Steve Aves - My Thoughts #ReviewSteve Aves - My Thoughts #Reviewhttps://www.steveaves.com/blogs/tag/reviewSat, 07 Mar 2026 04:34:50 -0800http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Another Stellar Samantha Fish Concert]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/Another-Stellar-Samantha-Fish-Concert     I have been to  6 Samantha Fish shows since 2016. I've watched her develop her own so ]]>
    I have been to  6 Samantha Fish shows since 2016. I've watched her develop her own sound, her own style. It has been interesting to me how artists like her grow into a music career outside the top-pop-genre grind.
    Yeah, she's a smart, talented artist.
Below are 2 videos other people took of the show. I am not good at taking concert photos or videos - I am too focused on the moment.
]]>Sun, 15 Oct 2023 16:09:15 -0600<![CDATA[Carl Nielsen's Symphonies ROCK!]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/carl-nielsen-s-symphonies-rockGet all 6 of Carl Nielsen's symphonies. Spectacular!]]>
I have the three CD set of these symphonies from Brilliant Classics. 
Fabulous!
Listen to number 4 below.
]]>Sun, 16 Jul 2023 17:21:01 -0600<![CDATA[Washington, A Life]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/washington-a-lifeThis is a superb biography. Chernow weaves the times, events, the successes, failures, Washington's strengths and his weaknesses into one narrative. Yes, it is a large book. Washington lived a large life.]]>
Washington: A LifeWashington: A Life by Ron Chernow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a superb biography. Chernow weaves the times, events, the successes, failures, Washington's strengths and his weaknesses into one narrative. Yes, it is a large book. Washington lived a large life.

I found illuminating about Washington's character how he handled all the backstabbing, political infighting, and huge egos of his fellow founding fathers.

The man truly was the father of our country.

View all my reviews
]]>Thu, 06 Jul 2023 12:02:57 -0600<![CDATA[The Americas In The Revolutionary Era]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/the-americas-in-the-revolutionary-eraWell done, broad overview, of the Americas. I learned much about the founding of the countries, and also the different people, events, and environments that influenced what they became.]]>
The Americas In The Revolutionary EraThe Americas In The Revolutionary Era by Marshall C. Eakin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well done, broad overview, of the Americas. I learned much about the founding of the countries, and also the different people, events, and environments that influenced what they became.

View all my reviews
]]>Sun, 04 Jun 2023 10:48:03 -0600<![CDATA[The Expanse Space Opera Series - What a Ride!]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/the-expanse-space-opera-series-what-a-rideThe Expanse series is now finished, and it was a great ride.]]>
Leviathan Falls (The Expanse #9)Leviathan Falls by James S.A. Corey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I finished The Expanse "space opera" last night. What a ride!

Reminiscing where this opera has taken me through the 9 books, it feels like remembering real people and places. Earth, Mars, Belters, The OPA, Fred, Amos, Bobbie, Clarissa, James, and Naomi.

Wars, intrigues, humanity expanding, and always in the background; the protomolecule lurks.

Yup, this was/is a great space opera.


View all my reviews
]]>Mon, 20 Feb 2023 08:35:46 -0600<![CDATA[Count Basie Rocks!]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/count-basie-rocksI purchased Count Basie and his Orchestra's album "Prime Time" It ROCKS!]]>

Used Record Store Yields Great Music

I stopped by the used record store Reverberation Vinyl the other day, looking for a couple of specific albums. You never know if you'll find it, but I can guarantee you'll find something.

Pablo Records released excellent recordings of jazz artists during the 1970's, and I've found that people who purchased those vinyl albums handled them with care. Buying used Pablo Records is worth it.

I found "Prime Time," and purchased it for $5. DEAL!

Count Basie just rocks the house.

 

]]>Wed, 01 Feb 2023 08:02:54 -0600<![CDATA[The Detective, a 1968 Film]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/the-detective-a-1968-filmThis 1968 film starring Frank Sinatra surprised me with the balanced way it addressed homosexuality.]]>

I watched the film, "The Detective" over the weekend on Kanopy. I chose it because it is a slight film-noire starring Frank Sinatra. I like Sinatra's acting.

The film has good acting and script. What I found interesting was its handling of homosexuality in New York at that time (1968). The film mildly addressed the bigotry faced by gay men from the police then in a factual way, and via Sinatra's role it was portrayed as wrong.

Wikipedia has a good synopsis of the film HERE.

I recommend it.

]]>Tue, 31 Jan 2023 08:19:18 -0600<![CDATA[Paris 1919; Inside the Peace Talks That Changed the World]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/paris-1919-inside-the-peace-talks-that-changed-the-worldThis feature-length film, based on Margaret MacMillan's acclaimed book of the same name, takes us inside the most ambitious peace talks in history.]]>

  

World War 1 fascinates me. That time in the world's history was a huge dividing line between what we were, and what we have become. The world was in upheaval.  

A couple of wartime examples; Turkey entered the war with single-shot rifles. Tanks and submarines were already being used, yet horses were the main "engines" of vehicles. There were still cavalry soldiers!  Charging machine guns! That went poorly.

Three empires collapsed during this war.

But we still had leaders thinking in outmoded ways.

Watching this movie gives a good idea of how worldwide this war was. The difficulty of negotiations exasperated by the arrogance and paternalism of the "big" powers is stunning.

I viewed it on Kanopy, but it is also on Youtube.

    

]]>Sun, 01 Jan 2023 12:31:39 -0600<![CDATA[Film; The Soviet Story]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/film-the-soviet-storyThe documentary film, The Soviet Story, has disturbed me as few others have.]]>

    With Putin and his lackeys returning to the world stage to show how evil they are, the film "The Soviet Story" is timely and truly frightening. I was disturbed by this film like few others. How could a nation murder millions of its citizens because they ...... this is the part I'm having the most trouble with; because they did not ..... fit in? Please Stalin? 

    Millions murdered.

    This is a film to be viewed by us in the West to gain "some" understanding why we must support The Ukraine, and other bordering countries, from evil. 

    The Soviet Story overview.

    IMBD listing.

    Kanopy serview via your library.

    Youtube 

]]>Sun, 06 Nov 2022 17:06:27 -0600<![CDATA[Of Mice and Men]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/of-mice-and-menSteinbeck's Of Mice and Men is a powerful story.]]>
Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Powerful story. Wonderfully written. Focussed.

View all my reviews
]]>Wed, 06 Apr 2022 07:49:00 -0500