Congratulations to Ryan Coogler and Zinzi Evans along with the cast and crew of “Sinners” on their deserved 16 Oscar Nominations. To Delroy Lindo, a very special Barrington Levy-esque “shoodilley-wop, shoodilley-woop, oh-whoa” for his first Oscar nomination at age 73.

I hope “Sinners” will get another theatrical run this year. The joy and jokes from watching it live together with the people would be a balm for this ’26 of a year. This post though isn’t about the movies or movie awards but about reading and living.

I listened to an interview with Ryan Coogler on the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) podcast, 3rd & Fairfax. It is a very good listen covering topics from union membership, George Lucas’ advice to Ryan on staying true to the Bay and telling specific stories, his Uncle James’ love for the blues, and the detailed research that crafted “Sinners.” Mr Coogler mentions two books that helped shape his vison for the film: Amiri Baracka’s “Blues People” and Robert Palmer’s “Deep Blues.”

Here is the interview with Ryan and host Jasmyne Peck.

Since I am trying to read more on my subway commute, I looked for them on the Brooklyn Public Library catalogue but neither was available as an eBook. I did find some books by David Ritz that almost made me miss my train stop. “Brother Ray” Ray Charles’s memoir, “Rhythm and the Blues: A Life in American Music” Jerry Wexler’s memoir, and my favorite “The God Groove” David Ritz’ own memoir. I enjoyed “The God Groove” for the behind the scenes conversations and insights not found in the memoirs and for David’s story of how he created his opportunity to write the Ray Charles book. Also, fun fact tying my find to “Sinners” after all, David Ritz worked with Buddy Guy on his memoir “When I Left Home: My Story.”

Preceding his time working with Buddy, David Ritz first work with B.B King on “Blues All Around Me: The Autobiography of B.B. King.” David had the opportunity to ride on the tour bus with B.B King listen to blues and talk about life. There is one exchange I am going to quote in full, because it is “Sinners” and Delta Slim and Sammie and Annie where B.B. King tells David how he resolved the struggle between the Twins of gospel and the blues.

“This notion that God’s got the blues.

Look at the story of Jesus. I’ll be damned if that ain’t a blues story. And I’ll be damned if Jesus wasn’t a bluesman. Wandering around. No home. No money, Yet all that takin’ bout love. but not everyone’s loving on him. Some folks be hating on him. try as he might, he ain’t winning over the world. World’s on his back. Sitting in that garden, he knows the world’s about to do him in. That’s the blues, son. The sure -enough blues.”

“But didn’t he lose the blues when he supposedly went up to heaven?”

“To me – and remember, I’m just a country boy – he wouldn’t love us, and we wouldn’t love him if he ever lost the blues. That the part of God that’s human, Fact is, you could say that Jesus came down to earth to get the blues. You could say that’s why God understands us.”

I keep thinking of B.B. King’s notion – that God’s got the blues – and the earthly separation between the blues and gospel. And my own laments, and the psalms that have spoken to me. A Psalm of David.

13 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
    How long will you hide your face from me?
 How long must I take counsel in my soul
    and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

I don’t mean to say that one quote resolves all the past present and future friction between the Twins. It just has me wondering about how I am living separating the earthly and the divine. Is Queen Latifah’s Georgia Byrd singing a gospel or a blues song here?

In another interview, I heard Ryan Coogler say that one of the sparks for “Sinners” came from when he was washing dishes listening to the Howlin’ Wolf song “Wang Dang Doodle.” Listen to it and you can immediately see the juke joint scenes.

I added “Wang Dang Doodle” to my existing blues playlist. I have also have two playlists for gospel and choir songs. But yes B.B. King, Jesus was a blues man. On earth. And up above, over my head.

Would it offend God to have Richard Smallwood and Howlin’ Wolf, “Total Praise” and “Wang Dang Doodle” together. I could have call the playlist Saturday Night Meets Sunday Morning. But Jesus was a blues man. And I need a “Total Praise” and “Wang Dang Doodle” kinda life together.

Trust in the valley. And jumpin together with my people. Early in the morning. Late in the midnight hour.

What should I name the playlist?