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Archive: August, 2010
Filed Under: Now See This | Video
From the department of Things That Make Me Sad/Laugh: NBC's awesome mockery of my job, FCU: Fact Checkers Unit, debuts three new digital episodes today at factcheckersunit.com.
The web series is based on the "adventures" of a fact-checking crack team at made-up celebrity mag Dictum, who diligently check every article for accuracy before it goes to print (just like City Paper!) while wearing awesome FCU suits (I usually just put on a cardigan and my reading glasses). The opening of the ep "Paranormal Factivity," with appearances by Kristen Schaal and Luke Perry, sets up the team for a mission to prove that the 90210 dreamboat's house is, indeed, haunted.
Click the link above to watch all three videos, or go here to take NBC's fact-checking entry exam.
There are so many awesome female comedians out there right now and it's sickening to see them NOT get their fair share of the attention. I'd even go as far as saying that the current batch of female comics is BETTER than the male. Here's the 4 TOP CURRENT COMEDIENNES: http://www.digitallizardproductions.com/daily-fournication-08.16.10--top-4-current-comediennes.html
Filed Under: Ice Cubes
We would be unhappy with the British right now — what with all that damnable BP oil stuff, Tony Blair getting our Liberty Medal and don't even get us started on Nigel Lythgoe — but sometimes we have to just look at the British in awe, like we did this weekend.
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| © Scott Weiner 2010 |
| Emma Thompson at the Free Library |
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| © Sam Wix |
| Paul McCartney at the Wells Fargo Center |
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| Photo | Brian Howard |
Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer
"Jet" led into the Fab Four's "All My Loving" into Wings' "Letting Go" into Revolver's "Got To Get You Into My Life" (with creepy footage from Beatles Rock Band on the big screen) into The Fireman's "Highway" (and thanks to MAG for the setlist shot). But the show, while pandering on occasion, was more than just music and a massive video/lighting rig. McCartney told tales, some of which felt on the tallish side, but history's written by the victors (or in this case, the survivors). After a brief riff on Jimi Hendrix' "Foxy Lady," Paul recounted how Jimi, while playing in England, learned material from the Friday release of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band for his show that Sunday. With The Beatles in attendance, Hendrix played from the album and, during a solo, leaned so hard on his whammy bar that his guitar became hopelessly out of tune. As per Paul, Jimi got on the mic and asked, "Is Eric here?" hoping to borrow a guitar or at least have Mr. Clapton re-tune his. These nuggets, entertaining even when they weren't particularly revelatory, added context to what felt at stretches long runs of silly love songs.
This was a night for shout-outs and dedication. They played "1985" "for the Wings fans," "My Love" "For Linda and all the lovers," "Here Today" for John and "Blackbird" which, Paul explained was inspired by the U.S. civil rights movement. Then he whipped out a mandolin for "Dance Tonight," and it should be noted that there's a distinct difference between the people who go nuts for the old Beatles stuff (ie. all the 50- and 60-year-old ladies dancing like 15- and 16-year-olds) and the people who especially go nuts for stuff off of Memory Almost Full.
The evening's most touching sequence came when McCartney took to the ukelele and explained that George Harrison was one heck of a uke player, a member of the George Formby fan club. Before a video montage of photos spanning Harrison's career that had most of the crowd misty, McCartney recounted learning "Something" on the tiny four-string then proceeded to play it, solo at first, then backed by the band.
The evening's odd political moment: Behind The Fireman's "Sing the Changes," a blurred image of Barack Obama that burst into digital fireworks appeared, though the President's name was never uttered.
There was, of course, "Band on the Run," "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" ostensibly for the first time in Philly, "Back in the USSR" (a song whose continued popularity is at least a little amusing in the midst of the new Red Scare) and "I've Got a Feeling" (and its "everybody had a wet dream" line played kinda funny in this crowd of oldsters and kids).
