It’s time for one of those A to Z posts that you all used to enjoy so much. I don’t do them as much anymore because I don’t get as much love for them, but sometimes, the idea is too good to pass up. Like naming a zip file: BGSA2Z. So here you go, a tribute to the hairy chested blonde disco kings.
A is to give you fair warning, up front that All these songs can be found in a zipfile, under Z, below.
F is for Feist’s cover of “Inside and Out.” Kind of a cute video . . .
G is for gibberish! Me no speaky the language, but me can appreciate the cover . . . Icht Machte Nen Scherz-Erdmo Bel (I Started a Joke)
H is for heavy metal! Tragedy, a metal Bee Gees cover band, is worth discovering here, for the kick factor. Very fun. I’m offering their take on Night Fever.
I is for I Started a Joke-The Lucksmiths. A forlorn, harmonica-and-guitar version.
J is for Jive Talking-The Breakfast. A bootleg cover. Pretty good, but not great. Still, it gives me my “J,” so I’m grateful.
L is for Love Potion #9 Medley, which includes a ton of tunes: Love Potion #9 (Clovers), Ohio (CSNY), Stayin’ Alive (Bee Gees), Who Will Save Your Soul (Jewel), You Oughta Know (alanis Morissette), Barbie (Aqua), Love Shack (B52s), all by the great live band Moxy Fruvous.
M is for Mash Up! P is for Pink Floyd! Shut Up, Let’s Hook Up (Pink Floyd vs. The Bee Gees, with Jason Downs on vocals).
N is for Matt Nathanson–a great live performer. Here’s a cool medley: Starfish and Coffee/Eminem/Starfish and Coffee/Stayin’ Alive/Starfish and Coffee.
O is for You Should Be Dancing-Omega Moos. A 7-minute live jam session. Yeah, it is a little big much.
P is for pumpkins! To Love Somebody-Smashing Pumpkins. God, I love Billy Corgan’s voice.
1. If you don’t go to Fong Songs, you’re an idiot. He’s quitting the game(!) and rewarding us with his 100 favorite covers of all time. And there’s actually way more than 100. I’m gonna miss him.
2. Some Chinese website keeps spamming me with comments. Annoying.
3. Childish Gambino (Donald Glover–the black dude named from my favorite sit com, Community) has a mixtape! And it’s off the hook. I mean, where else will you hear lyrics where a guy compares to himself to a fat guy getting on a plane? And he says he raps about himself not being on a boat. Y’know, he’s trying to be serious-like. But he’s still a funny motherf*cker. He can’t help himself. Go here to get it for free.
6. Jesse Lester McReynolds, a recognized bluegrass legend and grammy winner, will be releasing a “Songs Of The Grateful Dead” on Woodstock Records on October 5, 2010. Thought I’ve give it a shout out.
The Tallest Man on Earth is Kristian Matsson, a Swedish folk singer with a voice that falls somewhere between Shannon Hoon (Blind Melon), Josh Ostrander (Eastern Conference Champions), and Bob Dylan. If that sounds like it has the potential to be grating, you’re right. But if you’re familiar with those artists, you also know that it works, and works well. “The Wild Hunt” is the man’s second record, and it’s just about as close to perfect as you can find in modern acoustic-based folk rock.
This is his first album on the independent Dead Oceans label, and it is exactly what you would expect and hope for from this artist: Powerful lyrics that fit neatly with tightly crafted guitar-based melodies that can be simple (“Burden of Tomorrow”) or as intricate and beautiful as anything off of Dylan’s best record, “Blood on the Tracks” (“Troubles Will be Gone”). The only criticism I have of this record is that it gets a little same-y after a while–it is ten songs done in a very similar manner. I’m hoping that for his next release, Matsson will step a little further out of his safety zone. Until then, though, this album is a wonderful experience.
Well, as a thank you, the team wants readers of BP to have these 5 bonus tracks for free! The project itself, which is chock full of goodies from all over the world, will be available only until July 12. Go here for details. It’s all for a good cause, and the music truly is a generous portion (nearly 200 songs) of covers, originals, and remixes by lots of well-established and up-and-coming artists.
