The Filtered Excellence: June 6, 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:

The NBA Finals. One team is looking to cap its legacy. Another is trying to secure theirs. One legendary player is looking to add another title to his Hall Of Fame career. Another is looking to put his name on the list of Top 10 players to ever put on the uniform. The San Antonio Spurs, led by Tim Duncan and Tony Parker take on the LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and The Miami Heat for the NBA Championship.

2014 FIFA World Cup United States Qualifying Matches. Team USA will have 2 of their qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in the span of just 5 days. On Friday, June 7th, the United States travels to Kingston to take on Jamaica at 9:30pm Eastern. The game will be broadcast on beIN Sport TV. This channel may be hard to find. Go to beinsport.tv (http://www.beinsport.tv/bein-offer) to see if it’s available in your area. Then on Tuesday, June 11th, the United States faces Panama live from Seattle. That game will be aired live starting at 10pm Eastern on ESPN.

The 145th Belmont Stakes. Despite being denied a Triple Crown win, the Kentucky Derby winner “Orb” is the favorite to win in Elmont, New York. Orb is currently list as a 3-1 favorite. Oxbow, the horse that won the Preakness and ruined Orb’s Triple Crown bid is third favorite at 5-1 odds. This could be the rubber match between these two horses. “Revolutionary” listed at 9-2 odds, may be a spoiler for both horses’ day. Odds may change by post time. The Belmont Stakes coverage starts at 5pm Eastern on Saturday, June 8th on NBC.

A Token Of His Extreme, Frank Zappa. In 1974 Frank Zappa produced this show and presented it to television networks and syndication. Rejected by the American television industry, it has been shown during prime-time in France and Switzerland to rave reviews. Never commercially released until now, it is one of the more sought after Zappa accomplishments.

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LISTEN TO THIS:

Partygoing by Future Bible Heroes (released June 4, 2013). After over a decade, Future Bible Heroes are back with a new album! As one of several sidebands with The Magnetic Fields’ Stephin Merritt at the helm, the trio’s latest album, Partygoing, is geared towards a unique synthy electronica-based indie pop side of things. Merritt shares the singing with his Magnetic Field band-mate Claudia Gonson while keyboardist-DJ Christopher Ewen (formerly of Figures on a Beach) brings the synth-pop soundscape. Their sound is easily recognizable and fresh all at once, accentuated by Merritt’s signature style of lyricism: brilliantly absurd yet sharply clever writing. It’s the rare songwriter who is able to highlight feelings of desolation and angst about aging and loss with truly comedic verse, and here Stephin Merritt is extraordinarily skilled. It could all be so sad if it wasn’t all so dancey and hilarious. *Also out this week is their entire catalog release: Memories of Love, Eternal Youth, and Partygoing*

Brass Tactics EP, David Byrne & St. Vincent. Astute readers of the Filtered Excellence may recall that last year we recommended David Byrne & St. Vincent’s excellent “Love This Giant” In support of the album, Byrne and Annie Clark (aka St. Vincent) toured extensively. Rather than a straight performance of the album’s songs, Clark and Byrne augmented the sound with 8 choreographed brass players. Their approach was such a success that they are hitting the road again this summer. To give the fans a taste of these live shows, they have released an EP that includes a song that didn’t make it on to “Love This Giant”, two remixes, and a couple of live tracks given the full brass treatment (Clark’s “Marrow” and Byrne’s Talking Heads classic “Road to Nowhere”). It’s a great extension of “Love this Giant” and an excellent primer for this summer’s tour. Plus, it’s free, so there’s that.

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READ THIS:

Anyone Who Had A Heart: A Memoir by Burt Bacharach. One of the greatest writers and composers in pop history tells the stories behind all of the classic hit collaborations with Hal David, Dionne Warrick, Neil Diamond, Elvis Costello and much more. But at the heart of the book is the personal stories: The root behind the perfection that fuels him and how that drive ended three of his four marriages. Also for the first time, Bacharach opens up about his daughter Nikki, whose life long battle with Asperger Syndrome culminating with her suicide in 2007. With stories from family, friends, and collaborators, this is the definitive look at a pop music legend. Anyone Who Had A Heart is in stores now.

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DO THIS:

New York City: Dennis Hopper – The Lost Album @ The Gagosian Gallery. We all know Dennis Hopper the iconic actor, director, screenwriter and producer. But Hopper was also an exceptional photographer. The Lost Album collects over 400 black and white photographs that he shot between 1961 and 1967 that range from key moments in the civil rights movement (Hopper marched with Dr. King from Selma to Montgomery 1965) and intimate shots of famous friends (John Wayne, James Brown, Jane Fonda, etc), to Mexican bullfights and hippie gatherings. It’s an interesting look at a turbulent decade through the eyes and lens of one of its movers and shakers. Dennis Hopper – The Lost Album is at The Gagosian Gallery (980 Madison location) through June 22nd.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Pop Up Garden.  (Open now through Oct) Philly people and visitors to the city should seize the opportunity to experience the third annual Pop Up Garden brought to you by the Philadelphia Horticultural Society. As is their green-thumbing way, the PHS chooses a formerly neglected or otherwise bleh outdoor area and revamps the space into a beautifully landscaped inviting community space. This year, 313 South Broad Street has met metamorphosis. In its place is a beer garden on South Broad Street on the campus of the University of the Arts. Located across the street from the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Pop Up Garden is a calming oasis in the midst of the Broad Street action, sporting lush greenery and the aforementioned on-site beer garden, as well as a restaurant featuring a picnic-inspired menu created by Chef George Sabatino of Morgan’s Pier. Visitors can expect plenty of pop up musical and art performances here throughout the Summer.

Portland, Oregon: Boz Scaggs. It’s a night of both classic favorites and new songs with Boz Scaggs performing a special concert event at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall at the Portland Center For The Performing Arts. Boz will be doing the songs that made him a music icon and new material from his just released album “Memphis”. Tickets are still available. The show is Tuesday, June 11th at 7:30pm.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Saul Williams – Spoken Word. Poet and performer Saul Williams will be bringing his Spoken Word show to World Cafe Live in Philly. The star of the 1998 Sundance Grand Jury Prize winning film “Slam” performs his unique style of poetry in this amazing venue. Saul Williams – Spoken Word is Wednesday, June 12th at 8:00pm. Doors open at 7:00pm and this is an all ages show.

 

 

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The Editor

The Editor