A version of "A Day in the Life" lurched into "Give Peace a Chance"; a giant peace sign — perhaps the most anachronistic image to hit the video screen — prompted to the odd sight a packed Wells Fargo Center giving the peace sign in unison.
McCartney ascended to the grand piano stage left to perform "Let It Be," his hulking face and its reflection in the piano cover looming on the video board behind him. It was hard to not imagine the hirsute 26-year-old at Twickenham Studios, to ponder the differences between that Paul and this one.
The band parlayed the crowd's singsongy bliss into the intro of "Live and Let Die" whose big dynamic switch was marked by flames exploding from the footlights, the heat from which could be felt some 20 rows back. It was a gasp-inducing moment; reminiscent of the bombast of G n' R's cover; and a nice wake-up for me, though I worried about the tickers of some of the oldsters in my row.
The first set concluded with a full-crowd singalong of "Hey Jude" played by McCartney on a multi-colored upright.
After a quick sweep of the stage, the band re-emerged, McCartney carrying a Pennsylvania flag (which, if it was brought out as an applause prop, was a bit of a mis-calculation; a Phillies flag would have played better with this crowd) and a bandmate the Union Jack before charging through "Day Tripper," "Lady Madonna" and "Get Back."
The second encore began with a solo acoustic "Yesterday," a brief interlude for fan interaction and then "Helter Skelter," compete with vertiginous camera zooms on the video screens
"There comes a time when we have to go home," said Paul, which prompted the first boos of the evening (and perhaps the building's first as the WFC). "It roughly coincides with the time you have to go home." The band closed with a medley of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band (Reprise)" and "The End," sending the crowd out, in a shower of confetti, feeling perhaps not challenged by the set, but certainly like their $100 had been well spent.
(Oh, and fwiw, most of this show, as well as the Sunday show, are already up on YouTube, so have at it.)
You sound quite condescending when referring to those who have merely survived long enough to appreciate life and live it to the fullest (ie. all the 50- and 60-year-old ladies dancing like 15- and 16-year-olds.) God forbid anyone over 40 should have any fun... Be sure to save this column so you can re-read it when (and if) you are lucky enough to turn 50. You may find that you have a different perspective.
@Linda: I regret that that line came off as condescending to you. Chalk it up to my shortcomings as a writer. Let me clarify: Honestly, I found it nothing short of amazing the number of older people — particularly women, including my mother who was standing next to me — who were dancing like it was 1964.
Hi, Mr. Howard-- Thanks for your generally positive review, which is also one of the most literate I've seen on the web. I did think that in a couple of places you indulged in what the old New Yorker would have called "vivid writing." Specifically, in your first sentence, you call McCartney a "total applause whore." The term "whore" implies very strongly that there's nothing McCartney won't do for applause, that he's selling himself in some morally degrading way. The situation with McCartney is a bit more complicated, I think, and there's no evidence that he'd do anything for applause. He pays constant and careful attention to the way all the songs sound, but in the Beatles' production studios, that was seen as a strength. He really doesn't tolerate slop; he's proud of the level of music he and the band are producing live. And in any rock concert, there is an energy feedback loop between the artists and the audience. If the audience enthuses loudly, the band plays harder and everybody's enjoyment increases. He plays as hard and as well as he can. He aims to give good value for every dollar the fans spend to get there, including the ones in the nosebleeds. The term "media whore" is also a bit sexist, but I won't harp on that. Again, you write well, and I hope you'll eschew inaccurate metaphors, because you really don't need them.
According to this reviewer, "much of the crowd merely tolerated the more recent material." But isn't that the case at every concert? The more well known material ALWAYS gets a bigger audience response. At MGMT concerts, the loudest response is for a song like "Kids," and the audience sits back a bit to hear MGMT's new stuff. The same is true at a Radiohead concert, or any concert for that matter. Yet you make this comment about McCartney as if it's some kind of reflection on the quality of his latest record, Electric Arguments (which is really good, by the way.) Reviewers always seem to do this kind of thing to McCartney.
