Back in the day, when Michael Jackson released a new tune it became a television event. The announcement of the date and time of the video was always anticipated by the fans. We would arrange our schedules to make sure not to miss the latest and greatest from the King of Pop. But with the release of Moonwalker, Michael took the debut event to a whole other level!
What we witnessed that night was a game changer.
Michael Jackson: Moonwalker (1988). Not just one video but an anthology style film compilation of long form videos including the songs: Smooth Criminal and Leave Me Alone. Releasing these songs in this format was unique to TV and the times and proved Michael’s mastery and revival of the film short.
Leave Me Alone was a “Michael Vision”, dead-on rebuttal to all the gossip and rumors about Michael’s life including Bubbles the chimp and did he really buy the bones of the Elephant Man? (watch for MJ dancing with elephant man bones)
Smooth Criminal features the most dynamic and straight up coolest choreography ever!!! And “the lean” shut up!!
Michael was granted a patent for the hitching mechanism which was built into the floor of the stage and the performers shoes.
Danger abounds with Annie and her friends (including John Lennon’s youngest son Sean), storm troopers, machine guns and a pint sized imitation of Michael by “baby bad Michael.”
A truly innovative project with probably one of the most mangled lyrics in music history. “Annie are you walking?” No!! It’s “Annie are you okay?”
So without further adieu, the smoothest moves of the Smooth Criminal.
Title sums it up. “Jam, Jive and Everything!.” Thomas Wright “Fats” Waller is one of the most charming, talented and prolific artists to ever tickle the ivories of a stride piano.
We share a birthday – May 21st. His last recording session was in Detroit, Michigan – home of my birth. I guess it was destiny that his music and spirit would come to bring me such joy!
What excites me about Fats?
When I was a kid and first saw the ground breaking musical Stormy Weather (1943) I was familiar with its star Lena Horne because my father loved him some Miss Lena. But for me, the wonderful surprise of the film was Fats Waller.
Fats Waller and Lena Horne
When you see him you’re totally invested. His personality jumps off the screen. People talk about presence. Fats created “presence!”
Fats is credited with advancing the musical style – stride piano. Although known for his two most famous compositions: “Ain’t Misbehavin'” and “Honeysuckle Rose”, he penned many more uncredited hits such as “I Can’t Give you Anything but love, Baby” and “On the Sunny Side of the Street”.
Waller copyrighted over 400 songs and began his professional career as a pianist at the age of 15, working in cabarets and theaters.
His life and artistry became the Broadway musical revue “Ain’t Misbehavin‘ produced in 1978. (The show and star Nell Carter won Tony Awards.)
Recordings of Fats Waller were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame which is a special Grammy Award established in 1973 to honour recordings that are at least 25 years old and that have “qualitative or historical significance”.
Here ’tis, a tribute to Fats’ brilliance and charm:
Laid to rest, Lord can it be? Deserves respect. Lord let it be.
DonnaMarie Woodson
Get on Up is the new biopic directed by Tate Taylor and chronicles the life and career of “The Godfather of Soul” James Brown. Chadwick Boseman portrays Brown and channels his essence through his speech, gait and definitely in his dance moves.
The film employs several devices to tell the story. “Breaking the 4th wall” as the actor speaks directly into the camera to make commentary, “flashbacks” to early childhood traumas and “internal monologues” from Brown’s child self.
The supporting cast serve as witnesses and testifiers and underscore the storytelling. Jordan and Jamarion Scott portray “little James Brown.” Their performance was both moving and haunting. Being able to convey the harshness of Brown’s early life enables the audience to empathize with the complexities of James Brown’s personality and relationships.
“Susie” (Viola Davis) Brown’s mother’s performance was intense and desperate. Through her we see a psyche damaged by life and circumstances.
“Bobby Bird” (Nelsan Ellis) was a lifeline throughout Brown’s career. Proof that we all need support. No one can make it totally on their own. (even if YOU think so)
James Brown has been a huge influence on a myriad of musical acts including Michael Jackson, Prince and The Rolling Stones. “Make it Funky” wasn’t only a song lyric but also a musical credo for – as he insisted on being addressed – Mr. Brown.
James Brown was also influential politically playing to a crowd at the Boston Garden after Martin Luther King was assassinated in 1968. He was able to calm the crowd and reminded them as black people we should respect one another. My personal favorite memory is the song “Say it Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud.” I had an English teacher who had us dissect the song and express how it made us feel. At that time referring to one’s self as Black was radical. We were still being referred to as Negroes. This song compelled youth to recognize our importance and power.
