The Filtered Excellence: March 19, 2015
Bob Geldof once asked us, “Where is the filtered excellence!?” It’s right here. Once a week we take a break from comedy to bring you this weeks picks of the best things to watch, the most interesting things to do, great things to try, the best picks to read,our favorite things to listen to and more:
WATCH THIS:
Danny Collins. Dan Fogelman wrote and directed this new film about the power of redemption and re-invention. Al Pacino stars as long time rock star Danny Collins, who still packs stadiums but has long since become a parody of himself. He’s coasting along another tour when his long time manager (Christopher Plummer) presents him something that will change his life: An undelivered letter that John Lennon wrote him back in 1971 encouraging him to stay true to himself. The letter moves Danny so much that he decides to cancel the tour, moves into a modest hotel in New Jersey with the aim of reconnecting with the people he lost along the road to fame – and find himself. This includes reaching out to the son that he never knew (Bobby Cannavale), flirting with a hotel employee (Annette Bening) and trying to write his first song in over 30 years. Connection is the central theme of Fogelman’s script and you can see why he wrote it with Pacino in mind: Pacino – who’s career arc mirrors Collins – is perfect as the aging, still hard partying rock star desperately trying to find his creative and personal mojo again. Watching Pacino and Bening play this cat and mouse game of romance is also one of the film’s highlights. Cannavale nearly steals the movie as Collins’ long lost – and deeply bitter – son and Jennifer Garner adds another great supporting performance to her resume as Cannavale’s wife. Fogelman, a long time screenwriter making his directorial debut, keeps the pace moving, allowing the material to take a life of its own – especially with such a strong ensemble cast. With a soundtrack loaded with classic John Lennon songs, Danny Collins is a pleasant surprise just in time for spring. It opens in New York and L.A. on Friday and nationwide on March 27th.
You can go to www.DannyCollinsMovie.com for more info.
Can’t Stand Losing You. If you wanted to put together a documentary on one member of The Police, Andy Summers would be the last on any directors list. He wasn’t as charismatic as Sting nor was as outspoken as Stewart Copeland. It isn’t to say that Summers role in the band wasn’t important – it’s quite the opposite. Summers was the most seasoned member of the band, having honed us musical chops working with acts such as Eric Burdon & The Animals and The Soft Machine. His extensive musical vocabulary, studio experience and rich, atmospheric tone was the band’s X factor on the road to superstardom. Using Summers memoir One Train Later (in which Summers reads passages from the book) and exclusive footage from The Police’s 2007 reunion tour as a base, directors Andy Grieve and Lauren Lazin profile one of rock’s most understated, but highly respected guitarists. Straight forward, candid and loaded with Police classics, this doc will add to The Police’s endearing legacy to one of rock’s most beloved bands. Can’t Stand Losing You opens in New York on Friday and in select theaters on April 3rd. Andy Summers and Andy Grieve will be doing post screening Q&As at Village East Cinema on Friday and Saturday and at AMC Empire on Saturday.
Go to www.CantStandLosingYou.com for tickets and more information.
LISTEN TO THIS:
To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar. In terms of trying to take hip hop to the next sonic, creative, and cultural heights, no one has been carrying the ball better than Kendrick Lamar. Whether its collaborating with Imagine Dragons or Flying Lotus or making internet buzzing appearances on Saturday Night Live or The Colbert Report, or writing a controversial piece for XXL Magazine, you would have to go back to the days of Public Enemy, KRS One and Tupac Shakur to find a socially conscious hip hop artist who is pushing everyone’s political buttons. On his highly anticipated new album, Lamar isn’t looking for two or three big beat club banging singles to anchor an album full of filler. Instead, he’s put together a masterful concept album that mixes in spoken word, funk, free jazz, and lyrics that touch on everything from relationships, Ferguson, self-doubt, depression and Black on Black crime. Lamar’s pissed off, but the anger is remarkably centered and focused. This isn’t just one of the best hip hop albums to come along in years, this is brilliance irrespective of any genre. If there’s any justice in the world – and judging by initial reaction there will be – To Pimp A Butterfly will do for hip hop what Nevermind did for rock n roll: Flip it on its head and flush out a whole lot of garbage. It’s available now on Itunes and will be available through Amazon and all major music retailers on March 23rd.
