An Alta reader responds to Ask a Californian: “The All-Music Edition,” by columnists Gustavo Arellano and Stacey Grenrock Woods. Got something to say? We’d love to hear from you! Email letters@altaonline.com. Please include your name, city, state, and phone number so we can contact you. Letters may be edited for brevity and clarity.
TRY A LITTLE TENDERNESS
I’m a native Californian, born in Los Angeles 1949, living in the Bay Area since 1973.
I love X. I love Tom Waits. I love Dan Hicks. I love Brian Wilson, War, Frank Zappa, Cheech Marin, and the Chilis.
Like you, my brother-in-law, a musician who lives in Venice, doesn’t like the Red Hot Chili Peppers. But he’s from Boston.
Did you guys ever hear of Bosley Crowther, New York Times übercritic of the midcentury? He hated almost everything. We like to read his devastating reviews of really great 1950s film noir and laugh.
Don’t be like Bosley. Don’t get caught up in being the smartest guys in the room. Try a little tenderness. Analysis is the death of creativity.
John Tullis
Antioch, California
March 26, 2024
P.S. I think Rick Rubin likes their music too.•
