The Filtered Excellence: October 29, 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:
READ THIS:
The Education Of Kevin Powell: A Boy’s Journey Into Manhood by Kevin Powell. Most people are familiar with Kevin Powell as a charter member of MTV’s The Real World or his now legendary jailhouse interview with Tupac Shakur. But in this powerful and stirring new memoir, Kevin Powell recalls how overcame poverty, homelessness, addiction, violence, self hatred and depression to become a powerful journalist, community leader and advocate for youth. Told with unflinching honesty, Powell also deals with his complicated relationship with his mother, his time on The Real World, his days writing for Vibe Magazine, a life changing trip to Africa, reconnecting with the father he never knew and his two campaigns for Congress. But the book mainly deals with struggles to define himself, identifying and working out issues that plagued him throughout his life to become a stronger, more compassionate person. Raw, open and riveting, Powell has put together his strongest work to date. An instant classic. The Education Of Kevin Powell is available now through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and all major book retailers.
Gilliamesque: A Pre-Posthumous Memoir by Terry Gilliam. As the only American in Monty Python, Terry Gilliam provided a perfect counter to the dry British wit with his olf-kilter unique, but highly original animation pieces. Gilliam also emerged as a skilled filmmaker, co-directing Monty Python & The Holy Grail, Time Bandits, Brazil, The Fisher King, 12 Monkeys, and Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas, among others. Now for the first time, Gilliam tells his extraordinary story of how a kid from Minnesota became an integral part of one of the most influential comedy troupes of all time. Along with never before seen sketches and photos, Gilliam gives us an insider’s view of the New York, L.A. and London counterculture scenes of the 60s and 70s as well as his perspective from working in Monty Python. He also have fantastic stories about working with Robin Williams, Robert DeNiro, George Harrison, Uma Thurman, Jeff Bridges, Johnny Depp and many more. Gilliam also designed the book’s layout, which resembles many of the classic movie posters that accompanies all of his films. Funny, sharp and poignant, Terry Gilliam has put together a memoir that’s ranks with some of his best work. A must have for Python fans. Gilliamesque: A Pre-Posthumous Memoir is available now through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and all major book retailers. You can also go to www.terrygilliamweb.com for more information.
LISTEN TO THIS:
Now That Everything’s Been Said by The City. Before reaching super stardom on guitar and vocals, Charles Larkey on bass, and future Derek & The Dominoes drummer Jim Gordon. They formed shortly after King’s arrival in Laurel Canyon and in 1968 they released the debut album on Lou Adler’s Ode Records. Given the talent within the band and King’s already legendary status as songwriter, expectations were high. Unfortunately, Ode Records had distribution problems, then King’s stage fright prevented the band from touring. The City quietly disbanded and the album quickly went out of print for decades. But thanks to Light In The Attic, The City’s one and only album, Now That Everything’s Been Said is getting a much needed reissue. It foreshadows the explosion of singer-songwriters that came out of that scene and features King compositions that would become hits for other artists: ‘Wasn’t Born To Follow’ (The Byrds), ‘Hi De Ho’ (Blood, Sweat & Tears), ‘A Man Without A Dream’ (The Monkees) and the title track (American Spring). What’s extraordinary about this release is the confidence and ease everyone has with the material and playing off one another – even more so considering that they were all in the mid 20s and had only been a band for a short time. After spending her formative years writing for other artists, King sounds like a seasoned pro, rolling out her songs the way a parent presents their newborn child for the first time. The City serves a perfect bridge between the artistic zenith of Tapestry and the singer-songwriter period that would come to define the incoming decade. Its a lost gem that is finally getting a chance to shine. Now That Everything’s Been Said is available now through Amazon and through www.lightintherattic.net.
DO THIS:
New York City: The 42nd Village Halloween Parade. There’s no better way to spend Halloween night than at New York City’s Village Halloween Parade. Dos Equis pitchman Jonathan Goldsmith will be the emcee as the best of the best costumes, floats and freaks will march from Spring Street up to West 16th Street. Some of the marchers spend up to a year putting their outfits together and its become as much about fashion as it is about scaring up the locals and the tourists. Always a lot of fun. The 42nd Village Halloween Parade kicks at 7pm Halloween night. Go to www.halloween-nyc.com for more information.
New York City: The New York City Marathon. More than 50,000 runners will hit the strets of New York for the granddaddy of all marathons. Kenyans have dominated, winning the Men’s Open Division 10 times since 1997 and the Women’s Division 6 times since 2000. But the real stories are of those who ride in wheelchairs, run for various charities and those who are looking to finish the 26 mile course for the first time. Whether you are running or cheering along, this is an event that brings out all of the best that that the city has to offer. A lot of fun for the entire family. The New York City Marathon takes place on Sunday, November 1st. Go to www.tcsnycmarathon.org for complete information.
Los Angeles: Ghostbusters @ The Egyptian Theatre. Can’t wait for the reboot? Never saw the original on the big screen? Looking for a cool way to spend Halloween? Then go to The Egyptian Theatre tomorrow night as they will be presenting a 70mm screening of the 1984 classic. Watch Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and the late Harold Ramis plays parapsychologists who go into business catching ghosts and end up saving New York City in the process. We’ve all recited lines from this movie, but a chance to see it on a wide screen and in surround sound can’t be missed. If you afraid of ghosts, head on down to the Egyptian. Go to www.egyptiantheatre.com for tickets and more info.
Want more excellence? Read last week’s The Filtered Excellence and visit The Interrobang Recommmends
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