The Filtered Excellence: April 16, 2014
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:
Elvis Costello: Mystery Dance. This new documentary shows how Declean McManus transformed into Elvis Costello and became an international superstar. Highlights include his blistering work with The Attractions; collaborating with artists ranging from Paul McCartney, T-Bone Burnett Burt Bacharach, to the The Brodsky Quartet and The Roots. Loaded with great songs, rare and never been seen live clips and new interviews with Costello, long time friend and producer Nick Lowe among others, Mystery Dance is a fascinating portrait of one of the most celebrated and prolific artists of the last 40 years.
Go to www.sho.com to run times and more information.
LISTEN TO THIS:
Sound & Color by Alabama Shakes. Alabama Shakes could’ve played it safe. They could’ve stuck with the gutty, gritty roots rock sound that dominated their debut hit album Boys & Girls and no one would’ve been mad nor blamed them. Instead, the band – Brittany Howard, Heath Fogg, Zac Cockrell and Steve Johnson – took some sonic and stylistic chances. Big chances. And it works. Sound & Light finds them making forays into psychedelia, tripped out funk, punk, metal, hazy soul and prog rock – all while retaining the distinctive sound that got to the party in the first place. This is how wild of a ride its been for Alabama Shakes: In 2009, the core of the band was still in high school working on songs. By 2011, they were the featured act at CMJ, were playing venues such as The Ryman Auditorium and The Troubadeour and got a rave review in the New York Times. By 2012, they had a hit album and closed out Bonnaroo. Now with this album, they are in prime position to be rock’s next great band, if they aren’t already. One of the year’s best.
Sound & Color [Clear Vinyl 2 X LP (Standard Weight) – Gatefold -includes download card]
You can also preview the album by following this link at npr.org.
Nothing New by Gil Scott-Heron. While recording the 2010 album, I’m New Here, Gil Scott-Heron re-recorded songs from his 40 year career featuring just him on piano. Titled Nothing New, the recordings were originally released on vinyl to coincide with Record Store Day. Now the album is available digitally along with a new documentary featuring family, friends and collaborators. Given his life experiences, legal troubles and struggles with addiction, tracks such as ‘Pieces Of A Man’ and ’95 South (All Of The Places We’ve Been) and ‘Better Days Ahead’ has a full life behind them. ‘Alien’ (Hold Onto Your Dreams)’ – which he wrote in 1980 about the plight of Mexican immigrants – sounds like it was written yesterday. As was the case with I’m New Here, the tracks are interspersed with studio dialogue that captures his wit, wisdom and insight. The 45 minute documentary is also very powerful as those close to Scott-Heron in his final years fondly remember what made him one of the most revered musician and social critics of his generation. This is a fitting coda to a musical giant.
Gil Scott-Heron: Nothing New Vinyl LP
You can also go to www.gilscottheron.net for more info.
READ THIS:
Words Without Music by Philip Glass. Philip Glass’ journey to becoming what the New York Times called ‘the most prolific and popular of all contemporary composers’, took him to the most unexpected places: his hometown of Baltimore, Chicago, New York, Pittsburgh, Paris, India, then back to New York, which Glass has called home since 1967. What happens during these travels is the basis of this riveting new memoir. Glass recalls growing up as a musical prodigy in post-World War II Baltimore; witnessing the French New Wave movement in Paris, encountering Tibetan refugees and meeting the Dali Lama; and supporting himself as a cabbie, furniture mover and plumber amidst a decaying New York in the 70s. Glass also gives us behind the scenes accounts of his collaborations with such artists as Allen Ginsberg, Ravi Shankar, Robert Wilson, Doris Lessing, Martin Scorsese, and many others. Glass walks us through his life (and key musical events of the second half of the 20th Century) with warmth, humor, rich detail, and, of course, great stories. Another master work from a one of our greatest composers.
Words Without Music: A Memoir
Go to www.philipglass.com for more information.
A Fine Romance by Candice Bergen. In this follow-up to her best-selling book, Knock Wood, Candice Bergen picks up where that book left off: Her marriage to director Louis Malle, becoming a mother and scoring the breakout role of her career with Murphy Brown. Bergen covers all of the highs and lows: Malle’s death from cancer, winning the Emmy for Murphy Brown, getting remarried, aging, and how Vice President Quayle’s criticism of a Murphy Brown storyline pulled her into the 1992 Presidential campaign. Bergen has put together another candid, funny and brutally honest look at life in and out of the spotlight.
A Fine Romance
It’s a Long Story: My Life by Willie Nelson with David Ritz. These are Willie’s stories told in Willie’s words. Not his first autobiography mind you, but then again quite a bit has happened to Willie since that one came out in 1988. You’ll feel his pain when he tells you how he sold his “memories” to escape IRS debt in the 90’s. You’ll no doubt enjoy a chuckle when he brings you up on the White House roof to fire up a fat one during the Carter administration. Willie reflects on the making of his albums. He invites us behind the writing of “Crazy.” (Patsy Cline’s recording of that song happens to be the biggest jukebox hit of all time!) Now in his 80’s Willie is friendlier than ever (perhaps even a bit more profane!) as he reflects back on his younger days and welcomes you into his present life as if you were a long lost pal. Dust off (or download) your copy of Willie’s Red Headed Stranger, a “concept” album widely hailed as the greatest album in country music, roll one up and let Uncle Willie take you away. Available on May 5, 2015
It’s a Long Story: My Life
DO THIS:
NATIONWIDE: Record Store Day. Conceived to celebrate and support independently owned record stores and the communities that spring from them, Record Store Day has quickly morphed into a global event. Spread out over nine countries, Record Store Day has become a great way for musicians to stay connected with their fans through exclusive releases, surprise appearances and live performances. Dave Grohl is this year’s Ambassador, spreading the record store gospel while contributing some exclusive Foo Fighters material to the cause. Artists such as Paul McCartney, David Bowie and Bob Dylan have taken part in past events and are among may expected to do so again. It’s always a fun day and a great way to recreate – and celebrate – the record buying experience.
