Sasha Grey Presents “GREYSCALE”!

Hey everyone, I want to share a great new artistic effort by Sasha Grey – here is the official announcement:

“GREYSCALE” is a new short format series that approaches art as poetic commentary along with visually stunning photography, hosted and created by Sasha Grey and directed by Mattia Venni Uberti. A far turn from traditional review and television documentaries, the episodes themselves becomes cinematic art. Our first pilot episode is a sample of what I hope the future can hold. Shot at MOCA’s permanent collection in Los Angeles, I take the viewer on a photographic and poetic journey. MOCA’s collection offers a wide range of artists, where as in the future we may chose to focus on a particular artist’s solo exhibition at a particular gallery in future episodes, or conversely, classic pieces at a variety of museums. This will provide for a different dialogue and reflection, creating an individual tone for each episode.

This beautifully filmed new series explores art in a unique way – please check out this terrific video:

Sasha Grey==
Richard Phillips Exhibition Opening at Gagosian Gallery==
Gagosian Gallery, NYC==
September 11, 2012==
©Patrick McMullan==
Photo – CLINT SPAULDING/PatrickMcMullan.com==
==

I can’t wait to see more in this series, and bravo to Sasha and Mattia, the great Director of this video.

Of course, I have had the chance to work with Sasha in the past:

Sasha’s Shark Photo Bomb!

I filmed with Sasha in Australia for G4, when she went into an aquarium tank with sharks, and got photobombed!

These clips show Sasha getting ready to go into the tank, and then she walks among sharks and stingrays!

You can see more of her adventure here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/02/26/sasha-greys-shark-dive-sashas-shark-photo-bomb-sashas-extreme-shark-diving-adventure/

Sasha also learned to surf at Sydney’s legendary Bondi Beach – leading to this hilarious moment:

Sasha is on a creative roll right now, after publishing her first novel:

The sequel comes out soon, and you can read more about her debut novel here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/10/29/sasha-grey-conquers-the-world-best-selling-juliette-society-scores-worldwide/

Sasha is also making movies with some very inventive Directors:

Sasha worked with Elijah Wood on a great thriller called “Open Windows” – check it out here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/10/02/sasha-greys-halloween-horror-open-windows-ondemand-extreme-sports-sasha-down-under/

Congrats to Sasha and Mattia on their new series!

It’s An Electrified Tokyo Night!

I have shared many of my Tokyo adventures with you, but our last night was without a doubt the most memorable, thanks to this:

Introducing Golden Gai’s Musical Maestro!

Meet Yuko Yamazaki! He’s a great singer/songwriter from Japan… this great musician lives in Tokyo, and also happens to work at one of Golden Gai’s best mini-bars!

Welcome To Golden Gai!

Golden Gai is a great area in Tokyo that houses 275 bars in a three block radius – each one holding 6-10 people! Here is an aerial view at night, which I found online:

Here is what it looks like after dark – note that each bar has a narrow stairway next to it that leads to a second floor bar that is equally as small…it’s a great place to explore:

Golden Gai is a great Tokyo nightspot – staying open well into the night for tourists and locals alike. Some bars are less friendly to foreigners, but for the most part, signs make it clear that you are welcome to come in for a beer, whiskey or sake…which of course we did…

I have been to this bar district four times previously to this Tokyo trip, filming some great stories. Here’s the adventure we filmed with Host Alex Sim-Wise for G4 – the night she and her friend Rachel jumped behind the counter at Golden Gai’s anime bar:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/10/16/alex-sim-wise-explores-tokyos-smallest-bars-golden-gai-mini-bars-i-love-japan/

As you can see, the night lights of Kabuki-cho were ready for us:

Golden Gai is just a few blocks from the famed nightlife district known as Kabuki-cho, and we met there for our last night to Tokyo fun! Kabuki-Chi is full of nightclubs, bars, restaurants and crazy people…

“Um, What Time Do You Open Anyway”?

I told you that my son Jeff and his friend Chris were with us, and I wanted my son Jeff and Alex to see Golden Gai up close – but my first effort was a bit of a failure:

That’s right, it’s best to head out to party after dark – Golden Gai at 5p is a bit quiet! After dark however, things pick up and the musical fun begins!

Introducing Yuko Yamasaki!

My son Jeff found a great bar that had an eclectic mix of music, and since it only sat six people, the four of us almost filled it – and I got to meet the great Tokyo musician Yuko Yamasaki!

Yoko worked in the bar, serving drinks, playing music, and greeting us warmly – even though he spoke no english!

We got some drinks while Yuko put some classic Creedence Clearwater Revival on the CD player, and then surprised us by disappearing behind a short wall for a minute –

Yoko’s “Surprise” Potatoes And Bacon!

That’s right, in a small corner of the bar, Yuko whipped up a small plate of food for Alex!

After having a few beers, a bit of Japanese whiskey and lots of conversation, Yuko grabbed his guitar…

It turns out Jeff had been to this bar alone a few nights earlier and befriended Yuko, discovering that he was an incredible musician – and once he had his guitar tuned, he played us an original tune:

It was such a great night, and we ended up staying at Yuko’s bar for more than two hours!

Getting’ Your Tonkatsu On!

To end the night, we all poured into Coco Curry, a Tokyo institution, where they serve pork “tonkatsu”, a deep fried breaded pork cutlet served over rice and smothered in curry sauce…

It was an amazing musical adventure, and a delicious end to a great Tokyo adventure…of course, the entire trip was full of amazing food adventures like this one:

Of course, we ate our way through some amazing meals in Tokyo, including this sea urchin tempura…see more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/07/07/tokyo-food-musical-bento-boxes-sea-urchin-tempura-biting-down-hard-in-japan/

Also on the menu was a terrific “eel” bowl…

You can find out what an “eel waiting room” is by clicking on my story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/07/04/the-magic-of-tokyo-2016-eel-waiting-rooms-golden-gai-drinking-cat-ads/

We also enjoyed “sushi for breakfast”, a unique experience that is about to change forever…

Here is my look at Tokyo’s legendary fish market, which is about to be re-located…some cool behind-the-scenes video is here:

Tokyo’s Legendary Fish Market! “Sushi For Breakfast” At Tsukiji! An Iconic Japanese Landmark Closes!

I also took the time to eat a burger in Tokyo – I mean, who am I, right?

I also bought myself a triple decker burger – plasticized! Check that out here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/07/09/tokyos-got-my-wagyu-beef-burger-amazing-kappabashi-plastic-food-burger-shirts-tokyo-rules/

Finally,, I showed Alex how to enjoy Tokyo’s legendary vending machines:

Did we eat creamed corn out of a vending machine? Well, here is a look at all of the unique items for sale:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/12/17/breaking-vending-machine-news-hot-creamed-corn-japans-wildest-vending-machines/

Let me know if you’ve experience the magic of Tokyo!

The 31st “Godzilla” Is Here!

Yes, the world’s greatest movie monster is back! For the 31st time, Japan cinemas has fans roaring in delight at the latest “Godzilla” film – first, check out the trailer!

“Godzilla” is an icon in Japan – so much so that one of the hotels actually put the beast on its roof – the hotel where my son Jeff stayed!