Elton John is a slut. He’ll play for anyone, if they pay him enough. He proved that when played for this fathead homophobe’s wedding. But at least he got a million dollars of the radio-hack’s dough.
But in addition to being a slut, he’s a damn fine songwriter. My personal favorite EJ album is Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy. Someone Saved My Life Tonight gives me chills.
Here’s my ten favorite Elton covers . . .
10. Take Me To the Pilot-The Quiet. This is like Van Morrison doing the song.
9. Bennie and the Jets-Animal Liberation Orchestra.
8. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road-Keane
7. Daniel-Ari Heist. Another performer who few folks know about, but who knocks it out of the park every time.
6. Rocket Man-Bill Janovitz. Slow and gentle. It’s not so much what Bill does with it, it’s what Bill does with every song he covers. Tremendous performer.
2. Ryan Adams and Elton himself, live at the Grand Ole Opry. If you haven’t heard the whole show, you owe it to yourself to go here and enjoy it. It’s from back when Ryan was at the height of his powers, and the two of them alternate doing each others songs. Here’s a taste:
At this point, after having released one of the best albums of 2007 and the best EP of 2009, it should be no surprise that Blitzen Trapper‘s 2010 full length, “Destroyer of the Void,” is nothing short of brilliant. As is their custom, the band blends 1960s sunny pop and distinct Beach Boy influences with moody Americana, indie rock and folk.
The opening, title track is epic. It’s a six-plus minute journey through time changes and myriad musical styles that serves as the perfect intro for this eclectic album. It never stands still, never gets complacent, and never rests. It’s the closest thing to Wilco I’ve heard since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. It’s the Portland, Oregon sextet’s White Album. On it, they seem to pay tribute to Bob Dylan; Brian Wilson; crunchy 70’s garage-psych; airy, melodic 60’s pop; the jammy prog rock of the Grateful Dead; and even Kansas. If that sounds exhausting, I have to agree. If there’s one fault with the album it is that it demands so much of the listener. Even the most straightforward songs like folky sing-along The Tree (with Alela Diane) and the bluesy classic rocker Evening Star are more complicated than catchy. Familiar sounds weave throughout these songs—there are melodies we can recognize (“Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man!”) but they are reworked, and they only go so far before ending abruptly and turning into something wholly original. The vocals are so light that they invite the ears to listen easy. But there is nothing easy listening about this album.
And that’s what raises it so far above the shoulders of both its influences and compatriots.
Okay, so I had to go to Prince of Persia with the kids. Boy was that painful. As I muscled through the relentless barrage of clichés and predictable plot developments, I thought to myself, “Is this the worst Video Game Movie ever?” Answer: Probably not. But are there ever any good ones? Surprisingly, there are . . . Of course, I’m not including any of the Pokemon movies because, well, it’s Pokemon.
One more thing: There are a few hidden song goodies in here, too. Just ’cause you’re all so dang special.
Runners up: Movies that weren’t as bad as they should have been: Doom and Hitman.
10. Silent Hill (2006).
I don’t have much to say about this first entry. I can’t say I liked it, but I didn’t hate it, and lots of people I know liked it. So it gets the number 10 slot.
9. Street Fighter (1994).
Street Fighter was directed by Steven E. de Souza, a comic book writer who is currently attached to direct the Sgt. Rock movie. On the one hand, he’s the guy who wrote Die Hard. On the other, he’s the guy who directed Beverly Hills Cop 3. From the foundation of such ambiguity came this strangely satisfying film. It’s also the best Jean Claude Van Damme film ever, and also starred Oscar winner Raul Julia in one of his most screen-eating roles. Don’t concern yourself with plot or acting, just come for the cheesy violence.
8. Tommy (1975).
Okay, pinball isn’t a video game, but it is an arcade game. It’s on the list, but I ranked it low for lack of being an actual video game. I had to include it, though. If nothing else, it’s an excuse to post Eric Clapton’s brilliant performance of Eyesight to the Blind . . .
