Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
The Movies, Books, Theaters, Concerts, CDs Etc I've Seen/Read So Far in 2010
Updated February 15, 2010
MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES
1. Have You Heard About The Morgans no stars
2. Young Victoria *** 1/2
3. Daybreakers **
4. The Book Of Eli **
5. The Messenger ***
6. Legion *
7. Crazy Heart ** 1/2
8. An Education ** 1/2
9. To Save A Life *
10. Dear John no stars
11. Valentine's Day no stars
12. Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief *
13. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) *** 1/2
BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS
1. Airborn by Kenneth Oppel ***
2. Skybreaker by Kenneth Oppel ***
3. Let The Great World Spin by Colum McCann *** 1/2
4. King by Ho Che Anderson *** 1/2
5. Starclimber by Kenneth Oppel ** 1/2
6. Wolf Hall By Hilary Mantel ****
7. Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome ***
8. Stitches by David Small *** 1/2
9. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte ***
THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS
1. As You Like It (at BAM with Stephen Dillane) ** 1/2
2. The Orphans' Home Cycle three night 9 part epic *** 1/2
CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS (Only the Cds I've listened to thoroughly and with a strong emphasis on the ones I like, so don't think I love everything I listen to -- I just don't bother really listening to the ones I don't like more than once and don't think it's fair to rate on a cursory listen)
1. David Gray - Draw The Line ** 1/2
2. Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit ** 1/2
3. Pink Martini -- Splendor In The Grass **
4. Arctic Monkeys - Humbug ** 1/2
5. Bebel Gilberto -- All In One **
6. Cass McCombs -- Catacombs ** 1/2
7. Curtis Stigers -- Lost In Dreams ** 1/2
8. Tom Rush - What I Know ***
9. Raekwon -- Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 ***/
10. Ella Fitzgerald -- Twelve Nights In Hollywood ****
11. Alicia Keys -- The Element Of Freedom *** 1/2
12. Loudon Wainwright -- High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project *** 1/2
13. Tinariwen -- Imidiwan: Companions *** 1/2
14. Eminem -- Relapse ** 1/2/
15. Laura Veirs -- July Flame ***
16. Vampire Weekend -- Contra ** 1/2
17. Patty Griffin -- Downtown Church ***/
18. Spoon -- Transference ** 1/2
19. Carrie Newcomer -- Before And After ***
20. Magnetic Fields -- Realism ***
21. Shelby Lynne -- Tears, Lies & Alibis ** 1/2
22. Butch Walker -- I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart ** 1/2
23. Duncan Sheik -- Whisper House *** 1/2
24. Meaghan Smith -- The Cricket's Orchestra ***
25. Girls -- Album *** 1/2
26. The XX -- The XX *** 1/2
27. The Low Anthem -- Oh My God, Charlie Darwin *** 1/2
Updated February 15, 2010.
MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES
1. Have You Heard About The Morgans no stars
2. Young Victoria *** 1/2
3. Daybreakers **
4. The Book Of Eli **
5. The Messenger ***
6. Legion *
7. Crazy Heart ** 1/2
8. An Education ** 1/2
9. To Save A Life *
10. Dear John no stars
11. Valentine's Day no stars
12. Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief *
13. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) *** 1/2
BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS
1. Airborn by Kenneth Oppel ***
2. Skybreaker by Kenneth Oppel ***
3. Let The Great World Spin by Colum McCann *** 1/2
4. King by Ho Che Anderson *** 1/2
5. Starclimber by Kenneth Oppel ** 1/2
6. Wolf Hall By Hilary Mantel ****
7. Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome ***
8. Stitches by David Small *** 1/2
9. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte ***
THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS
1. As You Like It (at BAM with Stephen Dillane) ** 1/2
2. The Orphans' Home Cycle three night 9 part epic *** 1/2
CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS (Only the Cds I've listened to thoroughly and with a strong emphasis on the ones I like, so don't think I love everything I listen to -- I just don't bother really listening to the ones I don't like more than once and don't think it's fair to rate on a cursory listen)
1. David Gray - Draw The Line ** 1/2
2. Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit ** 1/2
3. Pink Martini -- Splendor In The Grass **
4. Arctic Monkeys - Humbug ** 1/2
5. Bebel Gilberto -- All In One **
6. Cass McCombs -- Catacombs ** 1/2
7. Curtis Stigers -- Lost In Dreams ** 1/2
8. Tom Rush - What I Know ***
9. Raekwon -- Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 ***/
10. Ella Fitzgerald -- Twelve Nights In Hollywood ****
11. Alicia Keys -- The Element Of Freedom *** 1/2
12. Loudon Wainwright -- High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project *** 1/2
13. Tinariwen -- Imidiwan: Companions *** 1/2
14. Eminem -- Relapse ** 1/2/
15. Laura Veirs -- July Flame ***
16. Vampire Weekend -- Contra ** 1/2
17. Patty Griffin -- Downtown Church ***/
18. Spoon -- Transference ** 1/2
19. Carrie Newcomer -- Before And After ***
20. Magnetic Fields -- Realism ***
21. Shelby Lynne -- Tears, Lies & Alibis ** 1/2
22. Butch Walker -- I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart ** 1/2
23. Duncan Sheik -- Whisper House *** 1/2
24. Meaghan Smith -- The Cricket's Orchestra ***
25. Girls -- Album *** 1/2
26. The XX -- The XX *** 1/2
27. The Low Anthem -- Oh My God, Charlie Darwin *** 1/2
Updated February 15, 2010.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Popsurfing Radio Show Playlist: Drinking (1-1-10)
Here's my playlist from not just my first radio show of 2010 but anyone's first radio show of 2010, since I started on the dot at midnight. My theme? Drinking. Enjoy.
Dinah Washington “Drinking Again” from Drinking Again
Andrews Sisters “Beer Barrel Polka (Roll Out The Barrel)” from Greatest Hits -- 60th Anniversary Collection
Richard Thompson “Drinking Wine Spo Dee O Dee” from 1000 Years Of Popular Music
Smiley Maxedon “Give Me a Red Hot Mama and an Ice Cold Beer” from Hillibilly Boogie!
The Ramones “Somebody Put Something In My Drink” from Hey! Ho! Let's Go: The Anthology
The Little Willies “I Gotta Get Drunk” from The Little Willies
Fountains Of Wayne “Mexican Wine” from Welcome Interstate Managers
Andy Reynolds & His 101 Ranch Boys “Beer Bottle Mama” from Hillbilly Boogie!
Duke Ellington “Beer Garden” from Anatomy of a Murder (Music From the Motion Picture)
Brad Paisley “Alcohol” from Time Well Wasted
James Luther Dickinson “Wine” from Dixie Fried
Tom Paxton “Bottle of Wine” from Best Of Tom Paxton: I Can't Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound
Jimmy James & The Vagabonds “Red Red Wine” from Bubblegum Soul
Loretta Lynn “Don't Come Home A'Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)” from Honky Tonk Girl - The Loretta Lynn Collection
Van Morrison “Moonshine Whiskey” from tupelo honey
Watermelon Slim & the Workers “Drinking & Driving” from The Wheel Man
Ladysmith Black Mambazo “Fak' Ibhande (Don't Drink and Drive)” from Raise Your Spirit Higher
John Lee Hooker “One Bourbon One Scotch One Beer” from Chess Blues 1960-1967
Chris Young “Drinkin' Me Lonely” from Chris Young
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Billie Holiday “Gimme A Pigfoot ( And A Bottle of Beer)” from The Complete Decca Recordings
Jimmy Buffett “A Lot to Drink About” from Buffett Hotel
Jimmy Witherspoon “Drinking Beer” from The Bluesville Years Volume 12
Ray Charles “Blues Hangover” from Pure Genius: The Complete Atlantic Recordings
Jerry Lee Lewis “It Was The Whiskey Talkin' (Not Me)” from Young Blood
Supersuckers “Hungover Together” from Must've Been High
Los Lobos “Whiskey Trail” from Kiko
Oasis “Cigarettes & Alcohol” from Definitely Maybe
Dean Martin “Hey Brother, Pour the Wine” from That's Amore: The Best Of Dean Martin
Ron Sexsmith “Dandelion Wine” from Retriever
7 Worlds Collide “Red Wine Bottle” from The Sun Came Out
Abe McNeil “Drink Drink Drink” from The George Mitchell Collection Vol. 15
Robert Johnson “Drunken Hearted Man” from The Complete Recordings of Robert Johnson
Maria McKee “Drinkin' In My Sunday Dress” from Maria McKee
Eddie Pennington & Warner Williams “Hey Bartender, There's a Big Bug in My Beer” from Down Home! Saturday Night
Dwight Yoakam “This Drinkin' Will Kill Me” from dwightyoakamacoustic.net
Katrina & The Waves “Red Wine & Whiskey” from Waves
Loudon Wainwright III “The Drinking Song” from Recovery
The Thrills “Ain't Got the Money to Pay for This Drink” from The Best Of Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour
Jon Brion “Punch-Drunk Melody” from Punch-Drunk Love
Goran Bregovic “Streets are drunk” from Alkohol
Johnny Cash “The Kneeling Drunkard's Plea” from Love, God, Murder
The Magnetic Fields “Too Drunk to Dream” from Distortion
Beck “Beercan” from Mellow Gold
Norma Waterson “God Loves a Drunk” from Norma Waterson
The Replacements “Beer for Breakfast” from all for nothing, nothing for all
Andre Previn “Bread and Wine” from The Subterraneans
Eartha Kitt “Lilac Wine” from Eartha-Quake
Christine Kittrell “Sittin' Here Drinkin"” from Night Train To Nashville
Randy Newman “Marie” from Good Old Boys
Dinah Washington “Drinking Again” from Drinking Again
Andrews Sisters “Beer Barrel Polka (Roll Out The Barrel)” from Greatest Hits -- 60th Anniversary Collection
Richard Thompson “Drinking Wine Spo Dee O Dee” from 1000 Years Of Popular Music
Smiley Maxedon “Give Me a Red Hot Mama and an Ice Cold Beer” from Hillibilly Boogie!
The Ramones “Somebody Put Something In My Drink” from Hey! Ho! Let's Go: The Anthology
The Little Willies “I Gotta Get Drunk” from The Little Willies
Fountains Of Wayne “Mexican Wine” from Welcome Interstate Managers
Andy Reynolds & His 101 Ranch Boys “Beer Bottle Mama” from Hillbilly Boogie!
Duke Ellington “Beer Garden” from Anatomy of a Murder (Music From the Motion Picture)
Brad Paisley “Alcohol” from Time Well Wasted
James Luther Dickinson “Wine” from Dixie Fried
Tom Paxton “Bottle of Wine” from Best Of Tom Paxton: I Can't Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound
Jimmy James & The Vagabonds “Red Red Wine” from Bubblegum Soul
Loretta Lynn “Don't Come Home A'Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)” from Honky Tonk Girl - The Loretta Lynn Collection
Van Morrison “Moonshine Whiskey” from tupelo honey
Watermelon Slim & the Workers “Drinking & Driving” from The Wheel Man
Ladysmith Black Mambazo “Fak' Ibhande (Don't Drink and Drive)” from Raise Your Spirit Higher
John Lee Hooker “One Bourbon One Scotch One Beer” from Chess Blues 1960-1967
Chris Young “Drinkin' Me Lonely” from Chris Young
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Billie Holiday “Gimme A Pigfoot ( And A Bottle of Beer)” from The Complete Decca Recordings
Jimmy Buffett “A Lot to Drink About” from Buffett Hotel
Jimmy Witherspoon “Drinking Beer” from The Bluesville Years Volume 12
Ray Charles “Blues Hangover” from Pure Genius: The Complete Atlantic Recordings
Jerry Lee Lewis “It Was The Whiskey Talkin' (Not Me)” from Young Blood
Supersuckers “Hungover Together” from Must've Been High
Los Lobos “Whiskey Trail” from Kiko
Oasis “Cigarettes & Alcohol” from Definitely Maybe
Dean Martin “Hey Brother, Pour the Wine” from That's Amore: The Best Of Dean Martin
Ron Sexsmith “Dandelion Wine” from Retriever
7 Worlds Collide “Red Wine Bottle” from The Sun Came Out
Abe McNeil “Drink Drink Drink” from The George Mitchell Collection Vol. 15
Robert Johnson “Drunken Hearted Man” from The Complete Recordings of Robert Johnson
Maria McKee “Drinkin' In My Sunday Dress” from Maria McKee
Eddie Pennington & Warner Williams “Hey Bartender, There's a Big Bug in My Beer” from Down Home! Saturday Night
Dwight Yoakam “This Drinkin' Will Kill Me” from dwightyoakamacoustic.net
Katrina & The Waves “Red Wine & Whiskey” from Waves
Loudon Wainwright III “The Drinking Song” from Recovery
The Thrills “Ain't Got the Money to Pay for This Drink” from The Best Of Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour
Jon Brion “Punch-Drunk Melody” from Punch-Drunk Love
Goran Bregovic “Streets are drunk” from Alkohol
Johnny Cash “The Kneeling Drunkard's Plea” from Love, God, Murder
The Magnetic Fields “Too Drunk to Dream” from Distortion
Beck “Beercan” from Mellow Gold
Norma Waterson “God Loves a Drunk” from Norma Waterson
The Replacements “Beer for Breakfast” from all for nothing, nothing for all
Andre Previn “Bread and Wine” from The Subterraneans
Eartha Kitt “Lilac Wine” from Eartha-Quake
Christine Kittrell “Sittin' Here Drinkin"” from Night Train To Nashville
Randy Newman “Marie” from Good Old Boys
North South East WEFT Playlist 12-31-2009
Here's the playlist for the music I spun during my guest hosting of North South east WEFT. I highlighted what I considered some of the best world music CDs of the decade.
