Friday, December 30, 2016

They May Be Gone...But The Music Lives On...

We lost a lot of performers in 2016 but the music lives on. Here, for your listening pleasure...


Alan Rickman
 Bernie Worrell

Carrie Fisher
David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie
Debbie Reynolds
Ed Harsch (The Black Crowes)
Florence Henderson
Gene Wilder
George Irving (Heat Miser)
George Michael
Glenn Frey (Eagles)
Glenn Frey
Keith Emerson and Greg Lake
(Emerson, Lake and Palmer)

Guy Clark
Leon Russell
Leonard Cohen
Maurice White
Natalie Cole
Patty Duke
Pete Burns (Dead or Alive)

Prince 


Prince 

Sharon Jones
Sharon Jones & Prince
Sharon Jones

Vanity 

Zsa Zsa Gabor

Farewell 2016!


It's that time once again...time to say goodbye to another year. 

My year...

I didn't really get out to see any live music. The only thing I made it out to was Newport Jazz and Folk. 

I didn't really buy much new music. Off the top of my head I bought David Bowie's Blackstar and The Heavy's Hurt & The Merciless. Both good albums. In both cases, I still find myself going back to their older works. I also picked up SATE's RedBlack&Blue and The Broadcast's From The Horizon. I'm sure there were a few more but that's off the top of my head.

That's not to say I didn't buy music. Most of it was used vinyl or shiny reissues. Notable reissues...Led Zeppelin - The Complete BBC Sessions box set. David Bowie's Bowie At The Beeb: The Best Of The BBC Radio Sessions '68-'72 box set, Hunky Dory, The Man Who Sold The World, Space Oddity and Pinups...yeah I listened to a lot of Bowie. Temple Of The Dog - Temple Of The Dog...still love this album. Metallica - Kill 'Em All...some will frown, but this has always been my favorite of theirs. There were a few others I can't think of off the top of my head.

I streamed a lot of movies and television...spent a lot of time streaming shows on the Acorn channel. I only made it out to the theatre once and that was to see Captain America Civil War...I streamed a lot of comic book movies this year.

I barely touched my camera this year. I've just not felt the inspiration. It will hit again one day, I suppose.

My little corner of the blog world turned eight this year. I didn't think I posted much to the blog but looking at my archives I posted more in 2016 than I ever have...who knew! Overall, I felt more than a bit of apathy this year.

Enough already 2016...stop being obnoxious 2016...just be over already 2016...I'm done with you 2016...I hate you 2016. Various forms of this have been seen all over social media. Some in regards to politics. Some in regards to death. For all of the people who felt the need to chastise folks for telling 2016 enough already...we all know that 2016 didn't pick up an implement of destruction and go on some rampant killing spree. It's just a common thread expression in response to sadness, disappointment, frustration and anger.

Being a presidential election year, I couldn't turn on the news or visit social media without some sort of political experience. I would say that this has been the most angry, hate filled election our country has had as far as I can remember. It was sad watching people I know, reasonably intelligent, normally reasonably sane people, turn vicious and at times childish. It will be a memorable election and I'm sure the coming four years will see more of each side at their worst.

There were a lot of celebrity deaths this year. Yes, I know, there are every year. But this year saw the loss of a lot of people who crossed genres, cultures and generations. Below are just a few of the losses. 


