Smoke and fire of Dylan and Costello

James Reed's review of the Bob Dylan and Elvis Costello concert could not have been more on target about the beautiful blending of musical styles ("Costello is right match for Dylan," Living/ Arts, Oct. 3). The sizzling fire of Costello and the layered smoke of Dylan combined for an interesting flavor. Dylan's latest troubadour sway and keyboard crouch put a smile on my face as he skipped along lyrically placing accents on words we heard before in different rhythms. I'm sure there are many who yearn for an accompanied singalong book and night light, or a seat-mounted bouncing-ball teleprompter as their ears reach out to decode his gravel-encrusted lyrics. The mystique of Dylan is inviting. Even though it's difficult to fully take in his lyrical eloquence which has made him a word weaver, Dylan still amazes me after all these years.

JOE FEINTUCK
Framingham

The new Neiman Marcus is indeed an impressive and beautiful piece of architecture ("A store makes the best-dressed list," Arts & Entertainment, Oct. 7). The housing that has been included in the design is also wonderful planning. Hopefully, Robert Campbell's great idea of including elderly housing in these complexes will some day be implemented. What is disappointing and perplexing is that the new mall buildings seem to have been designed and built without regard to our climate problems. I would be more impressed with a green design and state of the art sustainability features which would have been relatively straightforward to incorporate into new buildings like this development. As of Oct. 3, I have not seen a single recycling container in the entire mall. As long as we continue to ignore our climate change problems, we are hastening the destruction of our environment as we know it. We Americans are being mocked and scorned by the rest of the world for our refusal to admit to our part in the climate change crisis and to start taking responsibility for the damage we have done.

ROXANNE EIGENBROD ZAK
Concord

The review by Ken Johnson of "Drama and Desire: Japanese Paintings From the Floating World 1690-1850" at the MFA could have given more concreteness to the ugly circumstances of the courtesans' lives ("MFA's 'Drama and Desire' explores pleasure principle in Japan," Weekend, Sept. 14). Girls 7 to 9 did not elect to enter the profession. They were recruited by scouts from desperately poor families whose own survival depended on the cash they received in exchange for their daughters. The girls qualified on the basis of looks and promise of talent. Some attained enviable status, but an exalted existence was short at best. After about age 27, the women faced harsh prospects. Though some did marry, became mistresses, or beneficiaries of men's largesse, many slipped down the socioeconomic scale to become common prostitutes subject to abuse and poverty. This might be designated as feminist sociology rather than part of art history. The ultimate sadness of their fates, as well as their triumphs, should be part of our aesthetic response to their floating world.

EMILY WOLF
Berlin

I grew up with Connie Francis's music, and I very much wanted to love the Connie Francis concert ("A strong finish from Francis," Living/Arts, Oct. 8). However the sound issues made it impossible.

PHIL KAWA
Weymouth

I was at the Cutler Majestic to see Connie Francis. We had seats in the upper balcony. I paid $70 a seat. I wish I had had the opportunity to hear her, but we could not understand a word she was singing or saying. I left there very disappointed and angry.

ANNETTE EDDY
Dedham

L etters for publication should include the writer's name, address, and daytime phone number for verification. Short letters are preferred, and all letters are subject to editing. Send to arts@globe.com or Letters, Living/Arts, The Boston Globe, PO Box 55819, Boston MA 02205-5819.