The Hotel Gracery, located in Shinjuku’s Kabuki-Cho district, put the monster on top of the Hotel’s reception floor, and inside, you could get a closeup look at the beast, which Alex and I jumped at the chance to do:

A Wall Of Godzilla!

Also inside the lobby was an exhibit that had T-shirts, DVD of earlier films, and a wall that had posters of all 31 films, classic movie posters like these:

The latest Godzilla looks muscular and brawn, with just enough “retro” look to pay homage to what makes these films so iconic: wild plots with a mix of great action and campy special effects…

This fun “Godzilla” exhibit had me interested in seeing the new film, which opens July 25th in Japan…

I also had some other fun in Tokyo as well…

I Got Plasticized!

We checked out Tokyo’s famous Kappabashi district, with the realistic plastic food! See more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/07/09/tokyos-got-my-wagyu-beef-burger-amazing-kappabashi-plastic-food-burger-shirts-tokyo-rules/

I also had a memorable meal at a restaurant that added a special treat: a live performance!

Check out my musical bento box adventure here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/07/07/tokyo-food-musical-bento-boxes-sea-urchin-tempura-biting-down-hard-in-japan/

In addition to bento boxes, I also had the chance to have “sushi for breakfast!”

Alex, Jeff and I ate sushi for breakfast at Tokyo’s legendary fish market – here are some great behind-the-scenes videos:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/07/06/tokyos-legendary-fish-market-sushi-for-breakfast-an-iconic-japanese-landmark-closes/

Finally, I came to Tokyo four times with G4, and one memorable visit saw our Host Alex Sim-Wise become an Astronaut’s wife:

Check out her wild experience as a Tokyo Bar Hostess here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/02/17/suave-sexy-hilarious-japanese-hostess-bar-secrets-and-lies-alex-sim-wise-plays-tokyo-hostess/

Let me know if you have seen any of Japan’s legendary Godzilla films!

Pass The Bourbon – I’m HUNGRY!

Yes, many of America’s great bars serve up great drinks and terrific food – but usually not on the same plate! Well, that has changed!

Take a look at this: it’s a “bagel burger” stuffed with a shot of bourbon – and piled high with bacon to boot!

Take A Bite Down Under!

I was sent this story by my friend Antonio Ruiz, who sent me a link from the website “First We Feast.” They tell the story of a restaurant in Sydney, Australia called “Chicken & Sons”, who has created the “Bourbon Bagel!”

What’s inside? Well, they use Angus beef, American cheese, jalapeño peppers, pickles, bourbon barbecue sauce, and bourbon-glazed bacon on a sesame seed bagel.

Yes, BOURBON-GLAZED BACON!

I am ready to buy a ticket to Australia just to bite down on this – and if you want to see more, here is the original story:

http://firstwefeast.com/eat/2016/07/bourbon-bagel-burger-has-whiskey-crammed-inside

Of course, I have done my best to keep you updated on all alcohol-related food, like this:

Yes, a roasted Chicken Bloody Mary is exactly what you need to start a day – see more of the wildest Bloody Mary recipes of all time here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/08/08/a-fried-chicken-bloody-mary-the-worlds-wildest-bloody-marys/

It’s also a fun way to get your alcohol…have you ever tried a vodka bone luge?

I’ve got the recipe for this newest alcohol consumption system here, along with recipes for Watermelon Mojito Popsicles!

https://johnrieber.com/2015/04/10/mojito-popsicles-vodka-bone-luges-wildest-drink-recipes/

If all this great food and drink gives you a hangover, I’ve got your cure:

In case you don’t read Japanese, this is a new “miracle hangover cure” – using clam juice! See the recipe here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/10/18/japans-new-miracle-hangover-cure-70-clams-wildest-new-products-from-tokyo/

Leave me a message and let me know if you would bite down on a bourbon bagel burger!

Reflective Todd!

This shot of Todd Rundgren gazing at the microphone is apt: for he was about to do something unprecedented in the recording studio –

MAKING EVERY SINGLE SOUND YOU HEAR ON THE ALBUM!

Yes, Todd pushed himself once again, by recording an album completely using his own voice! “A Cappella” was released in 1985, and it is one of Rundgren’s most unusual because EVERY SINGLE SOUND YOU HEAR ON THE RRECORD is the product of Todd’s own voice. According to wikipedia:

“Rundgren employed overdubbing techniques and an E-mu Emulator (an early sampler), electronically manipulating the sound of his voice in order to mimic conventional rock instruments, handclaps, and other sounds.”

“A Cappella” was actually finished in 1984 and, according to wikipedia, “slated for release on Bearsville Records later that year. But with Bearsville’s slimming artist roster and lack of successful artists, Bearsville did not want to risk releasing an album that the label felt was too experimental and would not sell, so A Cappella was shelved. Bearsville filed for Bankruptcy in 1985 and all of its remaining master recordings were either released through Warner Bros. or shelved altogether.”

Todd remembers it different in the book “A Wizard A True Star: Todd Rundgren In The Studio” by Paul Myers – here he is discussing the actions of Albert Grossman:

“He lied to me and told me he had sent it to Mo Ostin, from [Bearsville’s parent company] Warner Bros., and that Mo had told him he didn’t like it. Only that never actually happened; it was a total lie. We were at to the end of a contractual period and Albert could never stand the idea of you going forward without him getting a piece of you somehow.”

“A Capella” ended up becoming Todd’s first album for Warner Bros. Records. As you can see, the way that happened bothered Todd a lot. With that said, it’s time to explore and enjoy the unique, experimental sonic majesty of “A Cappella!”

Let’s dig into side one, which gets off with a bang – a hypnotic song called:

“Blue Orpheus”

You don’t immediately realize that Todd is doing all of the sounds, as the hypnotic quality of the song hooks you immediately…

“I want to hear my blue orpheus sing
I’ll know that life is a wonderful thing
Somewhere there’s love and perpetual spring
I’ll know life is a wonderful thing”

On youTube, “paul muadib son of duke leto the just” posted a beautiful video for the song:

Here is what this fan wrote: “The shear genius of recording a whole album with just the sound of the human voice, is an approach to music that only Todd Rundgren could make. The imagery associated with the myths and legends of Orpheous, lend themselves to a rhythmic, mystical, magical treatment. I hope I have done the song and the myth justice.

THIS IS A FAN BASED VIDEO . ALL RIGHTS ARE RETAINED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS. THIS VIDEO WAS DONE WITH THE EXPRESSED PERMISSION OF THE ARTIST. thank you, Todd!”

Here is his terrific video:

“Johnee Jingo” was next, a tight, feisty song with a chorus that was barked out like a chant – a very catchy chant!

“Pretending to Care”

the above image is a stance Todd takes every time he performs this song – one of his most beautiful ballads…

“I’ll never know
If I was blind
Would you still be my eyes
Or hide everything you see

Pretending to care about me”

Here is a great live version from Todd – London 2005:

This album really allowed Todd’s voice to shine.

As pointed out in “A Wizard A True Star: Todd Rundgren In The Studio”, technological advancements gave Todd so much more creative freedom in the studio:

“I realized at a certain point”, he says, “that having a sampler would allow me to do this kind of record. It would have been a real pain in the ass previous to that, but the sample makes it easier, in some ways, even though I didn’t have a sequencer. The drums were voice samples, often played out of pitch or really overblown, but they weren’t sequenced, so I had to ‘play’ them manually, hammering on a keyboard all the way through a track like ‘Something To Fall Back On.'”

