The Filtered Excellence: April 12, 2012

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Bob Geldof once asked us, “Where is the filtered excellence!?” Its 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:

Marley. We’re posting this one a week early as we’re expecting theater tickets to go fast next Friday.  The long awaited authorized biography of the legendary reggae singer, Bob Marley, hits theaters in one week.  Yes, that’s right, it opens in theaters, and becomes available online on 04.20.12.  Directed by Oscar winning director Kevin Macdonald, it’s the first Bob Marley documentary that is being released with the approval and assistance of his family.  In fact, son Ziggy Marley served as executive producer for the film. You’ll also be able to stream it on Facebook for a rental fee of $6.99.

Talking Heads: Chronology.  We recommended this back in December, but now that Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz are out promoting the DVD, we thought we’d remind those of you who haven’t grabbed Chronology yet, to check it out.  Don’t miss this tremendous collection of rare live performances,  including, Psycho Killer recorded at CBGBs  only the second or third time the band had ever played, a performance on American Bandstand (the only lip synced performance the Talking Heads ever did), audio commentary, interviews and more.

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LISTEN TO THIS:

Slipstream, by Bonnie Raitt.  Bonnie’s slide-guitar playing throughout Slipstream is exquisite, as is her voice, which glides between clarion warmth and energy, and a bluesy raspy growl. She has a way of taking a line and delivering it so uniquely; a demeanor that drives the listener to reconsider even a familiar phrase. Some of Slipstream’s examples of this particular skill can be heard in covers of Bob Dylan songs found on the 1997 album Time Out of Mind. Bonnie’s rendition of Million Miles, is all moody, slow and spooky blues while Standing in the Doorway  is beautifully achy, with a touch of country blues and soul.   Slipstream is Bonnie Raitt’s first album in 7 years, and it’s a great one. Now available.

Boys & Girls, Alabama Shakes. If you’re a faithful reader of Filtered Excellence, then you already know about the Alabama Shakes. Anchored by a blistering set at the CMJ New Music Festival, the Shakes cemented their reputation as one of the standout live acts of 2011. We told you to go see them before they got huge, and if their new album Boys & Girls is any indication, that’s about to happen. Even with high expectations, this album delivers. The band sounds just as in tight in studio as they do in a live setting, and Brittany Howard’s soulful vocals evoke the power and emotion of Janis Joplin.

Women & Work, Lucero. On 2009’s excellent 1372 Overton Park, alt-country/punk heroes Lucero decided to embrace their Memphis roots, sounding equal parts Stax and Sun Records. On their most recent release, Women & Work, the band continues on the same stylistic path. They seems to have gotten even more comfortable with this sound, releasing another stand-out group of songs. Think the greatest bar band you’ve ever seen with horns and great songwriting. Standout tracks include “Women & Work” and “On My Way Downtown.”

Before Turning the Gun on Himself, Doug Stanhope.   When Ricky Gervais calls someone  “the most important stand up working today”, it’s a pretty strong recommendation.    Stanhope moves beyond attacking sacred cows, and you’ll find him reflecting more on how he has given you all the answers but no one has listened.    He tackles some serious subjects, with a very smart, no-bullshit approach.  You will be reprimanded, but hang in for the ride, it’s worth it.  If it doesn’t sound funny, you’ll just have to trust us.  It is.

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READ THIS:

2030 by Albert Brooks. Now Available in Paperback. 2030 is a book that everyone can enjoy. On one level, it’s an entertaining page turner about the future with a great story. On another level it’s smart, prophetic, somewhat dark, and very troubled.  On both levels its an insightful examination of our current culture, and a stern look at the things that motivate mankind. Brooks, of course, offers this dose of reality with that nice spoonful of sugar that fiction provides, along with plenty of comedy, humanity, and inventiveness.

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BROWSE THIS:

Hollywood & Swine.   It’s entertainment news as if it was brought to you by the Onion. Where else but this very funny site would you find articles like “Disney Desperate to Save Sci-fi Epic: Renames it “Tyler Perry’s John Carter” and “New Federal Law Will Make it Legal to Punch Assholes Who take Too Long Picking a Movie at Redbox.”

 

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DO THIS:

Faces, Times and Places by Ronnie Wood. The iconic guitarist for the Stones and The Faces is also a world reknown painter. His portraits have been the subject of several books and has displayed in galleries around the world. To coincide with his second induction into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, ‘Faces, Times and Places’ – a series of portraits that includes Jack Nicholson, Slash, and of course, The Rolling Stones – will be on view at 498 Broome Street in New York City through June 30th. Here’s another excellent opportunity to see another side of a great musician.

Filmmaker in Focus: Philip Kaufman at MoMa. Philip Kaufman, one of the more innovative, provocative and underrated filmmakers ever, gets a much deserved retrospective at The Musuem Of Modern Art through April 16th. The series will include his 1964 debut Goldstein, The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid (featuring Cliff Robertson and Robert Duvall), The Right Stuff and The Unbearable Lightness Of Being. As an added bones, Kaufman will be on hand to introduce the films and post-screening Q&As. A wonderful opportunity to get up and close and personal with a cinema legend.

Smorgasburg is back! Brooklyn Flea’s gigantic all food market happens every Saturday, rain or shine, on the Williamsburg waterfront. GO HUNGRY, bring cash, people who like to share, and have a game plan: Survey the scene first. Walk around, scope, sample, and then plan your feast accordingly because here you will find an almost overwhelming amount of some of the best locally made NYC regional artisanal foods in one place- nearly 100 vendors, everything from McClure’s Pickles delicious products to Liddabit Sweets ‘ grown up candy bars, and all kinds of cuisines in between. It’s like a farmer’s market meets food stand city overlooking the East River and Manhattan skyline.

 

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Want more!? Check out last week’s edition of, The Filtered Excellence.

Be a part of our team! Send us your picks for the best things to listen to, watch, read, browse, and do in your corner of the world.  Email us at editor@theinterrobang.com with your Filtered Excellence.

Interrobang Staff

Interrobang Staff