Mississippi
Medford bluesman Ryan Lee Crosby captures the moody sounds of Bentonia, Mississippi on new album
Ryan Lee Crosby felt struck by lightning thrice in his life.
At age 13, when he first picked up a harmonica to play the blues. (“It was a struck-by-lightning second, the place I knew, ‘Oh, I’m going to be a musician.’”)
Once more, round 2012, when he first heard an outdated recording from Bentonia, Mississippi blues musician Skip James.
“He sang in a falsetto voice, performed in a minor tuning, had a really haunted sound. I wasn’t conscious of the Bentonia custom, and once I heard it, it was like rising from fog,” says Crosby. Bentonia blues, a regional model of Mississippi blues, is characterised by an open minor guitar tuning; a moody, high-and-lonesome sound.
“The third lightning bolt second I had, round 2012, was once I started to surprise what it would sound prefer to play raga on the guitar, and what the overlap was with the Mississippi blues,” says Crosby. Raga is Indian classical music.
The Medford bluesman’s new album, “Winter Hill Blues” (out June 3) — named after Winter Hill in Somerville, the place he was dwelling on the time — channels the moody blues of Bentonia, Mississippi, the North Mississippi blues, and sees a little bit of Hindustani slide guitar.
As a fan of Delta blues, I normally take heed to tracks that crackle and pop with age— Son Home, Charley Patton, Robert Johnson. There aren’t many Gen Y New Englanders enjoying old-style Mississippi blues.
So what first intrigued me about Crosby is how uncommon he’s on paper: a 42-year-old former English main and post-punk rocker from Medford, who can channel Thirties Mississippi.
Whereas he’s clearly moved by that haunted minor key that defines Bentonia blues — and counts Grammy-nominated 74-year-old Bentonia legend Jimmy “Duck” Holmes as his mentor — “Winter Hill Blues” exhibits he’s well-versed in different blues types.
A foot-tapping, head-nodding opening monitor, “I’m Leaving,” and some different tracks smack of Junior Kimbrough. A couple of are North Mississippi, whereas the brooding title monitor (and others) epitomize that Bentonia sound.
As Crosby describes it, Bentonia blues carries a “brooding, ethereal, moody sound. Numerous the standard lyrics cope with the satan, or a supernatural high quality. There’s one thing very haunted about it.”
His monitor “Going to Bentonia” — “Going to Bentonia, I’m gonna put my ft within the grime/ I’m going to seek out the foundation of all my harm” — seems like one thing of an album thesis. Crosby visits Bentonia a couple of instances a yr, what he calls therapeutic journeys, typically to go to his mentor, Holmes.
Probably the most private track right here could also be “Was it the Satan” about his mom, who died in 2016.
“My mother I don’t speak about too publicly, however she had an extended historical past of psychological sickness. She’s a central determine for me in my musical life,” Crosby tells me in our current cellphone interview.
He sings on the monitor: “Was it the satan who made her suppose that approach/ Was it the satan who made her act that approach/ It was the satan who modified my Mama’s thoughts… For she beloved us all, however nonetheless she stated goodbye.”
“She’s kind of proper on the heart of that” track, Crosby says. “I really feel like my relationship with the South, going to the South, has loads to do with my mother, as a result of she lived within the South on and off for the final 15, 20 years of her life.” Going to Mississippi “helps me as an individual,” he says. “Going to Bentonia to be taught from Jimmy ‘Duck’ Holmes is a part of my means of therapeutic.”
“There was numerous rigidity in my family rising up, and music opened the door to emotions of freedom, energy and wonder.”
Ryan Lee Crosby
Born in Maryland in 1980, Crosby grew up in Fairfax, Virginia. His household moved to Avon, Connecticut in 1991. Crosby moved to Boston in 1998, at age 18, to attend Northeastern College. He deliberate to main in music enterprise.
“I switched out fairly quietly. I don’t suppose I’m very business-oriented,” he says with a chuckle. So he studied English, and began the Boston-based post-punk rock group Most cancers to the Stars in 2000. They performed space golf equipment — T.T. the Bear’s Place, The Center East, Lizard Lounge — till breaking apart in 2004.
