torture the piano

http://magicpie.smugmug.com/

Shot Topics

I went to the 25th anniversary screening of the classic John Hughes movie. ‘The Breakfast Club’ last week’. I’ve never been one of those breakfast club obsessives which made the night even more fun as an observational exercise. Like the time my mate took me to a thrash rock party or when I went and saw Depeche Mode in concert. (I’m now a fan but I wasn’t at the time). Anyway. Kevin Smith is a real crack up and a diehard John Hughes fan. Go figure. Plenty of Brat Pack recitals and a cool retro after party beneath the Hudson Hotel. Good times indeed.

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PROPA!

EIGHTIES FILMS I LOVE WITHOUT MENTIONING WALL STREET ARE SCARFACE CAUSE THAT’S TOO OBVIOUS!

ROBOCOP

come on you know you love it!

Film of the Day

Woody Allen is a genius. Bold statement but I stand by it. I love everything this guy does (except scoop and that Larry David film of course) Deconstructing Harry ranks in my top five Woody Flicks. Now this guy has made a Lotta, Lotta movies so that must make this one kinda special right?!

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PROPA!

EIGHTIES FILMS I LOVE WITHOUT MENTIONING WALL STREET ARE SCARFACE CAUSE THAT’S TOO OBVIOUS!

PART 2

LESS THAN ZERO

dysfunctional hollywood kids taking it to the limit and leaving us thoroughly entertained

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Album of the Day

How do you go about reviewing Thelonius Monk. I have been listening to a lot of Jazz lately but I am still pretty far from being a connoisseur. This I do know. I remember the first time I listened to Thelonius Monk. I was a teenager and me and my mate were raiding his brothers record collection and he threw on this record and it sounded like this guy was trying to torture the piano into making beautiful sounds. it was self involved and lacking pretense and angling for my attention.I wasn’t even sure that I liked it but I really dug it. I find it really hard to write about Monk cause I don’t know how to capture his essence you just gotta experience his brand of percussion and decide for yourself maybe that’s what’s so appealing.

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PROPA!

EIGHTIES FILMS I LOVE WITHOUT MENTIONING WALL STREET ARE SCARFACE CAUSE THAT’S TOO OBVIOUS!

PART 3

BAD INFLUENCE

ok it comes across as a b movie at first but then rob lowe gets more and more menacing and it just gets better and better

with that said. i’m off to Europe for a couple weeks. i’ll catch you when i get back. thanks for the support!

psychological tightrope

http://magicpie.smugmug.com/

Shot Topics
I know I’ve been critical of Lee Friedlander in the past and a few people got a little upset but hey I’ve got to give the credit where it’s due. I’d seen a few of his musician prints over the years here and there but never realised how good they actually were until I came across this book in a bookstore. American Musician is a top-notch music photography books. he covers rock n roll, country, rhythm and blues etc but it’s his jazz photography that makes this critic put in a reverse decision on Mr Friedlander. He really captures the heyday of a bygone era exquisitely and I’ll be darned if I don’t give him his due. Still not sold on the other stuff though.

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PROPA!

ESSENTIAL JAZZ PHOTOGRAPHY BOOKS

WILLIAM CLAXTON

JAZZ LIFE

he had a book signing at union square once. i was put off by the lines and went home. he died a week later. regrets!

Album of the Day

Detroit punk rock agitators MC5 have and still do go about their business with abandon and fortitude every time they grab their instruments and I love them for it. Along with Iggy Pop, The Sonics, The Doors and a handful of others they set the catalyst for what the Ramones would grab and define as Punk Rock. raise your glasses and kick out the jams!

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PROPA!

ESSENTIAL JAZZ PHOTOGRAPHY BOOKS

PART2

THE SOUND I SAW

ROY DECARAVA

dont know much about this guy but this could well be my favorite jazz photo book

Film of the Day

I’m a big fan of comedy but I usually turn to stand up for my fix of giggles as very few films have me falling down laughing. Everything seems so contrived and formulaic on the big screen that I way prefer the psychological tightrope of the stand up comedian forced to fend for laughs in front of a hostile audience. with that said Bowfinger is a worthy exception. there’s not a single aspect of this film that doesn’t bring on fits of laughter. I’m cracking up writing this review. It’s that funny..

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PROPA

ESSENTIAL JAZZ PHOTOGRAPHY BOOKS

PART3

HERMAN LEONARD

JAZZ PORTRAITS

herman is widely considered the greatest jazz photographer of them all

the immaculate collection

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Shot Topics

I really dig this book and I haven’t been sprung on a new photography book in quite a while. Collecting photography books can be like collecting films. Just when you feel you have the immaculate collection you stumble across a gem that gets the collective juices flowing. I have to buy Robert Doisneau‘s ‘palm springs 1960.’ it’s the kind of photography I love. Witty, colorful, and observant. Women in chinchilla, men swinging golf clubs The dawn of a decade. A colossal visual diary. Worth the 35 bucks.