Call him a genius, crazy, or just a complicated man, “Mr. Please, Please, Please, “The Hardest Working Man in Show Business,” “Mr. Dynamite,” “The Godfather of Soul” was an artist, force and important contributor to our musical and political landscape. That significance deserves to be remembered and celebrated.
Mr. Schneebly – who hasn’t wished for him to be your substitute teacher? Come on now, confess! No grades, being in a kickbutt rock band, defying parents, breaking the rules. Good, right?
Jack Black’s character Dewey Finn is the forever loser, wanna be rocker, but when he steals his roommate’s identity as a substitute teacher, he discovers he has a class of very musically talented 5th grade students. So, Dewey decides to turn his class into a rock band to potentially win the Battle of the Bands and $20,000. I won’t spoil whether the kids win or don’t win the battle, but as a result of the contest they gain self confidence and continue to play rock in an after school program coached by Dewey. Long live Rock!
This film totally tapped into my inner rocker!
“The Commitments” (1991)
What happens when a group of white working class Dubliners form a soul band? A rousing film with some great music inspired by legendary artists, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett.
They nail the soul of the greats by immersing themselves 24/7 in classic soul standards:
“In the Midnight Hour” – Wilson Pickett
“Try a Little Tenderness” – Otis Redding
“I Never Loved a Man” – Aretha Franklin
Whether on buses, hanging up laundry or in music store windows, they were feeling the soul. In the words of Félim Gormley (Dean Fay- Sax) “I’m black and I’m proud!”
I’m so glad the movie was authentic with the cast singing on the soundtrack. (The actors were cast for their musical abilities.) Lead singer (Andrew Strong “Deco”) was nuts but the standout talent of the band.
The Commitments was voted best Irish film of all time in a 2005 poll sponsored by Jameson Irish Whiskey and launched a generation of Irish musicians and actors.
“This is Spinal Tap” (1984)
OMG, the funniest, dead on satire of a rock metal band ever!
Classic in every sense of the word, Rob Reiner’s masterpiece was directed, written, scored by and stars:
Rob Reiner – (Marty D. Bergi) – maker of documentary
Spinal Tap
Christopher Guest – (Nigel Tufnel)
Michael McKean- (David St. Hubbins)
Harry Shearer – (Derek Smalls)
This mockumentary feels so real that some movie goers thought they were an actual group!
The “Stonehenge” number during the Smell the Glove tour is priceless. Due to a mix up with size dimensions, the Stonehenge replica for their epic song is 18 inches instead of 18 feet tall. The little people performers in the number were taller. And Derek Smalls getting stuck in the stage prop egg is hilarious!
In 2002, This Is Spinal Tap was deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the Library of Congress and was selected for preservation by the United States National Film Registry.
These are 3 of my favorite Rock Movies – Let me know yours in the comments!
I love, love, love David Byrne and The Talking Heads and can’t believe it’s been 30 years since the release of the concert film “Stop Making Sense.”
Truly revolutionary and the definitive concert movie. Widely recognized as one of the greatest live concert films of all time. Directed by Johnathan Demme, it was shot over the course of 3 nights at Hollywood’s Pantages Theater. Demme captures the artistic vision of David Byrne and draws in the viewing audience as we watch the performance evolve from Byrne alone on stage with just a boombox singing “Psycho Killer” to the addition of each band member concluding with a get up off your seat party in your theater or living room finale – “Take Me to the River.”
Enjoy a few of my favorite numbers!
Check out the iconic “Big Suit.”
The grand finale!
To mark the occasion, the film is being made available digitally for the first time ever by Palm Pictures, along with a limited theatrical engagement this summer and fall.
Tom Hanks‘ film – written, directed by and co-starring Tom Hanks – chronicles the road to fame of the fictional one-hit wonder – “The Wonders” (previously the” O-need-ers” 🙂 It was produced by Jonathan Demme.
Set in Erie, Pennsylvania 1964, the plot involves Guy Paterson filling in as drummer for the band after their regular drummer, Chad (Giovanni Rabisi) breaks his arm. Leap frogging over a parking meter-really?
