Bob Geldof once asked us, “Where is the filtered excellence!?” It’s right here. Here are this weeks picks of what to WATCH, what to DO what to TRY what to READ what to LISTEN TO and more:
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WATCH THIS:
Resevoir Dogs. In Theaters Nationwide. One Day Only! Quentin Tarentino’s writing and directorial debut still packs quite a punch nearly 20 years after its release. Harvey Keitel leads a character actors Hall Of Fame cast that includes the late Chris Penn, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Steve Buscemi and Lawrence Tierney about a diamond heist that goes horribly wrong and its fallout. An indie classic. Tuesday December 4 at 7:00 pm
Pulp Fiction. In Theaters Nationwide. One Day Only! This 1994 classic brought John Travolta back from the kid flick dead, made Samuel L. Jackson a household name and solidified Tarantino’s status as the premier writer-director of his generation. Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth and Ving Rhames lead the kickass cast about the L.A. mobsters, their underlings and the mysterious briefcase that everyone seems to want. A stone cold classic of the highest order. Thursday December 6 at 7:00 pm.
Beware of Mr. Baker. Ginger Baker was rock’s first great drummer, who’s style influenced everyone who’s ever sat behind a kit for over five decades. He’s also has a temperament so explosive (due most in part to a decades long heroin addiction ) that he’s been literally kicked out of countries. Musicians – even the ones who adore his playing – are reluctant to work with him. Jay Bulger interviews Baker’s former wives, children, friends, associates and Baker himself to give an intimate portrait of rock’s most influential – yet shunned – musicians. Beware Of Mr. Baker opens this week at The Film Forum.
Wagner and Me. Who better to introduce Americans to the music of Wagner than beloved Brit Stephen Fry. He combines pure joy, with an incredible wealth of knowledge to introduce us to the world to Wagner. He travels to the locations where Wagner composed and conducted music and gives a behind the scenes look at Germany’s Festival. But the real reason to see the movie is Fry’s personal conflict over his love of Wagner’s music despite Wagner’s anti-semitism, and the music’s ties to Adolph Hitler. Provocative and compelling viewing.
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LISTEN TO THIS:
XX- Rage Against the Machine. (20th Anniversary Special) On November 3rd, 1992, Rage Against The Machine released their debut album. An explosive fusion of hard rock, hip hop and political activism, Rage Against The Machine immediately became THE band of the alternative rock scene. To mark its 20th Anniversary, Sony Music, with cooperation from the band, has released a deluxe edition of this landmark album in various formats. Each edition contains the digitally remastered version of the original release, complete with a couple of bonus tracks. It’s the extras that make this collection worth buying. There’s a bonus disc containing the original demo tape the band sold at shows (and got them their deal with Sony Music); DVD’s containing a 2010 free show the band gave at Finsbury Park, music videos, concert clips (including RATM’s first public performance) and new liner notes by longtime fan Chuck D. This is a fitting look at one of the most influential bands of the last, well, 20 years. XX (20th Anniversary Special) is available at Amazon, Itunes and all digital outlets.
The Evens: The Odds. Blend together a couple of punk-infused musical talents- Ian MacKaye and Amy Farina, for example. Add MacKaye, the impassioned frontman of such iconic D.C. Hardcore Punk bands as Minor Threat and Fugazi, and Farina a massively talented drummer from The Warmers, and Ted Leo and The Pharmacists, and whaddaya get? The Evens. Well, you also get a kid, cause they’re married… but their sound may not be what you might expect, given the duo’s past musical background. On their third album: The Odds, their combined expertise generates what is a moodily melodic, very stripped-down sound. It’s Ian MacKaye’s baritone guitar, Amy’s emphatic drumming, and their voices. The resulting minimalist tracks therefore feel radically intimate and bare, allowing added elucidation to fervid lyrics about topics ranging from the state of US prisons to shitty music venues. It’s here that the duo’s punk and post-hardcore roots really burst through. The Odds is a great album by two of D.C.’s finest.
The Jazz Age by The Bryan Ferry Orchestra. The idea itself could potentially sound gimmicky: Love is the Drug or Virginia Plain performed in Roaring 20’s Jazz orchestral style? Leave it to Bryan Ferry to do it up right. Ferry re-recorded, and in many cases thoroughly re-imagined thirteen songs, spanning from Roxy Music’s catalog to his own solo work. In a career that, at this point, has measured 40 years, Ferry has become an iconic musical figure, not only as the lead of one of the greatest bands ever, but also as a performer with the uncommon skill that is the ability to cover other artists’ songs, resulting in compositions which sound fresh and ring all his own. Now with selections his own work performed by his own Jazz orchestra, he’s added to his many accomplishments the knack of being able to cover himself: his own songs, making them sound both old and new, without even singing a note. Beautiful music is the outcome.
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BROWSE THIS:
Fab.com. Yeah, it’s shopping, but even if you’re not spending money, fab.com is kinda fun. They focus on showcasing design of all kinds, some of it is retro, some of it innovate and new. You can always find something interesting and it’s a great spot to look for gift ideas. Some of the products they highlight are true excellence, and if nothing else, it’s eye candy.
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DO THIS:
Seattle: Hear My Train a Comin: Hendrix Hits London. Featuring lyrics, personal instruments, original photographs, outrageous outfits, and rare concert footage. At the EMP Museum at Seattle Center.
New Jersey: Lou Reed at BergenPAC. The lead singer from the Velvet Underground performs solo in Englewood NJ on Friday December 7th. Don’t miss your chance to watch a brilliant artist perform.
New York: Judith Owen and Harry Shearer’s Sing Along: If your’e in a hurry to get in the holiday spirit, head to City Winery on December 2. Actor/comedian Harry Shearer (The Simpsons, Le Show) and his wife, critically acclaimed singer/songwriter and humorist Judith Owen, present an evening of holiday music and mirth, and its just too unique an event to miss. Sunday December 2, at 8:00 pm.
New York: Revisionist Art: Thirty Works by Bob Dylan @ The Gagosian Gallery. In addition to being a master songwriter, musician and performer, Bob Dylan is also an outstanding painter, sketch and graphic artist. Starting this week, The Gagosian Gallery will be featuring several of Dylan’s re-interpretations of classic pop art. It’s a rare opportunity to see another side of one of most iconic artists. Revisionist Art: Thirty Works by Bob Dylan will be running at The Gagosian Gallery through January 12th.
Stamford, CT: And So This Is Christmas: The Artwork of John Lennon. Here’s a chance Friday, Saturday and Sunday (November 30 – December 2 only) to see John Lennon’s artwork and illustrations up close. This is presented by Yoko Ono and Legacy Fine Art & Productions with proceeds benefiting the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County. The exhibition includes John’s drawings and sketches that he did from his time with the Beatles and through the rest of his life. The art show will be at Stamford Hilton Hotel, 1 First Stamford Place.
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