It Can't Happen Here

 

 (alarmy)

EAT THAT QUESTION: FRANK ZAPPA IN HIS OWN WORDS-2016-If you like the music of Frank Zappa (I do) then you should like this bio/documentary about him. Many interviews are shown (US and Europe) along with concert footage (some with the original Mothers Of Invention and various incarnations), rehearsals, scenes from 200 Motels and Baby Snakes, his very early TV appearance on “The Steve Allen Show”. Even his appearance as a mystery guest on "What's My Line?". Director Thorsten Shutte includes a lot of rare footage too.

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Donovan

 

 (youtube)

THERE IS AN OCEAN-1970-This is a short film documentary about singer Donovan as he rehearses in Greece with his "Open Road" band (John Carr & Mike Thompson) preparing for a world tour. They visit several islands including Crete and give some impromptu concerts. They live on Donovan's yacht. At one point they perform "Riki Tiki Tivi" from their only album together but the rest of the songs hadn't yet been on any albums. Only released in 2005. Director Nigel Lesmoir-Gordon was known for a short film he made in 1966 called SYD BARRET'S FIRST TRIP.

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And Now For Something...you know...

Last month my dad (age 95) fell and fractured his hip. He had an operation and came through it ok. While in the re-hab facility he contracted pneumonia. It looked bad for a while but now he's rid of that and back in re-hab. Hopefully he'll be better soon. Today is also Pearl Harbor day or the Attack on Pearl Harbor day, whatever. I don't hear too much about round here, especially with more important things like the deaths of Paul Walker and Nelson Mandela and Robinson Cano signing a 240 million contract with The Seattle Mariners. But because of this day in 1941 my dad (and lots of others) spent 5 years defending his country in the Pacific. Many didn't make it back but he did. If he hadn't I wouldn't be writing this now. Thanks, Dad!!! 

I should review my dad's favorite movie THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY but everyone knows that film. Here's a music review as a change of pace:

JOHN CALE: FRAGMENTS OF A RAINY SEASON-1992-I've been a big fan of the Welsh born John Cale ever since The Velvet Underground broke up. Here's a concert filmed in Brussels. Cale solos on all the songs playing only piano or guitar. 16 songs are featured from different times in his career including 3 Dylan Thomas poems put to music. Highlights are THE BALLAD OF CABLE HOGUE, FEAR (IS A MAN'S BEST FRIEND) and PARIS 1919. He even throws in STYLE IT TAKES from his Andy Warhol tribute collaboration with Lou Reed (who died in October of 2013). It ends with a dynamite version of Leonard Cohen's HALLELUJAH (later featured in SHREK!). At the same time Cale also released a CD of the same concert that features 20 songs. 

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Strummer!

LET’S ROCK AGAIN!-2004-This is a great documentary/tribute to punk-rock legend Joe Strummer and his group The Mescalaros as they tour America and Japan. There’s a lot of music footage and Strummer is interviewed throughout and is both serious and funny. It’s hard to believe the singer/guitar player from THE CLASH had to do his own promoting for a few gigs but he seems to take it all in stride as a part of the changing times.

Director Dick Rude wrote the Alex Cox film STRAIGHT TO HELL which Strummer had a role in. Joe (who was born in Turkey) passed away in 2002.

I'm glad I got to see them live! Thanks for reading and Happy New Year!

Have To Keep Them Short Tonight...

ROCK REVOLUTION-1986-This strange compilation brings together several videos and live concert footage of bands circa the late ‘70’s –earlier ‘80’s. The live footage has The Clash doing “I’m So Bored With The USA” and “London’s Burning”, Ian Dury (“Sex, Drugs & Rock & Roll” and “What A Waste”), The Jam (“In The City”) and The Sex Pistols (“Anarchy In The UK). There are also some videos thrown in by The Talking Heads (“Once In A Lifetime”), Hello Sailor (“Son Of Sam”), Lena Lovich (“Number One”), Graham Parker (“Protection”) and The Ramones with the uncensored version of “Psychotherapy”. I got this way back when for like 7 dollars at a now defunct bargain store. It’s only around 30 mins. but it’s a great time capsule.




PSYCHO DIVER-1995-Kuroiwa is the title character a guy who can "dive" into a person's brain. After another Diver is killed trying to help a mysterious woman it's up to Kuroiwa to figure out what's going on. A great but violently graphic story that's based on a novel.

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