“Themes of sickness and therapeutic actually began to emerge for me in my relationship to music round that point. That was an enormous a part of what that band was about,” Crosby says.
His father died of bone most cancers in 2007; his mom died 9 years later.
Music, he says, has been his lifelong “outlet… a refuge from struggling.” Rising up, “I used to be simply going by means of issues numerous younger individuals are — feeling remoted, lonely, not sure learn how to relate. There was numerous rigidity in my family rising up, and music opened the door to emotions of freedom, energy and wonder.”
Neither of his mother and father labored as musicians, however “there’s music within the bacgrouknd of my household. Apparently, my father performed the clarinet and saxophone, however I by no means noticed or heard him do it. My mother may sing very well. My grandmother was a singer. My great-grandparents had been entertainers. My great-grandfather, within the golden age of Hollywood — if you happen to see these films the place there’s 10 guys dancing within the background — he was a type of dancers. My great-grandmother was a burlesque dancer.”
With each his mother and father dying comparatively younger, “their tales are an enormous a part of how I relate to music.”
Shortly earlier than his mother died, Crosby started journeying to Mississippi. After her loss of life, he discovered the treks helped him heal “from the lack of my mother and father, from simply the struggling of being a human being. There’s one thing about happening there that’s…a part of an understanding of what my very own life means to me.”
“My mother was, on account of a southern Baptist church neighborhood, preoccupied with angels and devils,” that are additionally themes of basic Bentonia model music, he stated.
“I really feel I can interact with that materials from the angle of conversations that I might have with my mother. [In] ‘Was it the Satan,’ I sang about my mother throughout the language of the Bentonia repertoire.”
As for what strikes him about Bentonia blues particularly, that’s “one thing that goes into my coronary heart, that’s onerous to articulate. The Bentonia model thins the veil between the worlds. [It’s] a mysterious music that helps me to really feel the current spirit. There’s one thing about spending time with Jimmy that feels good for me on a soul stage. I feel there’s simply one thing in how the music is performed that enables me to really feel like myself.”
Whether or not he’s enjoying raga music or Mississippi blues, Crosby doesn’t “suppose by way of style, however by way of the fundamental qualities of music,” Crosby says. “The types I like, they don’t have numerous chord modifications. There’s a hypnotic droning, generally meditative high quality to the music that results in a meditative state, a transcendent expertise.”
Offered by ONCE, Ryan Lee Crosby can have a “Winter Hill Blues” CD launch present at The Rockwell in Somerville on Could 22.
For a second-straight season, Mississippi State’s soccer team found itself in position to make more history with a trip to the Elite 8 in the NCAA Tournament.
Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, the season ended right there again.
Notre Dame’s offensive attack overwhelmed one of the country’s best defenses on Sunday night with two goals in the first 30 minutes of action on the way to a 2-0 win. It ended what was the best season in Bulldog history.
“Every single player was just so skilled on the ball. Their movement was sophisticated and they’re a physical team as well,” coach James Armstrong said. “I was thoroughly impressed with them (Sunday). We knew they were a special team but seeing them live is different. They’re a special team and I think they’ll go a long way throughout the tournament.”
From early on, the Irish were the aggressors. State was on its heels in the early going and began to see things go heavily into Notre Dame’s favor at the 24th minute. Izzy Engle got a breakaway and sent it through the left side of the goal past Maddy Anderson for a 1-0 lead.
Just a couple of possessions later, Grace Restovich scored off the top right of the goal from the left foot to quickly put State in a hole. Both goals were scored by freshmen and continued what’s been an amazing year for coach Nate Norman’s squad. A large portion of the contributors were freshmen with 13 on the roster.
After being dominated 11-1 with shots on the offensive end, State had to find some aggression on the offensive side in the second half. The Bulldogs still couldn’t find the openings with seven shots in the final 45 minutes and Notre Dame would hold that lead.
The loss was a disappointing cap on the year, but Armstrong’s team left with heads held high. State finished 19-3 as the team set the school record for wins and had a perfect 10-0 SEC record. The squad won the first SEC Championship in program history and were 12-1 in games at the MSU Soccer Stadium.
State fans came out in droves to support this team as the Bulldogs had eight of the top 10 crowds in school history. The last two set the school record, including Friday night’s largest attended game at over 4,000. It was a season to remember but those inside the program believe it’s just the beginning.