Somebody got tickets for $100 ? Wow. Nice recap of the set list, but how did McCartney SOUND ? Isn't that supposed to be part of a concert review? Was the band good..was the sound system good... did he hit any of the high notes or was his voice shot ? We can get the official set list 1001 different places - I want to know what it was like to HEAR the last last living (oops...forgot Ringo)... you know what I mean....
Dude..you don't turn into a mummy when you hit 40...50...60... The only thing that happens is that all the babies you raised become your new adult friends, suddenly you've got no kids and more friends. What's not to dance about ? Seriously, everyone is shaped by the music of their youth and "Green Day" is never gonna replace the Beatles if you're in your 50s or 60s. Get it?
Oh, and PS... the band members have NAMES...and bios. And in this case lots and lots of experience. Did you know, or bother to find out, that McCartney's unbelievably great drummer, Abe Laboriel Jr....has a father (also named Abe Laboriel..thus the "Jr") who is also a mega studio/jazz musician. I'll let you research what Mr. Laboriel Sr. plays - it isn't drums, but I will tell you that daddy has been on over 4000 recordings, many of which are probably somewhere on your iPod. Just saying. PS - Don't worry about the tickers of those of us in our 50s and 60s...we made it through Vietnam (and a lot of other s**t) we'll make it through a couple of stage cannons.
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| The Joe Dante classic Piranha was one of the offerings from the 2009 Horrorthon |
- Creepshow (1982)
- Godzilla on Monster Island (1972)
- The Fly (1986)
- The Oblong Box (1969)
- Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984)
- Raw Force (1982)
- The Next Victim/The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh (1971)
- City of the Walking Dead (1980)
- Hercules in the Haunted World (1961)
- Trauma/Exposé/The House on Straw Hill (1976)
- Lady Terminator (1988)
- The Children (1980)
- Piranha (1978)
- Re-Animator (1985)
Filed Under: Music
Monday: Ska music has a long, multicultural history from '50s Jamaican popular music to No Doubt's filtered-through-The OC version of the genre. In the middle of this trajectory, lies the U.K.'s storied 2 Tone label. Founded in the late '70s by The Specials' keyboardist Jerry Demmers, 2 Tone fostered a scene of multi-racial bands combining ska rhythms, punk energy and mod style for something quite revolutionary at the time. 2 Tone vets, The English Beat (known simply as The Beat across the pond), are still going strong, and they're bringing their checkered goodness to Philly tonight. Bring your skanking shoes. w/ Bad Manners, 8 p.m., $28-$40, World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400.
Tuesday: The Delta Mirror makes some wonderfully spacious shoe-gaze tunes tempered by downtempo electronic beats and moody keys. It's ideal headphone music, for sure, but presumably just as dreamy when performed live. w/ The Ropes & Soars, 8 p.m., $10, Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 215-291-4919.
Wednesday: If you're still partied out from Sunday's Making Time Pool Party by midweek (even if it was a little wet) — well, dear reader, it's time to rally. There'll be another dance party a-ragin', courtesy of Canadian glitch-pop masterminds Crystal Castles, whose sound shifts from synth dreamscape to 8-bit aural assault. The show's openers — including Mad Decent's Rusko and Dave P of Making Time —shouldn't disappoint either. In other words, prepare to break a sweat. w/ Rusko, Sinden, Destructo, & Dave P, 8 p.m., $25-28, 421 N. 7th St., 1-215-627-1332
Thursday: It feels pretty safe to say that World Cafe Live has the legends-of-reggae-subgenres-and-derivatives beat covered this summer. First they had dancehall king Barryington Levy, and now they've got ska revivalists The English Beat and legendary dub producer and reggae musician Lee "Scratch" Perry performing in the same week. Check out the ever-inventive rhythms of Perry —who's produced everyone from the Wailers to the Clash and is still putting out his own new work — for a little Reggae, Etc. 101. w/ Lionize, Ruder1 & Rob Paine, 8 p.m., $25-38, World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400.