You can also go to www.kendricklamar.com for more info.
The Who 50th Anniversary Vinyl Reissues by The Who. The Who will release each of their studio albums, as well as a double vinyl version of their ultimate hits pack The Who Hits 50! on March 23rd. Each studio LP has been pressed on 180-gram vinyl and re-mastered. All of the reissues will include the original artwork, and the reissues of Tommy, The Who Sell Out, Quadrophenia and Face Dances will contain the extras and inserts included in the original releases.
Get more information at thewho.com.
Van Halen: Tokyo Dome Live In Concert. Releasing on March 31 this is the band’s first live release to feature David Lee Roth on vocals. Recorded on June 21, 2013 this set includes 23 songs spanning all seven of the band’s albums with Diamond Dave. Available as a double CD, four LP set on 180 gram vinyl and as a digital download.
Order Tokyo Dome In Concert (2-CD)
DO THIS:
NEW YORK CITY: Selma March 1965 at The Steven Kasher Gallery. The 1965 marches for civil and voting rights in Selma, Alabama marked a turning point in the American Civil Rights Movement. The images captured of a peaceful, non-violent protest being quelled violently by Alabama state troopers shocked the nation and the world. But it also galvanized the movement as people from all walks of life joined Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and his supporters as they successfully completed the march from Selma to Montgomery. It provided the necessary spark in the campaign that ultimately led to the passage of The Voting Rights Act Of 1965. To mark the 50th Anniversary of those historic marches and the landmark law that came with it, The Steven Kasher Gallery is presenting the most comprehensive exhibition of photos ever assembled from those marches. What makes these photos even more remarkable is that they were all taken from three different perspectives: James Barker was on assignment for Life Magazine; Spider Martin shot for the pro-segregation newspaper The Birmingham News and Charles Moore, was a staff photographer at Washington State University who responded to Dr. King’s plea for people of conscience to participate in the march. Barker’s photos have been part of the universal narrative speak for themselves. But its Martin’s and Moore’s shots most of which went unseen by the public that are the most revealing. – Martin captured the open displays of racism, hatred and true danger marchers were staring down at. Moore’s pictures – believed to be the only photos taken from the marchers perspective – reveal the sense of unity and resolve these brave women and men had to make a difference not just for people of color, but for all Americans. This is a must see exhibition for anyone looking to find new insight into this crucial period in American history. Selma March 1965 will be at the Steven Kasher Gallery through April 18th.
You can go to www.stevenkasher.com for more information.
NEW YORK CITY: Neil Diamond in Concert. The legendary singer-songwriter comes back to his hometown of Brooklyn to play The Barclays Center. Diamond has been on a career resurgence: His recent collaborations with Rick Rubin and Don Was have resulted in some of the strongest reviews of his 40 plus year career. Fans have noticed also: His last three albums – 12 Songs, Home Before Dark and Melody Road – have all cracked the Billboard Top 5 with Home Before Dark and Melody Road entering the charts at #1. Diamond has been touring in support of Melody Road and expect to hear a healthy selection of material from it, along with all of the songs you know by heart. Always a good time.
Go to www.barclayscenter.com for tickets and more information.
NEW YORK CITY: Lauryn Hill at Madbia Harlem at My Image Studios. The former Fugees lead singer brings her ‘Small Axe Acoustic Performance Series uptown this weekend. By stripping the shows down, the performances has placed a greater emphasis on Hill’s vocal and lyrical skills, which, of course, are her strengths. Recent area performances have received strong notices, and with Hill playing in the cradle of Black culture, expect these shows to be extraordinary. Lauryn Hill will be at Madbia Harlem at My Image Studios March 20th and 21st.
Go to www.mistharlem.com for tickets and more information.