I have used excerpts from this book before, because it is one of the best books about music I’ve read. Paul Myers worked with Todd to tell the inside story of his producing work – from Hall & Oates to Meatloaf, Cheap Trick, XTC, New York Dolls, Patti Smith and more – you can read about those efforts here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/04/25/hall-oates-meatloaf-funk-todd-rundgrens-top-5-producing-efforts/

Back to “A Cappella” – “Hodja” is next, followed by one of Todd’s most beautiful songs:

“Lost Horizon”

This is another song where you don’t even realize that Todd is doing all of the sounds himself – the song is so hauntingly beautiful that you aren’t distracted by anything else…

“I’ve got so much to hope for
Dreams that I’ve never had
When you’ve got no one to share them
Hurts so bad
Ooh it hurt me so bad

I have an ideal I think is real
But I just can’t find it
I believe that one day
I’ll melt away into that lost horizon”

Here is Todd performing the song live this year in Beverly Hills, as part of his latest tour:

You can read my entire concert review of that incredible night, with more videos here:

Todd Rundgren Rocks Beverly Hills! Todd’s 2016 Tour Reviewed! Todd Goes “Virtual Reality!”

So much great music, and that’s just side one!

“Something to Fall Back On”

Without a doubt, this is one of Todd’s best 80’s singles: a catchy, upbeat blast – should have been a huge hit for him. If you want to see him performing it live from 1990, check out my story about that amazing tour:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/06/12/todd-rundgrens-live-nearly-human-tour-my-1990-vhs-survives-classic-live-performance-video/

“Miracle in the Bazaar” and “Lockjaw” are next, the latter song a crunchy rocker – still using only sounds from Todd!

Here is the audio-only version of the song:

“Lockjaw” was followed by another beautiful song:

“Honest Work”

Todd sings a plaintive ballad, the strength of his voice carrying the tune…

“I’m not afraid to bend my back
I’m not afraid of dirt
But how I fear the things I do
For lack of honest work”

Here is a great “a cappella” version from David Letterman’s show:

“Mighty Love”

Similar to “I Love My Life” from “Almost Human”, this song is a spiritual, almost gospel singalong for the fans…

“A mighty love
Can sometimes make you weep and moan
Said a mighty love
You sit all day by the telephone
‘Cause you’re all alone
You need a mighty love”

Here is a live performance from “Celebrate Brooklyn @ Prospect Park Bandshell – June 16, 2011” – Hal Willner’s Freedom Riders Project featuring Steve Bernstein, Rosanne Cash, Toshi Reagon, Lou Reed, Todd Rundgren and Catherine Russell.

This was posted to youtube by Ken Baierlein – thanks!

So there you have it, another great album from Todd, uniquely experimental yet accessible – and full of great songs and “should have been singles.”

I mentioned the tension around the album’s release – well, speaking of tension:

That’s right, Todd had just gone through a “tortured Artist” period – and ended up with one of his biggest hits! You can read all about that here:

Todd Is “Tortured!” Todd Rundgren’s Hilarious “Bang On The Drum” Hit! Record Label Swan Song! The Terrific “Ever Popular” Goodbye to Bearsville!

Todd’s relationship with his record labels was volatile for quite a while, especially with this brilliant album:

Todd felt strongly that the label abandoned this masterpiece – read more about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/05/14/todd-rundgren-stays-faithful-a-shocking-record-label-betrayal-beatles-covers-brilliant-new-songs/

Todd was also working on new Utopia music, at the dawn of the 80’s, and with a great “power pop” vibe:

Here is a look at their terrific “Utopia” album:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/06/30/todd-rundgrens-utopia-2-a-neglected-80s-power-pop-classic-kasim-sultans-departure-and-return/

Finally, if you want to see Todd’s musical changes over time, this is the place to go:

Ten years of Todd live on the BBC, solo and with Utopia! Check it out here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/03/23/todd-rundgren-live-at-the-bbc-utopias-pyramid-climb-a-decade-of-brilliant-music/

Leave a comment to let me know what you think of Todd’s “A Cappella!”

Forget this political campaign: time to go back to a simpler time, when this was the most pressing issue in a campaign:

Who Wants A Slice Of President John Tyler’s “Sugar Pie”?

You don’t get asked that question every day! I love politics, and I love food, so why not the best Presidential food recipes of all time? And it’s from America’s most “prolific” President – in the bedroom!

Meet America’s 10th President!

John Tyler was America’s 10th president, from 1841 to 1845. He assumed office after the death of President William Henry Harrison, who passed away from pneumonia after just a month in the White House.

Here is what Harrison looked like while spending his single month in office:

His “Accidency!”

After the shocking death of President Harrison, Tyler took over the office and was immediately nicknamed “His Accidency,” – because Tyler was the first vice president to become chief executive due to the death of his predecessor.

Among his accomplishments was the 1845 annexation of Texas. However, Tyler was also part of the political force that led to the horrific Civil War. Before he died, Tyler voted for Virginia’s secession from the Union and was part of the Confederate Congress.

President Tyler’s Confederate Betrayal!

Because of Tyler’s involvement with the Confederacy movement, President Abraham Lincoln and the U.S. government did not publicly acknowledge Tyler’s death, as the Virginian was seen as a traitor to the Union!

John Tyler – Party Boy!

Let’s step back for a moment and look at another aspect of this controversial President. From a personal tragedy, Tyler went on to shock the country!

Tyler’s first wife, Letitia, suffered a stroke and died in 1842. She was the first “first lady” to ever die while her Husband was in office.

America’s Sexiest First Lady!

Tyler soon squired Julia Gardner, a 22-year-old nicknamed the “Rose of Long Island”. Yes, she was thirty years younger!

America’s Most Prolific President!

In 1844, John Tyler became the first president to marry while in office. The couple went on to have seven children. With a total of 15 offspring from his two marriages, Tyler fathered more children than any other U.S. president in history.

Julia is remembered by many historians as one of the most beautiful First Ladies ever!

Now, time to have some pie!

President Tyler’s Famous Sugar Pie!

This pie became hugely popular because it was President Tyler’s favorite – and it is also known as “sugar pie”. Here is the easy recipe:

Ingredients:

Flour

Puff Pastry, 1 sheet

3 Tbsp butter

3 eggs and 1 egg yolk, well beaten

1 cup granulated sugar

½ cup heavy cream

1 cup coconut, lightly toasted and more for top

2 pints fresh raspberries

Powdered sugar for top (optional)

First, cream butter and sugar with a hand mixer. Then add the well-beaten eggs, along with heavy cream and grated coconut. Mix by hand. Roll out puff pastry on a well-floured surface. Place in a pie mold. Bake in a hot 450F oven for 10 minutes, until pastry sets. Add filling, then reduce the heat to 350F and cook another 25 minutes, or until pudding pie is firm. Cover pastry with tin foil if it starts to get too much color. Remove from oven and cool. Top with fresh raspberries and sprinkle with powdered sugar (optional).

Lincoln Cakes and Washington Pies!