Manu Chao “Rumba de Barcelona” from Radio Bemba Sound System
Amadou & Mariam “Senegal Fast Food” from Dimanche A' Bamako
The Sahara All Stars of Jos “Take Your Soul” from nigeria disco funk special
Ali Farka Touré “Gambari Didi” from Savane
Vieux Farka Toure “Slow Jam” from Fondo
Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba “Musow -- For Our Women” from I Speak Fula
Tinariwen “Chabiba” from Imidiwan: Companions
Tabu Ley Rochereau “Keyla” from Tabu Ley Rochereau: The Voice Of Lightness Congo Classics 1961-1977
Les Ambassadeurs Internationales “Bolola Sanou” from Golden Afrique Vol. 1
Los Mirlos “Sonido Amazonico” from The Roots of Chicha: Psychedelic Cumbias From Peru
Puerto Plata “Baracoa” from Mujer de Cabaret
Juanes “No Creo en el Jamás” from La Vida... Es un Ratico
Leo Fadaka & The Heroes “Blak Sound” from Nigeria Special : Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds & Nigerian Blues 1970-6 [Disc 2]
Ivo Díaz “Pedazo de Acordeón / A Bit of Accordion” from ¡Ayombe! The Heart of Colombia's Música Vallenata
Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba “Bassekou” from Segu Blue
Fruko y Sus Tesos “Salsa Na ma” from Colombia! The Golden Age Of Disco Fuentes
Sergio & Odair Assad “Chora Coração” from Jardim Abandonado
Rahim Alhaj & Souhail Kaspar “Taqsim Maqam Saba” from When the Soul Is Settled: Music of Iraq
Groupe Oyiwane “Tagot” from The Rough Guide to the Music of the Sahara
Fanfare Ciocarlia “Alili” from Rough Guide to the Music of Romanian Gypsies
Andy Palacio and The Garifuna Collective “Watina” from Watina
Chocolate Caliente “Mi guajira-Inspiracion” from Son Cubano NYC
Ali Farka Toure and Toumani Diabate “Debe” from In the Heart of the Moon
Manu Chao “Rumba de Barcelona” from Radio Bemba Sound System
Amadou & Mariam “Senegal Fast Food” from Dimanche A' Bamako
The Sahara All Stars of Jos “Take Your Soul” from nigeria disco funk special
Ali Farka Touré “Gambari Didi” from Savane
Vieux Farka Toure “Slow Jam” from Fondo
Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba “Musow -- For Our Women” from I Speak Fula
Tinariwen “Chabiba” from Imidiwan: Companions
Tabu Ley Rochereau “Keyla” from Tabu Ley Rochereau: The Voice Of Lightness Congo Classics 1961-1977
Les Ambassadeurs Internationales “Bolola Sanou” from Golden Afrique Vol. 1
Los Mirlos “Sonido Amazonico” from The Roots of Chicha: Psychedelic Cumbias From Peru
Puerto Plata “Baracoa” from Mujer de Cabaret
Juanes “No Creo en el Jamás” from La Vida... Es un Ratico
Leo Fadaka & The Heroes “Blak Sound” from Nigeria Special : Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds & Nigerian Blues 1970-6 [Disc 2]
Ivo Díaz “Pedazo de Acordeón / A Bit of Accordion” from ¡Ayombe! The Heart of Colombia's Música Vallenata
Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba “Bassekou” from Segu Blue
Fruko y Sus Tesos “Salsa Na ma” from Colombia! The Golden Age Of Disco Fuentes
Sergio & Odair Assad “Chora Coração” from Jardim Abandonado
Rahim Alhaj & Souhail Kaspar “Taqsim Maqam Saba” from When the Soul Is Settled: Music of Iraq
Groupe Oyiwane “Tagot” from The Rough Guide to the Music of the Sahara
Fanfare Ciocarlia “Alili” from Rough Guide to the Music of Romanian Gypsies
Andy Palacio and The Garifuna Collective “Watina” from Watina
Chocolate Caliente “Mi guajira-Inspiracion” from Son Cubano NYC
Ali Farka Toure and Toumani Diabate “Debe” from In the Heart of the Moon
Thursday, December 31, 2009
The Movies, Books, Theater, Concerts, CDs I Saw In 2009
Updated December 31, 2009
MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES
1. The Counterfeiters ***
2. Tell No One ** 1/2
3. Holiday Affair (1949 w Robert Mitchum and Janet Leigh) ***
4. Frozen River (at MoMa) ***/
5. Revolutionary Road **
6. Drums (1938 w Sabu) *
7. The Wrestler ***/
8. Doubt *
9. I Loved You So Long **
10. Trouble The Waters **
11. The Complete Horatio Hornblower TV Series ****
12. The Complete Lord Peter Wimsey w Ian Carmichael from 1970s ** 1/2
13. Lord Peter Wimsey w Edward Petherbridge and Harriet Walter from 1980s *** 1/2
14. Billy The Kid (2007 docu) *** (extras zero stars for cluelessness)
15. Academy Award Shorts: Lavatory Love Story ***; Octopodi **; House Of Small Boxes *** 1/2 (the eventual winner); Undertaker **; Presto ** 1/2; German shoplift short ***; New Boy ***; Toyland Holocaust *; The Pig ***; French dying girl short **
16. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian * 1/2
17. The Edge Of Heaven *** 1/2
18. Chris and Don: A Love Story ***
19. Leave Her To Heaven ** 1/2
20. Watchmen **
21. Bolt ***
22. Schoolhouse Rock: Earth ** 1/2
23. Follow That Bird * 1/2
24. Never Say Never Again * 1/2
25. Monsters Vs. Aliens (in 2-D) **
26. The Spirit -- no stars
27. Seven Pounds ** 1/2
28. Woodstock Director's Cut (1970 )(at EbertFest) ****
29. Chop Shop (at EbertFest) ***
30. Begging Naked ** (at EbertFest)
31. The Last Command (1928) (at EbertFest w new score performed by Alloy) *** 1/2
32. The Fall (at EbertFest) ** 1/2
33. Sita Sings The Blues (at EbertFest) ***
34. Nothing But The Truth (at EbertFest) ** 1/2
35. Let The Right One In (at EbertFest) *** 1/2
36. Mulligans *
37. Caprica (TV preview on DVD) **
38. Role Models ** 1/2
39. Observe And Report ** 1/2
40. Duplicity *** 1/2
41. The Inglorious Bastards (1978) ** 1/2
42. Star Trek ***/ (on second viewing *** 1/2)
AT CANNES:
43. Up *** 1/2
44. Fish Tank ***
45. My Neighbor My Killer ** 1/2
46. Thirst **
47. Precious ** 1/2
48. Bright Star **
49. Police, Adjective *** 1/2
50. Taking Woodstock ** 1/2
51. A Prophet ****
52. Jaffa **
53. Mother ** 1/2
54. Samson & Delilah ***
55. Kinatay * 1/2
56. Vengeance ** 1/2
57. The Army Of Crime **
58. Le Pere De Mes Enfants *
59. Anti-Christ *
60. Looking For Eric ***
61. Irene * 1/2
62. Daniel Y Ana ** 1/2
63. Vincere * 1/2
64. Broken Embraces **
65. Les Herbes Folles * 1/2
66. I Love You, Phillip Morris **
67. Inglourius Basterds *** 1/2
68. Eyes Wide Open ***
69. Sister Smile (in market; biopic of Singing Nun) **
70. The White Ribbon * 1/2
71. I Killed My Mother ***/
72. The Time That Remains *** 1/2
73. A Town Called Panic **
74. The Imaginarium Of Dr. Parnassus * 1/2
75. The Silent Army *
76. Enter The Void * 1/2
77. Map Of The Sounds Of Tokyo -- no stars
78. To Die Like A Man *
79. Montparnasse *
80. The King Of Escape **
81. Spring Fever **
82. in The Beginning **
83. Visages **
84. Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky * 1/2
END OF CANNES FILMS
85. Moon (w Sam Rockwell) **
86. Dodge City (1939) ***
87. Zenobia (1939 Laurel & Hardy) no stars
88. The Hangover ** 1/2
89. Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen *
90. The Taking Of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009 version) **
91. Public Enemies **
92. Bruno no stars
93. For All Mankind (1989) *** 1/2
94. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ** 1/2
95. Remember The Night (1940) ***
96. The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn (1939) ** 1/2
97. Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever (1939) **
98. The Hurt Locker ***/
99. Funny People **/
100. Firefly: The Complete Series ****
101. G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra *
102. The Undercover Man (1949) ** 1/2
103. The Rounders (1965) **
104. Watch On The Rhine (1943) * 1/2
105. Ride With The Devil: Director's Cut ***
106. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) ****
107. Julie & Julia ** 1/2
108. (500) Days Of Summer ****
109. The Goods -- no stars
110. The Time-Traveler's Wife * 1/2
111. I Love You, Man ** 1/2
112. District 9 ***
113. Ponyo ***/
114. Andy Hardy Meets Debutante (1940) ***
115. Dragonball: Evolution *
116. Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin' (1971) ** 1/2 but final third ****
117. X-Games 3-D **
118. Katyn ***
119. Tezuka Osamu Collection on DVD *** 1/2
120. Newcastle * 1/2
121. I'm Still Waiting (1957) Japanese noir *** 1/2
122. Rusty Knife (1958) Japanese noir ***
123. 17 Again *
124. Hannah Montana: The Movie **
125. Bandslam ***
126. The Clock (1945) ***
127. The Window ***
128. The Last Days Of Disco ***
129. Post-Grad * 1/2
130. The Final Destination 3-D *
131. Gamer no stars
132. It Might Get Loud *** 1/2
133. Extract ***/
134. Taken ** 1/2
AT TORONTO INTL FILM FESTIVAL:
135. Huacho ** 1/2
136. Dogtooth ***
137. A Serious Man *** 1/2
138. Up In The Air *** 1/2
139. Vahalla Rising **
140. Waking Sleeping Beauty ***
141. Dorian Gray *
142. Capitalism: A Love Story ** 1/2
143. The Trotsky **
144. A Brand New Life ***
145. Phantom Pain * 1/2
146. Youth In Revolt * 1/2
147. The Private Lives Of Pippa Lee ** 1/2
148. Soul Kitchen ***
149. Bitch Slap *
150. Life During Wartime ** 1/2
151. A Simple Man ***\
152. Max Manus ** 1/2
153. Lebanon **
154. Northless ***
155. I Am Love ** 1/2
156. Solomon Kane **
157. Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel ** 1/2
158. Cole **
END OF TORONTO FILM FESTIVAL
159. 35 Shots Of Rum **
160. Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 3-D ***/
161. The Informant *** (great score)
162. 9 (animated film) ** 1/2
163. Surrogates (Bruce Willis sci-fier) * 1/2
164. Fame (2009) *
165. My One and Only (Renee Zellwegger) ** 1/2
166. I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell * 1/2
167. Zombieland ***
168. Whip It (Drew Barrymore roller derby) **
169. Toy Story and Toy Story 2 in 3-D ****
170. Where The Wild Things Are *** 1/2
171. Amelia *
171. Bronson * 1/2
172. This Is It **
173. The Maid ***
174. Paranormal Activity **
175. A Christmas Carol 3-D (2009) **
176. 2012 **
177. Pirate Radio * 1/2
178. The Courtship Of Andy Hardy (1942) *
179. Girl Crazy (1943) * flimsy Mickey-Judy musical but Judy does a melting "But Not For Me"
180. The Exiles (1961) (on DVD) *** (mostly for cinematography)
181. Planet 51 *
182. The Twilight Saga: New Moon * 1/2
183. The Blind Side **
184. Ninja Assassin *
185. Fantastic Mr. Fox ** 1/2
186. Uncertainty (with JGL) **
187. Brothers (w Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal) **
188. Before Tomorrow (Inuit film) **
189. The Last Station **
190. Me And Orson Welles **
191. The Princess And The Frog ** 1/2
192. Invictus * 1/2
193. House Of Fear (Sherlock Holmes 1945) **
194. Avatar *
195. Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakuel * 1/2
196. Sherlock Holmes ** 1/2
197. Angels & Demons **
198. It's Complicated **
199. Nine **
BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS
1. Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell *** for story/* for ugliness
2. Gaudy Nights (Lord Peter Wimsey) by Dorothy L. Sayers ****
3. Busman's Honeymoon (Lord Peter Wimsey) by Dorothy L. Sayers ****
4. Lincoln by James M McPherson ** 1/2
5. Ackroyd's Brief Lives: Newton by Peter Ackroyd ** 1/2
6. Anne Of The Island by L.M. Montgomery ** 1/2
7. The Torre Years by Joe Torre and Tom Verducci ** 1/2
8. Anne Of Windy Poplars by L.M. Montgomery ** 1/2
9. Anne's House Of Dreams by L.M. Montgomery ** 1/2
10. Anne Of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery ***
11. No. 1 Ladies Detctive Agency by Alexander McCall Smih ***
12. Dreadnought by Robert K. Massie ****
13. The Vast Fields Of Ordinary by Nck Burd (teen gay) **
14. The First Wave (Billy Boyle WW II mystery) by James R Benn ** 1/2
15. Dangerous Laughter by Stephen Millhauser ****
16. The Siege by Ismail Kadare ***
17. Drown by Junot Diaz *** 1/2
18. The Underdogs by Mariano Azuela *** 1/2
19. Death Of A Red Heroine (Inspector Chen mystery) by Qiu Xialong ***
20. The Forever War by Joe Haldeman **
21. The Shooting Party by Isabel Colegate ***
22. We Wish To Inform You... by Philip Gourevitch ****
23. Push by Sapphire ** 1/2
24. Taking Woodstock by Eliot Tiber with Tom Monte ** 1/2
25. Hypatia of Alexandria by Maria Dzielska ** 1/2
26. Mussolini by Denis Mack Smith ***
27. Keats by Andrew Motion ***
28. Seven Rivers West by Edward Hoagland ***
29. My Family And Other Animals by Gerald Durrell ****
30. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov ****
31. West With The Night by Beryl Markham *** 1/2
32. Farm Boy by Michael Morpurgo * 1/2
33. The Assassination Of Jesse James by The Coward Robert Ford by Ron Hansen *** 1/2
34. The French Admiral (Alan Lewrie series) by Dewey Lambdin ***
35. A-Rod: The Many Lives Of Alex Rodriguez by Selena Roberts **
36. The Awakening by Kate Chopin *** 1/2
37. Rainbow Valley by L.M. Montgomery *** 1/2
38. Rilla Of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery ***
39. The Member Of The Wedding by Carson McCullers *** 1/2
40. Night Flight by Antoine de Saint-Exupery ****
41. From The Mixed-Up Files Of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg ***
42. Hans Brinker, Or The Silver Skates by Mary Mapes Dodge ***\
43. A Passionate Prodigality by Guy Chapman *** 1/2
44. The King's Privateer by Dewey Lambdin, an Alan Lewrie adventure ***
45. Night Flight by Antoine de Saint-Exupery ****
46. The Ground Truth by John Farmer ** 1/2
47. Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead *** 1/2
48. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins ***
49. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins ***
50. The Vampire Diaries: Awakening by L.J. Smith *
51. Up In The Air by Walter Kirn ** 1/2
52. A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood ***
53. The Deep Blue Goodby by John D. MacDonald *** 1/2
54. The Virginian by Owen Wister ****
55. The Interrogative Mood by Padgett Powell *** 1/2
56. The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg ** 1/2
57. Blood Alone by James Benn ***
58. The Complete Bone by Jeff Smith *** 1/2
59. The Siege Of Krishnapur by JG Farrell *** 1/2
60. Ragtime by EL Doctorow ****
61. Born Standing Up by Steve Martin *** 1/2
62. Butcher's Crossing by John Williams *** 1/2
62. Go Saddle The Sea by Joan Aiken ** 1/2
63. Bridle The Wind by Joan Aiken **
64. The Teeth Of The Gale by Joan Aiken ***
65. Crazy Heart by Thomas Cobb *** 1/2
66. No Tomorrow by Vivant Denon ***
67. The Good Thief by Hannah Tinti *** 1/2
68. Stupid, Stupid Rat Tales by Jeff Smith et al **
69. 21 by Patrick O'Brian ***
70. Nostromo by Joseph Conrad ****
71. Out Stealing Horses by Pers Petersen *** 1/2
72. Genius For Deception by Nicholas Rankin ***
THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS
1. Pal Joey at Roundabout w Stockard Channing **
2. England (two-hander in art museum) ** 1/2
3. Shipment *** (great cast)
4. The Cherry Orchard at BAM ***
