Each week (give or take one or two here and there) I share three things I like – It could be a book, a movie, a podcast, an album, a photo, an article, a restaurant, a food item, a beverage, or anything else I simply enjoy and think you might too. You can find a whole pile of things, especially books, I like and recommend HERE.
1. The Zach Lowe Show
For years The Lowe Post, Zach Lowe’s previous podcast, was a favorite of mine. Then, inexplicably, ESPN let Lowe go several months ago and my NBA fandom had a gaping hole in it. But now he is back, having been hired by Bill Simmons/The Ringer and Spotify to do precisely what he was doing for ESPN–be the best NBA analyst and commentator in the game. Lowe clearly loves basketball, so he approaches it with enthusiasm. He appreciates intricacies and the finer points of the game. He revels in brilliant play. He breaks down games and players with clarity. He is respected enough to get great guests and it’s obvious they have a great time together. And Lowe is not a screaming blow hard, so he is easy to listen to. (Come to think of it, this may be the explanation for why ESPN fired him.) Simply put, when Zach Lowe is given the opportunity to talk and write about the NBA, basketball gets more fun.
2. Assembly Food Hall
If you are considering visiting Nashville and look up a “top things to do” list, it’s likely you’ll see The Ryman and the Grand Ol Opry and Lower Broadway listed. Those are all worth your time, it least perfunctorily. They are glamorous and historical and musical and lively. But it is places like Assembly Food Hall that make Nashville particularly great to visit (and a great place to live). In the heart of downtown, just across the street from The Ryman, Assembly is a collection of local restaurants and bars ranging from BBQ to hot chicken to fine dining all in one place. There is abundant outdoor seating and walking space, decks and patios overlook the city, live music, and a lively-but-relaxed environment (quite different from the manic party energy of Lower Broadway). You can grab a quick drink or have a nice sit down meal. It is easy to navigate with families and groups too. If you are staying downtown, you could pretty much every meal there and never have the same thing twice. So whether you are a resident or a tourist or a business traveler, Assembly Food Hall is a great place to visit.
3. Stan Getz & The Oscar Peterson Peterson Trio
Oscar Peterson is my favorite Jazz musician. He was a brilliant piano player known for bebop and the speed and intricacy of his playing. But he could play pretty much anything. And he was a wonderful collaborator, joining forces with various jazz legends over the years. One such legend was Stan Getz. While his name sounds like the guy you want preparing your taxes, his talent was on the saxophone. He was magnificent in his own right, both as a soloist and in various bands. This album combines the sublime talents of Peterson and Getz to perfection, supported by Herb Ellis on guitar and Ray Brown on bass (both monster players, themselves). I have never put together a mount Rushmore of Jazz albums, but if I did this one would be in the running.
