Went to sleep last night around the time the first news started to come in. Seemed like a close call more so then I thought. That’s why I couldn’t immediately turn on the TV in the morning, I feared a 72 year old army man and an incompetent house wife might have been eligible to rule the USA for 4 years resulting in a possible war with Iran, more financial crisis, more suffering for both the US and the world.

Fortunately our fears are a thing of the past right now as the iconic Barack Obama has become the 44th president of the USA. We’ve been watching his moves much longer than the media hype started surrounding him and no one deserves this spot better than this sincere, honest and kind man, he has been an inspiration for a whole generation and I hope he will succeed in bringing change and unity to his country and the world.

America has dug to its roots to find the strength to unite under Obama, and no music but Jack Rose’s “American Primitive” revivalism suits our mood better today. The prolific Rose seen as a successor of John Fahey has his latest double album “Dr Ragtime & Pals / Self Titled” out on Tequila Sunrise, and it not only displays his amazing fingerpicking skills it is a real testimony to the true American folk spirit, not that stupid pop-culture that has permeated the airwaves for the last 30 years.

But if you’re lucky, you might stumble across a clearing somewhere south of Lily Dale, where revolutionists stop for orangeade and Dr. Ragtime hangs out with his pals. If you ask him politely, he might offer you a taste of his elixir – made from codeine, sarsaparilla, and goat-gland extract – guaranteed to restore memories that never were. And if you’re quiet, he might let you stay and listen to the music: Ethiopian novelties, characteristic marches and parlor favorites – bittersweet slices of Methodist pie, familiar tunes, at least in those sections where the square dance has not yet been supplanted by the fox-trot.Tequila Sunrise