5. The Third Story (w Kathleen Turner and Charles Busch) ** 1/2
6. Disfarmer at St. Ann's Warehouse **
7. Othello (off Bway on 42md St. -- solid, but convincing which it rarely is) ***
8. A Winter's Tale at BAM *** 1/2 (nearly perfect)
9. Hedda Gabler with Mary Louise Parker and Michael Cerveris -- no stars
10. Joe Turner's Come and Gone (Bway revival) ** (but Roger Robinson ****)
11. Hamlet (w Christian Camargo; TFANA off bway) ***
12. The Norman Conquests *** (sterling cast)
13. Ruined (at City Center) *** 1/2
14. The Good Negro (at Public) ***
15. Mary Stuart (w Janet McTeer and Harriet Walter/Vane) ***
16. Next To Normal (at Booth) **
17. The Singing Forest (Craig Lucas at Public) * 1/2
18. West Side Story (Bway revival) ***
19. The Who's Tommy (at Gallery Players) *
20. War Horse (in the West End) ***
21. A Little Night Music (Chocolate Factory revival on West End Garrick) *** 1/2
22. Peter Pan (outdoor under tent in Kensington Gardens) * 1/2
23. England People Very Nice (at National) ***
24. On The Beach (one of two-part The Contingency Plan at Bush on global warming) ***
25. Death and the King's Horseman (revival at National) *** 1/2
26. Goran Bregovic and His Weddings & Funerals Orchestra in Prospect Park in Brookly with thousands of Serbs and Croats ****
27. Things With Dry Hours ** 1/2 (but strong cast incl Delroy Lindo)
28. Othello w Philip Seymour Hoffman, directed by Peter Sellars *
29. Hamlet with Jude Law ** 1/2
30. The New Electric Ballroom ***
31. Finian's Rainbow (Bway revival) *
32. Emperor Jones (Off bway revival) ***
33. BBQ In Kansas City: Arthur Bryant's *** (great decor, burnt tips, fries); Gates (poor decor but solid food all around) *** 1/2; Oklahoma Joe's (funky gas station but food unremarkable) **; LC's (best all-around, funky space, great food)
34. Negro League Baseball Museum *** (great stories but mostly just a lot of text); Jazz Museum ** 1/2 (poorly set-up and not nearly as fun as it should be
35. Ragtime ** 1/2 (Bway revival; liked everything but the score)
36. Kronos Quartet Wu Man at Zankel Hall of Carnegie *** (lots of technical problems)
37. Idiot Savant -- Richard Foreman play with Willem DaFoe **
38. A Streetcar Named Desire at BAM w Cate Blanchett ***
39. The Brother-Sister Plays Part I: In The Red And Brown Water *** 1/2
40. The Brother-Sister Plays Part II: The Brothers Size ***
41. The Brother-Sister Plays Part III: Marcus, Or The Secret Of Sweet ** 1/2
42. Fela! on Bway with sub lead ** 1/2 but great choreography and would be fun with original lead
43. Brief Encounter at St. Ann's ***
CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS (Only the Cds I've listened to thoroughly and with a strong emphasis on the ones I like, so don't think I love everything I listen to -- I just don't bother really listening to the ones I don't like more than once and don't think it's fair to rate on a cursory listen)
1. Fleet Foxes -- Fleet Foxes ****
2. Elvin Bishop -- The Blues Rolls On ** 1/2
3. David Vandervelde -- Waiting For The Sunrise **
4. Lindsey Buckingham -- Gift Of Screws ** 1/2
5. Adele -- 19 ** 1/2
6. Various Artists -- The Baseball Project ** 1/2
7. King Wilkie -- Low Country Suite **
8. Mercury Rev -- Snowflake Midnight **
9. Various Artists -- New Orleans Funk Vol. 2 *** 1/2
10. The Wood Brothers -- Loaded **
11. British Sea Power -- Do You Like Rock Music? **
12. Brendan James -- The Day Is Brave *** (especially song "Green")
13. Sigur Ros -- Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endaluast ** 1/2
14. Wynton Marsalis and Willie Nelson -- Two Men With The Blues ****
15. Corey Chisel -- Cabin Ghosts EP ***
16. Bill Henderson -- Beautiful Memory: Live At The Vic *** 1/2
17. The Hush Sound -- Goodbye Blues ** 1/2
18. Catfish Haven -- Devastator **
19. Sierra Hull -- Secrets ** 1/2
20. Rhonda Vincent -- Good Thing Going ***
21. 10cc -- Sheet Music ** 1/2
22. Lizz Wright -- The Orchard ***
23. Rodney Crowell -- Sex and Gasoline *** 1/2
24. Van Dyke Parks -- Discover America ***
25. Bob Dylan -- New Morning ** 1/2
26. Bob Dylan -- Before The Flood *** 1/2
27. Bob Dylan -- Through This Life ***
28. Nanci Griffith -- The Loving Kind **
29. Charles Mingus -- Tijuana Moods ***
30. Neil Young -- After The Goldrush (remastered) ****
31. Regina Spektor -- Far *** 1/2
32. Rosanne Cash -- The List ***/
33. Ben Kweller -- Changing Horses ***
34. Neil Young-- Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere *** 1/2
35. Willie Nelson -- Naked ** 1/2
36. Willie Nelson -- Willie and The Wheel ***
37. Willie Nelson -- American Classic *** 1/2
38. Whiskeytown -- Strangers Almanac *** 1/2
39. Madeleine Peyroux -- Bare Bones *** 1/2
40. Joni Mitchell -- The Hissing Of Summer Lawns *** 1/2
41. Pearl Jam -- Ten remastered ***
42. Kelly Clarkson -- All I Ever Wanted **
43. M. Ward -- Hold Time *** 1/2
44. Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs -- Under The Covers Vol. 2 *** 1/2
45. Randy Travis -- Ultimate Hits ** 1/2
46. Conor Oberst -- Conor Oberst ***/
47. Diana Jones -- Better Times Will Come ** 1/2
48. Dean Martin -- Country Style/Rides Again two-fer **
49. Neil Young -- Neil Young (remastered) *** 1/2
50. The Beatles Mono Boxed Set **** out of **** (but really *************!!)
51. Bobby Long -- Dirty Pond Songs **
52. The Dells Sing Dionne Warwick **
53. Prefab Sprout -- Let's Change The World With Music *** 1/2
54. Peggy Lee -- The Man I Love ***
55. The Duke and the King -- Duke and the King *
56. Elvis Costello -- Sugar Cane ***
57. Assembly Of Dust -- Some Assembly Required ** 1/2
58. Bobby Long -- Dirty Pond Songs *
59. Sondra Lerche -- Heartbeat Radio ** 1/2
60. M'shell Ndegeocello -- Devil's Halo ***
61. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band -- Speed Of Life ** 1/2
62. Paolo Nutini -- Sunny Side Up **
63. Patrick Watson -- Wooden Arms **
64. Pentangle -- Basket Of Light ***/
65. Phoenix -- Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix ***
66. Steep Canyon Rangers -- Deep In The Shade ***
67. 7 Worlds Collide -- The Sun Came Out ***
68. Willis Alan Ramsey -- Willis Alan Ramsey *** 1/2
69. Vicki Emerson -- Long Ride **
70. Black Hollies -- Softly Towards The Light ***/
71. Frankie Negron -- Independence Day * 1/2
72. Elliott Brood -- Mountain Meadows ***/
73. James Hand -- Shadow On The Ground *** 1/2
74. Green Day -- 21st Century Breakdown *** 1/2
75. Ray Davies -- The Kinks Choral ***
76. The Family Force 5 * 1/2
77. Claire Lynch -- Whatcha Gonna Do ***
78. Black Crowes -- Before The Frost...Until The Freeze *** 1/2
79. Maxwell -- BLACKsummernights *** 1/2
80. Madness -- The Liberty Of Norton Folgate ** 1/2
81. Marshall Crenshaw -- Jaggedland ** 1/2
82. Kristina Train -- Spilled Milk *** 1/2
83. Best Of Fela Kuti ****
84. The Flatlanders -- Hills & Valleys ***
85. Ghost Is Dancing -- Battles on **
86. Gov't Mule -- By A Thread *
87. The Hot Club Of San Francisco -- Hot Club Cool Yule * 1/2
88. Hugh Masekala -- Phola *
89. Iron And Wine -- Around The Well ** 1/2
90. John Fogerty -- Blue Ridge Rangers Ride Again ***
91. John Garrison -- Departures * 1/2
92. Various Artists -- Ciao My Shining Star: The Music Of Mark Mulcahy ***
93. Tori Amos -- Midwinter Graces *** 1/2
94. They Might Be Giants -- Here Comes Science ***
95. Sarah Lee Guthrie -- Go Waggaloo * 1/2
96. The Avett Brothers - I And Love And You *** 1/2
97. Super Furry Animals -- Dark Days ** 1/2
98. Various Artists -- Panama Vol 1 ** 1/2
99. Grizzly Bear -- Veckatimest ** 1/2
100. Brad Paisley -- American Saturday Night *** 1/2
101. Lyle Lovett -- Natural Forces ***/
102. Norah Jones -- The Fall ** 1/2
103. Kristen Chenoweth -- A Lively Way To Spend Christmas * 1/2
104. Allen Toussaint -- Bright Mississippi *** 1/2
105. Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam -- Coming Up For Air ** 1/2
106. Neko Case -- Middle Cyclone ***
107. Jay-Z -- The Blueprint 3 ***/
108. John Scofield -- Piety Street ***
109. U2 -- No Line On The Horizon ** 1/2
110. Bruce Springsteen -- Working On A Dream ** 1/2
111. Volcano Choir -- Unmap * 1/2
112. Animal Collective -- Meriweather Post Pavilion ***
113. Tom Russell -- Blood and Candle Smoke **
114. Bill Callahan -- Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle * 1/2
115. Alex McMurray -- How To Be A Cannonball ***
116. Jesse Winchester -- Love Filling Station *** 1/2
117. AA Bondy -- When The Devil's Loose ** 1/2
118. Naomi Shelton and the Gospel Queens -- What Have You Done. My Brother? ***
119. Miranda Lambert -- Revolution *** 1/2
120. John Stewart -- California Bloodlines *** 1/2
121. Rosemary Clooney -- Love *** 1/2/
122. Mika -- The Boy Who Knew Too Much *** 1/2
123. Wilco -- (the album) ***
Updated December 31, 2009.
MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES
1. The Counterfeiters ***
2. Tell No One ** 1/2
3. Holiday Affair (1949 w Robert Mitchum and Janet Leigh) ***
4. Frozen River (at MoMa) ***/
5. Revolutionary Road **
6. Drums (1938 w Sabu) *
7. The Wrestler ***/
8. Doubt *
9. I Loved You So Long **
10. Trouble The Waters **
11. The Complete Horatio Hornblower TV Series ****
12. The Complete Lord Peter Wimsey w Ian Carmichael from 1970s ** 1/2
13. Lord Peter Wimsey w Edward Petherbridge and Harriet Walter from 1980s *** 1/2
14. Billy The Kid (2007 docu) *** (extras zero stars for cluelessness)
15. Academy Award Shorts: Lavatory Love Story ***; Octopodi **; House Of Small Boxes *** 1/2 (the eventual winner); Undertaker **; Presto ** 1/2; German shoplift short ***; New Boy ***; Toyland Holocaust *; The Pig ***; French dying girl short **
16. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian * 1/2
17. The Edge Of Heaven *** 1/2
18. Chris and Don: A Love Story ***
19. Leave Her To Heaven ** 1/2
20. Watchmen **
21. Bolt ***
22. Schoolhouse Rock: Earth ** 1/2
23. Follow That Bird * 1/2
24. Never Say Never Again * 1/2
25. Monsters Vs. Aliens (in 2-D) **
26. The Spirit -- no stars
27. Seven Pounds ** 1/2
28. Woodstock Director's Cut (1970 )(at EbertFest) ****
29. Chop Shop (at EbertFest) ***
30. Begging Naked ** (at EbertFest)
31. The Last Command (1928) (at EbertFest w new score performed by Alloy) *** 1/2
32. The Fall (at EbertFest) ** 1/2
33. Sita Sings The Blues (at EbertFest) ***
34. Nothing But The Truth (at EbertFest) ** 1/2
35. Let The Right One In (at EbertFest) *** 1/2
36. Mulligans *
37. Caprica (TV preview on DVD) **
38. Role Models ** 1/2
39. Observe And Report ** 1/2
40. Duplicity *** 1/2
41. The Inglorious Bastards (1978) ** 1/2
42. Star Trek ***/ (on second viewing *** 1/2)
AT CANNES:
43. Up *** 1/2
44. Fish Tank ***
45. My Neighbor My Killer ** 1/2
46. Thirst **
47. Precious ** 1/2
48. Bright Star **
49. Police, Adjective *** 1/2
50. Taking Woodstock ** 1/2
51. A Prophet ****
52. Jaffa **
53. Mother ** 1/2
54. Samson & Delilah ***
55. Kinatay * 1/2
56. Vengeance ** 1/2
57. The Army Of Crime **
58. Le Pere De Mes Enfants *
59. Anti-Christ *
60. Looking For Eric ***
61. Irene * 1/2
62. Daniel Y Ana ** 1/2
63. Vincere * 1/2
64. Broken Embraces **
65. Les Herbes Folles * 1/2
66. I Love You, Phillip Morris **
67. Inglourius Basterds *** 1/2
68. Eyes Wide Open ***
69. Sister Smile (in market; biopic of Singing Nun) **
70. The White Ribbon * 1/2
71. I Killed My Mother ***/
72. The Time That Remains *** 1/2
73. A Town Called Panic **
74. The Imaginarium Of Dr. Parnassus * 1/2
75. The Silent Army *
76. Enter The Void * 1/2
77. Map Of The Sounds Of Tokyo -- no stars
78. To Die Like A Man *
79. Montparnasse *
80. The King Of Escape **
81. Spring Fever **
82. in The Beginning **
83. Visages **
84. Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky * 1/2
END OF CANNES FILMS
85. Moon (w Sam Rockwell) **
86. Dodge City (1939) ***
87. Zenobia (1939 Laurel & Hardy) no stars
88. The Hangover ** 1/2
89. Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen *
90. The Taking Of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009 version) **
91. Public Enemies **
92. Bruno no stars
93. For All Mankind (1989) *** 1/2
94. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ** 1/2
95. Remember The Night (1940) ***
96. The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn (1939) ** 1/2
97. Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever (1939) **
98. The Hurt Locker ***/
99. Funny People **/
100. Firefly: The Complete Series ****
101. G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra *
102. The Undercover Man (1949) ** 1/2
103. The Rounders (1965) **
104. Watch On The Rhine (1943) * 1/2
105. Ride With The Devil: Director's Cut ***
106. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) ****
107. Julie & Julia ** 1/2
108. (500) Days Of Summer ****
109. The Goods -- no stars
110. The Time-Traveler's Wife * 1/2
111. I Love You, Man ** 1/2
112. District 9 ***
113. Ponyo ***/
114. Andy Hardy Meets Debutante (1940) ***
115. Dragonball: Evolution *
116. Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin' (1971) ** 1/2 but final third ****
117. X-Games 3-D **
118. Katyn ***
119. Tezuka Osamu Collection on DVD *** 1/2
120. Newcastle * 1/2
121. I'm Still Waiting (1957) Japanese noir *** 1/2
122. Rusty Knife (1958) Japanese noir ***
123. 17 Again *
124. Hannah Montana: The Movie **
125. Bandslam ***
126. The Clock (1945) ***
127. The Window ***
128. The Last Days Of Disco ***
129. Post-Grad * 1/2
130. The Final Destination 3-D *
131. Gamer no stars
132. It Might Get Loud *** 1/2
133. Extract ***/
134. Taken ** 1/2
AT TORONTO INTL FILM FESTIVAL:
135. Huacho ** 1/2
136. Dogtooth ***
137. A Serious Man *** 1/2
138. Up In The Air *** 1/2
139. Vahalla Rising **
140. Waking Sleeping Beauty ***
141. Dorian Gray *
142. Capitalism: A Love Story ** 1/2
143. The Trotsky **
144. A Brand New Life ***
145. Phantom Pain * 1/2
146. Youth In Revolt * 1/2
147. The Private Lives Of Pippa Lee ** 1/2
148. Soul Kitchen ***
149. Bitch Slap *
150. Life During Wartime ** 1/2
151. A Simple Man ***\
152. Max Manus ** 1/2
153. Lebanon **
154. Northless ***
155. I Am Love ** 1/2
156. Solomon Kane **
157. Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel ** 1/2
158. Cole **
END OF TORONTO FILM FESTIVAL
159. 35 Shots Of Rum **
160. Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 3-D ***/
161. The Informant *** (great score)
162. 9 (animated film) ** 1/2
163. Surrogates (Bruce Willis sci-fier) * 1/2
164. Fame (2009) *
165. My One and Only (Renee Zellwegger) ** 1/2
166. I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell * 1/2
