Sounds Eclectic 3 is an extension of the radio program Morning Becomes Eclectic, which The Wall Street Journal calls “one of the most interesting and influential radio shows in the U.S.” It “is committed to a music experience that celebrates innovation, creativity and diversity.” The program can be heard on …
Read More »Gordon S. Miller
Milt Jackson/Wes Montgomery – Bags Meets Wes!
In 1961, Wes Montgomery was the hottest new guitarist in jazz and Milt “Bags” Jackson was already a legend on the vibes, in part to due to his work in the Modern Jazz Quartet. These two powerful forces met on this enjoyable album and were joined by an all-star rhythm …
Read More »The Aviator
Directed by Martin Scorsese Written by John Logan Martin Scorsese works with talented people on both sides of the camera and The Aviator is certainly no exception to this axiom. While the skillful performances of Leonardo DiCaprio and Cate Blanchett, portraying Howard Hughes and Katherine Hepburn, are the most obvious …
Read More »STAN GETZ/CAL TJADER SEXTET
Saxophonist Stan Getz and vibes player Cal Tjader were mutual admirers of each other’s work and had wanted to record together for some time. Finally in 1958 they found themselves both in San Francisco; Getz was booked at the Black Hawk in San Francisco, and Tjader was taking time off. …
Read More »The Merchant of Venice (2004)
Directed and Screenplay by Michael Radford Based on the play by William Shakespeare. For those of you who didn’t read the Cliffs Notes in school, here’s a brief synopsis: Bassanio needs to raise some money in his efforts to woo Portia of Belmont. His good friend, Antonio, is short of …
Read More »Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events: Books 1-3
Book the First: The Bad Beginning The author, Lemony Snicket, lets the reader know right from the start that The Bad Beginning isn’t going to have a happy ending, so if that’s what you are looking for, then you “would be better of reading some other book.” Snicket is very …
Read More »M (1931)
Directed by Fritz Lang Screenplay by Fritz Lang & Thea von Harbou The Criterion Collection Criterion has re-released and restored Lang’s marvelous film M(1931). Peter Lorre plays Hans Beckert, a serial killer of children on the loose in Post WWI Germany. The film isn’t a mystery because early on we …
Read More »Jack Irons – Attention Dimension
Irons’ previous work as a former drummer of Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam does nothing to prepare the listener for Attention Dimension. An appropriate title because if you listen long enough and attentively enough, your mind will travel to another dimension. The album starts off with “Jackie Groove,” …
Read More »The Cure – Three Imaginary Boys Expanded and Remastered
The story of The Cure begins.
Read More »U2 – How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
With more countries around the world gaining nuclear capabilities, U2’s How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb is a manual on how to deal with the inevitable future world conflicts. The simple, obvious lessons about love, peace and faith are nothing new; Bono has sung these stories many times throughout the …
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