https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiQSsrQCG6c
HBO documentary about a church/weight loss craze in my neighborhood, gone horribly wrong.
Enjoy!
Where Is My Mind?
Available TODAY.
Karen Dalton?
Never heard of her, but I’m intrigued! In theaters October 1, on digital November 16.
Blues and folk singer Karen Dalton was a prominent figure in 1960s New York. Idolized by Bob Dylan and Nick Cave, Karen discarded the traditional trappings of success and led an unconventional life until her early death. Since most images of Karen have been lost or destroyed, the documentary uses Karen’s dulcet melodies and interviews with loved ones to build a rich portrait of this singular woman and her hauntingly beautiful voice.
New PTA
This looks fantastic. The lead is Cooper Hoffman, son of Philip Seymour.
This Is Outstanding
If you haven’t seen it. I mean even if you have, it’s still outstanding.
In his acclaimed debut as a filmmaker, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson presents a powerful and transporting documentary—part music film, part historical record created around an epic event that celebrated Black history, culture and fashion. Over the course of six weeks in the summer of 1969, just one hundred miles south of Woodstock, The Harlem Cultural Festival was filmed in Mount Morris Park (now Marcus Garvey Park). The footage was never seen and largely forgotten–until now. SUMMER OF SOUL shines a light on the importance of history to our spiritual well-being and stands as a testament to the healing power of music during times of unrest, both past and present. The feature includes never-before-seen concert performances by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly & the Family Stone, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Ray Baretto, Abbey Lincoln & Max Roach and more.
Summer of Soul premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won both the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award. It will stream on Hulu in conjunction with Disney’s new BIPOC Creator Initiative; Searchlight Pictures will release it theatrically.
Sopranos Prequel?
Yes, please!
Young Anthony Soprano is growing up in one of the most tumultuous eras in Newark’s history, becoming a man just as rival gangsters begin to rise up and challenge the all-powerful DiMeo crime family’s hold over the increasingly race-torn city. Caught up in the changing times is the uncle he idolizes, Dickie Moltisanti, who struggles to manage both his professional and personal responsibilities—and whose influence over his impressionable nephew will help make the teenager into the all-powerful mob boss we’ll later come to know: Tony Soprano.
With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve?
June 10th! According to Louder Than War …
When we lost one of the UK’s most remarkable singer/songwriters Pete Shelley of Buzzcocks in 2018, we also lost the chance to hear him tell the stories behind some of the songs we love so well, or so it appeared.
However, in 2020, recordings surfaced of a series of long, personal and in-depth interviews between Pete and close friend Louie Shelley. The two had spent hours discussing details of Pete’s life, moving song-by-song through Buzzcocks’ output to reveal his memories of the punk explosion and how he came to write songs such as ‘Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve)’ and ‘What Do I Get?’.
Now, to be published in print for the first time and with the blessing of Pete’s estate, these conversations offer us the chance to hear one of the finest songwriters of a generation in his own words at last.
FUN FACT: That cover is based on the 45’s cover art, which is based on Duchamp’s Fluttering Hearts, as described over the phone to the art director!
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-4873045-1378121432-5190.jpeg.jpg){kind=link}
The Sound Of Midas
“There would be no offer that would tempt me… I actually really resent it.”
– Paul Simon, at about 5:00 in the video, on giving his song rights away
I remember that interview from back in the day (1986). Now, that he’s sold the catalogue:
“I’m pleased to have Sony Music Publishing be the custodian of my songs for the coming decades. I began my career at Columbia/Sony Records and it feels like a natural extension to be working with the Publishing side as well.”
Fine. Just don’t give the songs out to anyone. Don’t let Mrs. Robinson, Scarborough Fair, April Come She Will, and the Sound of Silence ever appear in anything except The Graduate.
I heard “Back In Black” on an Applebee’s commercial this weekend. I’m not hopeful.
I Will Sell You The Brooklyn Bridge
So says The Unnamed Artist John Cleese, who will let this non-fungible masterpiece go for $69,346,250.50.
More here.
Ready To Discuss! Anyone? Buehler?
We just watched the season finale Sunday and I want to talk about it, goddammit! And if any of you bastards are on the fence, I can say without hesitation that WandaVision was a very pleasant surprise. Disney may have fucked up the Star Wars movies, but Kevin Feige is running a tight ship.