167. Zombieland ***
168. Whip It (Drew Barrymore roller derby) **
169. Toy Story and Toy Story 2 in 3-D ****
170. Where The Wild Things Are *** 1/2
171. Amelia *
171. Bronson * 1/2
172. This Is It **
173. The Maid ***
174. Paranormal Activity **
175. A Christmas Carol 3-D (2009) **
176. 2012 **
177. Pirate Radio * 1/2
178. The Courtship Of Andy Hardy (1942) *
179. Girl Crazy (1943) * flimsy Mickey-Judy musical but Judy does a melting "But Not For Me"
180. The Exiles (1961) (on DVD) *** (mostly for cinematography)
181. Planet 51 *
182. The Twilight Saga: New Moon * 1/2
183. The Blind Side **
184. Ninja Assassin *
185. Fantastic Mr. Fox ** 1/2
186. Uncertainty (with JGL) **
187. Brothers (w Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal) **
188. Before Tomorrow (Inuit film) **
189. The Last Station **
190. Me And Orson Welles **
191. The Princess And The Frog ** 1/2
192. Invictus * 1/2
193. House Of Fear (Sherlock Holmes 1945) **
194. Avatar *
195. Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakuel * 1/2
196. Sherlock Holmes ** 1/2
197. Angels & Demons **
198. It's Complicated **
199. Nine **
BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS
1. Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell *** for story/* for ugliness
2. Gaudy Nights (Lord Peter Wimsey) by Dorothy L. Sayers ****
3. Busman's Honeymoon (Lord Peter Wimsey) by Dorothy L. Sayers ****
4. Lincoln by James M McPherson ** 1/2
5. Ackroyd's Brief Lives: Newton by Peter Ackroyd ** 1/2
6. Anne Of The Island by L.M. Montgomery ** 1/2
7. The Torre Years by Joe Torre and Tom Verducci ** 1/2
8. Anne Of Windy Poplars by L.M. Montgomery ** 1/2
9. Anne's House Of Dreams by L.M. Montgomery ** 1/2
10. Anne Of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery ***
11. No. 1 Ladies Detctive Agency by Alexander McCall Smih ***
12. Dreadnought by Robert K. Massie ****
13. The Vast Fields Of Ordinary by Nck Burd (teen gay) **
14. The First Wave (Billy Boyle WW II mystery) by James R Benn ** 1/2
15. Dangerous Laughter by Stephen Millhauser ****
16. The Siege by Ismail Kadare ***
17. Drown by Junot Diaz *** 1/2
18. The Underdogs by Mariano Azuela *** 1/2
19. Death Of A Red Heroine (Inspector Chen mystery) by Qiu Xialong ***
20. The Forever War by Joe Haldeman **
21. The Shooting Party by Isabel Colegate ***
22. We Wish To Inform You... by Philip Gourevitch ****
23. Push by Sapphire ** 1/2
24. Taking Woodstock by Eliot Tiber with Tom Monte ** 1/2
25. Hypatia of Alexandria by Maria Dzielska ** 1/2
26. Mussolini by Denis Mack Smith ***
27. Keats by Andrew Motion ***
28. Seven Rivers West by Edward Hoagland ***
29. My Family And Other Animals by Gerald Durrell ****
30. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov ****
31. West With The Night by Beryl Markham *** 1/2
32. Farm Boy by Michael Morpurgo * 1/2
33. The Assassination Of Jesse James by The Coward Robert Ford by Ron Hansen *** 1/2
34. The French Admiral (Alan Lewrie series) by Dewey Lambdin ***
35. A-Rod: The Many Lives Of Alex Rodriguez by Selena Roberts **
36. The Awakening by Kate Chopin *** 1/2
37. Rainbow Valley by L.M. Montgomery *** 1/2
38. Rilla Of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery ***
39. The Member Of The Wedding by Carson McCullers *** 1/2
40. Night Flight by Antoine de Saint-Exupery ****
41. From The Mixed-Up Files Of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg ***
42. Hans Brinker, Or The Silver Skates by Mary Mapes Dodge ***\
43. A Passionate Prodigality by Guy Chapman *** 1/2
44. The King's Privateer by Dewey Lambdin, an Alan Lewrie adventure ***
45. Night Flight by Antoine de Saint-Exupery ****
46. The Ground Truth by John Farmer ** 1/2
47. Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead *** 1/2
48. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins ***
49. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins ***
50. The Vampire Diaries: Awakening by L.J. Smith *
51. Up In The Air by Walter Kirn ** 1/2
52. A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood ***
53. The Deep Blue Goodby by John D. MacDonald *** 1/2
54. The Virginian by Owen Wister ****
55. The Interrogative Mood by Padgett Powell *** 1/2
56. The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg ** 1/2
57. Blood Alone by James Benn ***
58. The Complete Bone by Jeff Smith *** 1/2
59. The Siege Of Krishnapur by JG Farrell *** 1/2
60. Ragtime by EL Doctorow ****
61. Born Standing Up by Steve Martin *** 1/2
62. Butcher's Crossing by John Williams *** 1/2
62. Go Saddle The Sea by Joan Aiken ** 1/2
63. Bridle The Wind by Joan Aiken **
64. The Teeth Of The Gale by Joan Aiken ***
65. Crazy Heart by Thomas Cobb *** 1/2
66. No Tomorrow by Vivant Denon ***
67. The Good Thief by Hannah Tinti *** 1/2
68. Stupid, Stupid Rat Tales by Jeff Smith et al **
69. 21 by Patrick O'Brian ***
70. Nostromo by Joseph Conrad ****
71. Out Stealing Horses by Pers Petersen *** 1/2
72. Genius For Deception by Nicholas Rankin ***
THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS
1. Pal Joey at Roundabout w Stockard Channing **
2. England (two-hander in art museum) ** 1/2
3. Shipment *** (great cast)
4. The Cherry Orchard at BAM ***
5. The Third Story (w Kathleen Turner and Charles Busch) ** 1/2
6. Disfarmer at St. Ann's Warehouse **
7. Othello (off Bway on 42md St. -- solid, but convincing which it rarely is) ***
8. A Winter's Tale at BAM *** 1/2 (nearly perfect)
9. Hedda Gabler with Mary Louise Parker and Michael Cerveris -- no stars
10. Joe Turner's Come and Gone (Bway revival) ** (but Roger Robinson ****)
11. Hamlet (w Christian Camargo; TFANA off bway) ***
12. The Norman Conquests *** (sterling cast)
13. Ruined (at City Center) *** 1/2
14. The Good Negro (at Public) ***
15. Mary Stuart (w Janet McTeer and Harriet Walter/Vane) ***
16. Next To Normal (at Booth) **
17. The Singing Forest (Craig Lucas at Public) * 1/2
18. West Side Story (Bway revival) ***
19. The Who's Tommy (at Gallery Players) *
20. War Horse (in the West End) ***
21. A Little Night Music (Chocolate Factory revival on West End Garrick) *** 1/2
22. Peter Pan (outdoor under tent in Kensington Gardens) * 1/2
23. England People Very Nice (at National) ***
24. On The Beach (one of two-part The Contingency Plan at Bush on global warming) ***
25. Death and the King's Horseman (revival at National) *** 1/2
26. Goran Bregovic and His Weddings & Funerals Orchestra in Prospect Park in Brookly with thousands of Serbs and Croats ****
27. Things With Dry Hours ** 1/2 (but strong cast incl Delroy Lindo)
28. Othello w Philip Seymour Hoffman, directed by Peter Sellars *
29. Hamlet with Jude Law ** 1/2
30. The New Electric Ballroom ***
31. Finian's Rainbow (Bway revival) *
32. Emperor Jones (Off bway revival) ***
33. BBQ In Kansas City: Arthur Bryant's *** (great decor, burnt tips, fries); Gates (poor decor but solid food all around) *** 1/2; Oklahoma Joe's (funky gas station but food unremarkable) **; LC's (best all-around, funky space, great food)
34. Negro League Baseball Museum *** (great stories but mostly just a lot of text); Jazz Museum ** 1/2 (poorly set-up and not nearly as fun as it should be
35. Ragtime ** 1/2 (Bway revival; liked everything but the score)
36. Kronos Quartet Wu Man at Zankel Hall of Carnegie *** (lots of technical problems)
37. Idiot Savant -- Richard Foreman play with Willem DaFoe **
38. A Streetcar Named Desire at BAM w Cate Blanchett ***
39. The Brother-Sister Plays Part I: In The Red And Brown Water *** 1/2
40. The Brother-Sister Plays Part II: The Brothers Size ***
41. The Brother-Sister Plays Part III: Marcus, Or The Secret Of Sweet ** 1/2
42. Fela! on Bway with sub lead ** 1/2 but great choreography and would be fun with original lead
43. Brief Encounter at St. Ann's ***
CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS (Only the Cds I've listened to thoroughly and with a strong emphasis on the ones I like, so don't think I love everything I listen to -- I just don't bother really listening to the ones I don't like more than once and don't think it's fair to rate on a cursory listen)
1. Fleet Foxes -- Fleet Foxes ****
2. Elvin Bishop -- The Blues Rolls On ** 1/2
3. David Vandervelde -- Waiting For The Sunrise **
4. Lindsey Buckingham -- Gift Of Screws ** 1/2
5. Adele -- 19 ** 1/2
6. Various Artists -- The Baseball Project ** 1/2
7. King Wilkie -- Low Country Suite **
8. Mercury Rev -- Snowflake Midnight **
9. Various Artists -- New Orleans Funk Vol. 2 *** 1/2
10. The Wood Brothers -- Loaded **
11. British Sea Power -- Do You Like Rock Music? **
12. Brendan James -- The Day Is Brave *** (especially song "Green")
13. Sigur Ros -- Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endaluast ** 1/2
14. Wynton Marsalis and Willie Nelson -- Two Men With The Blues ****
15. Corey Chisel -- Cabin Ghosts EP ***
16. Bill Henderson -- Beautiful Memory: Live At The Vic *** 1/2
17. The Hush Sound -- Goodbye Blues ** 1/2
18. Catfish Haven -- Devastator **
19. Sierra Hull -- Secrets ** 1/2
20. Rhonda Vincent -- Good Thing Going ***
21. 10cc -- Sheet Music ** 1/2
22. Lizz Wright -- The Orchard ***
23. Rodney Crowell -- Sex and Gasoline *** 1/2
24. Van Dyke Parks -- Discover America ***
25. Bob Dylan -- New Morning ** 1/2
26. Bob Dylan -- Before The Flood *** 1/2
27. Bob Dylan -- Through This Life ***
28. Nanci Griffith -- The Loving Kind **
29. Charles Mingus -- Tijuana Moods ***
30. Neil Young -- After The Goldrush (remastered) ****
31. Regina Spektor -- Far *** 1/2
32. Rosanne Cash -- The List ***/
33. Ben Kweller -- Changing Horses ***
34. Neil Young-- Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere *** 1/2
35. Willie Nelson -- Naked ** 1/2
36. Willie Nelson -- Willie and The Wheel ***
37. Willie Nelson -- American Classic *** 1/2
38. Whiskeytown -- Strangers Almanac *** 1/2
39. Madeleine Peyroux -- Bare Bones *** 1/2
40. Joni Mitchell -- The Hissing Of Summer Lawns *** 1/2
41. Pearl Jam -- Ten remastered ***
42. Kelly Clarkson -- All I Ever Wanted **
43. M. Ward -- Hold Time *** 1/2
44. Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs -- Under The Covers Vol. 2 *** 1/2
45. Randy Travis -- Ultimate Hits ** 1/2
46. Conor Oberst -- Conor Oberst ***/
47. Diana Jones -- Better Times Will Come ** 1/2
48. Dean Martin -- Country Style/Rides Again two-fer **
49. Neil Young -- Neil Young (remastered) *** 1/2
50. The Beatles Mono Boxed Set **** out of **** (but really *************!!)
51. Bobby Long -- Dirty Pond Songs **
52. The Dells Sing Dionne Warwick **
53. Prefab Sprout -- Let's Change The World With Music *** 1/2
54. Peggy Lee -- The Man I Love ***
55. The Duke and the King -- Duke and the King *
56. Elvis Costello -- Sugar Cane ***
57. Assembly Of Dust -- Some Assembly Required ** 1/2
58. Bobby Long -- Dirty Pond Songs *
59. Sondra Lerche -- Heartbeat Radio ** 1/2
60. M'shell Ndegeocello -- Devil's Halo ***
61. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band -- Speed Of Life ** 1/2
62. Paolo Nutini -- Sunny Side Up **
63. Patrick Watson -- Wooden Arms **
64. Pentangle -- Basket Of Light ***/
65. Phoenix -- Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix ***
66. Steep Canyon Rangers -- Deep In The Shade ***
67. 7 Worlds Collide -- The Sun Came Out ***
68. Willis Alan Ramsey -- Willis Alan Ramsey *** 1/2
69. Vicki Emerson -- Long Ride **
70. Black Hollies -- Softly Towards The Light ***/
71. Frankie Negron -- Independence Day * 1/2
72. Elliott Brood -- Mountain Meadows ***/
73. James Hand -- Shadow On The Ground *** 1/2
74. Green Day -- 21st Century Breakdown *** 1/2
75. Ray Davies -- The Kinks Choral ***
76. The Family Force 5 * 1/2
77. Claire Lynch -- Whatcha Gonna Do ***
78. Black Crowes -- Before The Frost...Until The Freeze *** 1/2
79. Maxwell -- BLACKsummernights *** 1/2
80. Madness -- The Liberty Of Norton Folgate ** 1/2
81. Marshall Crenshaw -- Jaggedland ** 1/2
82. Kristina Train -- Spilled Milk *** 1/2
83. Best Of Fela Kuti ****
84. The Flatlanders -- Hills & Valleys ***
85. Ghost Is Dancing -- Battles on **
86. Gov't Mule -- By A Thread *
87. The Hot Club Of San Francisco -- Hot Club Cool Yule * 1/2
88. Hugh Masekala -- Phola *
89. Iron And Wine -- Around The Well ** 1/2
90. John Fogerty -- Blue Ridge Rangers Ride Again ***
91. John Garrison -- Departures * 1/2
92. Various Artists -- Ciao My Shining Star: The Music Of Mark Mulcahy ***
93. Tori Amos -- Midwinter Graces *** 1/2
94. They Might Be Giants -- Here Comes Science ***
95. Sarah Lee Guthrie -- Go Waggaloo * 1/2
96. The Avett Brothers - I And Love And You *** 1/2
97. Super Furry Animals -- Dark Days ** 1/2
98. Various Artists -- Panama Vol 1 ** 1/2
99. Grizzly Bear -- Veckatimest ** 1/2
100. Brad Paisley -- American Saturday Night *** 1/2
101. Lyle Lovett -- Natural Forces ***/
102. Norah Jones -- The Fall ** 1/2
103. Kristen Chenoweth -- A Lively Way To Spend Christmas * 1/2
104. Allen Toussaint -- Bright Mississippi *** 1/2
105. Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam -- Coming Up For Air ** 1/2
106. Neko Case -- Middle Cyclone ***
107. Jay-Z -- The Blueprint 3 ***/
108. John Scofield -- Piety Street ***
109. U2 -- No Line On The Horizon ** 1/2
110. Bruce Springsteen -- Working On A Dream ** 1/2
111. Volcano Choir -- Unmap * 1/2
112. Animal Collective -- Meriweather Post Pavilion ***
113. Tom Russell -- Blood and Candle Smoke **
114. Bill Callahan -- Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle * 1/2
115. Alex McMurray -- How To Be A Cannonball ***
116. Jesse Winchester -- Love Filling Station *** 1/2
117. AA Bondy -- When The Devil's Loose ** 1/2
118. Naomi Shelton and the Gospel Queens -- What Have You Done. My Brother? ***
119. Miranda Lambert -- Revolution *** 1/2
120. John Stewart -- California Bloodlines *** 1/2
121. Rosemary Clooney -- Love *** 1/2/
122. Mika -- The Boy Who Knew Too Much *** 1/2
123. Wilco -- (the album) ***
Updated December 31, 2009.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Two new profiles of Broadway stars
Two new features to enjoy. A profile of Tony winner Jim Norton of Finian's Rainbow and a profile of future Tony winner Bobby Steggert of Ragtime. Enjoy.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Popsurfing Radio Show Playlist: Family (12-11-09)
Here's the playlist for my latest Popsurfing radio show. It airs weekly on WEFT Champaign 90.1 fm on Thursday night/Friday morning from 1 am to 3 am. You can stream it live online at weft.org.
