The Filtered Excellence: February 20, 2021

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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 week’s 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.

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Patrice O’Neal: Killing Is Easy. 10 years after Patrice O’Neal’s shocking passing, his fiancé Von DeCarlo and long time friend Bill Burr put together this much deserved documentary for Comedy Central. Directed by Michael Bonfiglio (Gary Gulman: The Great Depresh), O’Neal – with the aid audio from various stand up shows and interviews – tells his own story about how he went from a stand out high school football player in Boston, to moving to New York and quickly becoming ‘your favorite comic’s favorite comic.’ It also explores how O’Neal’s refusal to move away from his philosophical brand of comedy hampered his chances of mainstream success, yet still managed to sustain a devoted following among his peers and with fans. With remembrances by long friends and colleagues Colin Quinn, Bill Burr, Kevin Hart, Jim Norton, Denis Leary, Dane Cook, Bonnie McFarlane, Rich Vos, and Keith Robinson, Bonfiglio has put together the ultimate coda to a comedic giant. Patrice O’Neal: Killing Is Easy premieres Friday, February 19th at 10pm on Comedy Central. It will also be available on Comedy Central On Demand and the Comedy Central App.

Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President. As voters headed to the polls for the 1976 Presidential Election, the populace found itself in a crisis of conscience. Still reeling from the Watergate scandal and The Vietnam War, voters were looking for someone who could restore trust and confidence to the highest office in the land. They would turn to Jimmy Carter, a former peanut farmer from Plains, Georgia, who had recently a groundbreaking run as the state’s Governor. Director Mary Wharton looks back at Carter’s unorthodox campaign, which combined down home American values with a open embrace of rock n roll, country and jazz that fit Carter’s vision. It also explores how Carter’s close ties to the arts carried over into his Administration, with some of music’s biggest names having immediate access to the Oval Office and perform an astonishing series of concerts on the South Lawn. Wharton delves into the series of events that crushed Carter’s re-election efforts and how he continued to devote his private life with a number of ongoing humanitarian efforts. With appearances by Bob Dylan, Gregg Allman, Willie Nelson, Paul Simon, Bono, Garth Brooks, Nile Rodgers, Madeline Albright, and Tricia Yearwood, Wharton has put together a unique, comprehensive look at the nation’s 39th President. Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President is available now on HBO Max.

Mr Soul. When Soul premiered on PBS in 1968, it was the first show that present the full scope and spectrum of the African-American artistic art. Created, produced and hosted by Ellis Hazlip, it featured some of the top names in music, dance, and literature, along with the leading political figures of the time. Hazlip’s niece Melissa and Sam Pollard directed this seminal documentary, which looks back at the show’s extraordinary 5 year run and the impact it left on Black – and American culture. To see clips of Harry Belafonte, Sidney Poitier, Diahann Carroll, Muhammad Ali, B.B. King, Angela Davis, Earth, Wind & Fire, Al Green, Amiri Baraka, and Sonia Sanchez, among the other extraordinary talents at the height of their creative powers, will blow your mind. But it also serves a long overdue tribute to Ellis Hazlip, a long time champion of the arts, civil rights, and a broadcasting pioneer. Come watch this incredible period of American history come back to lie. Mr Soul airs Monday, February 22nd on PBS at 10pm Eastern and will also be available on the PBS app.

LISTEN TO THIS

Call Me With Lisa Robinson. Since the early 1970s, Lisa Robinson has talked to the biggest names in music and covered some of rock’s most extravagant tours. Now she’ll tell about those experiences and more on her new weekly call in show on SiriusXM. The consummate storyteller, Robinson will pull back the curtain to reveal hidden truths, shut down long standing myths, and give you the fly on the wall perspective about what’s it’s like to live life in the arts. She’ll also answer all listener questions about your favorite musicians. It’s a much listen show for anyone who loves all facets about rock. Call Me With Lisa Robinson airs Wednesday nights at 7pm East on Volume, SiriusXM Channel 106.

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Patti Smith and Lenny Kaye: 50 Years Of Words And Music. In 1971, singer, songwriter, and poet Patti Smith performed with guitarist Lenny Kaye performed together for the first time. It marked one of the greatest pairings in rock history, producing such seminal albums such as Horses, Radio Ethiopia, Easter and Waves. To celebrate this milestone, Smith and Kaye will perform music from seminal works and tell stories about their 50 year friendship. Anyone who has seen them play live knows that they always turn it into a communal, transformative experience. Patti Smith and Lenny Kaye: 50 Years Of Words And Music happens on February 19th at 9pm East. You can go to www.pattismith.veeps.com for tickets and more information.

A Celebration Of The Musical Life Of The New York Dolls’ Sylvain Sylvain. When Sylvain Sylvain passed away in January, tributes came pouring in from all points of the globe. Now, the New York Dolls guitarist will be given a full on rock n roll send off with this online tribute. David Johansen, Debbie Harry and Clem Burke of Blondie, Lenny Kaye, Bebe Buell, Henry Rollins, Iggy Pop, Michael Des Barres, Jessie Malin and Bob Gruen are just some of the artists slated to appear, and there might be a surprise or two. Expect a big, loud sent off for one of the most beloved members of the downtown New York rock scene. A Celebration Of The Musical Life Of The New York Dolls’ Sylvain Sylvain is available now though February 21st. You can go to www.RollingLiveStudios.com/collections/sylvain-sylvain-box office for tickets and more information.

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Earl Douglas

Earl Douglas is a writer/photographer based in New York City. A frequent contributor to The Interrobang, Earl is also Executive Director for the New York chapter of The Black Rock Coalition. Earl worked in radio for nearly two decades at WNEW-FM and XM Satellite Radio, which included being the on-air producer for Carol Miller, Scott Muni and Ron & Fez, and a contributor to Opie & Anthony. Earl has also independently published a number of books including Black Rock Volume 1, Urban Abyss, Mobile Uploads, and For Shimmy. His latest project is the photojournalism magazine PRAXIS, which is available exclusively through Blurb.com.
Earl Douglas
Earl Douglas
Earl Douglas is a writer/photographer based in New York City. A frequent contributor to The Interrobang, Earl is also Executive Director for the New York chapter of The Black Rock Coalition. Earl worked in radio for nearly two decades at WNEW-FM and XM Satellite Radio, which included being the on-air producer for Carol Miller, Scott Muni and Ron & Fez, and a contributor to Opie & Anthony. Earl has also independently published a number of books including Black Rock Volume 1, Urban Abyss, Mobile Uploads, and For Shimmy. His latest project is the photojournalism magazine PRAXIS, which is available exclusively through Blurb.com.