“It’s amazing to have been a part of,” Hodge said. “From the first year to now, the sisterhood to now and I truly think that it translates. I think it’s special having that belief and love translate to the community and become a part of that inner circle. It’s been as rewarding as being on the field has been.
“I think we’ve set the standard and every year it’s gone higher and higher. The younger girls know what’s expected and I’m sure they’re going to keep it trending in the right direction.”
Mississippi
This week in politics: Why Democrats didn’t vote for Kamala Harris in Mississippi as they’ve done in previous years
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Ever since Donald Trump won a lopsided victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, many have been researching how she lost by a worse margin than sitting President Joe Biden.
The answer might be as simple as this: Some Democrats simply didn’t vote, and that trend was true in Mississippi.
Analyzing election data from Mississippi and the nation, turnout was low across the board, but the GOP won by a larger percentage of ballots cast in the state than in some previous presidential elections.
According to Dallas Breen, the Stennis Institute’s executive director, many Democratic voters in swing counties did not see enough of a separation between Harris and Biden.
Not wanting to vote for Trump but also not seeing a reformer in Harris, many Mississippi Democrats just decided to stay home on Election Day, Breen said.
“From what we are seeing, you just had a lot of 50/50 counties, and there was a bigger drop off of Democrats not coming to vote than Republicans,” Breen said. “In years past, Democratic candidates were typically disconnected from that because they were senators, secretaries of state, etc.”
That theory is also illustrated by the fact that Trump won six Mississippi counties that went for Biden in 2020, including some in the Delta.
Hyde-Smith throws cold water on Sec. of Agriculture rumors
Early last week, Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, a Republican, finally spoke on what state politicos had been wondering for weeks: Will she become the next U.S. Secretary of Agriculture?
Her answer may not have a huge ripple effect, but it did reaffirm her bid for reelection in 2026.
“It’s an honor to be mentioned as a potential nominee for Secretary of Agriculture, but my plans are to remain in the Senate and continue to deliver for the people of Mississippi,” Hyde-Smith wrote in a press release. “As a former state agriculture commissioner and with my current committee assignments, I remain wholeheartedly committed to the ag community, its growth, and its success.”
With Hyde-Smith out, the question remains if any Mississippi politician will get a seat at Trump’s table. Whether that comes through an appointment or semi-regular trips to the White House over the next four years remains to be seen.
Mississippi US House Rep. at center of AG pick drama
For the second time since taking office, U.S. House Rep. Michael Guest, R-Dist. 3, took the national spotlight, though it was likely unwanted.
Guest, who chairs the House Ethics Committee, told reporters Wednesday afternoon that a report on Trump’s now-former U.S. Attorney General pick Matt Gaetz’ alleged sexual misconduct and drug abuse was not going to be released.
Over the last week, many had called on the committee to release the report to the Senate so when Gaetz came before an appointment committee, it would have all the facts. Others called on the Senate not to approve of the pick altogether.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, had said since Gaetz resigned from Congress when Trump appointed him, the report could not be released. Gaetz bowed out of the appointment on Thursday.
Guest did not respond to requests for comment on the Gaetz report. Nor did Sen. Roger Wicker or Hyde-Smith respond to whether they would vote to approve Gaetz’ appointment if it came before the full Senate.
“Democrats would have never nominated a candidate like Gaetz to anything,” U.S. House Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Dist.3, said in a statement to the Clarion ledger about the former AG pick. “(Gaetz) demeans the office of Attorney General. Shame on the Republicans for embarrassing themselves.”
Branning sues election commissioners to pressure on-time ballot counting
As of the afternoon on Nov. 15, the Hinds County Election Commission had yet to send its final tally of absentee and affidavit ballots to the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office.
When it appeared that the commissioners might be pushing the count to the 5 p.m. deadline to submit them to, Mississippi Supreme Court Central District candidate and State Sen. Jenifer Branning’s attorney Spencer Ritchie filed a lawsuit in Hinds County Circuit Court to pressure them into finishing on time, he said.
Branning, a Republican from Philadelphia, has been on the record saying she is a constitutional conservative and would not “legislate from the bench. She has also been endorsed by the Mississippi GOP.