You can download the episode on iTunes. Enjoy!
Wanna make a request? Here are some potential themes for upcoming shows. Feel free to email me with a request for one of your favorite songs that fits the theme and I'll try to fit it in.
POPSURFING -- THEMES FOR UPCOMING SHOWS
December 17 -- holiday music
December 24 -- holiday music
December 31 -- drinking
PLAYLIST FOR FAMILY (airdate: 12-11-2009)
HOUR ONE
Perry Como “Papa Loves Mambo” from Two Family House
Vic Mizzy “The Addams Family (Theme)” from TV Guide 50 All-Time Favorite Themes
Adrian Belew “Oh Daddy” from Mr. Music Head
Paul Simon “Mother And Child Reunion” from Paul Simon
Bill Withers “Grandma's Hands” from Lean On Me: The Best Of Bill Withers
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band “Grandpa Was A Carpenter” from Will The Circle Be Unbroken Trilogy
Jill Scott “Family Reunion” from Beautifully Human: Words And Sounds Vol. 2
Steely Dan “Babylon Sisters” from Gaucho
Dave Van Ronk “Sister Kate” from Two Sides Of Dave Van Ronk
The Smiths “Shakespeare's Sister” from The Sound Of The Smiths
Amanda Palmer “Runs In The Family” from Who Killed Amanda Palmer?
Brian Wilson “Child Is The Father Of The Man” from Smile
Lorraine Ellison “Sister Love” from Sister Love: The Warner Bros. Recordings
Carly Simon “Older Sister” from Carly Simon Anthology
Sufjan Stevens “Decatur, Or Round Of Applause For Your Stepmother” from Come On Feel The Illinoise!
Kris Kristofferson “Sister Sinead” from Closer to the Bone
Sinéad O'Connor “This Is To Mother You” from Gospel Oak
HOUR TWO
The Louvin Brothers “The Family Who Prays” from Jesus' Son Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Fountains Of Wayne “Stacy's Mom” from Welcome Interstate Managers
John Hiatt “Your Dad Did” from Bring The Family
Loretta Lynn “Family Tree” from Van Lear Rose
The Everly Brothers “Wake Up Little Susie” from The Definitive Pop Collection
Kate & Anna McGarrigle “Kitty, Come Home” from Dancer With Bruised Knees
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band “Will The Circle Be Unbroken Trilogy” from Will The Circle Be Unbroken Trilogy
Rosanne Cash “Motherless Children” from The List
Ernie K-Doe “Mother-In-Law” from Big Ol' Box Of New Orleans
RZA “Blood Thicker Than Mud "Family Affair"” from Afro Samurai: Resurrection
Langston Hughes “Mother To Son” from Poetry Speaks
Allen Toussaint “Soul Sister” from Life, Love And Faith
The Housemartins “He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother” from Now That's What I Call Quite Good
Woody Herman & His Orchestra “Four Brothers” from Blowin' Up A Storm: The Columbia Years 1945-1947
Rufus Wainwright “Little Sister” from Want Two
Lyle Lovett “Family Reserve” from Joshua Judges Ruth
HOUR THREE
Hank Williams “My Son Calls Another Man Daddy” from Hank Williams 40 Greatest Hits
Leonard Cohen “Sisters Of Mercy” from Songs Of Leonard Cohen
The Singing Nun “Dominique” from Dominique: The Singing Nun
Sister Rosetta Tharpe “Up Above My Head I Hear Music In The Air” from Red, White & Blues
Sister Gertrude Morgan “If You Live Like Jesus Told You” from Let's Make A Record
Kanye West “Family Business” from College Dropout
The Beatles “Mother Nature's Son” from The Beatles Mono Box Set
Robert Plant and Allison Kraus “Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us” from Raising Sand
Peggy Lee “Sisters” from Black Coffee: Best Of Decca Years
Nick Drake “Poor Mum” from Family Tree
Nino Rota “The Godfather Waltz” from The Godfather
Was, Not Was “Dad, I'm In Jail” from What Up, Dog?
The Smothers Brothers “My Old Man (live)” from The Folk Years: Yesterday's Gone
They Might Be Giants “My Brother, The Ape” from Here Comes Science
Horace Silver “Song For My Father” from Song For My Father
Antony & The Johnsons “You Are My Sister” from I Am A Bird Now
You can download the episode on iTunes. Enjoy!
Wanna make a request? Here are some potential themes for upcoming shows. Feel free to email me with a request for one of your favorite songs that fits the theme and I'll try to fit it in.
POPSURFING -- THEMES FOR UPCOMING SHOWS
December 17 -- holiday music
December 24 -- holiday music
December 31 -- drinking
PLAYLIST FOR FAMILY (airdate: 12-11-2009)
HOUR ONE
Perry Como “Papa Loves Mambo” from Two Family House
Vic Mizzy “The Addams Family (Theme)” from TV Guide 50 All-Time Favorite Themes
Adrian Belew “Oh Daddy” from Mr. Music Head
Paul Simon “Mother And Child Reunion” from Paul Simon
Bill Withers “Grandma's Hands” from Lean On Me: The Best Of Bill Withers
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band “Grandpa Was A Carpenter” from Will The Circle Be Unbroken Trilogy
Jill Scott “Family Reunion” from Beautifully Human: Words And Sounds Vol. 2
Steely Dan “Babylon Sisters” from Gaucho
Dave Van Ronk “Sister Kate” from Two Sides Of Dave Van Ronk
The Smiths “Shakespeare's Sister” from The Sound Of The Smiths
Amanda Palmer “Runs In The Family” from Who Killed Amanda Palmer?
Brian Wilson “Child Is The Father Of The Man” from Smile
Lorraine Ellison “Sister Love” from Sister Love: The Warner Bros. Recordings
Carly Simon “Older Sister” from Carly Simon Anthology
Sufjan Stevens “Decatur, Or Round Of Applause For Your Stepmother” from Come On Feel The Illinoise!
Kris Kristofferson “Sister Sinead” from Closer to the Bone
Sinéad O'Connor “This Is To Mother You” from Gospel Oak
HOUR TWO
The Louvin Brothers “The Family Who Prays” from Jesus' Son Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Fountains Of Wayne “Stacy's Mom” from Welcome Interstate Managers
John Hiatt “Your Dad Did” from Bring The Family
Loretta Lynn “Family Tree” from Van Lear Rose
The Everly Brothers “Wake Up Little Susie” from The Definitive Pop Collection
Kate & Anna McGarrigle “Kitty, Come Home” from Dancer With Bruised Knees
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band “Will The Circle Be Unbroken Trilogy” from Will The Circle Be Unbroken Trilogy
Rosanne Cash “Motherless Children” from The List
Ernie K-Doe “Mother-In-Law” from Big Ol' Box Of New Orleans
RZA “Blood Thicker Than Mud "Family Affair"” from Afro Samurai: Resurrection
Langston Hughes “Mother To Son” from Poetry Speaks
Allen Toussaint “Soul Sister” from Life, Love And Faith
The Housemartins “He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother” from Now That's What I Call Quite Good
Woody Herman & His Orchestra “Four Brothers” from Blowin' Up A Storm: The Columbia Years 1945-1947
Rufus Wainwright “Little Sister” from Want Two
Lyle Lovett “Family Reserve” from Joshua Judges Ruth
HOUR THREE
Hank Williams “My Son Calls Another Man Daddy” from Hank Williams 40 Greatest Hits
Leonard Cohen “Sisters Of Mercy” from Songs Of Leonard Cohen
The Singing Nun “Dominique” from Dominique: The Singing Nun
Sister Rosetta Tharpe “Up Above My Head I Hear Music In The Air” from Red, White & Blues
Sister Gertrude Morgan “If You Live Like Jesus Told You” from Let's Make A Record
Kanye West “Family Business” from College Dropout
The Beatles “Mother Nature's Son” from The Beatles Mono Box Set
Robert Plant and Allison Kraus “Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us” from Raising Sand
Peggy Lee “Sisters” from Black Coffee: Best Of Decca Years
Nick Drake “Poor Mum” from Family Tree
Nino Rota “The Godfather Waltz” from The Godfather
Was, Not Was “Dad, I'm In Jail” from What Up, Dog?
The Smothers Brothers “My Old Man (live)” from The Folk Years: Yesterday's Gone
They Might Be Giants “My Brother, The Ape” from Here Comes Science
Horace Silver “Song For My Father” from Song For My Father
Antony & The Johnsons “You Are My Sister” from I Am A Bird Now
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Popsurfing Radio Show Playlist: Thanks (11-27-09)
Here's the playlist for my latest Popsurfing radio show. It airs weekly on WEFT Champaign 90.1 fm on Thursday night/Friday morning from 1 am to 3 am. You can stream it live online at weft.org.
You can download the episode on iTunes. Enjoy!
Wanna make a request? Here are some potential themes for upcoming shows. Feel free to email me with a request for one of your favorite songs that fits the theme and I'll try to fit it in.
POPSURFING -- THEMES FOR UPCOMING SHOWS
December 3 -- hard times
December 10 -- family (parents, kids, brothers and sisters, in-laws)
December 17 -- sleep, the night (because we'll be putting the year to rest soon)
December 24 -- holiday music
December 31 -- drinking
PLAYLIST FOR THANKS (airdate: 11-27-2009)
HOUR ONE
1. Solomon Burke “Thank You” from Like A Fire
2. Monologue -- Is it too late to say thanks? Quote from Edward Sandford Martin
3. Marion Williams “Lord I Thank You” from The Gospel Soul Of Marion Williams
4. Audio clip -- Car rental phone chat from Planes, Trains & Automobiles
5. The Beatles “Thank You Girl” from Mono Masters, Volume One
6. The Flatlanders “Thank God For The Road” from Hills and Valleys
7. Monologue -- How to say thanks in various languages
8. Peanut “Thank Goodness For The Rain” from One Kiss Can Lead To Another: Girl Group Sounds Lost & Found
9. Neil Diamond “Thank The Lord For The Night Time” from In My Lifetime
10. Angie Stone “I Wanna Thank Ya” from Stone Hits: The Very Best Of Angie Stone
11. Cadillac Sky “Thank You Esteban” from Gravity's Our Enemy
12. Monologue -- Public Service Announcement for Women In Transition
13. Alanis Morissette “Thank You” from Alanis Morissette -- The Collection
14. Buddy Jewell “I Wanna Thank Everyone” from Buddy Jewell
15. Janis Ian “Thankyous” from Best Of Janis Ian -- The Autobiography Collection
16. William DeVaughn “Be Thankful For What You Got” from Can You Dig It? The 70s Soul Experience
17. Monologue -- Buddy Jewel is one lucky son of a gun
18. Maysa “Grateful” from Metamorphosis
19. Teddy Thompson “Thanks A Lot” from Teddy Thompson
20. Audio clip -- picky eater at Thanksgiving dinner from Home For The Holidays
21. George Winston “Thanksgiving” from December
HOUR TWO
22. Bing Crosby “Thanks” from The Aviator Soundtrack
23. Monologue -- How to say thanks in more languages
24. Ray Davies “Thanksgiving Day” from Thanksgiving Day
25. John Denver “Thank God I'm A Country Boy” from Country Roads Collection
26. Audio clip -- Steve Martin says goodbye to John Candy in Planes, Trains & Automobiles
27. Maria McKee “Why Wasn't I More Grateful (When Life Was Sweet)” from You Gotta Sin To Be Saved
28. Ricky Nelson “Thank You Lord” from Ricky Nelson -- Legacy
29. John Hiatt “Thank You Girl” from Bring The Family
30. Audio clip -- Charles Durning gives Thanksgiving blessing in Home For The Holidays
31. Fairport Convention “Now Be Thankful” from Watching The Dark: The History Of Richard Thompson
32. Monologue -- Public Service Announcement for Homeless Shelter
33. Sinéad O'Connor “Thank You For Hearing Me” from Universal Mother
34. My Morning Jacket “Thank You Too!” from Evil Urges
35. Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart “Thanks For Sunday” from I Wonder What She's Doing Tonite: The Best Of Boyce & Hart
36. Monologue -- the brush off; reading of "No, Thank You John" by Christina Rossetti
37. Lizz Wright “Thank You” from The Orchard
38. Tito Puente “Lucky Dog” from The Best Of Tito Puente: El Rey de Timbal!
39. Sly & The Family Stone “Thankful N Thoughtful” from Fresh
40. Merle Haggard "Thanks To Uncle John" from If I Could Only Fly
HOUR THREE
41. Barbara Lewis “Thankful For What I Got” from Atlantic Unearthed: Soul Sisters
42. Monologue --
43. World Party “Thank You World” from Goodbye Jumbo\
44. Audio clip -- Gary Cooper as Lou Gehrig saying goodbye in Pride Of The Yankees
45. Mandy Patinkin “Sorry -- Grateful” from Dress Casual
46. Duke Ellington “I'm Just A Lucky So-And-So” from Black, Brown & Beige
47. Monologue -- have you thanked an animal yet? Plot description of scene from Lohengrin
48. Richard Wagner “Num Sei bedankt, mein lieber schwann” from Lohengrin
49. Monologue -- how to say thanks in still more languages
50. Jacqui Naylor “Thank You, Baby” from Smashed For The Holidays
51. Talking Heads “Thank You For Sending Me An Angel” from More Songs About Buildings And Food
52. Me'Shell Ndegeocello “Thankful” from Comfort Woman
53. Audio clip -- Charles Mingus calling himself lucky and blessed from Joni Mitchell's CD Mingus
54. Bob Hope & Shirley Ross “Thanks For The Memory” from Academy Award Winning Songs 1934-1993
55. Monologue -- what am I thankful for? A list
56. Candi Staton “The Thanks I Get For Loving You” from Candi Staton
57. The Swan Silvertones “Thank You Jesus And I Have A Friend” from When Gospel Was Gospel
58. The Hollow Men “Thanks To The Rolling Sea” from The Last Temptation Of Elvis
59. ABBA “Thank You For The Music” from ABBA Gold
60. Monologue -- show thanks by having fun; a reading of Ogden Nash's "No Doctors Today, Thank You"
61. John Mellencamp “Thank You” from Words & Music: John Mellencamp's Greatest Hits
62. Audio clip -- Nancy Lamott saying thanks at the end of her concert from the CD Live At Tavern On The Green
63. Kaiser Chiefs “Thank You Very Much” from Yours Truly, Angry Mob
You can download the episode on iTunes. Enjoy!
