David Hajdu

David Hajdu is the music critic of The Nation and a professor at Columbia University.

Incremental and Slow In Coming

Incremental and Slow In Coming Incremental and Slow In Coming

What needs to be said but shouldn’t be noteworthy: All three honorees for the Pulitzer Prize in Music were women.

May 31, 2017 / David Hajdu

Doesn’t Every Political Resistance Need a Soundtrack?

Doesn’t Every Political Resistance Need a Soundtrack? Doesn’t Every Political Resistance Need a Soundtrack?

In their efforts to protest Trump’s ascension as soon as possible, more than one artist has recast an existing song with lyrics applicable to the current crisis.

May 16, 2017 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu

Ella Fitzgerald at 100

Ella Fitzgerald at 100 Ella Fitzgerald at 100

During her long lifetime, the First Lady of Swing was as engaged with the new as she was driven by classicism.

Apr 25, 2017 / David Hajdu

National Endowment cuts

Who Needs the NEA and NEH? Who Needs the NEA and NEH?

What is really lost when we cut public funds for the arts and humanities.

Apr 7, 2017 / David Hajdu

Chuck Berry’s Poetry Endures

Chuck Berry’s Poetry Endures Chuck Berry’s Poetry Endures

Berry was a highly original and influential guitarist and as great a songwriter as rock ’n’ roll has ever produced.

Mar 20, 2017 / David Hajdu

Keith Jarrett performing

Keith Jarrett: In Search of Inspiration Keith Jarrett: In Search of Inspiration

To the degree that there was spontaneity in his latest concert, it was spontaneous regurgitation.

Mar 1, 2017 / David Hajdu

The Ten Best Albums of 2016

The Ten Best Albums of 2016 The Ten Best Albums of 2016

As the business of recorded music roils, the making of music rolls on.

Dec 14, 2016 / David Hajdu

Bruce Springsteen’s Redemption Song

Bruce Springsteen’s Redemption Song Bruce Springsteen’s Redemption Song

The musician delivers a flawed but exquisitely moving and detailed new memoir.

Dec 1, 2016 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu

Darcy James Argue’s Terrific Thrill

Darcy James Argue’s Terrific Thrill Darcy James Argue’s Terrific Thrill

A staggeringly ambitious album explores the themes of cultural paranoia and false truth.

Nov 25, 2016 / David Hajdu

Bob Dylan, Nobel Laureate in Ashtray-Binding

Bob Dylan, Nobel Laureate in Ashtray-Binding Bob Dylan, Nobel Laureate in Ashtray-Binding

The poetry in Dylan’s music has always been something different from the language on the page that we associate with poets.

Oct 13, 2016 / David Hajdu

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