Friday: It's a good month for raspy-yet-sweet male vocals. One pair of husky-piped fellows is releasing new albums — David Gray and Ray LaMontagne, respectively — and stopping through the Philly area to support them. In particular, it'll be a delight to hear Mr. Montagne continue his path toward a lighter, but still soulful sound — now co-billed with his rootsy backing band, the Pariah Dogs. Here's to hoping he breaks out his ode to Meg White (hear it above!). 7:30 p.m., $35-65, Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbor Blvd., Camden, N.J., 856-365-1300.
Saturday: Kick it old school tonight with the Funky Fresh Flashback Tour Vol. 2. It's sure to be a blast from the hip-hop past with duos EPMD and Nice and Smooth, as well as solo rapper-turned-producer, Kwamè. w/ EPMD, Kwamé & Nice and Smooth, 9 p.m., $35-50, Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 215-922-6888
Sunday: While you might remember her for the once-omnipresent, slightly controversial hit single "One of Us," Joan Osborne has been quietly plugging away as singer-songwriter well beyond her '90s one-hit-wonder-dom. w/ Carsie Blanton, 7:30 p.m., $33, Sellersville Theater, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville, Pa., 215-257-5808
Remember when everyone was all like, "OMReeseWitherspoonOwenWilsonPaulRuddJackNicholson!" This is why. How Do You Know, in theaters December 17, looks like your average James L. Brooksian-comedy — family drama, love, loss, a couple sight gags and lots of heart — that can be either insta-classics (Broadcast News, Terms of Endearment) or can kind of suck (Spanglish, I'll Do Anything). So really the only thing we learn from this trailer — featuring Reese Witherspoon as an ex-softball player who must choose between Washington National Owen Wilson or indicted, unemployed businessman Paul Rudd — is that a) Delancey Street can look like both New York City and Washington, D.C., b) Reese Witherspoon will probably end up with Paul Rudd in the end and c) James Brooks hates proper punctuation. But hey! Look! It's Herc! RELATED >> James L. Brooks' Philly-shot movie has a title, release date
Filed Under: In Memoriam | Music
Joy, diluted
It's been the absolute fastest moving five days of non-stop music I've ever known. Can't believe Piping Live! — aka the Glasgow International Bagpipe Festival — is all over but the After Worlds Shindig. Worlds refers to the World Championship Pipe Band competition now underway on Glasgow Green. Music on a smaller scale is what I'm after, what I've had, with pipe bands practicing in the courtyard of this student residence. Pure magic of accessible scale shall not be spoiled by a seething crowd of 40K and hustling parades of band after band.
So what is it that has diluted the joy you ask? Time to send prayers up for the memory of Steve Jordan, brilliant tejano musician. He is released from the suffering that liver cancer brought on, passing on his regular Salute's gig night.
If you have an hour to spare there is no better way to get into Steve Jordan's music and life than this LatinoUSA radio show with slide presentations.
Check back here in days to come, there will be handcrafted — yes, that means ragged-but-right — clips of amazing music from Glasgow.
RELATED: No Rules: The Life & Music of Esteban 'Steve' Jordan from NPR's Latino USA on Vimeo.
Just got the news. He was a close frien of Mr. Bob Garza and even lived with Bob and Jredans sons. My condolences.
Filed Under: Ice Cubes
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| © Scott Weiner |
| Ivanka |
Ummm, Adam doesn't have a beau. He's single and loving it.
Adam doesn't have a beau. He has joked that he has been dating his coat.I hope he had a "GREAT"time in Philly, he deserves it. Is the author of this article going in for his cataract surgery soon? He thinks Ivanka and Adam share the same hair? Did I miss something?