Wanna make a request? Here are some potential themes for upcoming shows. Feel free to email me with a request for one of your favorite songs that fits the theme and I'll try to fit it in.
POPSURFING -- THEMES FOR UPCOMING SHOWS
December 3 -- hard times
December 10 -- family (parents, kids, brothers and sisters, in-laws)
December 17 -- sleep, the night (because we'll be putting the year to rest soon)
December 24 -- holiday music
December 31 -- drinking
PLAYLIST FOR THANKS (airdate: 11-27-2009)
HOUR ONE
1. Solomon Burke “Thank You” from Like A Fire
2. Monologue -- Is it too late to say thanks? Quote from Edward Sandford Martin
3. Marion Williams “Lord I Thank You” from The Gospel Soul Of Marion Williams
4. Audio clip -- Car rental phone chat from Planes, Trains & Automobiles
5. The Beatles “Thank You Girl” from Mono Masters, Volume One
6. The Flatlanders “Thank God For The Road” from Hills and Valleys
7. Monologue -- How to say thanks in various languages
8. Peanut “Thank Goodness For The Rain” from One Kiss Can Lead To Another: Girl Group Sounds Lost & Found
9. Neil Diamond “Thank The Lord For The Night Time” from In My Lifetime
10. Angie Stone “I Wanna Thank Ya” from Stone Hits: The Very Best Of Angie Stone
11. Cadillac Sky “Thank You Esteban” from Gravity's Our Enemy
12. Monologue -- Public Service Announcement for Women In Transition
13. Alanis Morissette “Thank You” from Alanis Morissette -- The Collection
14. Buddy Jewell “I Wanna Thank Everyone” from Buddy Jewell
15. Janis Ian “Thankyous” from Best Of Janis Ian -- The Autobiography Collection
16. William DeVaughn “Be Thankful For What You Got” from Can You Dig It? The 70s Soul Experience
17. Monologue -- Buddy Jewel is one lucky son of a gun
18. Maysa “Grateful” from Metamorphosis
19. Teddy Thompson “Thanks A Lot” from Teddy Thompson
20. Audio clip -- picky eater at Thanksgiving dinner from Home For The Holidays
21. George Winston “Thanksgiving” from December
HOUR TWO
22. Bing Crosby “Thanks” from The Aviator Soundtrack
23. Monologue -- How to say thanks in more languages
24. Ray Davies “Thanksgiving Day” from Thanksgiving Day
25. John Denver “Thank God I'm A Country Boy” from Country Roads Collection
26. Audio clip -- Steve Martin says goodbye to John Candy in Planes, Trains & Automobiles
27. Maria McKee “Why Wasn't I More Grateful (When Life Was Sweet)” from You Gotta Sin To Be Saved
28. Ricky Nelson “Thank You Lord” from Ricky Nelson -- Legacy
29. John Hiatt “Thank You Girl” from Bring The Family
30. Audio clip -- Charles Durning gives Thanksgiving blessing in Home For The Holidays
31. Fairport Convention “Now Be Thankful” from Watching The Dark: The History Of Richard Thompson
32. Monologue -- Public Service Announcement for Homeless Shelter
33. Sinéad O'Connor “Thank You For Hearing Me” from Universal Mother
34. My Morning Jacket “Thank You Too!” from Evil Urges
35. Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart “Thanks For Sunday” from I Wonder What She's Doing Tonite: The Best Of Boyce & Hart
36. Monologue -- the brush off; reading of "No, Thank You John" by Christina Rossetti
37. Lizz Wright “Thank You” from The Orchard
38. Tito Puente “Lucky Dog” from The Best Of Tito Puente: El Rey de Timbal!
39. Sly & The Family Stone “Thankful N Thoughtful” from Fresh
40. Merle Haggard "Thanks To Uncle John" from If I Could Only Fly
HOUR THREE
41. Barbara Lewis “Thankful For What I Got” from Atlantic Unearthed: Soul Sisters
42. Monologue --
43. World Party “Thank You World” from Goodbye Jumbo\
44. Audio clip -- Gary Cooper as Lou Gehrig saying goodbye in Pride Of The Yankees
45. Mandy Patinkin “Sorry -- Grateful” from Dress Casual
46. Duke Ellington “I'm Just A Lucky So-And-So” from Black, Brown & Beige
47. Monologue -- have you thanked an animal yet? Plot description of scene from Lohengrin
48. Richard Wagner “Num Sei bedankt, mein lieber schwann” from Lohengrin
49. Monologue -- how to say thanks in still more languages
50. Jacqui Naylor “Thank You, Baby” from Smashed For The Holidays
51. Talking Heads “Thank You For Sending Me An Angel” from More Songs About Buildings And Food
52. Me'Shell Ndegeocello “Thankful” from Comfort Woman
53. Audio clip -- Charles Mingus calling himself lucky and blessed from Joni Mitchell's CD Mingus
54. Bob Hope & Shirley Ross “Thanks For The Memory” from Academy Award Winning Songs 1934-1993
55. Monologue -- what am I thankful for? A list
56. Candi Staton “The Thanks I Get For Loving You” from Candi Staton
57. The Swan Silvertones “Thank You Jesus And I Have A Friend” from When Gospel Was Gospel
58. The Hollow Men “Thanks To The Rolling Sea” from The Last Temptation Of Elvis
59. ABBA “Thank You For The Music” from ABBA Gold
60. Monologue -- show thanks by having fun; a reading of Ogden Nash's "No Doctors Today, Thank You"
61. John Mellencamp “Thank You” from Words & Music: John Mellencamp's Greatest Hits
62. Audio clip -- Nancy Lamott saying thanks at the end of her concert from the CD Live At Tavern On The Green
63. Kaiser Chiefs “Thank You Very Much” from Yours Truly, Angry Mob
Friday, November 27, 2009
North South East WEFT Playlist 11-27-09
Here is the playlist for the world music show I hosted for John on WEFT.
Buffy Saint-Marie -- “No No Keshagesh” from Running For The Drum
Cyril Pahinui -- “Hawaiian Cowboy” from Night Moon
Growling Tiger -- “Senorita Panchita” from Alan Lomax Collection Sampler
Cyprus Smith -- “Sambo Caesar (Caribbean)” from Alan Lomax Collection Sampler
Growling Tiger -- “War (Caribbean)” from Alan Lomax Collection Sampler
Augustus Pablo -- “Stop There Jah” from King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown
The Gaylads -- “Africa” from Studio One Selector
Jackie Mittoo -- “Champion In The Arena” from Champion In The Arena 1976-1977
Forro In the Dark -- “Anao de Jardim” from Light a Candle
Bebel Gilberto -- “Ela (On My Way)” from All In One
Manu Chao -- “Me Gustas Tu” from Proxima Estacion: Esperanza
Caetano Veloso -- “Terra” from Beleza Tropical: Brazil Classics 1
Jorge Ben -- “Ponta De Lanca Africano” from Beleza Tropical: Brazil Classics 1
Nahini Doumbia & Les Espoirs du Mali -- “Djembeka” from Percussion and Songs From Mali
Baaba Maal -- “Dakar Moon” from Television
Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba -- “I Speak Fula” from I Speak Fula
Udokotela Shange Namajaha -- “Awungilobolele” from Indestructible Beat Of Soweto Vol 1
Nelcy Sedibe -- “Holotelani” from The Indestructible Beat Of Soweto Volume One
Maitre Gazonga -- “Les Jaloux Saboteurs” from Golden Afrique Vol 1
Amadou & Mariam -- “M'bife (Balafon)” from Dimanche A Bamako
The Nigerian Police Force Band -- “Asiko Mi Ni” from Nigeria Special: 1970-1976
Bembeya Jazz National -- “Republique Guinee” from The Syliphone Years
Ragheb Alama -- “Ya Bo Ye” from Camelspotting
Amr Diab -- “Nour El Ain” from Camelspotting
Buffy Saint-Marie -- “America The Beautiful” from Running For The Drum
Buffy Saint-Marie -- “No No Keshagesh” from Running For The Drum
Cyril Pahinui -- “Hawaiian Cowboy” from Night Moon
Growling Tiger -- “Senorita Panchita” from Alan Lomax Collection Sampler
Cyprus Smith -- “Sambo Caesar (Caribbean)” from Alan Lomax Collection Sampler
Growling Tiger -- “War (Caribbean)” from Alan Lomax Collection Sampler
Augustus Pablo -- “Stop There Jah” from King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown
The Gaylads -- “Africa” from Studio One Selector
Jackie Mittoo -- “Champion In The Arena” from Champion In The Arena 1976-1977
Forro In the Dark -- “Anao de Jardim” from Light a Candle
Bebel Gilberto -- “Ela (On My Way)” from All In One
Manu Chao -- “Me Gustas Tu” from Proxima Estacion: Esperanza
Caetano Veloso -- “Terra” from Beleza Tropical: Brazil Classics 1
Jorge Ben -- “Ponta De Lanca Africano” from Beleza Tropical: Brazil Classics 1
Nahini Doumbia & Les Espoirs du Mali -- “Djembeka” from Percussion and Songs From Mali
Baaba Maal -- “Dakar Moon” from Television
Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba -- “I Speak Fula” from I Speak Fula
Udokotela Shange Namajaha -- “Awungilobolele” from Indestructible Beat Of Soweto Vol 1
Nelcy Sedibe -- “Holotelani” from The Indestructible Beat Of Soweto Volume One
Maitre Gazonga -- “Les Jaloux Saboteurs” from Golden Afrique Vol 1
Amadou & Mariam -- “M'bife (Balafon)” from Dimanche A Bamako
The Nigerian Police Force Band -- “Asiko Mi Ni” from Nigeria Special: 1970-1976
Bembeya Jazz National -- “Republique Guinee” from The Syliphone Years
Ragheb Alama -- “Ya Bo Ye” from Camelspotting
Amr Diab -- “Nour El Ain” from Camelspotting
Buffy Saint-Marie -- “America The Beautiful” from Running For The Drum
Friday, November 20, 2009
Popsurfing Radio Show Playlist: Rain (11-20-09)
Here's the playlist for my latest Popsurfing radio show. It airs weekly on WEFT Champaign 90.1 fm on Thursday night/Friday morning from 1 am to 3 am. You can stream it live online at weft.org.
You can download the episode on iTunes. Enjoy!
Wanna make a request? Here are some potential themes for upcoming shows. Feel free to email me with a request for one of your favorite songs that fits the theme and I'll try to fit it in.
POPSURFING -- THEMES FOR UPCOMING SHOWS
November 26 -- songs about giving thanks (or songs that refuse to)
December 3 -- hard times
December 10 -- family (parents, kids, brothers and sisters, in-laws)
December 17 -- sleep, the night (because we'll be putting the year to rest soon)
December 24 -- holiday music
December 31 -- drinking
PLAYLIST FOR RAIN (airdate: 11-20-2009)
1. 12:00AM Ink Spots & Ella Fitzgerald “Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall” from The Singing Detective
2. 12:04AM Mayer Hawthorne “I Wish It Would Rain” from A Strange Arrangement
3. Monologue -- record rainfall in Champaign; wettest spot in the world
4. 12:07AM The Mavericks “Here Comes The Rain” from Music For All Occasions
5. audio clip from film "Rain Man" -- Tom Cruise discusses imaginary friend
6. 12:11AM Somi “If The Rains Come First” from If the Rains Come First
7. 12:14AM B.J. Thomas “Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head” from Burt Bacharach & Friends -- Gold
8. Monologue -- technical difficulties, ringing phone, origin of "raining cats and dogs"
9. 12:17AM Ron Sexsmith “Raindrops In My Coffee” from Sexsmith & Kerr: Destination Unknown
10. 12:20AM Alison Krauss & Union Station “Rain Please Go Away” from Lonely Runs Both Ways
11. audio clip from "Young Frenkenstein" - grave robbing is a dirty job
12. 12:24AM Big Maybelle “Rain Down Rain” from Big Maybelle The Complete OKeh Sessions
13. Monologue -- song cut off short so an MP3 must have been an MP2; upcoming shows
14. 12:28AM Brook Benton “Rainy Night In Georgia” from Can You Dig It? The 70s Soul Experience
13. Monologue naming cities all over the world where it's raining right now with music in background -- 12:31AM Peter, Paul and Mary “It's Raining” from Around The Campfire
13. 12:34AM Missy Elliott “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” from Supa Dupa Fly
14. 12:38AM Al Green “Standing In The Rain” from Lay It Down
15. 12:41AM Amy Lou Barnes, Sally Mueller “Little April Shower” from Bambi
16. 12:45AM Dinah Washington “Pennies From Heaven” from After Hours With Miss D
17. Monologue -- CCR songs about the rain, "Who'll Stop The Rain" -- PSA for local meetings for vets of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars
18. 12:50AM Ladysmith Black Mambazo “Rain, Rain, Beautiful Rain” from Shaka Zulu
19. 12:55AM Sondre Lerche “I Guess It's Gonna Rain Today” from Heartbeat Radio
20. Monologue -- pledge drive
21. 01:00AM Vashti Bunyan “Come Wind Come Rain” from Just Another Diamond Day
22. audio clip from "My Fair Lady"
23. 01:04AM Richard Robbins “The Storm” from A Room With A View
24. 01:07AM Mahalia Jackson “Didn't It Rain” from The World's Greatest Gospel Singer
25. 01:10AM The Beatles “Rain” from Abbey Road
26. Monologue -- story about my insisting George Harrison wrote "Rain" when in fact it was John Lennon
27. 01:12AM George Buck, Red-jacket & Group "Rain Dance (Canada)" from Alan Lomax Collection Sampler
28. 01:13AM Audra McDonald, Steve Kazee “The Rain Song” from 110 In The Shade
29. 01:17AM Duke Ellington “Raincheck” from Never No Lament: The Blanton-Webster Band
30. audio clip from "Rain Man"
31. 01:20AM Jeffrey Foskett “Laughter in The Rain” from Stars In The Sand
32. Monologue -- drive more carefully when it's rainingl PSA about car repairs, insurance and your rights
33. 01:23AM Justin Currie “In The Rain” from What Is Love For
34. 01:26AM Sonny Terry, Brownie ^McGhee “Rainy Day” from Backwater Blues
35. 01:29AM Jimi Hendrix “Rainy Day, Dream Away” from Electric Ladyland
36. audio clip from "Hannah and Her Sisters" of ee cumming poem
37. 01:33AM Melody Gardot “The Rain” from My One And Only Thrill
38. Monologue -- leaky roof in my house; PSA about home improvement loans for Urbana residents; pledge drive
39. 01:37AM John Mellencamp “Rain On The Scarecrow” from Words & Music: John Mellencamp's Greatest Hits
40. 01:40AM The Flatlanders “After The Storm” from Hills and Valleys
41. 01:43AM Sterling Holloway “Little Black Rain Cloud” from The Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh
42. 01:47AM Freddy Cole “Rain Is Such A Lonesome Sound” from Waiter, Ask The Man To Play The Blues
43. 01:51AM Tom Waits “Rain Dogs” from Rain Dogs
44. 01:54AM Alan Lomax “Ain't Gonna Rain No More” from Deep River Of Song: Alabama
45. 01:56AM Bing Crosby “Let A Smile Be Your Umbrella” from Bing With A Beat
46. 02:00AM The Serendipity Singers “Don't Let The Rain Come Down” from The Folk Years: Blowin' In The Wind
47. Monologue about leaky roof; PSA about help for homeless men
48. 02:03AM Gary Allan “Songs About Rain” from See If I Care
49. audio clip from "My Fair Lady"
50. 02:08AM Adele “Right As Rain” from 19
51. 02:12AM Kaiser Chiefs “Tomato In The Rain” from Off With Their Heads
52. Monologue -- a reading of Richard Brautigan's "It's Raining In Love"
53. 02:16AM Karen Dalton “Little Bit Of Rain” from It's So Hard To Tell Who's Going To Love You The Best
54. 02:19AM Delois Barrett Campbell “The Storm Is Passing Over” from Say Amen Somebody
55. 02:24AM The Jayhawks “Save It For A Rainy Day” from Rainy Day Music
56. audio clip from "Psycho"
57. 02:27AM Eva Cassidy “Blues Eyes Crying In The Rain” from Somewhere
58. Monologue -- pledge drive
58. 02:30AM The Beta Band “Dry The Rain” from The Three E.P.s
59. 02:37AM Catherine Deneuve “Chez Tante Elise” from The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg
60. 02:40AM Paul Weller “Early Morning Rain” from Studio 150
61. 02:44AM Robert Wyatt “Raining In My Heart” from Cuckooland
62. Monologue -- a reading of "Souls and Rain Drops" by Sidney Lanier; PSA for downloading audio books from library
63. 02:49AM Everything But The Girl “My Head Is Only House Unless It Rains” from Like The Deserts Miss The Rain
64. audio clip from "Taxi Driver"
65. 02:55AM Randy Newman “I Think It's Going To Rain Today” from Guilty: 30 Years Of Randy Newman
You can download the episode on iTunes. Enjoy!