This post notwithstanding, I’m not much of a gamer. I think most video games are pretty boring. So I had no idea that this movie, in which the always compelling Timothy Olyphant plays a dude raised by monks to be the perfect assassin and spends an hour and a half pretty much shooting everything he sees, was based on a series of video games. If I had known that, I might have avoided the movie. But I really enjoyed it. Of course, I like pretty much everything Olyphant does, including his current TV series, Justified.
6. Wargames (1983).
“It’s still playing the game!” Not just a good video game movie, a good movie in general, about a game called Global ThermoNuclear War and a little hacker boy played by Matthew Broderick. Who appears not to have aged a day since he made that movie. Must be all the lovin’ he gets from Sarah Jessica Parker. So although the movie is a little dated, he isn’t.
Anyhow, this is one of several films on this list that were not based on video games but were about them. Think that’s cheating? Well, you try to do a top 10 list like this and not include crappy movies like Tomb Raider. This was the only way to make it work. And everyone knows every list worth a damn has to have at least 10 items.
One of two films on this list directed by Paul W.S. Anderson–talk about having a niche specialty–Mortal Kombat starring Christopher Lambert and a group of unknown, young and attractive martial artists was surprisingly good. Particularly if you went in expecting it to be a steaming pile of crap. The effects might not be impressive by today’s standards, but the fight scenes still hold up well. Caution: Do not confuse this film with Mortal Kombat: Annihilation. You’ll be sorry.
4. Tron (1982).
I’m too lazy to investigate whether the game or movie came first, but the game was pretty awesome. This was the quintessential video game movie: It’s all about being in a video game. The special effects, for its time, were great. It was the first film to specifically target gamers as an audience, and it actually received some fairly positive reviews. With Tron: Legacy coming soon, and Jeff Bridges reprising his role from this film, everyone should get a hold of this on DVD and check it out again. It’s more than a little dated, but it’s a classic.
3. EXistenZ (1999).
First of all, by way of disclaimer, I have to note that this is a David Cronenberg film. Now, I love Dave’s work–he’s one of my all-time favorite directors–but I recognize he’s not for everyone. Particularly because this isn’t a Scanners/History of Violence/Eastern Promises Cronenberg film. It’s a Shivers/Videodrome/Dead Ringers Cronenberg film: One apart from the mainstream, freaky and disturbing as hell. It’s about a fictional virtual reality game that plugs into users’ spines, looks suspiciously like an umbilical cord, and gradually takes over their existences. The word “isten” means God, which fits the philosophical themes of the film. It is an exploration of the role of fantasy and faith in our lives. Like a few other films on this list, this is a movie about a video game, not based on one. Starring Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jude Law.
2. Resident Evil (2002).
First of all, you get to see Milla Jovovich’s bare rib balloons, which is always a good thing. Second, this is actually a very solid zombie flick and is even occasionally scary. The sequel was pretty good, too, but the third one was godawful. The fourth comes out this year, and based on the first two, I’ll probably go see it, but it will probably be a huge let down. All the films are directed by Paul WS Anderson, also known for directing the remake of Death Race starring Jeremy Statham, another very good, very violent B-movie.
1. The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007).
If you love to stare at geeks, marvel at mullets, or enjoy a good slice of life documentary, Seth Gordon’s film about the competition between the two best Donkey Kong players in the country is perfect. It is a truly excellent film and, surprise of surprises, is actually touching. It should be required viewing for all video game fans, and is far and away the best video game film in history. Winner of several best documentary awards, including a People’s Choice.
I listen to all submissions of entire albums. However, with rare exceptions I will not review material protected by the RIAA--I will do so only when the band is small, top notch, and provides legal links to mp3s. So Sony, BMG, etc., don't start sending me crap. I'm not interested.
I will review only submissions that I can recommend. I'm not here to do negative reviews.
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WHAT IS INDIE MUSIC?
An independent record label (or indie record label) is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels.
"Berkeley Place" has been my blog since 2000, at various sites.
Berkeley Place is also 6 blocks of Brooklyn real estate, emerging from Sackett St. and ending at Banana Hill, a small park that grows a foot each year from dog poop and dead rats. Though its denizens have gotten wealthier over the decades, Berkeley Place still houses folks of all backgrounds with interests in, well, everything.
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