  • Alan Rickman (who stole my heart as Hans Gruber and kept it (Always) as Professor Snape and many other characters)
  • Alan Thicke
  • Anton Yelchin
  • Bernie Worrell
  • Carrie Fisher
  • David Bowie (so many hours of listening pleasure)
  • Debbie Reynolds
  • Ed Harsch (the Black Crowes were a big part of my music listening...my concert going life and his playing with them was a big part of countless listening sessions)
  • Florence Henderson 
  • Gene Wilder
  • George Irving voice of the Heat Miser (not a Christmas goes by without singing along with the Miser Brothers)
  • George Martin
  • George Michael (Careless Whisper is still my jam...anyone remember Wham Rap?)
  • Glenn Frey (I know more Eagles songs that I care to admit!)
  • Greg Lake
  • Guy Clark
  • Gwen Ifill
  • Harper Lee (I don't know how many times I've read To Kill A Mockingbird over the years)
  • Keith Emerson
  • Leon Russell
  • Leonard Cohen
  • Maurice White (one of the first live shows I ever remember seeing was Earth Wind & Fire)
  • Miss Cleo
  • Muhammad Ali
  • Natalie Cole (a childhood favorite...yes mom, I still sing a long in my outside voice)
  • Patty Duke (I can probably still sing the theme to The Patty Duke Show...watched those repeats endless times as a kid)
  • Pete Burns (You Spin Me Round is still my jam)
  • Prince (this loss, I think, made me the saddest)
  • Ron Glass
  • Sharon Jones 
  • Vanity
  • Zsa Zsa Gabor



Peace to these folks who entertained me in some way and to the many others not listed.

To all of you who have stopped by my little corner of the internet, thank you!

Cheers,
LaNita

Friday, December 2, 2016

Fences In Theatres, December 25

Denzel Washington and Viola Davis star in Fences...in theaters December 25 © Paramount Pictures 2016

Opening on Christmas Day, Fences (Paramount Pictures), the film adaption of August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize winning play. The film is directed by and stars Denzel Washington. Joining him is Viola Davis reprising their roles from the 2010 Broadway revival. Check out the trailer below.

I saw the play when it was on Broadway starring James Earl Jones and Mary Alice. My mother and I have a bit of a tradition going to see August Wilson plays. I foresee us upholding our tradition with the film!

Synopsis:
Fences is the story of Troy Maxson, a mid-century Pittsburgh sanitation worker who once dreamed of a baseball career, but was too old when the major leagues began admitting black players. He tries to be a good husband and father, but his lost dream of glory eats at him, and causes him to make a decision that threatens to tear his family apart.

FENCES is directed by Denzel Washington from a screenplay by August Wilson, adapted from Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play. The film stars Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Jovan Adepo, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Russell Hornsby, Mykelti Williamson, and Saniyya Sydney. The film is produced by Scott Rudin, Denzel Washington and Todd Black.

Futurebirds To Play Rough Trade NYC + Video


Futurebirds are set to take the stage at Rough Trade NYC on Tuesday, December 6. See below for more details.

Loamlands
Tuesday, December 6
64 N 9th Street
Brooklyn, NY
Doors: 8PM / Show: 9PM
21+

Futurebirds released Portico I in November 2016 and you can pick it up HERE. Check out the video for the track "Only Here For Your Love" from the record below. Portico II will be released in early 2017.

Aly Tadros Releases New Record


Aly Tadros is releasing her new album Hungry Ghost today, December 2. Check out "This Is How You Lose Her" from the album below.


Hungry Ghost is void of tongue-and-cheek communication, with songs inspired by overcoming alcoholism, the death of her father, relationships and more. Produced by Kevin Salem (Rachael Yamagata, Yo la Tengo, Mike Doughty) and Tadros herself, the album follows debut Things Worth Keeping (2009), 2013's The Fits and a whopping ten U.S. and four European tours.

The title Hungry Ghost, is borrowed from Buddhism. A "hungry ghost" is an insatiable creature, with a bowling ball-sized belly and pin-sized mouth; and though they are hollow, transparent beings they have a crippling appetites.


Hungry Ghost can be picked up HERE.


Nikki Lane To Release New Album + NY Show

Photo credit: Jessica Lehrman

Nikki Lane is set to release her latest album, Highway Queen, on February 17. Check out the video for the title track, "Highway Queen" below. 

Highway Queen can be pre-ordered HERE.

New York, Nikki Lane will be in Brooklyn at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on March 2. Tickets go on-sale today at 10AM. See below for more details.

Brent Cobb / Jonathan Tyler
Thursday, March 2
66 North 6th Street
Brooklyn, NY
Doors: 7PM / Show: 8PM
18+