Wanna make a request? Here are some potential themes for upcoming shows. Feel free to email me with a request for one of your favorite songs that fits the theme and I'll try to fit it in.
POPSURFING -- THEMES FOR UPCOMING SHOWS
November 26 -- songs about giving thanks (or songs that refuse to)
December 3 -- hard times
December 10 -- family (parents, kids, brothers and sisters, in-laws)
December 17 -- sleep, the night (because we'll be putting the year to rest soon)
December 24 -- holiday music
December 31 -- drinking
PLAYLIST FOR RAIN (airdate: 11-20-2009)
1. 12:00AM Ink Spots & Ella Fitzgerald “Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall” from The Singing Detective
2. 12:04AM Mayer Hawthorne “I Wish It Would Rain” from A Strange Arrangement
3. Monologue -- record rainfall in Champaign; wettest spot in the world
4. 12:07AM The Mavericks “Here Comes The Rain” from Music For All Occasions
5. audio clip from film "Rain Man" -- Tom Cruise discusses imaginary friend
6. 12:11AM Somi “If The Rains Come First” from If the Rains Come First
7. 12:14AM B.J. Thomas “Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head” from Burt Bacharach & Friends -- Gold
8. Monologue -- technical difficulties, ringing phone, origin of "raining cats and dogs"
9. 12:17AM Ron Sexsmith “Raindrops In My Coffee” from Sexsmith & Kerr: Destination Unknown
10. 12:20AM Alison Krauss & Union Station “Rain Please Go Away” from Lonely Runs Both Ways
11. audio clip from "Young Frenkenstein" - grave robbing is a dirty job
12. 12:24AM Big Maybelle “Rain Down Rain” from Big Maybelle The Complete OKeh Sessions
13. Monologue -- song cut off short so an MP3 must have been an MP2; upcoming shows
14. 12:28AM Brook Benton “Rainy Night In Georgia” from Can You Dig It? The 70s Soul Experience
13. Monologue naming cities all over the world where it's raining right now with music in background -- 12:31AM Peter, Paul and Mary “It's Raining” from Around The Campfire
13. 12:34AM Missy Elliott “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” from Supa Dupa Fly
14. 12:38AM Al Green “Standing In The Rain” from Lay It Down
15. 12:41AM Amy Lou Barnes, Sally Mueller “Little April Shower” from Bambi
16. 12:45AM Dinah Washington “Pennies From Heaven” from After Hours With Miss D
17. Monologue -- CCR songs about the rain, "Who'll Stop The Rain" -- PSA for local meetings for vets of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars
18. 12:50AM Ladysmith Black Mambazo “Rain, Rain, Beautiful Rain” from Shaka Zulu
19. 12:55AM Sondre Lerche “I Guess It's Gonna Rain Today” from Heartbeat Radio
20. Monologue -- pledge drive
21. 01:00AM Vashti Bunyan “Come Wind Come Rain” from Just Another Diamond Day
22. audio clip from "My Fair Lady"
23. 01:04AM Richard Robbins “The Storm” from A Room With A View
24. 01:07AM Mahalia Jackson “Didn't It Rain” from The World's Greatest Gospel Singer
25. 01:10AM The Beatles “Rain” from Abbey Road
26. Monologue -- story about my insisting George Harrison wrote "Rain" when in fact it was John Lennon
27. 01:12AM George Buck, Red-jacket & Group "Rain Dance (Canada)" from Alan Lomax Collection Sampler
28. 01:13AM Audra McDonald, Steve Kazee “The Rain Song” from 110 In The Shade
29. 01:17AM Duke Ellington “Raincheck” from Never No Lament: The Blanton-Webster Band
30. audio clip from "Rain Man"
31. 01:20AM Jeffrey Foskett “Laughter in The Rain” from Stars In The Sand
32. Monologue -- drive more carefully when it's rainingl PSA about car repairs, insurance and your rights
33. 01:23AM Justin Currie “In The Rain” from What Is Love For
34. 01:26AM Sonny Terry, Brownie ^McGhee “Rainy Day” from Backwater Blues
35. 01:29AM Jimi Hendrix “Rainy Day, Dream Away” from Electric Ladyland
36. audio clip from "Hannah and Her Sisters" of ee cumming poem
37. 01:33AM Melody Gardot “The Rain” from My One And Only Thrill
38. Monologue -- leaky roof in my house; PSA about home improvement loans for Urbana residents; pledge drive
39. 01:37AM John Mellencamp “Rain On The Scarecrow” from Words & Music: John Mellencamp's Greatest Hits
40. 01:40AM The Flatlanders “After The Storm” from Hills and Valleys
41. 01:43AM Sterling Holloway “Little Black Rain Cloud” from The Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh
42. 01:47AM Freddy Cole “Rain Is Such A Lonesome Sound” from Waiter, Ask The Man To Play The Blues
43. 01:51AM Tom Waits “Rain Dogs” from Rain Dogs
44. 01:54AM Alan Lomax “Ain't Gonna Rain No More” from Deep River Of Song: Alabama
45. 01:56AM Bing Crosby “Let A Smile Be Your Umbrella” from Bing With A Beat
46. 02:00AM The Serendipity Singers “Don't Let The Rain Come Down” from The Folk Years: Blowin' In The Wind
47. Monologue about leaky roof; PSA about help for homeless men
48. 02:03AM Gary Allan “Songs About Rain” from See If I Care
49. audio clip from "My Fair Lady"
50. 02:08AM Adele “Right As Rain” from 19
51. 02:12AM Kaiser Chiefs “Tomato In The Rain” from Off With Their Heads
52. Monologue -- a reading of Richard Brautigan's "It's Raining In Love"
53. 02:16AM Karen Dalton “Little Bit Of Rain” from It's So Hard To Tell Who's Going To Love You The Best
54. 02:19AM Delois Barrett Campbell “The Storm Is Passing Over” from Say Amen Somebody
55. 02:24AM The Jayhawks “Save It For A Rainy Day” from Rainy Day Music
56. audio clip from "Psycho"
57. 02:27AM Eva Cassidy “Blues Eyes Crying In The Rain” from Somewhere
58. Monologue -- pledge drive
58. 02:30AM The Beta Band “Dry The Rain” from The Three E.P.s
59. 02:37AM Catherine Deneuve “Chez Tante Elise” from The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg
60. 02:40AM Paul Weller “Early Morning Rain” from Studio 150
61. 02:44AM Robert Wyatt “Raining In My Heart” from Cuckooland
62. Monologue -- a reading of "Souls and Rain Drops" by Sidney Lanier; PSA for downloading audio books from library
63. 02:49AM Everything But The Girl “My Head Is Only House Unless It Rains” from Like The Deserts Miss The Rain
64. audio clip from "Taxi Driver"
65. 02:55AM Randy Newman “I Think It's Going To Rain Today” from Guilty: 30 Years Of Randy Newman
Get Your Redhot Podcasts!
Two new episodes are up for your perusal for free at iTunes. Showbiz Sandbox is my weekly rundown of pop culture that I co-host with Sperling Reich and Karen Woodward. And Popsurfing, my weekly radio show on WEFT Champaign 90.1 (which airs live Thursday night/Friday morning from 1 am to 3 am+) is built around a new topic every episode. This week's theme: rain. Enjoy. And if you get a chance, we're making a push to get people to rate and review Showbiz Sandbox. Take a moment and click on that five star rating if you've ever downloaded it (and even if you haven't)! Thanks.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Popsurfing Radio Show Playlist: Colors (11-12-09)
Here's the playlist for my latest Popsurfing radio show. It airs weekly on WEFT Champaign 90.1 fm on Thursday night/Friday morning from 1 am to 3 am. You can stream it live online at weft.org.
You can download the episode on iTunes. Enjoy!
PLAYLIST FOR COLORS (airdate: 11-12-2009)
01. The Wellingtons -- "Wonderful World Of Color"
02. Opener -- fall leaves; lipstick color monologue
03. 7 Worlds Collide -- "Too Blue"
04. Joni Mitchell -- "Big Yellow Taxi"
05. Madness -- "Rainbows"
06. Mayer Hawthorne -- "Green Eyed Love"
07. Monologue -- Paint Chips
08. Ray Davies -- "Village Green Medley"
09. Rosanne Cash -- "Long Black Veil"
10. audio clip from "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"
11. Monsters Of Folk -- "Magic Marker"
12. Monologue -- cream; Ol Dirty Bastard
13. Wu Tang Clan -- "C.R.E.A.M."
14. Grandmaster Flash -- "White Lines"
15. Ann Sexton -- "Color My World Blue"
16. Mildred Bailey -- "I Used To Be Color Blind"
17. Monologue -- color blindness; John Dalton and his pickled eyeball
18. Dolly Parton -- "God's Coloring Book"
19. audio clip from "Casablanca"
20. Nat King Cole -- "Orange Colored Sky"
21. Monologue -- donate now
17. 7 Worlds Collide -- "Hazel Black"
18. Loretta Lynn -- "Mrs. Leroy Brown"
19. Monologue -- Why is Johnny Cash the Man In Black?
20. Linda Lewis -- "Red Light Ladies"
21. Maxwell -- "Love You"
22. Leonard Cohen -- "Famous Blue Raincoat"
23. Jamey Johnson -- "In Color"
24. Monologue -- white; Goethe's Theory Of Color
25. Black Hollies -- "Run With Me Run"
26. audio clip from "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"
27. Arctic Monkeys -- "Old Yellow Bricks"
28. Gene Autry -- "Yellow Rose Of Texas"
29. Monologue -- red gold and green
30. Brian Eno -- "Another Green World"
31. Eric Dolphy -- "On Green Dolphin Street"
32. Tom Waits -- "All The World Is Green"
33. Monologue -- Isaac Newton, prisms, Marvel comics villain Prism
34. Charles Mingus -- "Self Portrait In 3 Colors"
35. Kermit The Frog -- "Being Green"
36. Monologue -- color montage
37. Sun Ra -- "Pink Elephants On Parade"/Harry Nilsson -- "Zip A Dee Doo Dah"
38. Suzanne Vega -- "Song In Red And Gray"
39. Monologue -- black and white
40. The Flatlanders -- "Wishing For A Rainbow"
41. Kings Of Leon -- "Red Morning Light"
42. Monologue -- "The Jumblies" by Edward Lear
43. The Soul Of John Black -- "Black John"
44. Monologue -- color montage fade out
You can download the episode on iTunes. Enjoy!
PLAYLIST FOR COLORS (airdate: 11-12-2009)
01. The Wellingtons -- "Wonderful World Of Color"
02. Opener -- fall leaves; lipstick color monologue
03. 7 Worlds Collide -- "Too Blue"
04. Joni Mitchell -- "Big Yellow Taxi"
05. Madness -- "Rainbows"
06. Mayer Hawthorne -- "Green Eyed Love"
07. Monologue -- Paint Chips
08. Ray Davies -- "Village Green Medley"
09. Rosanne Cash -- "Long Black Veil"
10. audio clip from "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"
11. Monsters Of Folk -- "Magic Marker"
12. Monologue -- cream; Ol Dirty Bastard
13. Wu Tang Clan -- "C.R.E.A.M."
14. Grandmaster Flash -- "White Lines"
15. Ann Sexton -- "Color My World Blue"
16. Mildred Bailey -- "I Used To Be Color Blind"
17. Monologue -- color blindness; John Dalton and his pickled eyeball
18. Dolly Parton -- "God's Coloring Book"
19. audio clip from "Casablanca"
20. Nat King Cole -- "Orange Colored Sky"
21. Monologue -- donate now
17. 7 Worlds Collide -- "Hazel Black"
18. Loretta Lynn -- "Mrs. Leroy Brown"
19. Monologue -- Why is Johnny Cash the Man In Black?
20. Linda Lewis -- "Red Light Ladies"
21. Maxwell -- "Love You"
22. Leonard Cohen -- "Famous Blue Raincoat"
23. Jamey Johnson -- "In Color"
24. Monologue -- white; Goethe's Theory Of Color
25. Black Hollies -- "Run With Me Run"
26. audio clip from "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"
27. Arctic Monkeys -- "Old Yellow Bricks"
28. Gene Autry -- "Yellow Rose Of Texas"
29. Monologue -- red gold and green
30. Brian Eno -- "Another Green World"
31. Eric Dolphy -- "On Green Dolphin Street"
32. Tom Waits -- "All The World Is Green"
33. Monologue -- Isaac Newton, prisms, Marvel comics villain Prism
34. Charles Mingus -- "Self Portrait In 3 Colors"
35. Kermit The Frog -- "Being Green"
36. Monologue -- color montage
37. Sun Ra -- "Pink Elephants On Parade"/Harry Nilsson -- "Zip A Dee Doo Dah"
38. Suzanne Vega -- "Song In Red And Gray"
39. Monologue -- black and white
40. The Flatlanders -- "Wishing For A Rainbow"
41. Kings Of Leon -- "Red Morning Light"
42. Monologue -- "The Jumblies" by Edward Lear
43. The Soul Of John Black -- "Black John"
44. Monologue -- color montage fade out
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
An Interview With Padgett Powell
My latest HuffPo feature is an interview with author Padgett Powell, whose new book is composed entirely of a series of questions.
Also the latest episode of Showbiz Sandbox -- my weekly pop culture podcast with Sperling Reich and Karen Woodward -- is up now.
Also the latest episode of Showbiz Sandbox -- my weekly pop culture podcast with Sperling Reich and Karen Woodward -- is up now.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Latest HuffPo DVD Column Is Up
I cover Il Divo, The Prisoner, Chinatown, Fawlty Towers, Tinker Bell and more. Enjoy!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Nellie McKay Podcast is Up
I turned my interview with the very fun Nellie McKay into a podcast. Enjoy.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Cory Chisel and Nellie McKay Profiles Up Now
Check out two new stories I've posted on Huffington. One is a profile of major label debut artist Cory Chisel. The other is a chat with Nellie McKay, who just released a charming tribute album to Doris Day. Both are among the best CDs of the year.
