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David Yaffe is a Professor of Humanities at Syracuse. He is the author, most recently, of Reckless Daughter: A Portrait of Joni Mitchell (FSG).

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Lucinda Williams Takes On the Trump Trolls: ‘Vote Blue’

LIVING LEGEND

The famed singer-songwriter opens up to David Yaffe about her excellent new album “Good Souls, Better Angels,” her Trump tune (“Man Without a Soul”), and much more.

David Yaffe | Published May 03, 2020

Joni Mitchell Dug Deep to Make Her Dark Masterpiece ‘Blue’

EXCERPT

She was already one of the most talented singer/songwriters on the scene, but when she created ‘Blue,’ Mitchell proved herself one of the premier artists of her generation.

David Yaffe | Published Oct 22, 2017

‘Dildos and a Beckett Novel’

BAWDY

Poet and essayist Maggie Nelson is out with a new memoir, this one about her family. But it’s far from ‘family friendly.’

David Yaffe | Published Jul 09, 2015

Who Inspired America’s Greatest Writers?

NOW YOU KNOW

Harold Bloom, “the indispensable critic,” has found the men and women who provided the daemonic spark for America’s literary giants. And he’s even nice to T.S. Eliot.

David Yaffe | Published May 18, 2015

We Are All Liars (Sort Of)

PANTS ON FIRE

On some level, we are all phonies, it’s just a matter of whether or not we are good or bad ones.

David Yaffe | Published May 06, 2015

Jews, WWII, and Avoiding the H Word

History Mystery

Author Daniel Torday talks about his celebrated new novel, Jewish identity, bluegrass mandolin, truth versus fact, and the guilt or innocence of Brian Williams.

David Yaffe | Published Mar 27, 2015

Richard Pryor Beat Bill Cosby

Profane and Profound

<p>Biographer Scott Saul talks about spending 8 years studying Pryor and why he never got bored, why Pryor is still electrifying, and what he would have thought of Bill Cosby. <b><a href="/content/dailybeast/articles/2014/12/10/how-richard-pryor-invented-the-edgy-comic-style-that-branded-him-an-artist.html#excerpt">Read an excerpt from his book below</a></b>.<br> </p>

David Yaffe, Scott Saul | Published Dec 10, 2014

Meghan Daum’s Unspeakable Issues

The Examined Life

In her new book of essays, the writer addresses a parent’s death, her own miscarriage, and what she’d say to her younger self.

David Yaffe | Published Dec 06, 2014

Is Bigger Better for St. Vincent?

Rising Star

Her striking new, vinyl-only single once again confirms St. Vincent's idiosyncratic talent. But as her audience broadens, you have to wonder, is the big-time toxic to her art?

David Yaffe | Published Dec 04, 2014

Herbie Hancock Holds Forth

Jazz Titan

Herbie Hancock talks about writing ad jingles, the influence of Ravel, the importance of playing sober, the joy of working with Joni Mitchell, and getting fired by Sonny Rollins.

David Yaffe | Published Nov 08, 2014

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