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PROPA!

SIXTIES PHOTOGRAPHY BOOKS

WILLIAM CLAXTON / STEVE MCQUEEN

i know i reference steve mcqueen a lot and i guess i’ll continue to do so… great book!

Film of the Day

Tao of Steve is one of those slacker oriented movies that the nineties churned out like Nirvana remixes. This dude named Dex has no business being a ladies man but somehow manages to will and charm his way into the sheets with a string of available (and unavailable) women by living by a code based on what he believes Steve Mcqueen would do in any given situation. He meets his match and the drama ensues. It’s a real clever movie that performs way above its league. Kinda like Dex.

Dex “Do you want to have sex with this woman”?

Dave “Yes”

Dex “Okay. then you’re violating the first rule of being Steve.

You gotta love a movie with quotes like that!

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PROPA!

SIXTIES PHOTOGRAPHY BOOKS

PART 2

RICHARD AVEDON / THE SIXTIES

it’s avedon and it’s the sixties and i have to include this.

Album of the Day

I do set out to review albums but sometimes I have to digress cause people keep running up on me saying things like Bro. How come you never review such and what about so and so and a lot of the time they’re right. I just never get around to reviewing certain artists cause it’s more about their catalogue than particular albums per se. War fall into this category. They go from soul to funk to country without batting an eyelid. You could easily love at least three of their songs without knowing it was originally recorded by war. They manage to cross all cultural barriers.Black, Latino White we all love war! Start with the greatest hits and then get everything else. Don’t be afraid.

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PROPA!

SIXTIES PHOTOGRAPHY BOOKS

PART 3

EVELYN HOFER / LONDON PERCEIVED

i own a first edition. it hasn’t appreciated in value but it’s still a beautiful book!

words cannot express

Shot Topics
Last Friday I did a DJ set as part of the New York fashion night out extravaganza. I was fortunate enough to have the drummer from ‘The Smiths’ Mike Joyce in attendance. we exchanged pleasantries. I told him how huge a fan I was. He said he dug the music. That night I headed to Chinatown with my wife and a few friends. As I hit Canal Street one of my friends glimpsed KRS One getting out of an SUV. I gave him a shout out hoping he’d acknowledge my presence. To my surprise he jogged over, shook my hand and we conversed for I’d say hmm. About 30 seconds. Sometimes life gives you these fleeting moments that mere words cannot express.

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PROPA!

ESSENTIAL ALBUMS EDITION

KRS ONE

CRIMINAL MINDED

one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. period

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Album of the Day
Jadakiss’ first and best album ‘Kiss The Game Goodbye’ is the closest we get to his raw mix tape output in the form of an album. He has an ear for radio but he can’t help but spit acid on every track. Every tracks a banger even the more commercial joints. That’s Jada’s gift. his style remains raw regardless of the beats credibility. It’s a gift and gifts are to be enjoyed.

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PROPA!

ESSENTIAL ALBUMS

THE SMITHS

THE QUEEN IS DEAD

i could have chosen any of their albums, but this album has alan delon on the cover!

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Film of the Day
There was a time I was really into David Mamet‘s work. ‘House of Games’ was one of my favorite films of the nineties as was Glengarry Glenross. My interest faded a little over the years and I felt less inclined to seek him out. I guess his style just wasn’t doing it for me anymore. Anyhow I was at my crib the other day watching Oleanna his play on sexual harrassment (both male and female depending on which way you look at it) I hadn’t seen it in years and though I wouldn’t say it reignited my obsession I can safely say it was a genuine reminder of his uncanny ear for dialogue and a good starting point for anyone who wants to get in tune with the unique craftmanship of Mr Mamet.

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PROPA

ESSENTIAL ALBUMS

STEREOLAB

BBC SESSIONS

if you’re djing a fashion party and you’re stuck for music throw on any track on this disc!

charisma personified

http://magicpie.smugmug.com/

Shot Topics

This guy. Not the guy in the photo but the guy that took the photo is having an exhibit at Leo Koenig Inc (545 west 23rd st). Arnold Odermatt spent over forty years photographing accidents in his native Switzerland. Sounds like a pretty mundane job but fortunately for us his eye for juxtaposition and perspective have made his images timeless. Good for him and good for us that we can get to see em.

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PROPA!

BIOPIC EDITION

CHE

it’s at least an hour too long but what a performance from mr del toro

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Film of the Day

I love this movie and it’s a travesty that Julie Taymor wasn’t nominated for an oscar, she could have beaten Kathryn Bigelow to the punch. It’s so creative visionary and courageous in approach and concept that  Salma hasn’t touched the complexity of this performance since. Alfred Molina is charisma personified as the controversial and iconic Diego Rivera. The set design, the wardrobe, the music, the artist. Frida!!