Cutting to the chase:
Guy’s drumming is awesome, he changes “That Thing You Do’s”song tempo from ballad to upbeat, Faye calls Guy’s playing “wonderful” hence band’s name, girls dance, Villapiano gig, Tom Hanks signs band.
The rest as they say is one-hit wonder history.
Lenny by far is my favorite character! He gets it. Enjoy the moment. He’s relaxed, funny and always the life of the party. When asked a question by a reporter during their State Fair Tour he replies with a sorta crazy nasally sounding voice: “Oh I’m not here with these fellas, I gotta pig in competition over at the livestock pavilion and I am gonna win that blue ribbon!” Leaving the reporter with a stupefied look on his face. Classic Lenny. Priceless!
It’s a fun filled musical ride worth the re-viewing or viewing if you haven’t already checked it out.
I can just hear Sinatra’s proposal. How about this, we’ll shoot a film during the day in Las Vegas then party and work the Sands Hotel at night. Unanimous vote. (EE-O-Eleven.)
Look out Vegas, here we come!
The Rat Pack: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr.
Humphrey Bogart (regarded as the greatest male star by the American Film Institute in 1999) originated the concept of the “Rat Pack” with his “Clan.” He was “the man”, holding court nightly in the 50’s at Holmby Hills. (home of Bogey and his wife Lauren Bacall) He passed the torch to Frank Sinatra, (an original member of Bogart’s “Pack” who served as “pack master.”) After Bogey’s death in 1957, Frank’s boys became his “Rat Pack.”
Humphrey Bogart
Performers commonly associated with The Rat Pack: Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford.
Angie Dickinson, and Shirley MacLaine were often referred to as the “Rat Pack Mascots.”
Peter Lawford, Sammy Davis, Jr, Frank Sinatra, Joey Bishop, Dean Martin
Danny Ocean isn’t really a fictional character, he is Frank Sinatra. Believe it, his boys would do anything for him. Except Dean, he was the only one who ever said no to old blue eyes. Frank really dug Dean’s truthfulness.
The plot revolves around a group of former World War II army buddies (under the command of Danny Ocean) conspiring to rob, on New Year’s Eve, five casinos on the Vegas strip. When Peter Lawford presented the story idea Frank Sinatra joked: “Forget the movie, let’s pull the job!”
Whenever one of the “Pack” was performing at a club in Vegas, the others would show up to support and usually put on an impromptu performance. While they were in town, Las Vegas was jam packed with admirers hoping to catch a show.
This performance was on June 20, 1965 featuring, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr. Johnny Carson (known for The Tonight Show) served as the emcee, filling in for Joey Bishop who had hurt his back.
It would be their only televised concert together.
Set in Prohibition-era Chicago, the film is a take on the classic Robin Hood tale. This engaging musical features the Academy Award nominated song “My Kind of Town” sung by Frank Sinatra.
My favorite number is “Mr. Booze” sung by Bing Crosby. I love this scene because Robbo’s (Sinatra) club miraculously converts into a mission (due to some clever architectural tricks) to fool the police during a raid. Robbo’s gang breaks into the gospel version of “Mr. Booze” with Alan A Dale (Crosby) preaching and Little John (Dean) testifying on the lessons of temperance.
Peter Lawford was originally cast as Alan A. Dale, but due to a falling out with Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby took over the role. At the time, Lawford’s brother-in-law was President John F. Kennedy and Lawford had arranged for The President to stay at Sinatra’s home. However, because of concerns over Frank’s ties to the “Mob”, the plans were scraped.
“Mr. Booze, Mr. Booze, Mr. B double O, Z, E, don’t ever choose.”
Other numbers include:
“Don’t be a Do-Badder” sung by Bing Crosby
“Bang, Bang!” sung by Sammy Davis, Jr.
“Style” sung by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby
My favorite Rat Pack movie reference line is from Clueless (1995).
Cher’s dad talking to her date who is dressed circa 60’s “Pack” style:
“What’s with you kid? You think the death of Sammy Davis, Jr. left an opening in The Rat Pack?” Too hilarious!!
Over 50 years later, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr. are still the coolest guys to ever hit the Vegas Strip!
Prince’s landmark soundtrack and film – Purple Rain turned 30 this week. Prince marked the occasion with a surprise concert at his Paisley Park compound in Minneapolis. For me, it brought back memories of the energy and excitement in the theater on opening day. The movie had all the buzz of a true concert experience. It so rocked I brought my husband back for the midnight showing!