There are many great recipes that came from the White House kitchen.

Here is a great blog that discusses them all:

http://researchingfoodhistory.blogspot.com/2011/02/presidents-cakes-pies-jumbles-and.html

President Obama also gave us a delicious treat:

Obama Beer!

Raise a glass and say “Ale To The Chief!” Here is the recipe for Obama’s White House beer:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/09/07/ale-to-the-chief-president-obamas-beer-plus-classic-beer-ads/

Back to President Tyler’s fifteen children: yes, he was a party boy to be sure, but he wasn’t the only President with that reputation!

That’s right, this guy was a wild man as well! Read all about President Warren G. Harding’s White House shenanigans here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/08/17/americas-horniest-president-warren-g-hardings-sex-shenanigans-in-the-white-house/

Leave me a comment and let me know if you want a slice of President Tyler’s “sugar Pie!”

“Tear him up!”

And with that command, “Willard” turns his band of ravenous rats on all of his enemies…and yes, the movie’s sequel “Ben” had a theme song, sung by Michael Jackson, that was a love song to a rat – and was Oscar-nominated!

Time For The Wacky Animal Vengeance Horror Of “Willard!”

This 1971 film starred Bruce Davison and Ernest Borgnine, and was a surprise hit! Check out the classic trailer:

“Willard” was based on the novel “The Ratman’s Notebooks”, and was a surprise box office hit in 1971! A young Bruce Davison stars as Willard, a shy boy who befriends a rat named Ben…

Ernest Borgnine Bets Against “Ben!”

Ernest Borgnine co-stars in “Willard”, and as you can see, it doesn’t end well for him. According to Borgnine’s autobiography, they offered the legendary character Actor a choice of a higher salary or a percentage of the box office. Borgnine chose to take the money right away – probably costing him plenty, because the movie was a surprise hit!

Michael Jackson’s Love Song To A Rat!

One of the most interesting aspects of the film is that the main rat, Ben, was the star of a sequel the very next year called “Ben” – and the theme song is sung by a young Michael Jackson…and it was nominated for best original song of 1972!

That’s right – “Ben” was oscar-nominated! And why not? After all, it’s not every movie that offers a loving tribute to a killer rat!

“Ben, the two of us need look no more
We both found what we were looking for
With a friend to call my own
I’ll never be alone
And you my friend will see
You’ve got a friend in me
(You’ve got a friend in me)”

Yes, you’ve got a friend in “Ben!”

Michael Jackson At The Oscars!

Here is a clip of Michael Jackson performing the song on the 1973 Academy Awards show – he is introduced by legendary Actor Charlton Heston!

If you need to know, “Ben” lost the best original song Oscar to “The Morning After” from “The Poseidon Adventure!”

Thanks to Shout Factory, you will soon be able to enjoy both cult classics “Willard” and “Ben”, which are getting a much-deserved blu-ray release – so bite down on these campy cult classics, which led to a avalanche of “killer animal” films in the 1970’s!

Killer “Frogs!”

It is simply one of the all-time greatest movie posters – for a campy cult 70’s horror film called “Frogs”….one of a number of campy animal horror films that followed “Willard” – check it out here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/10/24/wackiest-halloween-horror-frogs-vincent-price-helldrivers-old-ladies/

And if you want your killer animals more modern, I’ve got you covered:

“Zombeavers” Are Here!

Yes, “zombie beavers” terrorize teenagers in various stages of undress! This new movie is cap fun! Check out the trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/02/18/zombeavers-the-latest-in-killer-animal-movies-frogs-ants-and-more-campy-horror/

Let me know what you think of the “Ben” love song!

157957199MB00165_12_12_12_C

“One thing they didn’t tell me was that I was in the middle of a Nirvana reunion!”

When you are Paul McCartney, it must be difficult to be surprised by anything – but wait until you read some of this terrific interview he just did with Q magazine!

The latest Q magazine has a great conversation with McCartney, on a whole range of topics….

Macca Talks Kanye!

For example, here is what he said about Kanye West:

“I got a call, somebody said, ‘Kanye would like to work with you.’ So we just knocked around for a few days…”

He then goes on to explain how surprised he was to find out that a lot of his work was used in other songs – that he didn’t even know about!

One of the best anecdotes involves his work with the surviving Beatles.

The Final Beatles Recording!

Paul discussed working with George and Ringo one last time:

“It was really brilliant cos you could be fooled once or twice into thinking that John was in the vocal booth.”

Let’s look at this great interview from Paul!

Looking Good At 30!

The terrific British music magazine “Q” just celebrated its 30th anniversary – oh, and guess who was on the very first cover!

Paul McCartney sat down with the magazine to look at the last thirty years, and he told some great stories, such as how he ended up working with Nirvana!

The Nirvana Reunion!

Paul tells Q how the Nirvana song came about, beginning with Dave Growl asking if he wanted to come over and jam. After playing for a bit, he explains how he found out it was a Nirvana reunion:

“…then this very tall guy who I didn’t know who was introduced as Krist and this other guy introduced as Pat, they joined in. The guys were laughing, saying ‘we haven’t played like this in 20 years.’ I said, ‘oh, you’ve played together before, have you?’ They go, ‘Yeah, we’re Nirvana.’ I had no idea. It was funny, I would’ve been intimidated if I’d realized I was being the vocalist in Nirvana!”

Here is an amazing live performance from Seattle in 2013, when Nirvana joins Paul onstage in their hometown for a rocking rendition of “Cut Me Some Slack”!

Of course, I’ve written about McCartney’s Seattle performances before – in 1976, when Wings landed at The Kingdome! See some great live performances here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/07/12/paul-mccartney-wings-over-seattle-the-kingdome-implosion-seattle-sports-history/

Paul also tells a poignant story about recording with The Beatles one last time:

The Beatles’ Last Recording!

When the surviving band members were finalizing the terrific Anthology project, they gathered with Producer Jeff Lynne of ELO to record “Free As A Bird”.

“It was very smooth really. I think once we’d decided that we would do it, there was no point in having any tensions.”

He also discusses how the three of them felt John’s presence in the studio…

“It was really brilliant cos you could be fooled once or twice into thinking that John was in the vocal booth.”

Here is the music video for “Free As A Bird”:

Finally, I posted a piece speculating on whether the third Fireman album was actually “McCartney III” –

Well, here is what Paul had to say about that album, when he got this idea from Youth, who pointed out that the first two Fireman albums were simply instrumentals:

“He says to me, ‘how about a vocal?’ I said, ‘well, there’s no song.’ So I had to say to the engineers, ‘OK everyone…this could be the end of my career cos I’ve no ideas what noises I’m gonna make now…I’m gonna shout words.’ It was like being on a psychiatrist’s couch, you were just shouting things. It was a very liberating way to work.”

While “Electric Arguments” feels like a McCartney solo album, it is clearly in the spirit of The Fireman. Read more about this McCartney gem here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/06/26/my-paul-mccartney-electric-argument-was-the-fireman-actually-mccartney-iii-maccas-heather-mills-dis-myth/

Bravo to Q magazine for such an insightful interview – and there is so much more to it, so buy the magazine and check it out. Let me know what you think!

“It’ll Grab You By The Pom-Poms!”

