November 5, 2021

Title: GOT THE BLUES

Constructor: Wendy L. Brandes

Editor: Erik Agard

Theme Answers:

ROYAL FLUSHES (20A: Best possible poker hands)

STEEL GUITAR (37A: Joseph Kekuku's instrument)

BABY MONITOR (43A: Device used to keep tabs on an infant)

MIDNIGHT HOUR (55A: Late time)

Theme synopsis: The first word of each theme answer is a shade of BLUE. We've GOT THE BLUES today: ROYAL BLUE, STEEL BLUE, BABY BLUE, and MIDNIGHT BLUE.

Things I learned:

• AMOR (17A: "___ Prohibido" (Selena song)) "AMOR Prohibido" ("Forbidden Love") is the title track from Selena's fourth studio album, released in 1994. Selena co-wrote the song based on the story of her grandparents. I was not familiar with this song (though I may have heard it, but it's been a few years...), but AMOR made sense from context.
• STEEL GUITAR (37A: Joseph Kekuku's instrument) A STEEL GUITAR is any GUITAR played by moving a STEEL bar along the strings. The modern STEEL GUITAR was popularized in the Hawaiian islands in the late 1800s. Joseph Kekuku is credited with inventing the STEEL GUITAR.
• ERICA (47A: Actress Nlewedim) ERICA Nlewedim is an actress, model, and entrepreneur. She was born in Lagos, Nigeria.
• EUBIE (53D: Jazz pianist Blake) EUBIE Blake was a name I recognized once I had the answer filled in, but I couldn't bring it to mind in time to be helpful! EUBIE Blake was a jazz pianist and composer from the late 1800s until his death in 1983 at the age of 96. With Noble Sissle, EUBIE Blake composed the first all-Black Broadway show, Shuffle Along, that premiered in 1921. He was the subject of a 1978 Broadway musical, EUBIE! The musical showcased 23 of his songs, including "Charleston Rag," which was the first song he composed in 1899. Do yourself a favor and take a few minutes to watch EUBIE Blake play this song.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• RICE (16A: Biryani ingredient) Biryani is a dish that originated in the Indian subcontinent. The dish consists of RICE, meat, and spices.
• I WAS (39A: " ___ Made to Love Her" (Stevie Wonder song)) "I WAS Made to Love Her" is a 1967 Stevie Wonder song. One of Stevie Wonder's co-writers for this song was his mother, Lula Mae Hardaway.
• LLOYD (3D: "Mamma Mia!" director Phyllida) In addition to the 2008 movie, Mamma Mia!, Phyllida LLOYD also directed the 2011 movie, The Iron Lady, and the 2020 movie, Herself. 
• LEONA (30D: "Better in Time" singer Lewis) "Better in Time" is a song from LEONA Lewis's 2007 debut album, Spirit. 
• RABID (36D: Very enthusiastic) and RAH RAH (49D: Very enthusiastic) This puzzle is very enthusiastic (doubly so)! I particularly like the entry RAH RAH.
• SYCAMORE (40D: Tree with flaky bark) There are multiple varieties of tree referred to by the name SYCAMORE. The bark of SYCAMORE trees flakes off in large irregularly-shaped sheets. I think this is kind of cool, but I'm glad I don't have a SYCAMORE tree in my yard. As a result of the flaking bark, the bark that remains on the tree resembles a jigsaw puzzle. 
• GIRL (59D: "Gone ___" (Gillian Flynn thriller)) The 2014 movie, Gone GIRL, was based on Gillian Flynn's book.
• IT'S (61D: Part of TGIF) The best part of this answer is that IT'S Friday! Always appropriate when TGIF clues appear on Friday.

Geography review:

• ASIA (68A: Tibet's continent) Tibet is an autonomous region in China. Its capital and largest city is Lhasa. Tibet is also the name used for a region of ASIA that includes the Tibet Autonomous Region plus more of the Tibetan Plateau, including parts in India. Located in the Himalayas, Tibet is the highest region on Earth, and includes Earth's highest mountain, Mt. Everest.

BLUE is my favorite color, so you know I'm going to enjoy a puzzle that's GOT THE BLUES. A nice solid set of theme answers here, representing a wide range of BLUES. I enjoyed the non-theme answers FRESH AIR, SYCAMORE, and JIBES. The grid is interesting today. It looks very compartmentalized (and quite neat - I like it!), but I didn't find myself getting stuck in any of the sections. This puzzle was a great way to begin my Friday - TGIF!