The Filtered Excellence: May 7, 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:
I Am Big Bird. The world knows the names Big Bird and Oscar The Grouch, but very few people know about Caroll Spinney, the man who helped bring these two iconic Sesame Street characters to life for over 45 years. Dave LaMattina’s new documentary features Spinney, family, friends and colleagues telling the story of how a kid who was subjected to bullying as a child ended up being a driving force in teaching, educating and entertaining children around the world. The film is also a victory lap for the late Jim Henson, who believed in Spinney’s talents, even when Spinney began to question it. Featuring an assortment of classic material and behind the scenes footage, I Am Big Bird is a moving and touching salute to one of the unsung heroes of children’s television. It opens in New York theaters now and will open nationwide on May 15th.
Go to www.iambigbird.com for additional information.
The Seven Five. If you were a New York City cop in the 1980s, you did not want to work out of the 75th Precinct. Located in the heart of East New York, this was the epicenter of the crack epidemic that scared its citizens and frustrated law enforcement officials. Officer Michael Dowd led a crew of cops that quickly established a reputation in the area but for all of the wrong reasons. They stole evidence, shook down drug dealers, dealt drugs, and openly flaunted the gains from their illegal income. Of course, it all came crashing down when Dowd’s partner, Kenneth Eurrell became an informant and led the biggest corruption scandals in the city’s history. Now in this riveting new documentary, director Tiller Russell has Dowd, who considered himself ‘both a cop and a gangster’ tell the story of his days at the 75th, how he managed to get away it for as long as he did, and the betrayal that ultimately sent him and his crew to jail. Russell paces the film like a crime drama as Dowd recalls how he sold out the very principals he swore to uphold. At times, you really hate him and other times, you like him the way you liked Henry Hill in ‘Goodfellas’. This doc comes at the perfect time when police corruption and misconduct is back in the news and serves as a chilling reminder about how we need to watch the watchers. The Seven Five opens in New York on Friday and nationwide on May 15th.
You can go to www.thesevenfivemovie.com for more info.
Kurt Cobain – Montage Of Heck. The eagerly awaited documentary on the life and legacy of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain is now airing on HBO and select theaters. Made with the full cooperation of his estate, director Brett Morgen had access to journal entries, drawings, audio recordings, and, of course, classic Nirvana material to really get inside Cobain’s head and his creative process. The film also features new interviews with Cobain’s parents, stepmother and sister; his widow Courtney Love, former girlfriend Tracy Marander, former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic, friends and others to round out his remarkable portrait. It’s an open, honest, painful yet beautiful look at one of the most intriguing musicians in rock history. One of the year’s best. Kurt Cobain – Montage Of Heck is airing now on HBO, HBO Go and HBO NOW and select theaters.
You can go to www.hbo.com for a complete list of air dates and theatrical screenings.
READ THIS:
Psychedelic Bubble Gum: Boyce & Hart, The Monkees, and Turning Mayhem into Miracles by Bobby Hart with Glen Balantyne. Bobby Hart and Tommy Boyce made up the songwriting duo Boyce & Hart who penned songs for artists such as Chubby Checker, Jay & the Americans and Paul Revere and the Raiders before being hired to write songs for The Monkees television series. They wrote, produced and recorded most of the music for the first season of the show and the Monkees’ debut album. (The Monkees re-recorded their own vocals over Boyce & Harts tracks for the show and record.) Boyce & Hart wrote and produced the show’s first hit- Last Train To Clarksville, a loosely-veiled protest of the ongoing Vietnam War. The duo departed the show after a falling out with musical director Don Kirshner and The Monkees were met with backlash when the public learned they hadn’t played their own instruments on their early albums. Boyce & Hart capitalized on their high-profile success with the Monkees with five charting singles of their own and appearances on hit television shows- Bewitched, The Flying Nun and I Dream of Jeannie. Bobby Hart’s story is one of humble beginnings, unthought of success and all of the challenges and struggles that come between while searching for inner-peace. Available May 10.
Order Psychedelic Bubble Gum: Boyce & Hart, The Monkees, and Turning Mayhem into Miracles
LISTEN TO THIS:
The Waterfall by My Morning Jacket. My Morning Jacket’s 7th album was practically born out of pain. Lead singer Jim James suffered a herniated disc as the recording began, which forced him, at times, to record his vocals while laying on the couch. But it also allowed him to write more songs – the bulk of which ended up on this project. Using a waterfall as a metaphor as to how life can either beat you down or lift you up, MMJ weaves through Southern rock, prog rock, hints of soul, psychedelia and a slow building epic (‘Only Memories Remain’) to close it out. The sessions were so fruitful that another album is already in the works for 2016, but until then, enjoy this latest meditative gem by one of America’s best bands. The Waterfall is available now through Amazon, Itunes and all major music retailers.
Order The Waterfall (Deluxe)
You can also go to www.mymorningjacket.com for tour dates and more information.