Ah, the happy days of grindhouse exploitation, when movie posters were full of double entendres and “hey now” one liners…one of the more popular genres was related to “Cheerleaders”…

Cult erotic film Actress Kristine Debell shook her Pom Poms in the cult 70’s film “Cheerleader’s Wild Weekend!” Seems like a perfect title, but it was also known under another name….”The Great American Girl Robbery!”

Let’s begin with the trailer:

And now, the plot as described by the great website IMDB:

A bus-load of cheerleaders is hijacked and held for a $2 million ransom. After several comic and arousing interactions, eventually the girls are forced by their captors to participate in a topless “beauty pageant” in which they must pose before their captor-“judges” in nothing but their underwear!

An Erotic Icon Stays Fully Clothed!

Legendary Actress Kristine DeBell stars in the film, this after her starring role in this erotic classic:

Now here’s the funniest part of this movie: Kristine DeBell had it stipulated in her contract that she didn’t have to do any nudity in this film!

Hilarious! Read the whole movie review at the great “Mondo Digital” website:

http://www.mondo-digital.com/wildweekend.html

If you don’t know about Kristine’s legendary work in an “adult” Alice In Wonderland, you are missing a treat:

Read all about this cult classic here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/03/08/kristine-debell-her-x-rated-alice-in-wonderland-hollywoods-multiple-cult-cuts/

Of course, 70’s sexploitation cinema is filled with classic “Cheerleader” movies like this one:

Did you know that David Hasselhoff starred in one? Click here to see his hilarious role as “Boner!”

https://johnrieber.com/2015/02/19/cheerleaders-pom-pom-girls-david-hasselhoff-as-boner-cult-classics-rah-rah-rah/

Cheerleaders weren’t the only ones swinging in the 70’s…

That’s right, Stewardesses were getting naughty as well…see some of those cult classics here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/05/30/naughty-stewardesses-swinging-cheerleaders-centerfold-girls-classic-70s-exploitation/

Leave me a comment and let me know if you got away on this “wild weekend!”

The Musical Revolution Is Here!

Let’s go back to August, 1966 – when The Beatles released a masterpiece that pushed pop/rock music into a whole new dimension…

50 years ago this month, a new Beatles album arrived, and with it, the musical revolution they started took another amazingly creative turn – time to celebrate the revolutionary “Revolver!”

“Revolver” was the seventh studio album by The Beatles. It was released in August 1966 and was, as usual, an immediately #1 worldwide smash hit.

I wanted to share some great trivia about the album, showcase the unique recording innovations that were introduced, and share some videos of the greatest songs from the album – although virtually EVERY Beatles song was great!

Here are the tracks on “Revolver”:

George leads off with the acidic “Taxman” – the band discovering just how much of their money was going to the government…

“Let me tell you how it will be
There’s one for you, nineteen for me
Cos I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman

Should five per cent appear too small
Be thankful I don’t take it all
Cos I’m the taxman, yeah I’m the taxman

If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street
If you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat
If you get too cold I’ll tax the heat
If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet”

Macca’s Greatest Hits!

Next up is one of Paul McCartney’s early masterpieces, the story of a lonely young woman in England:

“Eleanor Rigby”

“Eleanor Rigby picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been
Lives in a dream
Waits at the window, wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door
Who is it for?

All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?”

Here is Paul performing the song for the movie “Give My Regards To Broad Street”:

John Lennon follows with one of his more cynical songs, “I’m Only Sleeping” , followed by Harrison’s “Love You To”…

“Here, There and Everywhere”

Here is Paul performing it in the studio in 1984:

“Yellow Submarine”

Up next is one of the album’s most enduring classics, as the band always gave Ringo a song to sing, and this was a classic that almost killed John lennon!

Yes, “Yellow Submarine” almost killed John Lennon!

Here is the story from Rolling Stone magazine:

On Wednesday, June 1st, 1966, the Beatles, with a coterie of fellow madcaps including Marianne Faithful, Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones and George Harrison’s wife, Pattie, gathered in Abbey Road’s Studio Two to outfit “Yellow Submarine” with sound effects.
Zaniness had always been a special interest of John Lennon’s, going back to his passion for The Goon Show. Getting into nautical mode, Lennon pressed Revolver engineer Geoff Emerick to record him singing underwater, after having first attempted to sing while gargling.
“While George Martin worked at dissuading him,” Emerick later wrote, “I began thinking of an alternative. Might we have John sing into a mic that was immersed in water?”
A mic was duly wrapped in a condom for protection, prompting the Lennon wisecrack, “We don’t want the microphone getting in the family way,” and dropped in a milk carton.
The signal was distant and the gambit was abandoned, but no one at the time was aware how lucky Lennon had been. “It wasn’t until many years later,” Emerick concluded, “that I realized with horror that the microphone we were using was phantom-powered – meaning that it actually was a live electrical object. In conjunction with the 240-volt system used in England, any of us, including Lennon, could easily have been electrocuted, and I would have gone down in history as the first recording engineer to kill a client in the studio.”

A great anecdote, one of fifteen about the making of “Revolver” that you can find here, thanks to Rolling Stone:

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/beatles-revolver-15-things-you-didnt-know-w432446

Side one finishes with Lennon’s catchy “She Said She Said”, then side two kicks in with another McCartney classic:”Good Day Sunshine” followed by Lennon’s terrific
“And Your Bird Can Sing” – here is a great stripped down version from their rehearsals, with terrific Lennon vocals:

McCartney’s ballad “For No One” is next, followed by Lennon’s expose of his
“Doctor Robert”, then George offers up his catchy “I Want to Tell You” before Paul gives us another masterpiece:

“Got to Get You into My Life”

McCartney’s writing is at its peak on “Revolver”, with another instantly iconic song:

“I was alone, I took a ride
I didn’t know what I would find there”

Here is Paul performing this classic in 2011:

“Tomorrow Never Knows” is the album’s finale, and as wikipedia notes:

“marks a progression from the group’s 1965 release “Rubber Soul” in terms of style and experimentation, and heralded the band’s arrival as studio innovators. The album’s sounds include the incorporation of tape loops and backwards recordings on the psychedelic “Tomorrow Never Knows”, the use of a classical string octet on “Eleanor Rigby”, and the Indian-music backing of “Love You To”. Aside from methods such as varispeeding, reversed tapes, and close audio miking, the sessions for the album resulted in the invention of automatic double tracking (ADT), a technique that was invented by engineers at Abbey Road studios, and was soon adopted throughout the recording industry.”

So there you have it, an album that was incredibly experimental at the time, and has stood the test of time as well.

There were some promotional movies created for the songs, which you can find here:

See all of the incredible music videos from The Beatles here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/09/18/the-beatles-exclusive-new-release-incredible-beatles-music-videos-the-beatles-1-is-here/

“Paperback Writer” was another song recorded during the “Revolver” sessions, but released just as a single…but that’s nothing, some of the band’s best music was written for others!

