Caught on tape
Many thanks to Nate Cavalieri for the fine profile of Bob Seeley and also the good photos by Doug Coombe ("Boogie knight," Metro Times, Dec. 18-24, 2002).
We have known and appreciated Bob's great musical talent for over 35 years and are glad to see he is finally receiving some long overdue recognition. Your article is the best profile of him that I have seen and good work. I know you enjoyed meeting and talking with him.
Did you know that Bob has until very recently been very reluctant to promote himself with recordings? A cassette he released cassette just a few years ago was his first commercial recording. He has since been persuaded to release more as you know. Hopefully he can do more in the next few years.
His good friend Jess Sewell did make many hours of recordings on professorial reel-to-reel tape recorders, and perhaps those are the recordings that Jim Badzik now has.
Thanks again for the enjoyable writing and keep up the good work. —David Carrick, Clinton Township
Hitting the right note
That was a really great piece that Nate Cavalieri did on one of music's true giants. Bob Seeley also plays tons of freebies around town for lucky listeners and always has people wondering how he can do all that with just two hands and 10 fingers. Nice article! —Bob Squires, Grosse Pointe Farms
Hot over Lott
It's been intriguing observing the senators' daily change of attitude and listening to their opinions regarding Trent. Lott ("Why Lott matters a lot" and "Lott’s true colors," Metro Times, Dec. 18-24, 2002). The first were the "no big deal, he's apologized," variety. As the heat increased, the changing quotes paralleled the changing polls. When President Bush publicly scolded Lott, the criticism roared like a stampede of Wall Street bulls with all indicators pointing to sell. Even then, Lott still continued his string of clueless apologies. Support for him abated, however, and the general position was that it would be best for the party if he stepped down.
What's unsettling, though, is that our leaders merely danced around the problem. Missing was discussion about addressing the ugly, antiquated racial attitudes that still exist in this country. Instead we heard debates on the pros and cons of a Lott-led Senate, especially as it pertains to the ability of the White House to continue its right-wing agenda.
This country needs to take an earnest look at this nagging problem and begin formulating a solution. A good start would be to stop beating around the bush and just come out and say it — the position of Senate majority leader is no place for someone who harbors racism and bigotry. —Gregory Panzica, [email protected], Royal Oak
Kerry or Kerrey?
Jack Lessenberry calls Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry "a man with a controversial Vietnam record" ("Al Gore: The real story," Metro Times, Dec. 25-31, 2002). Isn't former Nebraska Sen. Bob Kerrey the one with the controversial Vietnam record?
John Kerry served in Vietnam, came home and protested against that war. While in Vietnam, Bob Kerrey went on a mission that resulted in controversy. Some of those who accompanied him on that mission now say women and children were killed intentionally during the action. —Michael Rieke, [email protected]