Purple Rain 1984
“Let’s Go Crazy, Let’s Get Nuts, look for the purple banana ’til they put us in the truck.” Let’s Go!!
Okay, you got me, I’m in!
My weekly movie matinee ritual was turned on his head as Prince and the Revolution along with Morris Day and the Time deconstructed and reconstructed the movie musical genre. From the very first cord we were plugged into a musical score that would impact the direction of Pop music.
Prince went on to win the Oscar for Best Music, Original Song Score. And also walked away with a Grammy for Best Album of Instrumental Score written for a Motion Picture.
The Kid (Prince) struggles to mediate his parents dysfunctional relationship while dealing with his own tenuous one with the new honey in town, the aspiring singer Apollonia (Apollonia Kotero).
A cherry on top for The Kid is the kick butt love token Apollonia bestows on him, that super sweet white guitar!
The music moves the story line along and reveals the shifting dynamics between The Kid and Apollonia. The budding romance, “Take me with You” and the darker side of The Kid “Darling Nikki.”
The Kid and Morris Day and The Time duke it out onstage with licks like -“The Beautiful Ones” and “Jungle Love.” It turned 1st Avenue, in Minneapolis into a landmark and music mecca.
Exciting, rocking, sexy Prince, there is no other! The concert numbers totally made the film. These were my top faves:
Let’s Go Crazy – Prince and The Revolution Jungle Love – Morris Day and The Time Purple Rain – Prince and The Revolution I Would Die 4 U – Prince and The Revolution
Check this funky, fresh version of “Let’s Go Crazy.”
Prince with 3rdEye Girl 2013 Billboard Music Awards
I’ve gotta talk about Morris Day and the Time. I love Morris Day! Both cool and hilarious. And I can’t leave out my man Jerome (Jerome Benton) ever ready with the car door or a jumbo size mirror. Here’s Morris Day and Jerome’s take on the classic routine “Whose on First?”made famous by the 40’s comedy duo Abbott and Costello.
I wish I could have been at Prince’s Paisley Park for the June 29th celebration! Being a die-hard Prince fan and having attended all his concert tours, I’m sure it was an amazing evening. Also, his very special guest turned out to be his Purple Rain co-star, Apollonia Kotero. (would’ve loved to be a fly on the wall for that reunion:)
Prince graciously posted this audio from his late-night surprise concert with 3rdEye Girl:
Today is the 5th Anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death. I remember being in disbelief upon hearing the news and remember exactly where I was. About to leave work when a co-worker told me “Michael Jackson is dead.” I told her to stop playing but she stood by her statement. I immediately jumped on the computer to scan every news outlet I could find to see if it was true. None of the major news sources would either confirm or deny his death. Finally I went to TMZ (they usually have the lowdown on everything pop culture) and they were reporting that in fact Michael had passed.
As soon as I arrived home from work I turned on every TV set in the house to confirm TMZ’s account. While I was waiting I got on the phone to call my sister in Detroit – my hometown. I couldn’t reach her so next I called my best friend, she was on the phone with her nephew trying to console him because she had taken him to his first Michael Jackson concert. The whole city of Detroit was buzzing. The news hit everyone like a ton of bricks. I later found out from my sister that she, along with everyone else in town was at the mall buying up everything Michael. CDs, DVDs, memorabilia. Anything to feel closer to the brother we lost.
Growing up in Motown we considered Michael ours. The Jackson 5 was signed to Motown Records in 1969 and had their 1st single, “I Want You Back” hit number one in 1970. I still remember my first Jackson 5 concert in junior high school. Olympia Stadium. I was hoarse for the next 2 days.
It’s hard to believe that 5 years have passed, but they have and I still miss Michael.
This site is about how to live our life in a meaningful way by accepting complete surrender to the Almighty with purity of mind and character. It is about the eternal religion of the world i.e. Hinduism which is very liberal to anyone because there are many branches or methods to get the divinity to turn our life into an ever blissful one.
Free listening and free download (mp3) chill and down tempo music (album compilation ep single) for free (usually name your price). Full merged styles: trip-hop electro chill-hop instrumental hip-hop ambient lo-fi boombap beatmaking turntablism indie psy dub step d'n'b reggae wave sainte-pop rock alternative cinematic organic classical world jazz soul groove funk balkan .... Discover lots of underground and emerging artists from around the world.
iheartfilm 