Friday, October 09, 2009
Popsurfing Radio Show Playlist #1: Born Again
Just did my first radio show from 1 to 3 am EST. Since I was just figuring things out, I failed to properly record the show, so my debut will have to remain legendary rather than actually heard by anyone other than the lucky few who listened in live. Here's the playlist from that electrifying first show:
The theme of the show was "Born Again"
1. Richard and Linda Thompson -- "Dimming Of The Day/Dargai"
2. Beatles -- "Rocky Racoon"
3. Cory Chisel -- "Born Again"
4. A reading from Billy Graham's book "The Journey"
5. Wilco -- "Airline To Heaven"
6. The The -- "I Saw The Light"
7. Hank Williams -- "I'll Have A New Body"
8. Talking Heads -- "Take Me To The River"
9. A reading from the nonfiction book "Waking Giants" by David S Reynolds on the Great Awakening
10. Ray Charles -- "Hallelujah, I Love Her So"
11. The Staples Singers -- "I'll Take You There"
12. Rebirth Brass Band -- "Just A Little While To Stay Here"
13. monologue on being reborn again artistically
14. David Bowie -- "It Ain't Easy"
15. Cat Stevens -- "If You Wanna Sing Out, Sing Out"
16. Phoenix -- "Lisztomania"
17. A stanza from William Butler Yeats' "His Phoenix"
18. Cassandra Wilson -- "Resurrection Blues (Tutu)"
19. Bruce Springsteen -- "Thunder Road (live)"
20. U2 -- "Gloria"
21. monologue about Johnny Cash's burst of music at the end of his life
22. Johnny Cash -- "You Are My Sunshine"
23. Paul Simon -- "Born At The Right Time"
24. Ben Lee -- "Surrender"
25. Monologue about proposed film in which lovers are reincarnated and meet again, and cue the song that will play...
26. Frank Sinatra -- "Where Or When"
27. Jimmie Dale Gilmore -- "Just A Wave"
28. Steely Dan -- "Bodhisatva"
29. monologue on the meaning of Bodhisatva, then another selection from "Waking Giant" about revival meetings
30. Rev. Benny Canpbell -- "You Must Be Born Again"
31. Patty Loveless -- "Rise Up, Lazarus"
32. Nick Cave -- "Dig! Lazarus, Dig!"
33. monologue about Lazarus, reincarnation and the most famous reincarnated hero in history, the Doctor
34. Theme from "Doctor Who"
35. John Coltrane -- "Acknowledgement"
36. Jimi Hendrix -- "The Star Spangled Banner"
The theme of the show was "Born Again"
1. Richard and Linda Thompson -- "Dimming Of The Day/Dargai"
2. Beatles -- "Rocky Racoon"
3. Cory Chisel -- "Born Again"
4. A reading from Billy Graham's book "The Journey"
5. Wilco -- "Airline To Heaven"
6. The The -- "I Saw The Light"
7. Hank Williams -- "I'll Have A New Body"
8. Talking Heads -- "Take Me To The River"
9. A reading from the nonfiction book "Waking Giants" by David S Reynolds on the Great Awakening
10. Ray Charles -- "Hallelujah, I Love Her So"
11. The Staples Singers -- "I'll Take You There"
12. Rebirth Brass Band -- "Just A Little While To Stay Here"
13. monologue on being reborn again artistically
14. David Bowie -- "It Ain't Easy"
15. Cat Stevens -- "If You Wanna Sing Out, Sing Out"
16. Phoenix -- "Lisztomania"
17. A stanza from William Butler Yeats' "His Phoenix"
18. Cassandra Wilson -- "Resurrection Blues (Tutu)"
19. Bruce Springsteen -- "Thunder Road (live)"
20. U2 -- "Gloria"
21. monologue about Johnny Cash's burst of music at the end of his life
22. Johnny Cash -- "You Are My Sunshine"
23. Paul Simon -- "Born At The Right Time"
24. Ben Lee -- "Surrender"
25. Monologue about proposed film in which lovers are reincarnated and meet again, and cue the song that will play...
26. Frank Sinatra -- "Where Or When"
27. Jimmie Dale Gilmore -- "Just A Wave"
28. Steely Dan -- "Bodhisatva"
29. monologue on the meaning of Bodhisatva, then another selection from "Waking Giant" about revival meetings
30. Rev. Benny Canpbell -- "You Must Be Born Again"
31. Patty Loveless -- "Rise Up, Lazarus"
32. Nick Cave -- "Dig! Lazarus, Dig!"
33. monologue about Lazarus, reincarnation and the most famous reincarnated hero in history, the Doctor
34. Theme from "Doctor Who"
35. John Coltrane -- "Acknowledgement"
36. Jimi Hendrix -- "The Star Spangled Banner"
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Rosanne Cash Profile on Huffington Post
Read my latest Huffington Post piece, a profile of Grammy-winning artist Rosanne Cash talking about her new album The List.
You can listen to my podcast of the entire interview on iTunes via my Popsurfing podcast. (Note: there are two gaps of about 20 seconds during the 34 minute piece because I'm a fool and just learning how to do the technical stuff. My apologies, but happily none of the missing moments involve quotes from Cash.
You can listen to my podcast of the entire interview on iTunes via my Popsurfing podcast. (Note: there are two gaps of about 20 seconds during the 34 minute piece because I'm a fool and just learning how to do the technical stuff. My apologies, but happily none of the missing moments involve quotes from Cash.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
The Latest Showbiz Sandbox Podcast is Up!
Check it out. Guests include top Hollywood producers Ted Hope and Christine Vachon, as well as lawyer Jonathan Handel to give us the skinny on the latest SAG elections.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Toronto Finale!
Here's my coverage of Days 7 & 8 of the Toronto International Film Festival.
And here is my wrap-up of the fest, including capsule reviews of 24 films.
And here is my wrap-up of the fest, including capsule reviews of 24 films.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Toronto Film Fest Day 4: Two Documentaries and a Little Girl
Here's Day 4 of my Toronto International Film Festival coverage on Huffington Post. Enjoy!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Toronto Film Fest Day 3: Cartoons, Cads and Commies (post- and pre-)
My complete coverage is up on Huffington Post.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Toronto Film Fest Day 1: Peasants, Cats, Goats, Nymphs and War
Here's my complete coverage of Day One for Huffington Post.
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Monday, September 07, 2009
My Very First Solo Podcast Is Now Up! Interview With Matthew Sweet
My very first solo podcast is now up on iTunes. This link takes you right to iTunes where you can download the podcast for free. I chat with Matthew Sweet, the acclaimed musician who has just put out his second album of duets with Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles. They perform hits from the Seventies by the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Mott The Hoople, Todd Rundgren, Big Star and Yes. It's a lot of fun and Sweet was great to talk with. Don't forget to subscribe and rate it.
And here's a link to my in-depth interview with Richard Thompson.
Follow me on Twitter.
Join me on Facebook.
Friend me on Netflix and get easy access to thousands of ratings and reviews.
And here's a link to my in-depth interview with Richard Thompson.
Follow me on Twitter.
Join me on Facebook.
Friend me on Netflix and get easy access to thousands of ratings and reviews.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Richard Thompson Is God
My latest interview is up on Huffington Post. It's a profile of legendary guitarist, singer and songwriter Richard Thompson, one of my favorite musical artists of all time. Check it out.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Don't Get Conned: Check Out "Duplicity"
My latest Huffington Post DVD column is out and includes a lead review raving about the smart caper film Duplicity, starring Julia Roberts and Clive Owen. Check it out.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Willie Nelson's New Album Of Standards
My full review of Willie Nelson's American Classic -- his "official" follow-up to Stardust - is up now on Huffington Post. Check it out.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
New Showbiz Sandbox Episode Is Now Up!
Check out the free weekly podcast I co-host. Called Showbiz Sandbox, it's a pop culture show hosted by industry insiders Sperling Reich, Karen Woodward and myself. The show features Anne Thompson of indiewire.com as our guest and covers everything from Twitter's (over-stated) effect on the box office of Inglorious Basterds to the Beatles. Go directly to Showbiz Sandbox on iTunes here.
Also, here are some recent columns I've posted on Huffington:
My DVD column pegged to the release of the UK Life On Mars.
My DVD column on the new Miss Marple and the heated debate it inspired.
My DVD column on beloved cult hit Firefly.
My DVD column on an imaginary battle between Hannah Montana and Dragonball: Evolution.
Willie Nelson is following me on Twitter. Why aren't you?
Are you on Netflix? Friend me and get easy access to thousands of ratings and reviews and my Top Movies of the Year lists from the 20s to the Present.
Here's another link to Showbiz Sandbox.
Also, here are some recent columns I've posted on Huffington:
My DVD column pegged to the release of the UK Life On Mars.
My DVD column on the new Miss Marple and the heated debate it inspired.
My DVD column on beloved cult hit Firefly.
My DVD column on an imaginary battle between Hannah Montana and Dragonball: Evolution.
Willie Nelson is following me on Twitter. Why aren't you?
Are you on Netflix? Friend me and get easy access to thousands of ratings and reviews and my Top Movies of the Year lists from the 20s to the Present.
Here's another link to Showbiz Sandbox.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tilda Swinton's Film Festival
Tilda Swinton is one of my favorite actresses -- I still remember being stunned by how lovely she looked when I interviewed her at Cannes, with the seashore in the background and Swinton and her red hair and bewitching looks just inches away. Always intriguing on camera, she's a beauty in person. And of course she has bold, unconventional taste as borne out by film after film...and now by a film festival she's begun.
Peter Knegt has the sweet story on indiewire. Check it out.
Peter Knegt has the sweet story on indiewire. Check it out.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
1939 -- The Greatest Year For Movies
1939 is often mentioned as the greatest year for movies in history. And no wonder -- the ten movies nominated for Best Picture at that year's Oscars are enough to quicken the pulse of any filmgoer. So I've decided that if 1939 is the greatest year for movies that I should watch ANY movie made in 1939. I've listed below the movies I've seen repeatedly in the past and now keep track of any new film I watch that's made in that year. I've undoubtedly failed to include some movies I saw years ago because they weren't memorable and I wasn't paying attention to when they were made. Since I've seen at least 100 movies released each year for the past 20 years, it will be a while before I can definitively say I've seen as many from 1939. But I'm getting there: I scan TCM every week and DVR anything from that year I come across. Below I list the movies alphabetically and by star rating, so the absolute classics come first. How many movies from 1939 have you seen?
1939
Gone With The Wind ****
Gunga Din ****
The Hound Of The Baskervilles ****
The Hunchback Of Notre Dame ****
The Lady Vanishes ****
Mr. Smith Goes To Washington ****
Ninotchka ****
Rules of the Game ****
Stagecoach ****
The Wizard Of Oz ****
The Women ****
The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes *** ½
Love Affair *** ½
Of Mice and Men *** ½
The Roaring Twenties *** ½
Wuthering Heights *** ½
Bachelor Mother (Ginger Rogers w baby and David Niven) ***
Beau Geste ***
Charlie Chan in City In Darkness ***
Destry Rides Again ***
Dodge City ***
Drums Along The Mohawk ***
Five Came Back (Lucille Ball – plane crash in jungle) ***
Goodbye, Mr. Chips ***
Intermezzo: A Love Story ***
Invisible Stripes (Geroge Raft, William Holden, Bogie, ex-cons) ***
The Oklahoma Kid ***
Only Angels Have Wings ***
The Saint Strikes Back ***
The Story Of Vernon and Irene Castle ***
Union Pacific ***
Young Mr. Lincoln ***
The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn ** 1/2
Calling Dr. Kildare ** ½
Captain Fury ** ½
Charlie Chan at Treasure Island ** ½
In Name Only ** 1/2
The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt ** ½
Night Nurse ** 1/2
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex ** ½
The Real Glory (Gary Cooper, Phillipines, Moro rebellion) ** ½
The Saint in London ** ½
The Secret of Dr. Kildare ** ½
Stanley and Livingstone ** ½
Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever **
Babes In Arms **
Charlie Chan in Reno **
The Falcon’s Brother **
Made For Each Other **
Maisie (Ann Southern) **
Sylvia Scarlett **
Espionage Agent * 1/2
Fast and Loose * ½
The Great Man Votes (scenery chewing John Barrymore) * ½
The Ice Follies of 1939 (Jimmy Stewart and Joan Crawford) * ½
It’s A Wonderful World (Jimmy Stewart and Claudette Colbert) * ½
Nancy Drew, Reporter * ½
They Made Her A Spy * ½
Jamaica Inn *
Naughty But Nice *
Nancy Drew, Trouble Shooter *
Nick Carter, Master Detective *
Rhythm Romance aka Some Like It Hot *
Topper Takes A Trip *
Way Down South *
Charley’s Big-Hearted Aunt (tired farce) no stars
Zenobia )Laurel & Hardy) no stars
67 movies
Updated as of 7/25/2009
1939
Gone With The Wind ****
Gunga Din ****
The Hound Of The Baskervilles ****
The Hunchback Of Notre Dame ****
The Lady Vanishes ****
Mr. Smith Goes To Washington ****
Ninotchka ****
Rules of the Game ****
Stagecoach ****
The Wizard Of Oz ****
The Women ****
The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes *** ½
Love Affair *** ½
Of Mice and Men *** ½
The Roaring Twenties *** ½
Wuthering Heights *** ½
Bachelor Mother (Ginger Rogers w baby and David Niven) ***
Beau Geste ***
Charlie Chan in City In Darkness ***
Destry Rides Again ***
Dodge City ***
Drums Along The Mohawk ***
Five Came Back (Lucille Ball – plane crash in jungle) ***
Goodbye, Mr. Chips ***
Intermezzo: A Love Story ***
Invisible Stripes (Geroge Raft, William Holden, Bogie, ex-cons) ***
The Oklahoma Kid ***
Only Angels Have Wings ***
The Saint Strikes Back ***
The Story Of Vernon and Irene Castle ***
Union Pacific ***
Young Mr. Lincoln ***
The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn ** 1/2
Calling Dr. Kildare ** ½
Captain Fury ** ½
Charlie Chan at Treasure Island ** ½
In Name Only ** 1/2
The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt ** ½
Night Nurse ** 1/2
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex ** ½
The Real Glory (Gary Cooper, Phillipines, Moro rebellion) ** ½
The Saint in London ** ½
The Secret of Dr. Kildare ** ½
Stanley and Livingstone ** ½
Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever **
Babes In Arms **
Charlie Chan in Reno **
The Falcon’s Brother **
Made For Each Other **
Maisie (Ann Southern) **
Sylvia Scarlett **
Espionage Agent * 1/2
Fast and Loose * ½
The Great Man Votes (scenery chewing John Barrymore) * ½
The Ice Follies of 1939 (Jimmy Stewart and Joan Crawford) * ½
It’s A Wonderful World (Jimmy Stewart and Claudette Colbert) * ½
Nancy Drew, Reporter * ½
They Made Her A Spy * ½
Jamaica Inn *
Naughty But Nice *
Nancy Drew, Trouble Shooter *
Nick Carter, Master Detective *
Rhythm Romance aka Some Like It Hot *
Topper Takes A Trip *
Way Down South *
Charley’s Big-Hearted Aunt (tired farce) no stars
Zenobia )Laurel & Hardy) no stars
67 movies
Updated as of 7/25/2009
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