Sounds like the 'green eyed monster' has you right by the nether parts. Suppose you go on back to the HOME & let the young folks do the reporting, fella. A little more research on your part would make your article a little more credible ... NOT!! ADAM has been single since Idol ... everyone knows that. GLAD to hear he had a little time for some R&R ... he has been working his butt off lo! these many months to give his ADORING fans the BEST show he could much to their DELIGHT!! So off you go ... back to the HOME ... BINGO games are just about to begin (Sounds more like YOUR speed to me). GORGEOUS ADAM will keep the rest of us ENTERTAINED!!!
on what planet do they have the same hair? anyway, adam seemed to have a grand time in the city of "brotherly" love! he was extra frisky on stage after ;) whoever got him that way, i thank you!
I guess there is a comparison between Adam and Ivanka's hair--if you consider his black pompadour and her blond causual look similar. Oh well, maybe this author should call it a wrap earlier in the evening of his celebrity stalkings in order to have a clearer take on things. Oh, and Adam's last long standing relationship was over months ago.
I'm impressed that so many Glamberts and Ivankacs came out of the woodwork for this. I'm proud of you. That said - you caught me snoozing on my Idol runner up trivia -hmmm. I wonder what Clay and Bo Bice are doing tonight? As for the Ivanka hair? I screwed that up and was yearning for the days of her mom's Ivana's boufantop. A boy can dream, can't he?
A.D., at least you admit the error of your ways. Thx for that. I had thought you were on crack. As for "so many Glamberts"? (maybe you are on crack, after all.) Ya ain't seen nothing yet. There are only 4 responses, now 5, besides yours, lol.
Helen Keller said;"Life is an adventure on nothing". Adam Lambert has a life We are his spectators His fans are obsessed His foes are obsessed Adam wins !
A.D. Amorosi said: "But if you look hard, wouldn't you say that Ivanka and Adam L share the same hair?" How HARD do we (normal and sane people) have to look t see that? Hey A.D. Amorosi I think you are too much in love ans mostly I think YOU ARE SMOKING FUNNY ( HIGH QUALITY) SMOKES. It will be better for you NOT TO POST anything when under the influence of...............you know ir better.
Could the author please clear up who Adam's "long suffering beau" is supposed to be??
Filed Under: Weekend Omnibus
Friday: Have a gay day! Political commentary emerges in the form of vegetable-themed diseases and out-of-this-world experiences in Thom Nickels' latest contribution to gay literature. Hear the author speak about Spore, a sci-fi novel, at the Lippincott House. Then catch a performance of Just Say Love, a Daniel Student production that details how two men fall in love.
Saturday: Search for inner peace at Awakening the Heart: Introduction to Buddhist Meditation. This introduction to the ancient calming practice takes place at the Amitayus Kadampa Buddhist Center. When you are nice and relaxed, celebrate hair of the past at the Vintage Hairstyle Workshop. So get out the bobby pins and prepare for some old fashioned curls.
Sunday: Check out Sculpting Nature, and let the Center for Emerging Visual Artists show you that plants are well... pretty. Then head for the cinema and watch director Edgar Wright have a blast in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (but read up on it first in our interview with Wright, Michael Cera, Anna Kendrick and Jason Schwartzman).
Filed Under: Just Do It
You know that story you tell every time you get drunk — the one about the monkey poop? We assume the reason you've never gotten on stage — sober or not so much — to share your tale with the world is that First Person Arts' StorySlam themes never quite jived with your punchline (although we could make the argument that "Show and Tell" would have worked).
Well, here's your chance, teller of gross and/or obscurely themed stories: We just got word that the folks at First Person Arts are putting Philadelphians' creativity to the test: Click on over to firstpersonarts.org and enter their StorySlam theme contest (running through Aug. 27), wherein you can enter up to five potential Slam themes (past themes have included "A Date to Remember," "Criminal Intent" and "I Think We're Alone").
If your theme idea is selected, you'll win a pair of tickets to that night's Slam.
Animal House, anyone?
Did it! I can't wait to see what gets chosen.
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