MSOS Communications Director Elizabeth Jonson confirmed after 6 p.m. on Nov. 15 that Hinds County had sent in its finalized results. The lawsuit was then dismissed, Ritchie told the Clarion Ledger in a text message.
Grant McLaughlin covers the Legislature state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State’s defense came to play early in Saturday’s game against Missouri, but as has frequently been the case when Coleman Hutzler’s unit has a rare bright moment, the offense could not take advantage.
The No. 23 Tigers were backed up inside their own 10-yard line following a 48-yard Nick Barr-Mira punt, and then the Bulldogs’ defense delivered three straight big plays. Safety Hunter Washington violently broke up a screen pass on first down, linebacker Stone Blanton tripped up running back Nate Noel for a loss on second down, and after Isaac Smith brought the first wave of pressure on third down, Zakari Tillman sacked Brady Cook just outside the end zone.
With limited space for the snap, the ensuing Missouri punt traveled just 39 yards, and Kevin Coleman’s return gave MSU the ball at the Tigers’ 32. But on second-and-8, freshman quarterback Michael Van Buren faked a handoff to Davon Booth and faced pressure from Eddie Kelly Jr. as he surveyed his options downfield. He stumbled as he tried to step up in the pocket, leaving the ball dangling in his right hand as he tried to stay on his feet.
Defensive tackle Kristian Williams knocked the ball out, and before anyone in maroon realized what was happening, safety Daylan Carnell scooped it up in stride and took it back 68 yards for a touchdown without any Bulldog laying a hand on him.
MSU never recovered from the shock to its system, and Missouri went on to win 39-20.
“That was rough,” center Ethan Miner said. “Those situations happen, and it’s human instinct when something goes wrong, you want to get down. You can’t allow yourself to do it. You have to keep pushing. That’s what happens in life. That’s what happens in this game. Adversity is going to strike. How are you going to respond?”
Burden’s impressive catch underscores Tigers’ third-down success
The Bulldogs (2-9, 0-7 Southeastern Conference) trailed by just four points after a quarter, but the Tigers (8-3, 4-3) extended their first drive of the second quarter when Cook evaded a would-be sack from Branden Jennings and scrambled to move the chains on third down. Missouri kept moving on the ground until Sulaiman Kpaka burst into the backfield to bring down running back Nate Noel for a four-yard loss, bringing up a third-and-9 at the MSU 28.
Cook rolled to his right and flung the ball on the run toward the end zone, where star receiver Luther Burden III was tightly covered by safety Corey Ellington. But Ellington never turned back to the ball, and Burden made a last-second adjustment to separate himself from the defensive back and bring the ball in as he went to the ground. The Bulldogs never again trimmed the deficit to one score.
The Tigers finished 11-for-18 on third down and 2-for-2 on fourth down, and their average yards to go on third down was just 4.6. Missouri was a perfect 6-for-6 on medium-distance third downs (between five and eight yards).
“That’s just a play. (Burden) made a play,” said Blanton, who had a game-high 18 tackles. “Can’t hang our heads too hard on that. Other stuff, we have to be able to get off the field on.”
Fourth-down stop effectively ices game
Despite possessing the ball for less than four minutes in the second half, MSU pulled back within striking distance on Booth’s 43-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. After a missed field goal from Missouri, the Bulldogs were poised to get even closer, starting their next drive with a 49-yard deep ball from Van Buren to Kelly Akharaiyi.
On the second play of the fourth quarter, MSU faced a fourth-and-3 at the Tigers’ 17. Instead of kicking a field goal to get within one score, head coach Jeff Lebby kept his offense on the field, and Van Buren made a simple two-step drop and had Mosley open across the middle. But his throw was too low, and Mosley couldn’t quite reach down far enough to gather the ball in.
The Tigers proceeded to take almost nine minutes off the clock before Marcus Carroll put the final nail in the coffin with his third touchdown run of the game.
“We’re down 11, we have a chance on fourth-and-3,” Lebby said. “We’re being aggressive. The book (says) go all the way, I’m going for it, and we have to make that layup. That’s truly a layup where we have the ability to pitch and catch.”
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