The Filtered Excellence: June 20, 2013

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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:

Crossing Lines. Emmy and Golden Globe winner Donald Sutherland brings his 50 plus years of acting experience to network television in the new NBC drama “Crossing Lines”. This new crime series features a team of investigators traveling the world to bring global criminals to justice in the International Criminal Court. “Crossing Lines” also stars William Fichtner and premieres Sunday, June 23rd at 9pm Eastern on NBC.

 

Big Brother 15. The Summer reality show tradition is back and back early this year. “Big Brother 15” debuts 2 weeks early in this extended season. Of course, watch for new twists this year as the houseguests battle each other to avoid eviction. The new season of “Big Brother” premieres Wednesday, June 26th at 8pm Eastern. Also, “Big Brother” has a new schedule this season with episodes airing on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays.

 

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READ THIS:

The Kid Stays In The Picture by Robert Evans. Robert Evans’ explosive tales of power, betrayal, success, failure and redemption redefined the Hollywood memoir when it was released in 1994. The audiobook version of the book – with Evans’ distinctive voice and colorful use of language supplying the text – all but put the format on the map. A film version of the book followed in 2004 and In preparation of the highly anticipated (and much-delayed) sequel The Fat Lady Sang, Harper Collins is re-issuing the book to a new generation of readers. It features a new introduction by Evans along with scores of never before seen photographs from his archive. It’s the perfect look into the last golden age of Hollywood from the studio head and producer who was in the center of the storm. A must read. The Kid Stays In The Picture is available now through all major book retailers.

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LISTEN TO THIS:

Sound The Alarm by Booker T. Jones. After 50 years in the music business, Booker T. Jones is showing no signs of slowing down. Sound The Alarm is his 3rd album in 3 years and marks his return to Stax Records, the label that he and his former band, The MG’s, practically put on the map. On this effort, he bridges generation gaps by bringing aboard brothers Bobby Ross Avila and Issiah “IZ” Avila (best known for their work with Usher, Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliot, Chaka Khan and Earth, Wind & Fire) to co-produce and play bass and drums on the bulk of the album. Legendary producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis were also brought in to produce 2 tracks as well. You would think that with all of the talents behind the boards that the inevitable flood of A-list celebrity guest appearances would not be far behind. Instead, Jones and company bring in vocalists that best serve the song: Anthony Hamilton (why isn’t this dude, like, HUGE?!?), Mayer Hawthorne, Gary Clark, Jr, Raphael Saadiq, Jay James, Luke James, Vintage Trouble, Sheila E. and Poncho Sanchez (who light up the Latin jazz jam ’66 Impala’. Sound The Alarm is also a family affair: Jones’ son Ted is the featured guitarist on the appropriately titled ‘Father Son Blues’ and ‘Watch You Sleeping’ is a duet between Jones and Kori Withers, daughter of Bill Withers (Jones produced Withers’ first two hits back in 1971). Sound The Alarm is a great mix is classic soul and jazz with splashes of contemporary R&B mixed in. It’s another triumph for one of the greatest musicians of the last half century. Sound The Alarm will be available on June 25 through Amazon, Itunes and all digital music outlets.

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DO THIS:

NEW YORK CITY: Frampton’s Guitar Circus. Peter Frampton is out on the road this summer and added a great twist: He’s invited some of his favorite guitarists to sit in, jam and back them up on some of their best known songs. So far, Robert Cray, Steve Cropper and Roger McGuinn have appeared, with B.B. King, former Eagle Don Felder, Leslie West, Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Los Lobos’ David Hidalgo, Steve Lukather of Toto, Larry Carlton and Sonny Landreth scheduled to appear through the tour. If that wasn’t enough, each show will be recorded and sold in a digital format. For guitar fans, this is like a nightly all-star game. One of the can’t miss shows of the summer. Frampton’s Guitar Circus will be at The Paramount in Huntington, Long Island on June 23rd, and The Beacon Theatre on June 27th.

  • You can go to www.frampton.com for a complete tour listing and which special guests will be appearing.

NEW YORK CITY: The Coney Island Mermaid Parade 6/22. The world’s largest art parade almost didn’t happen this year due to the after effects of Hurricane Sandy. But thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign, it’s back and i is now the symbol of Coney Island’s resurgence. Expect all of the colorful characters to stroll along the boardwalk with Judah Friedlander and Carole Radziwill as the parade’s King and Queen. A great way to officially kick off the summer.

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK:  Kate’s Kids. Rufus and Martha Wainwright host a tribute benefit for their mother, singer – songwriter Kate McGarrigle at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Howard Gilman Opera House. Special guests include Norah Jones, Emmylou Harris and Mark Ronson. The evening honors the legacy of Kate with performances of her music by her children. Proceeds from the evening benefit The Kate McGarrigle Foundation, dedicated to Sarcoma research. Kate’s Kids is Wednesday, June 26th at starting at 7:30pm.

The Editor

The Editor