Sad to hear of the death of Jaime 'Robbie' Robertson, the lead guitarist and songwriter of The Band. For a period at the end of the '60s/early '70s they were just about the most influential group in the World. Their second LP 'The Band' is one of the finest ever made. Sadly they fell apart a few years later over feuds as to who actually wrote the songs. Here is a fine live recording of The Weight by the Band and The Staple Singers. The Band, And The Staples - The Weight (The Last Waltz) - YouTube
Yes a wonderful film, thanks for recommending it. The most satisfying film I've seen for a long time.
Sad to hear of the death of Richard Davis. He was a jazz musician who played (upright) bass for a lot of jazz greats including Miles Davis, but also Bruce Springsteen. I know him for his work on Van Morrison's first proper solo LP Astral Weeks (1968). Apparently Van knew how he wanted the songs to sound but had no charts or demos. An experienced jazz session man, Davis took the lead with his bass sometimes staking out the whole song. In 8 hours studio time, playing live together, they laid down all the tracks for what many people consider one of the greatest LPs ever and possibly Van's finest. Sweet Thing (2015 Remaster) - Bing video It would not have happened the way it did without Davis's guiding hands. Some people find Astral weeks a hard listen. It's an LP you have to give time, The reward is enormous.
Recommend the film "Sentinelle" for anyone who enjoys a madcap film which takes place on Réunion Island. Quite hilarious at times. Movie certainly 'different', and I confess to enjoying it and had many good laughs watching it. Realise it won't be everyone's cup of tea, as it really is crazy at times! But still very funny.
This is certainly one of my favourite songs from old 'Blue Eyes', Frank Sinatra. Absolutely brilliant rendition of "Send In The Clowns" from Stephen Sondheim's "A Little Night Music", a musical which was taken from the book by Hugh Wheeler, and inspired by the Ingmar Bergman film, "Smiles Of A Summer Night", which involves the romantic lives of several couples. (Music and lyrics for "Send In The Clowns" by Stephen Sondheim)
Really enjoyed the 2023 film "The Burial", a legal drama loosely based on a true story. There were some fine acting performances by the entire cast in general, especially from the two lead actors, Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones. A good movie and well worth a watch. Film received very positive critical reviews.
Cheers Swanee. It moved me onto Gordon Lightfoot and then to this. And down the right hand side was none other than my daughter Amanda, singing at a village pub. had to play it and here it is if you're interested and while posting this burst out
I love this clip. So talented and funny. I could listen to him playing the piano all night. One of his sketches with Peter Cook is absolutely disgusting but had me in tears. Not something to watch whilst the wife and kids are around
Thank you, Ron, enjoyed your clips very much. Dudley Moore was so talented and a brilliant pianist, but his final days were so damn sad, really were. He died a lonely man in New Jersey, USA, (2002) of pneumonia caused by the chronic PSP illness he suffered from. RIP Dudley, you gave so much enjoyment to so many of us.
Have you ever seen Dudley Moore playing Colonel Bogey in the style of a Beethoven piano sonata? Sheer genius.
Yesterday, watched the 1992 film 'Of Mice And Men'. The entire cast did a great job with John Steinbeck's tale of the Great Depression of the 1930's in the United States. Gary Sinise had a heck of a lot to do with this movie, Co-Producer, Director, leading actor, you name it. Stellar performance from John Malkovich (surely he must have been close to an Oscar nomination for the part he played?). Fine film, worth a watch.
When Bayernkenny (we miss him) posted on here he often recommended Walter Presents serials put out on More 4 and All 4 (their catch up vehicle). Since then have watched many of them and particular favourites have been Astrid: Paris Murders and Ice Cold Murders: Rocco Schiavone. The former (French) is about an autistic girl in the Criminal Records Office in Paris. An unconventional female detective comes across her by accident and realises she's a goldmine of information. More than anything it's a charming story of a bro-mance (can I say that?) between the two as they both learn about each other and themselves. The 3rd series starts on More4 on Friday but watch the first two first. The latter is about a sardonic, offbeat Italian detective who is under suspicion of shady dealings (quite rightly) in his home town of Rome and is banished to the far NW of Italy, the Aosta region (almost across the border from Chambery). He hates it (especially the cold), has a ramshackle team and is still under suspicion. The first season is gritty but also hilarious. It is well worth your time. Series 3 and 4 are also worth your time. 2 is also good and necessary after series 1 to give more of his background so as to carry the story on. Some of the characters in this are hilarious.
I imagine that many of you have already seen it, but just in case you haven't and want to take the plunge, I dare to recommend "The Marvelous Mrs. Masiel". Winner of all the awards for best comedy several years and best actors (Golden Globes, Emmys...), it has five seasons that ended in the spring of this year. It is not a series for all tastes and its humour is very particular but, in my humble opinion, it is a wonderful series.
One from long long ago when swing and the big bands were the vogue, Les Brown and his Orchestra were just one of the top bands. Les was a real character and, though he was a saxophonist himself, all he seemed to do was bounce around in front of his band and let his excellent musicians do the work. "I've got the world on a string" is a good example. Vocal by Lucy Ann Polk is first class too, and old Les could not resist a dance routine with her. Gosh, Lucy Ann Polk was cute and a fine singer too. Les Brown was really something else!