See some of the great songs they gave away to other artists here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/06/01/forgotten-beatles-songs-classic-lennon-mccartney-hits-for-others-the-songs-the-beatles-gave-away/

If you want to read more about “Revolver”, here is a great article from “The Daily Beast”:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/08/05/is-the-beatles-revolver-the-best-rock-record-ever.html

And I had the chance to see a special 50th celebration of The Beatles At The Hollywood Bowl:

You can see my review, with performance clips, here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/08/24/the-beatles-at-the-hollywood-bowl-amazing-50th-anniversary-celebration/

Finally, McCartney just gave an interview to Q magazine about his last recording with the surviving members of the band:

You can see what he said about the spirit of John being with them as they recorded “Free As A Bird” in my story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/08/03/paul-mccartney-on-the-beatles-last-song-playing-with-nirvana-kanye-maccas-greatest-hits/

“Revolver” at 50 is still going strong!

Get Ready For Some Amazing, Mind-Blowing Cinema!

This montage shows just some of the dozens and dozens of films from the Japanese visionary Director Takashi Miike!

Takashi Miike is a highly prolific and controversial Japanese filmmaker – having directed over ninety theatrical, video, and television productions since 1991!

The films are shocking, daring, controversial, and in many cases, classics of cinema!

Ichi The Killer!

Mike first caught my eye with this ultra-violent story of a hired Assassin…it’s a great, gory thriller – check out the trailer:

“Audition”

This horror classic was recently listed as one of the top 100 horror films of all time…it’s a slow-building masterpiece of shock…check out the trailer:

Mike also offers up perverse classic like this one:

“The Happiness Of The Katakuris!”

Yes, Miike directed a zombie musical! The imagery mocked “The Sound Of Music” as only he can – check out this film here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/10/05/happy-singing-zombies-visionary-takashi-miikes-wacky-zombie-musical/

Another great Miike film is “Thirteen Assassins”, a terrific period action drama…among his more recent work is this controversial shocker:

“As The Gods Will”

Mike continues to deliver provocative cinema every year, including this recent film – check out the wild trailer!

His Notorious “Jiggle” Promo!

To promote the film, a very controversial “jiggle” promo was created….with a bevy of bikini-clad women dancing suggestively for the camera…not referencing the film for several minutes!

You can check this controversial trailer out here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/11/11/the-bikini-game-controversial-japanese-jiggle-movie-promo-new-j-sploitation-film/

Mike continues to direct films – which are now getting wider release in the US – you can find most on Amazon and streaming services as well…if you have a stomach for offbeat cinema, this is the Director for you!

See even more of his work here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/10/13/yakuza-zombies-bloody-asian-halloween-horror-2015-shocking-japanese-exploitation/

Let me know your favorites – the “Dead Or Alive” trilogy is one of mine, as well as “13 Assassins!”

Simon Cowell’s “The Shining!”

Wh-wh-WHAT?!?!??!!?

Yes, Simon Cowell was part of the creative team on Stanley Kubrick’s horror masterpiece! It’s just one of my favorite pieces of movie trivia.

Here is more great trivia:

Robert DeNiro IS Sonny Corleone!

That’s right, before he was cast as Don Corleone in “The Godfather Part II”, DeNiro auditioned for the role of hot-headed Sonny…

Great “Godfather” Movie Trivia!

James Caan was brilliant as Sonny – and Marlon Brando not only won the Best Actor Oscar for his role as “The Godfather”, behind the scenes he was brilliant as well!

Brando was a notorious practical joker – read all of his behind-the-scenes gags here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/07/19/the-godfather-screen-tests-robert-deniro-is-sonny-corleone-godfather-trivia/

There is so much more great “Godfather” trivia as well, like this:

The Horse Head Was Real!

That’s right: the shocked reaction you see onscreen is real, as that was an actual horse head in the bed! Read all about this classic piece of movie trivia here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/03/20/brandos-cue-cards-real-horse-heads-the-godfathers-best-stories/

Here is another piece of movie trivia I love, courtesy of “Star Wars”:

Sam Jones As “Han Solo!”

Sam Jones was “Flash Gordon”, but did you know that Han Solo is directly a result of this film? George Lucas tells you how “Star Wars” came from “Flash Gordon” – read it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/04/05/how-flash-gordon-created-star-wars-sam-jones-the-original-han-solo/

And finally, who would’ve thought THIS?

Simon Cowell Worked On “The Shining!”

Yes, Simon Cowell was on the same set as Stanley Kubrick and Jack Nicholson! Read all about that movie trivia – and more – by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/01/04/simon-cowell-was-shining-debra-winger-is-e-t-wildest-movie-facts/

Let me know what your favorite movie trivia is!

Todd’s Latest Tour Is Here On Blu-Ray! DVD! CD Too!

Yes, I post a lot about Todd Rundgren, an iconic Singer/Songwriter/Musician/Producer Extraordinaire who continues to make music after more than forty years…in fact, Todd just wrapped up a tour that has resulted in this terrific new release!

“An Evening With Todd Rundgren! Live At The Ridgefield!”

I just got my DVD/CD combo, which is from Purple Pyramid, a division of Cleopatra Records – is a great looking release – and I’ve already check out the DVD…the concert has been beautifully filmed, the audio is pristine, and Todd’s performance is stellar – and his very tight band is great as well!

Because the concert ran more than two hours, the release includes both a full-length DVD AND a shorter live CD on a single disc…you can also order the Blu-ray…here is what you get – a Todd greatest hits concert with a number of rare and rarely performed songs as well – great stuff like “Open My Eyes”, “God Said” and more – let’s look at the track listing:

DVD – BLU-RAY Track Listing:

1. Intro / I Saw The Light
2. Love Of The Common Man

Todd comes out of the gate with two of his great pop singles, his voice flawless and the band energetic.

Here is a clip of the first two songs from the Beverly Hills show I attended in January 2016:

3. Open My Eyes
4. Remarks

Yes, this is where he tells the “walking dead” anecdote about fans who haven’t heard any of his new music for the past 45 years, but he does it with affection, then goes right into another classic:

5. Sometimes I Don’t Know What To Feel
6. Black And White
7. Love Science
8. Buffalo Grass
9. Determination
10. Lost Horizon

This is one of his most hauntingly beautiful songs. Here is my video review of his performance from Beverly Hills in January 2016:

11. Bang The Drum All Day
12. Soothe

This song is from his new “GLOBAL” release – and it’s got an 80’s ballad vibe to it in my opinion…I love this new song.

13. Kiddie Boy
14. Black Maria

This is one of Todd’s great guitar-infused rockers. Bravo to Cleopatra Records for releasing the official video of this song from the concert:

15. God Said
16. Drive
17. I’m So Proud
18. Ooh Baby Baby
19. I Want You
20. Secret Society
21. Love In Action
22. Couldn’t I Just Tell You
23. Can We Still Be Friends
24. Hello It’s Me

Of course he included his iconic single, which he performed with a sense of joy. Here is his live performance from Beverly Hills less than a month after the Ridgefield show:

25. One World
26. Credits

Kudos to all involved!

