Ponzi, not Fonzie

Charles Ponzi (1882-1949) was an Italian immigrant who became one of the greatest swindlers in U.S. history. His aliases include Charles Ponei and Charles P. Bianchi. The term Ponzi scheme describes any scam that relies on a pyramid of investors who contribute money to a fraudulent program.

Jethro Tull Performs Mumbai Benefit Tonight

Jethro Tull rescheduled their previously cancelled Mumbai concert for tonight at 7:30 pm, at the Shammukhanda Hall, in Mumbai, India, where they will perform with special guest, Anoushka Shankar. All artist fees are going to local charities in the wake of the recent terror attacks.

Says my friend Ian Anderson, "We have all been outraged at the awful atrocities of the last week and were forced to take the decision to suspend the Mumbai concert in the light of the Taj Hotel siege which, at the time of cancellation, was still ongoing. In the light of today's new India terror warnings and airport alerts, we are all understandably a little nervous about the show but hiding under the bed is not really an option."

Tonight's Billion Hands charity concert will feature Tull's Classic Rock and acoustic music as well as specially written new material for the collaborative set with Anoushka Shankar.

BruHed vs. JR

From the "we read your mail" department... JR (late of Rosemary's babies) responds to artist Mike Pascale's comment on the Septimus Orion re-dux CAGED art by Dave Cockrum:

You don't see this as the creative interpretation of art? I know, spray painting graffiti on a Matisse canvas is not creative interpretation, it is an act of defacement. I agree, and the cover of this CD is not defacement. It is making a point. Most importantly, the colored version of the work without the title CAGED plastered over the mouth is on the third panel of the insert; with muzzle in place, however. Are you referring to that as well? Because the version with the muzzle represents certain aspects of Cliff's story, as well as better fitting to other contours of the work; it is simply more appropriate than the original. Where is your respect for the evolution of art as a tool for contemplation?