![An illustration of a small person standing within a winding red squiggle that reads "listening alone."](https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2021-12-20-at-4.42.14-PM_2021-12-20-224549_dkpi.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=919&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=c84a1081fc2dd6a4068a51b0ebf2af43 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2021-12-20-at-4.42.14-PM_2021-12-20-224549_dkpi.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1839&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=205e7e5da80a21720784ac847cf54217 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2021-12-20-at-4.42.14-PM_2021-12-20-224549_dkpi.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=760&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=20267158f17a23c688083c020396fb66 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2021-12-20-at-4.42.14-PM_2021-12-20-224549_dkpi.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1520&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=b225c0a9be13e12f074f58e8672c3472 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2021-12-20-at-4.42.14-PM_2021-12-20-224549_dkpi.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=588&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=9ca2418720d65c19280b733d2a9d2c8e 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2021-12-20-at-4.42.14-PM_2021-12-20-224549_dkpi.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1177&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=20054c95191ef30aa7ea7a49db8c7dce 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2021-12-20-at-4.42.14-PM_2021-12-20-224549_dkpi.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=441&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=231da7988d5c70e5959b6a661f65d230 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Screen-Shot-2021-12-20-at-4.42.14-PM_2021-12-20-224549_dkpi.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=883&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=c920cdd94e6b8788d99d28e98ecf5b00 1152w)
This is Where I Belong ➺
Mark Richardson shares thoughts on the quality of private listening vs. social listening, using Spotify Wrapped as an example here of the latter, where the togetherness of fandom is contrasted against music you love that has no social context.
![A close-up illustration of red and purple piano keys.](https://varyer.imgix.net/The-Shimmering-Piano.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=dd53fd318a53d68b293be62cf810a373 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/The-Shimmering-Piano.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1600&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=841150d40a97ac6aee5b9c8bf6a7e3f4 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/The-Shimmering-Piano.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=661&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=640d6a44ec62bd3344ceaa6d2a175550 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/The-Shimmering-Piano.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1322&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=b4226129683de4605d0a932e92bf6750 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/The-Shimmering-Piano.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=9dd5d58c199129f5d1c145c9f19e2744 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/The-Shimmering-Piano.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=2fcc7d99c811077c713d489874bb5df5 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/The-Shimmering-Piano.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=384&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=948a994c05d1f2d475cb3d6e5f6fbdec 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/The-Shimmering-Piano.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=4d83e08e65747167edfb06c90dab781c 1152w)
The Shimmering Piano ➺
Reading about music seldom produces the same impact as the feeling of sound waves vibrating the inner ear... unless it's a Mark Richardson joint. We're approaching something close to that sense of sonic delight in this Listener's Arc column exploring phases of discovery within America's greatest endemic art form—jazz music.
![An illustration of Bob Dylan.](https://varyer.imgix.net/What-Broken-Glass-Reflects.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=13d059ed487ef0eccc3c0ec339ef20f9 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/What-Broken-Glass-Reflects.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1600&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=69e0e46d3a1147fd59f9c3f86f906260 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/What-Broken-Glass-Reflects.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=661&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=231e0c82677d0a1ecf07b422d6994b9d 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/What-Broken-Glass-Reflects.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1322&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=5fe0ce0a91066c749cb877d086b6e80a 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/What-Broken-Glass-Reflects.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=06ba9a69de9b5323c3b378769a6b7d5a 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/What-Broken-Glass-Reflects.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=2684dfb4661b0d38c411ebed8fc54df9 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/What-Broken-Glass-Reflects.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=384&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=09a5c0faf40fc9620d2e7cfead10f7f7 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/What-Broken-Glass-Reflects.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=236135f40354f5c3c8af93de555280bf 1152w)
What the Broken Glass Reflects ➺
Mark Richardson never fails to provide a thorough existential analysis to a soundtrack; this column covers topics including but not limited to: Reinventing yourself, the undeniable loneliness of existence with Bob Dylan, vomiting in organic waste bins, and the blind optimism of born-again Christians.
![A very blurry illustration of a bearded person.](https://varyer.imgix.net/Memory-Units.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=6474068db6f1213c6f47c00131307a29 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Memory-Units.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1600&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=4cea379f7e72ea798bd6904366cf9692 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Memory-Units.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=661&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=c9ef00cc6cebb10da79aab9beddf5a56 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Memory-Units.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1322&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=20bf82a3cdfe4aca13ed8e3d15f68ee7 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Memory-Units.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=e68308dc05df438641d3203b37e35f67 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Memory-Units.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=ee95b5ef540399214980b4b1e886669a 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Memory-Units.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=384&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=0f65a475cdcca38071937afd15643420 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Memory-Units.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=822cd4ed59553caefbe468bf7493c498 1152w)
Memory Units ➺
A heartfelt opus, this week's Listener's Arc column chronicles life as it relates to the music of The Caretaker.
"In nursing homes, a common name for the area of the facility dedicated to residents with dementia is the “memory unit.” “Memory care facility” is used more frequently, which sounds a little warmer and softer, but the intention remains the same: They are designed to house people whose cognitive function is diminished to such a degree that they become a danger to themselves and others.
Memory units are kept locked, because people with dementia are liable to open a door and keep walking. When visiting one, you need to be buzzed in, as if you’re at a prison."
![People ride on a train with surgical masks on.](https://varyer.imgix.net/The-Threshold.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=5efd4c5b104179718c6163cae16632f8 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/The-Threshold.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1600&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=a52ab4bf5e353416751146581135e9a0 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/The-Threshold.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=661&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=5ef50fcf641280b42f34c76966744914 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/The-Threshold.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1322&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=2c90580528d126d44ffe86ecce8f6a05 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/The-Threshold.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=69d19f6e2979c0959ad620e6b8b38301 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/The-Threshold.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=55243ebd0aa03ddba4ebe307aed53999 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/The-Threshold.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=384&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=0832719984fd4ae2140edc8e4dbd7e91 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/The-Threshold.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=63977d2f14d5b4eb9d6c036e6b74b673 1152w)
The Threshold ➺
With live music out of the question for most of 2020, Mark Richardson thought of the indelible moments with sound that came in moments of solitude. Listen to 13 that’ll stay with you.
![A busy illustration of three humanoid figures.](https://varyer.imgix.net/The-Wheel.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=c84f2b5634c17a376e59afc05e96e0ad 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/The-Wheel.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1600&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=247d99d045963d0ffd7a9aeb1fd7c044 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/The-Wheel.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=661&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=72f71b299a40d9896132740473495268 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/The-Wheel.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1322&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=9347e32b0771b4e211b3cae5a35c8509 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/The-Wheel.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=1371c69224b0ca2c423f0bfc6261444e 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/The-Wheel.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=3d22accb4c3978010cab7c309af3ff00 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/The-Wheel.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=384&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=fcbb5df6f888ff2323dc7fa17ed6aa77 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/The-Wheel.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=ac76091fef1e225fb22e6cf73b1cdd8b 1152w)
The Wheel ➺
In Mark Richardson's first Listener's Arc, he establishes it as part music column, part personal essay—a sacred space for listening. He reflects on Bill Callahan's The Wheel -
"...I’ve seen very little written about “The Wheel.” But the song is for me one that I can listen to and hear it from multiple angles at once—a call to arms, an anthem about unity, a fable about the unchangeability of one’s essential nature—and the music carries me along. I hear it and I think about myself as one unimportant part of some larger plan."