Wilder Mind by Mumford and Sons. The spirit of Bob Dylan is all over Mumford & Sons’ new album. Like Dylan, the band set up shop in New York City to write new material and as he did in 1966, M&S traded in banjos and acoustic guitars for Fender guitars and Marshall amps. While songs like ‘The Wolf’ and the title track proudly display the new sonic territory, the earnestness and heart on its sleeve lyrics are still up in front through such songs as ‘Tompkins Square Park’ and ‘Broad Shouldered Beasts’. Now that they have graduated to arena rock status, Mumford & Sons have crafted an album that will play well in these or any other venues. A majestic leap forward by one of the Britain’s latest musical export. Wilder Mind is available now through Amazon, Itunes and all major music retailers.
Order Wilder Mind [Deluxe Edition]
You can also go to www.mumfordandsons.com for more information.
DO THIS:
New Jersey: Darius Rucker in Concert. Best known as the frontman for Hootie & The Blowfish, Darius Rucker has spent the last decade reinventing himself a country artist. It’s worked: Rucker’s had four albums hit #1 on the country charts since 2008 including three chart topping #1 singles. Rucker also made history, becoming the first Black artist since Charley Pride to have an album hit #1 and the only artist of color to have consecutive #1 albums. Rucker will be coming to the PNC Bank Arts Center in support of his latest album, Southern Style. Expect to hear choice cuts from the latest CD, past country hits and a couple of Hootie favorites.
Go to www.pncbankartscentre.com for tickets and more information.
New York City: Shelby Lynne at The New York Society Of Ethnic Culture. Shelby Lynne has worn many musical hats throughout her 25 year plus career. She’s done contemporary country, slick country pop, alt-country, straight forward pop and more recently veered into Americana. One thing that has remained a constant is her outstanding singing and songwriting skills. Lynne will be bringing those talents to the New York Society Of Ethnic Culture, where she’ll performing material from her latest album, I Can’t Imagine. Come out and see a premier singer-songwriter.
Go to www.nysec.org for tickets and more information.
New York City: The O’Jays. A key cog in the Philly International Records machine, The O’Jays dominated the better part of the 1970’s with such hits as ‘For The Love Of Money’, ‘Backstabbers’ ‘I Love Music’ and ‘Love Train’. Led by the ageless Eddie Levert, The O’Jays have continued to record, perform and leave a mark on the rock, R&B artists around the world. They will be bringing over 40 years of hits into Brooklyn’s recently renovated Kings Theatre. Levert and Co haven’t lost a step, so be prepared to be moved – and dance.
Go to www.kingstheatre.com for tickets and more information.
Los Angeles: Rihannon Giddens at the El Rey Theatre. For over a decade, Giddens have been the driving force behind the critically acclaimed string band Carolina Chocolate Drops. But after stealing the show at the ‘Another Day, Another Time’ concert at New York’s Town Hall, she teamed up with show producer T-Bone Burnett to produce her debut solo album, Tomorrow Is My Turn. She’ll be performing material from that album this weekend at The El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles. Giddens is one of the best vocalists out there whose turn has truly come.
Go to www.theelrey.com for more info.
Chicago: The Who at Allstate Arena. Celebrating their 50th Anniversary, The Who will bringing what they say will be their final tour to the Allstate Arena. Along with all of the timeless classics from such albums as Tommy, Who’s Next and Quadrophenia, The Who have promised to mine their vast catalog to perform songs that haven’t been played in years or never performed live. If that wasn’t enough, the opening act will be Joan Jett & The Blackhearts are also in the midst of a creative renaissance. A can’t miss show.
Go to rosemont.com for tickets and more info.
Chicago: Daniel Lanois & Rocco DeLuca at Empty Bottle. The producer behind classic albums by U2, Peter Gabriel, Bob Dylan and The Neville Brothers has also carved out a stellar career as a solo artist. His latest album Flesh & Machine is a dizzying mix of dub, loops, live drums and pulsating guitars. He’ll be joined by protegee and frequent collaborator Rocco DeLuca, whose albums have to be heard to be believed. If you’re looking for a sonic adventure, check out two of the best in the game.
Go to www.emptybottle.com for tickets and more info.
Chicago: Slick Rick. A hip hop pioneer of the highest order, Slick Rick exploded onto the scene with such hits as ‘The Show’, ‘La Di Da Di’, and ‘Children’s Story’. His album, The Great Adventures Of Slick Rick’ and ‘The Ruler’s Back’ are considered the best the genre has ever offered and influenced future hip hop stars The Notorious B.I.G., Snoop Dogg, Black Star and The Game. Slick Rick will be coming to Mojoes to perform all of the songs that you know by heart.
Go to www.mojoesofjoliet.com for tickets.
Want more excellence? Read last week’s The Filtered Excellence and visit The Interrobang Recommmends
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