'Money Jungle'

New title of my Substack for 2025

My favorite Duke Ellington album ever is called ‘Money Jungle.’ It is not with his orchestra. It was recorded in 1962 when Duke hooked up with the great Max Roach on drums and Charles Mingus on bass. These two were rising superstar musicians at the time and Duke was already a legend in his 60s by then and still showing off as a piano player and composer.

I think the title for now fits my thoughts and writings. America, where I live, is a money jungle. I call it a casino. It is odd place, an empire in serious decline, and as I see more clearly now, a failed state.

I am enjoying the chatter back and forth on Substack. The name change doesn’t change what I do. I changed the name because that is just my nature. Come and have a sit in the “money jungle.” It is what you want it to be.

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