seems to be a humorous barb about how people can be passionate about seemingly trivial choices and how preferences can define identity.

The line conveys a satirical or playful take on political or social movements. By likening a preference for a type of jam to joining a "Citizens for Boysenberry Jam" group , Simon might be poking fun at the fervor with which people sometimes support causes, especially those that seem trivial to others. This could be seen as a commentary on the absurdity of some group affiliations or how consumer choices can become politicized or turned into cultural identities. 

These lines could be critiquing the way society sometimes elevates preferences or tastes to the level of social or political significance. It might question the validity of forming strong community or identity around basic choices like jam preference, satirizing consumer culture or the human tendency to tribalize over minor differences. Over the next several decades we saw the manner in which marketers worked to create tribes passionately attached to their brands. I think here of Saturn (cars), Apple (computers) or Taylor Swift.

Silly? Absurd? I dunno. I just couldn't get the song out of my head this week. And like many things in life, there's a lot you can discover once you begin digging a little beneath the surface.

Here's the song if you're unfamiliar: Punky's Dilemma

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I remember a student in my dorm at Ohio U who carried a protest sign with a single word on it: "Apathy." He didn't capture a following, but it was another image I haven't forgotten, watching him standing there with that message on a pole. 

The Taylor Swift Phenomenon: How Her Music and Image Have Impacted Pop Culture

No matter how much you dismiss pop culture, at some point one has to ask why this icon or that icon is so popular. While going through the checkout lines recently I couldn't help but notice the fan-mags dedicated to Taylor Swift as well as the mainstream mags striving to capitalize on her popularity. I understand the Beatles and Dylan being milked for more profits for their six decades-long fame, but Taylor Swift? I couldn't name a single song she's recorded even if I were put on the rack by the Spanish Inquisition.

Nevertheless, I found it valuable to investigate a little deeper and was impressed by this phenom who can pack stadiums and hold fans captive for three hour concerts and longer.

Click to enlarge.

Let's first review her achievements starting with her Guinness World Records. Taylor Swift is in the record books for selling the most albums by a female artist in the 21st century as well as the most number-one singles by a female artist in the US. 

That's a pretty eye-opening achievement right there. But here's more.

Swift has won 12 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for Fearless (2008), 1989 (2015), and Folklore (2020). She's the most awarded woman in Grammy history and the second most awarded artist overall. 

Like, wow. Like where have I been?

On top of this Swift has won 40 American Music Awards, the most of any artist in history. She has won in categories such as Artist of the Year, Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock, and Favorite Album – Pop/Rock.

OK, and what else?

Swift has also won 29 Billboard Music Awards, the most of any female artist. She has won in categories such as Top Artist, Top Female Artist, and Top Billboard 200 Album.

In addition to her awards and selling 200 million records worldwide, she has also been praised for her songwriting skills. She has been credited with revolutionizing the country music genre and bringing it to a wider audience. Her honesty and vulnerability in her lyrics have also contributed to her success.

To be frank, I've been somewhat out of touch with regards to Taylor Swift's career and her contributions to music and pop culture. What I do respect her for is her apparent stamina and character as demonstrated by more than two decades of being in the spotlight. There are countless others who have wilted under the heat of that focused beam.

So, why is Taylor Swift so popular? 

2023 Eras Tour (Creative Commons)

Her songwriting skills: Swift is a gifted songwriter with a knack for writing relatable and catchy lyrics. Her songs often deal with themes of love, loss, and self-discovery, which resonate with her fans.

Her ability to connect with her fans: Swift is known for her close relationship with her fans. She often interacts with them on social media and at her concerts, and she makes them feel like they are part of her inner circle.

Her image: Swift has a carefully crafted image that is both relatable and aspirational. She is seen as a down-to-earth girl who is also successful and glamorous. This image has helped her to appeal to a wide range of fans.

Her longevity: Swift has been in the music industry for over 20 years, and she has consistently released successful albums and singles. It may not be the half century we find in Sixties' legacy artists (McCartney, Dylan) but it's a longevity that has played a role in building a loyal fan base that has only grown over time.

The rise of social media: This is possibly one of the biggest factors in her success. We live in a celebrity culture. With the megaphone of social media, stars and fans connect in new ways that give celebrity artists a reach unheard of before and, in Swift's case, helps her stay relevant in the ever-changing music industry.

Are you a Taylor Swift fan? How did it happen? Do you have a favorite album or song? Feel free to leave a comment.

Photo: Mostly Creative Commons