Band Line-up:
Todd Rundgren (guitar, vocals)
John Ferenzik (keyboards, vocals)
Jesse Gress (guitar, vocals)
Prairie Prince (drums)
Kasim Sulton (bass, vocals)

Produced by Chris Andersen
Executive Producer: Eric Gardner
Music Produced and Mixed by Todd Rundgren
Sound Recorded by Chris Andersen and Jeff Notti
Edited by Chris Andersen
Photos courtesy of Stevo Rood

Here is the CD that is included – 18 of the songs all crammed into one disc:

CD Track Listing
1. I Saw The Light
2. Love Of The Common Man
3. Open My Eyes
4. Sometimes I Don’t Know What To Feel
5. Black And White
6. Buffalo Grass
7. Determination
8. Lost Horizon
9. Bang The Drum All Day
10. Kiddie Boy
11. Black Maria
12. Drive
13. Secret Society
14. Love In Action
15. Couldn’t I Just Tell You
16. Can We Still Be Friends
17. Hello It’s Me
18. One World

I took my son Jeff to see this show, and he fell in love with my “AWATS” vinyl soon after.

If you’d like to see more of my review of the Beverly Hills show, you can read it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/01/07/todd-rundgren-rocks-beverly-hills-todds-2016-tour-reviewed/

Todd has had a busy year – right after this tour ended, he headed out on worldwide tour with this guy:

Todd gave a great interview about touring with Ringo, which you can read here:

Ringo’s “All-Starr” Band Rocks On! Todd Rundgren’s 2016 Tease! These Beatles Tour On!

Todd is also making great new music, including his Grammy-nominated work called “Runddens” – read about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/08/15/todd-rundgrens-mojo-todds-genius-influence-new-runddens-music-todd-video-interview/

Finally, I love Todd’s producing work as well, and here are my five favorite efforts:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/04/25/hall-oates-meatloaf-funk-todd-rundgrens-top-5-producing-efforts/

Let me know if you’ve picked up the new live DVD/CD/Blu-ray!

“There it was, the sound. Extraordinary blend of voices, wonderful harmony sound, just stunning.”

March 1972 — The rock band The Eagles rest in a desert valley. The Eagles were the most popular band of the seventies and their reunion tour in the nineties was also very successful. — Image by © Henry Diltz/CORBIS

Yes, when listeners heard this band’s gorgeous harmonies, a new sound in country rock music was created!

“Take it easy, take it easy
Don’t let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy”

The image above is from the brilliant Photographer Henry Diltz, who captured The Eagles on the cusp of their terrific debut as a band in 1972 – the beginning of a musical ride that has seen the band achieve iconic status!

Meet The “Eagles!”

The Eagles released their debut album in 1972 – and considering it was one of the album’s credited with creating the “southern california sound”, it was actually recorded in London’s Olympic Studios with producer Glyn Johns.

I posted a story of how the band got together, with Linda Ronstadt there at the beginning – you can read that here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/03/01/the-birth-of-the-eagles-linda-ronstadts-back-up-band-had-a-peaceful-easy-feeling/

The Birth Of The Band!

Here’s how the first album came about. In 1971, the band had just been formed and signed by David Geffen, who then sent them to Aspen, Colorado to rehearse and write material. For their first album, Glyn Johns was chosen as the producer by Glenn Frey.

Johns had a great record of engineering and producing albums for groups such as The Rolling Stones, The Who and Led Zeppelin.

According to wikipedia, “Johns was invited by Geffen to see the band perform at a club in Colorado in December 1971.Johns, however, was not impressed by the band’s live performance, thinking that the band was confused and lacking in cohesion — Frey wanted it to be a rock & roll band while Bernie Leadon wanted a country feel — and Johns declined to produce the album.Johns was persuaded by Geffen to have a second listen in a rehearsal setting in Los Angeles, but Johns did not change his opinion of the band until all four started singing harmonies with acoustic guitar on a ballad written by Meisner, “Take The Devil”. Johns was impressed by their harmony singing, and later said:

“There it was, the sound. Extraordinary blend of voices, wonderful harmony sound, just stunning.”

Johns was right: the harmonies that came from Henley, Frey, Meisner and Leadon were truly extraordinary, and this first album combines Frey’s interest in rock with Leadon’s country vibe, plus Meisner’s poetic falsetto and of course, Henley’s instinctive feel for a classic hook.

Let’s take a look at this iconic debut album, which begins with what many consider to be the band’s signature song:

“Take It Easy”

“Take it easy, take it easy
Don’t let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy”

“Take It Easy” was written by Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey, and was the band’s first single. It peaked at No. 12 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, and has since been selected as one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s “500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.”

The Making Of A Legend!

According to wikipedia:

“Jackson Browne originally began writing “Take It Easy” in 1971 for his own debut album but was having difficulty finishing the song. His friend and then-neighbor Glenn Frey had heard an early version and later asked Browne about it. Browne then played the unfinished second verse that begins with “Well, I’m a-standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona…”, and Frey finished the verse with “It’s a girl, my lord, in a flatbed Ford, slowin’ down to take a look at me.” Browne was very happy with the result and suggested that they co-write the song.”

More on Winslow, Arizona down below, but back to the album, with a second track that Don Henley and Bernie Leadon turned into a huge hit as well:

“Witchy Woman”

The next song on the album was the band’s first top ten single, reaching #9 on the charts.

Here is how the song came about – guitarist Bernie Leadon first started writing “Witchy Woman” while he was a member of the Flying Burrito Brothers. After joining the Eagles, Leadon and Don Henley finished the song together.

Henley said of the origin:

“[Leadon] came over one day and started playing this strange, minor-key riff that sounded sort of like a Hollywood movie version of Indian music — you know, the kind of stuff they play when the Indians ride up on the ridge while the wagon train passes below. It had a haunting quality, and I thought it was interesting, so we put a rough version of it down on a cassette tape.”

One of the great moments from the “History of the Eagles” tour is when Leadon is introduced near the top of the show, and joins Henley onstage for a live version of this song.

Here is a rare live version from 1973:

I loved that Leadon re-joined the group for the “History” tour…here is my review of that show, with some clips from the concert:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/09/21/history-of-the-eagles-amazing-concert-old-friends-return/

Two Glenn Frey songs are next: the raucous “Chug All Night”, then the soft ballad “Most of Us Are Sad”…a beautiful song written by Frey but sung by Randy Meisner…here is an audio-only clip:

“Nightingale” is next, written by Jackson Browne and Don Henley – I love the tight, rocking nature of this song, with great harmonies…

“Train Leaves Here This Morning” is from Bernie Leadon and former bandmate Gene Clark. Probably the most country-sounding song on the album, again with beautiful harmonies near the end.

“Take the Devil” from Randy Meisner is next, then the fun country-infused “Earlybird” from Leadon and Meisner. I love the “banjo and bird” riff on the song.

“Peaceful Easy Feeling”

The other iconic Eagles song on this album is “Peaceful Easy Feeling”, written by their friend and collaborator Jack Tempchin.

“I like the way your sparkling earrings lay,
Against your skin, it’s so brown.
And I wanna sleep with you in the desert tonight
With a billion stars all around.

‘Cause I got a peaceful easy feeling,
And I know you won’t let me down
’cause I’m already standing on the ground.”

I’ve mentioned the great singer/songwriter Jack Tempchin before – his masterful way with a song is on display here…and look atthe band performing the song live on the BBC in 1973:

Thanks to the great youtube channel “music&music” for posting this!

By the way, the great songwriter Jack Tempchin has a new album out in September, and you should follow him on his Facebook fan page here as well:

https://www.facebook.com/JackTempchin

Randy Meisner’s “Tryin'” wraps up the album, a terrific collection of songs that signaled a major new force in music had arrived.