Go to www.recordstoreday.com for a complete list of participating stores.
NEW YORK CITY: The Tribeca Film Festival. The 14th Annual edition of The Tribeca Film Festival will open with the premiere of Live From New York!, Bao Nguyen’s documentary on the 40th Anniversary of Saturday Night Live and will close with the 25th Anniversary screening of Goodfellas complete with a post-screening Q&A with the cast moderated by Jon Stewart. That alone is mind blowing, but it also include appearances by the surviving members of Monty Python (who will be premiering their new documentary as well as the 40th Anniversary screening of Monty Python And The Holy Grail, The Life Of Brian and Monty Python’s The Meaning Of Life); Mary J. Blige (who will perform following the screening a documentary based on her latest album, The London Sessions); Apple Store chats that will include among others, Arnold Schwartzenegger, Ethan Hawke, Lily Tomlin, Kevin Pollack and January Jones; over 100 feature films (30 of which feature female directors), and much more. This is THE premier film festival in the United States and its only getting bigger and better.
Go to www.tribecafilm.com for complete rundown of all of the events.
NEW YORK CITY: John Mellencamp. The iconic singer-songwriter is currently on an 80 date during in support of his latest album, Plain Spoken. Mellencamp, as it does with everything else, leaves it all out there during live shows despite surviving a heart attack and hitting an age when most people start to slow down. Stops on this tour includes a two nights at Carnegie Hall and The Apollo Theater. Given Mellencamp’s love for soul and R&B, don’t be surprised if he pulls out a cover or two.
Go to www.mellencamp.com for tickets and a complete rundown of tour dates.
NEW YORK CITY: Jeff Beck at The Capitol Theater. Universally recognized as one of the greatest guitarists in the world (and all-time), Jeff Beck will bring his 6 string wizardry to the legendary Capitol Theater in Portchester, NY. For this tour, he’s bringing back the new band that he debuted in 2014: bassist Rhonda Smith, guitarist Nic Meier, drummer Jonathan James and Lizzie Ball on violin. No word on whether or not he’ll be debuting material from the much discussed new album, but with a 40 plus year catalog to draw from, a Jeff Beck show is always a mesmerizing experience.
Go to www.thecapitoltheatre.com for tickets and additional info.
NEW YORK CITY: Steve Winwood at The Space. Throughout the course of his 50 year (!) career, Steve Winwood has been a blue eyed soul sensation; fronted one of the greatest super groups of all time (Blind Faith); a psychedelic-jam band pioneer (Traffic) and a solo career that has run the gamut from one man band projects, straight forays into pop, and a return to soul and R&B roots. Winwood will be a full array of hits, covers and other surprises to The Space @ Westbury. Come out and hear one of rock’s most eclectic and versatile elder statesmen.
Go to www.thespaceatwestbury.com for tickets.
CHICAGO: Zappa Plays Zappa. If you dismissed the works of Frank Zappa entirely on the song titles alone, you missed out on some of the most adventurous, daring and complex music irrespective of genre. Dweezil Zappa has carried on his father’s legacy with a tour that serves as both a tribute and a retrospective. Dweezil has emerged as a outstanding guitarist in his own right, its going to be great night for both the hardcore Zappa fan and for newbies.
Go to www.zappa.com for tickets and more information.
NEW YORK CITY: An Evening Of Music, Film, & Wine with Spike Lee. Spike Lee will visit The Windy City to discuss and show selections from all of his 36 films, including his latest film, Da Sweet Blood Of Jesus. There will also be six wines provided to match with specific films included in the chat. It’s an wonderful chance to get up close and personal with one of cinema’s most prolific filmmakers.
Go to www.citywinery.com/chicago for tickets.
LOS ANGELES: Faith No More In Concert. Before there was an alternative music scene, there was Faith No More. With the exception of Fishbone, no band blurred more musical lines than this band that was based out of The Bay Area. Their biggest hit, ‘Epic’ was a crazy mix of funk, hip hop and metal with a neo-classical coda. The band broke up in 1998, but reformed in 2009 and have been on tour ever since. Don’t expect this to be a revival show either: Faith No More will be featuring material from their first studio album in 18 years, Sol Invictus, which is out next month. Led by the never boring Mike Patton, Faith No More are always a wild ride, so strap in and be prepared for anything.
Go to www.wiltern.com for tickets.
LOS ANGELES: Rufus Wainwright at Saint Rocke. After taking a side turn into the world of opera, Rufus Wainwright returns to his pop/singer-songwriter roots with a show at Saint Rocke. This show is tailor made for long time fans: A complete retrospective of a career that has spanned seven studio albums and two live albums. When Elton John calls you ‘the greatest songwriter on the planet’, that’s good enough reason to go.
Go to www.saintrocke.com to get your tickets.
Want more excellence? Read last week’s The Filtered Excellence and visit The Interrobang Recommmends
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