NEW YORK CITY: Trusted Brands Exhibition. A hip hop and creative design icon, Cey Adams was behind some of the most endearing images in hip hop, working with such artists as Run DMC, Beastie Boys, L.L. Cool J, Jay Z, and Public Enemy and The Notorious B.I.G. His latest exhibition takes on the use of branding in contemporary culture, race and gender relations and issuing affects the community and Black culture. Drawing his inspiration for the pop art, sign painting and comics that informed his youth, Adams has created an exhibit that triggers memories but also makes you think about how Madison Avenue has truly impacted our perceptions. A powerful and moving work. Trusted Brands will be at The Rush Arts Gallery through March 28th.
You can go to www.rushphilanthropic.org for more information.
LOS ANGELES: The Mavericks AT The Fonda Theater. The critically acclaimed, genre bending band hit the Fonda Theater in support of their new album Mono. Since reforming in 2012, The Mavericks have been consistently on the road, only taking a break to record the new CD, which was recorded live in the studio. Come out and see one of the tightest bands working today.
You can go to www.fondatheatre.com for tickets and more information.
LOS ANGELES: John Doe & Exene at First Unitarian Church. The co-founders and lead singers behind X will be doing a special acoustic performance as part of Spaceland’s ‘Church Sessions’ series. The First Unitarian Church has always been a haven for the arts and the outcasts, so it’s only fitting that the music of X will be featured here. This is a rare chance to hear stripped down songs from such classic X albums as Los Angeles, Wild Gift, Under The Black Sun and much more.
Go to www.churchsessions.com for tickets and additional info.
CHICAGO: Buddy Guy at the Rialto Square Theatre. Still working with most of his contemporaries have either passed away or retired, Buddy Guy still brings fire and energy on stage and in the studio. His latest album, The Rhythm And The Blues was a 2 CD set that ranks among some of his best work. The running thread between Muddy Waters, Jimi Hendrix and Gary Clark, Jr., will be in his adopted home of Chicago at The Rialto Square Theatre featuring material from that album along with all of the blues classics you know by heart. Come out and see a guitar master at work.
Go to www.rialtosquare.com for tickets and additional info.
GLENSIDE, PENNSYLVANIA: The Fab Faux Beatles’ US TV Appearances & More. In commemoration of The Beatles first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show fifty years ago this past February, The Fab Faux will be performing selections from this and other US television performances as they pay homage to the band that changed rock and roll forever. The Hogshead Horns and the Crème Tangerine Strings will be joining the band for this performance. Keswick Theater, Saturday March 21, 8 PM
Get ticket info at keswicktheater.com.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: Visit the Pinball Hall of Fame. The Pinball Hall of Fame is a museum with over 200 vintage, operational pinball machines on display. While each machine on exhibit has been painstakingly restored to its former glory and includes descriptions of its historic significance, the real fun lies in the fact that visitors are encouraged to play them. All you need is quarters.
For hours of operation and info go to pinballhall.org.
DALLAS, TEXAS: Stevie Wonder: Songs In The Key Of Life Performance. Rolling Stone magazine ranks Stevie Wonder’s 1976 double album- Songs In The Key Of Life at number 57 on it’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. According to the Library of Congress the album is “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” The record won four Grammys- Album of the Year, Best Male Pop Vocal, Best Male R&B Vocal and Best Producer. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear the entire album performed live! American Airlines Center, Sunday, March 22. 8 PM.
Get tickets and information at ticketmaster.com.
EVERYWHERE: Bach In The Subways on Saturday, March 21 will take place at Various Locations throughout 129 cities and 39 countries. Every year on March 21, Johann Sebastian Bach’s birthday, musicians around the world celebrate Bach in the Subways Day by offering performances in subways, public spaces, and concerts open to all. The music is given freely as a gift, and as an invitation to further explore classical music.
For more info and a list of all performances go to bachinthesubways.com.
Want more excellence? Read last week’s The Filtered Excellence and visit The Interrobang Recommmends
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