The Filtered Excellence: October 23, 2020
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.
WATCH THIS
On The Rocks. Sophia Coppola wrote and directed this new Apple TV movie that also reunites her with Lost In Translation co-star Bill Murray. It stars Rashida Jones as Laura, who’s struggling to maintain footing within her marriage to Dean (Marlon Wayans), raising two young daughters, and finding her own voice as a writer. Her insecurities worsen when she notices that Dean is spending more time at the office with his younger, attractive co-worker Fiona. She calls her father, the wealthy art dealer Felix (Bill Murray) for advice, who quickly surmises that Dean’s having an affair. Armed with shaky intel, a classic car and caviar, Felix convinces Laura to follow her husband to confirm their suspicions. But they slowly comes to realize that there’s growing cracks in their own fractured relationship. After making a Southern Gothic detour with 2017’s The Beguiled, Coppola returns to many of themes explored in Lost In Translation, but this time based on life experiences and a father-daughter dynamic. Jones is fantastic as Laura, capturing the character’s overwhelmed sense of juggling martial and parental duties, while still trying to meet her own personal needs. Murray is also in good form as Laura’s well connected, always on-the-make dad, adding just enough charm and wit that never goes over the top. Skillfully using a pre-COVID New York City as a backdrop, Coppola has added another strong film to an already impressive catalog. On The Rocks is available now on Apple TV.
David Byrne’s American Utopia. Before COVID shut down Broadway, David Byrne and Spike Lee teamed up to film David Byrne’s critically acclaimed Broadway show. Backed by a 10 piece wireless band, the show explores how the human brain works, American ideals and all of the quirks and complexities attached to it. While the emphasis is on his 2018 album of the same name, there’s a healthy selection of Talking Heads classics – ‘Once In A Lifetime’, ‘Slippery People’, ‘Burning Down The House’, ‘Road To Nowhere’, ‘Born Under Punches’ – that tie in perfectly with the concept. The pairing of Byrne and Spike Lee might sound odd on paper, but the combination couldn’t be more perfect when songs with political undertones – ‘Bullet’, ‘One Fine Day’ are presented. The most powerful moment comes when Byrne’s cover of Janelle Monae’s ‘Hell You Talmbout is interspersed with photos of the men and women who were killed in confrontations with police. Working as both analysis, critique and a celebration, it’s another winner from a rock iconoclast. David Bryne’s American Utopia is available now on HBO Max.
Just Dropped In To See What Condition My Rendition Was In by Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings. This new compilation collects all of the cover songs that the group recorded for tribute albums, movie soundtracks, commercials, and TV shows. Some of the songs – Stevie Wonder’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered, ‘Little By Little’, (made famous by Dusty Springfield) and Fontella Bass’ ‘Rescue Me’ – are tailored made to fit their their vintage 60s sound. But when they apply their approach to songs such as Janet Jackson’s ‘What Have You Done For Me Lately’, Prince’s ‘Take Me With U’ and Shuggie Otis’ ‘Inspiration Information’, it reaffirms that The Dap Kings are as much top flight arrangers as they are a world class band. Hearing Jones effortless take on this wide array of material is a sad reminder of what the music world lost when she passed away in 2016. Fortunately for those who loved her, we have this album and others to remember her tremendous and memorable contributions to pop culture. Just Dropped In To See What Condition My Rendition Was In by Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings is available now through all major streaming services.
Letter To You by Bruce Springsteen. After exploring Southern California pop on last year’s Western Stars, Bruce Springsteen brings back The E Street Band for his 20th album. Recorded in November 2019 at his New Jersey home studio in just five days, Bruce celebrates the power of rock n roll, the hidden beauties within a three minute single, and how it forged lifelong friendships and alliances. It’s also a moving elegy to George Theiss, a long time friend who played in Bruce’s first band The Castilles; keyboardist Danny Federeci, and, of course, The Big Man, Clarence Clemons, whose spirits can still be felt throughout the set. Bruce also revisits three songs that he wrote back in 1972, but never recorded: Janey Needs A Shooter, Songs For Orphans, and If I Was The Priest which finds the now 70 year Springsteen tackling material written by a 22 year old version of himself. There’s songs that will wreck you (‘One Minute You’re Here’, ‘I’ll See You In My Dreams’) coupled with ones that will rock you (‘Ghosts’, ‘Burning Train’) all driven by a band that’s the best in the business. One of the year’s best. Letter To You by Bruce Springsteen is available now through all major streaming services.
Cuttin’ Grass – Vol 1 (Butcher Shoppe Sessions) by Sturgill Simpson. Sturgill Simpson has spend nearly a decade of shapeshifting country to incorporate psychedelic rock, alternative and full volume rock n roll. While battling COVID, Simpson actively interacted with fans online to help support some of his favorite charities, and made good on a promise to record a bluegrass album. Freed from illness and quarantine, Simpson and a crew of bluegrass’ best hired guns went to the famed Butcher Shoppe Studios and had a full on backyard romp through his back catalog, running the spectrum to Texas swing, and country waltzes, to jazz dances and rural hoedowns. For Simpson, who sat in on bluegrass jam sessions during his formative years, it all comes full circle and we are all the better for it. Another startling left turn from one of the best in the game. Cuttin’ Grass – Vol 1 (Butcher Shoppe Sessions) by Sturgill Simpson is available now through all major streaming outlets.
DO THIS
Wear A Mask.
Practice Social Distancing.
Wash Your Hands.
Stay safe.
Read last week’s Filtered Excellence
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