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PROPA

BIOPIC EDITION

PART 2

RAY

the man the myth the legend. the more than halfway decent biopic

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Album of the Day

When I first started this blog I was going to do a review of Barry White but I backed out. I felt that my audience oughta know that my tastes veer from edge to obscure to mainstream and if I start out with a Barry White review they’ll just see me as your regular soul enthusiast and be turned off. I would have had to explain that Barry White though famous for his classic standards, “just the way you are” “first my last my everything” etc, has so much more to offer. he is an incredible arranger, performer, producer (love unlimited) and If you dig a little deeper than the average Joe you’ll find that this guy crafted some of the most beautiful compositions of any lover man. Tracks like ‘Early Years’ ‘Playing Your Game’ ‘Loves Theme’ proved his worth beyond the ordinary. A lot of you out there no this but I’m sure a few of you know him as that wedding dude or the guy that Ally Mcbeal was into. Just doing a little misconception damage control.

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PROPA!

BIOPIC EDITION

PART 3

WALK THE LINE

that scene at sun studios where he starts singing folsom city blues. real movie magic!

getting carried away

http://magicpie.smugmug.com/
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Shot Topics
Not hundred percent sure I’m gonna make it to the West Indian Day Carnival today. I definitely feel more enthused to go than usual  Pick a spot, order food, buy a drink. That’s carnival heaven for me. All Jamaican massive. Big up. Bo. Bo!!!

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PROPA!

CELEBRITY MUGSHOT

STEVE MCQUEEN

could well be the most charismatic male movie star of all time. simply one of a kind.

Film of the Day
The Black Society Trilogy by Takeshi Miike is dark. Very dark. But it’s also good. Very good. Three distinct movies giving you three varying tales of despair living on the fringes of Tokyo’s underworld. The cops are just as kick ass as the Yakuza. the kids have no respect and if you’re gonna portray a gangster in a “Miike” flick you gotta be willing to take it to the limit. If you want light relief this ain’t for you. If you want a visual take on the Tokyo blues go check it out.
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PROPA!

CELEBRITY MUGSHOT

GEORGE CLINTON

the father of p funk. created a genre within a genre. an icon a visionary. definitely. the man!

Album of the Day
Bodily Functions by Herbert is just how I like my electronica. Complex fussy beats. Nice warped vocals. Each song as busy as the one before. I feel as if I’m in the presence of some mad genius painstakingly crafting each song on a brand new shiny mix desk, barking orders at the engineer. Maybe I’m getting carried away but it’s still a bloody good album after all these years and if you get the chance to check him out. Do it. He’s a bloody good DJ too!

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PROPA!

CELEBRITY MUGSHOT

PART3

MICK JAGGER

this guy wrote some of the greatest rock n roll songs of all time for my favorite rock band of all time. legend!

biting wit

http://magicpie.smugmug.com/

Shot Topics

I never got to see ‘Gucci Mane‘ at the Brooklyn waterfront show a couple of days ago. I’m rather disappointed in myself for forgetting, not because i’m a huge Gucci Mane fan. Personally i’m a bigger fan of Jeezy but hey when you get a southern rap star fresh out of jail doing a gig down the road from you. You oughta be there. You know the drill. I’m just venting…

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PROPA!

FILM EDITION

BENICIO DEL TORO

one of the best out there. usual suspects, 21 grams, che. impeccable resume. except for the werewolf film of course.

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Album of the Day

If I had to choose an album it would probably be Winter in America but like the Stevie Wonder’s, James Brown’s and Fela Kuti’s of this world it’s more to do with his body of work rather than a singular recording.He’s the “Godfather of Rap” a poet, activist and a pretty decent blues singer to boot. I grew up on this guy so I can’t remember when I first heard Gil Scott Heron. Nowadays there’s so much information out there somebody could just read a random blog and be like. Who’s this geezer let me go check him out. I hope some of you do that. he’s worth it.

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PROPA!

FILM EDITION

PART2

FAYE DUNAWAY

network, thomas crown affair, bonny and clyde, chinatown, three days of the condor. now that’s a resume!

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Film of the Day

It took me a long time to get into ‘Withnail and I‘. Back in my student days a few of my mates would speak highly of this film. I’d walk into a dorm room and find them laughing and coughing up smoke. I’d recognize the guys on the screen and know what movie it was, I just couldn’t be bothered. The characters looked dirty and always seemed to be moaning about something or another. Eventually I was given a copy by a mate who was an anglophile. When he offered to give me his copy I refused claiming I’d seen it. Then he started quoting me lines with added gestures, my face was blank and he knew. He simply knew that there was no way that I had viewed this movie in its entirety. He shoved the DVD in my chest and you know what upon inspection I found that yes. The characters are dirty and they do moan a lot but I have to say. This is one of my favorite films to come out of the U.K.  Belly achingly funny and filled with acid dripped biting wit. You’ll be sold on these geezers too…

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PROPA!

FILM EDITION

PART3

DON CHEADLE

i’ve never seen this guy put in a bad performance. this guy could win an oscar for brushing his teeth!