What An Iconic Album Cover!

Credits for the terrific album cover go to artist Gary Burde,n with incredible photography by Henry Diltz!. In the documentary “History of the Eagles”, Glenn Frey revealed that the band were all on peyote when the pictures for the album cover were shot in Joshua Tree National Park!

The Album’s “Oops! Moment!

The album was initially designed as a gatefold album that would further open up into a poster, however Geffen thought it would be confusing, and glued it together so that it would not open, and the gatefold image of the band members at Joshua Tree then came out the wrong side up!

The Eagles Soar!

The Eagles’ debut album reached No. 22 on the charts and went platinum. More importantly, the album introduced a “southern california sound” that cemented the band’s place in music history. In 2012, the album was ranked number 368 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

Now, back to Winslow, Arizona…

“Well, I’m a-standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona
Such a fine sight to see
It’s a girl, my Lord, in a flat-bed Ford
Slowin’ down to take a look at me
Come on, baby, don’t say maybe
I gotta know if your sweet love is gonna save me
We may lose and we may win, though we will never be here again
So open up I’m climbin’ in, so take it easy”

The Legend Of Winslow!

Here is the story behind the iconic lyrics of “Take It Easy:

According to Frey, the second verse of “Take It Easy” refers to the time when Jackson Browne’s car broke down in Winslow, Arizona on one of his trips to Sedona, and he had to spend a long day in Winslow.

In 1999, the city of Winslow created a fun “fan-friendly” photo op in the town – a life-size bronze statue and mural commemorating the song at the “Standin’ on the Corner” Park.

This iconic song was co-written by Jackson Brown, who continues to make great music on his own:

You can see Jackson Browne’s video sequel to “Take It Easy”, which is featured on his new album, by clicking here:

Jackson Browne! Never “Running On Empty”! Brilliant New Jackson Browne Music!

Of course, this smash debut album led everyone to expect the hits to keep coming – but the band made a disastrous decision to do a concept album next:

“Desperado” was a commercial failure when it was released next – but of course, now stands as another towering musical achievement by the band.

Click here to see the “Desperado” debacle:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/05/04/the-eagles-desperado-disaster-brilliant-music-shocking-album-snub-beautiful-tequila-sunrise/

Don’t worry: the band focused on getting back in the groove, which led to their first #1 single:

The Eagles soared back with “On The Border” – but that didn’t keep them from firing Glyn Johns! Read about what happened during the making of the album here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/03/14/on-the-border-the-eagles-say-hello-to-don-felder-goodbye-to-glyn-johns-don-henleys-brilliant-1-best-of-my-love/

And let me know your favorite song off of the debut album!

These Birds Will “Shock” You!

I love movies. ALL KINDS OF MOVIES. Therefore, I LOVE “BIRDEMIC!”

Let me explain, in case you haven’t seen this movie. Someone made this. They are now officially a “film maker.” And You are not. So, credit must go where credit must go!

Have You Seen The Brilliant “Birdemic: Shock And Terror?”

Before I share some details, take a look at this trailer. Note the acting, the special effects, and the action again because it’s just that good!

Thanks to Vice, you can now experience “Birdemic” in a whole new way – as they look into the making of this masterpiece of bad cinema!

“Vice” has a great mini-documentary from Evan Husney that looks at the making of this film…here is what you need to know:

In January 2009, software salesman James Nguyen traveled to the Sundance Film Festival to self-promote his low-budget independent horror film “Birdemic: Shock and Terror.”

When the film was rejected by the Sundance Film Festival, according to IMDB:

“James Nguyen promoted his film by putting banners, fake blood, and fake birds all over his van. He would drive around to advertise until it caught the attention of Severin Films, which then distributed this film – and cinema history was made!”

Thanks to Severin films, you can own this to enjoy night after night after night!

If you want to see the “Vice” documentary, check out this story from the great website “Action A Go Go”, which includes the link

http://actionagogo.com/2016/08/09/one-man-one-dream-one-birdemic/

Of course, Nguyen isn’t alone in his quest to become a movie Director – remember Tommy Wiseau?

“The Room” is widely considered the worst film ever made…but the fact is, he made it!

Actor Greg Sestero starred in “The Room”, and had a fascinating friendship with the Director as well, which is being turned into a movie with James Franco! Read all about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/10/27/tommy-wiseaus-classic-the-room-now-a-book-tommys-secrets-revealed/

Finally, who are we to judge what a Director intends? For example, there was a Director who intended THIS:

That’s right, a severed flying skull that kills! You can see this, plus five of the worst films ever made, by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/05/03/from-the-beatles-to-flying-severed-heads-five-mesmerizingly-bad-films/

Let me know what you think of “Birdemic!”

“They are bad people. They should suffer.”

I am in the middle of a marathon of films by a visionary new Director, Ben Wheatley…and his second film just blew me away!

The Sign Of Horror!

WOW! I don’t have words to describe how amazing Ben Wheatley’s film “Kill List” is! It’s a British thriller that evolves into a horrific journey into the “heart of darkness.”

Here is the plot: you meet Jay and his wife Shel as they welcome their friend Gal and his new girlfriend for dinner. Over lots of drinking, you find out that Jay hasn’t worked for months…

I don’t want to share too much of the plot, but know that Jay and Gal have a “working” relationship that comes out in the course of the movie – in some very funny, dark, and horrifically violent ways!

Here is the trailer for the film:

There’s no other way to say it: “Kill List” will blow your mind! It’s a ROUGH ROUGH ROUGH movie in a couple of scenes, but it’s also a hypnotic fever dream that is darkly funny and human for a “hit man” film – in fact, it turns the genre completely on its head!

It’s just another amazing film from a visionary Director!

Meet Ben Wheatley!

If you don’t know this Director’s work, you are missing some terrific films.
In May 2009, he directed “Down Terrace” in eight days; it won the Next Wave prize at Fantastic Fest in Austin and Best UK Feature at Raindance in London.

“Kill List” Followed in 2010. I just watched it on Amazon Prime.

Wheatley’s third film was “Sightseers”, released in 2012. Wheatley’s fourth film was this haunting black-n-white psychological horror film:

“A Field in England” takes place entirely in a field – soldiers fighting a battle are trapped, and slowly go mad…here is the trailer:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/08/20/a-field-in-england-new-modern-horror-master-ben-wheatley/

Wheatley’s most successful film was released this year:

“High Rise” is adaptation of the J.G. Ballard novel, and Wheatley has a well known cast, including Tom Huddleston, Sienna Miller and Jeremy Irons.

This film is now out ondemand and I plan to watch it next!

Speaking of new horror Directors, check out the Soska Sisters! Read about this inventive duo here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/06/07/modern-horror-twin-directors-the-soska-sisters-american-mary-dead-hooker-in-a-trunk/

Finally, if you want to see some more “mind-blowing” cinema, here is a place to dive in:

I posted a story about this brilliant film, “Enter The Void”, and have included several other films as well:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/11/01/audacious-mind-blowing-cinema-enter-the-void-vanishing-waves-and-holy-motors/

Bravo to Ben Wheatley – let me know how many of these you have seen!