A Very "Merry" Batman Adventure

Batman has faced all kinds of threats throughout his long history, but this time the he's dealing with his greatest challenge yet; being the father of a rambunctious 8 year old! In the wonderful animated movie, Merry Little Batman, after cleaning up all of the crime in Gotham City, our hero has essentially retired to raise his son Damian. The young lad idolizes his father, and wants to be a superhero just like Batman when he grows up. When the Dark Knight gets a call for help from the Justice League on Christmas Eve, he races off to deal with the emergency, leaving Alfred to watch over Damian. 

When Wayne Manor is threatened by a group of thieves who are stealing Christmas presents in Gotham, Damian swings into action, squaring off against The Joker, and several other members of his father's Rogue's Gallery, including the Penguin and Poison Ivy. What Damian ultimately discovers is that the devious Joker's got a more insidious plan in mind than just Grinch-swiping some presents, and our young hero will have to step up his game to save the city. Will Damian be able to show his father he's worthy of the utility belt that he was given for Christmas?

Merry Little Batman is an engaging tale, which should appeal to Batman fans of all ages. It's a fast-paced, funny, and ultimately heart-warming holiday tale. The film is filled with in-jokes and references to the various incarnations TV and big-screen incarnations of Batman, which will delight long-time aficionados of the Dark Knight. Even if you're a casual fan, you should enjoy this Yuletide "little Batman" adventure. The animation is marvelous, and the film's old-fashioned look is influenced by the works of illustrator Ronald Searle. The voice cast is excellent, and the spirited performers include Luke Wilson as Batman, Yonas Kibreab as Damian, James Cromwell as Alfred, and David Hornsby as The Joker.

While the story loses a little bit of steam in its final act, Merry Little Batman is a terrific Christmas superhero adventure, made by a cast and crew who clearly have a lot of affection for the Dark Knight. The film's themes regarding family, growing up, and learning about the responsibilities of being a hero may bring to mind a couple of stories from that other major comics publisher, as well as several classic animated holiday tales, but Merry Little Batman is a a lot of fun on its own terms. It's a fabulous Christmas gift for Batman fans, and I think it's one of the best DC animated movies in a while. Here's a look at the trailer for the film, which is now streaming on Amazon Prime: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GSMmXz0bHA.

Grey DeLisle is a Retro Country "Angel"

Is there anything the multi-talented Grey DeLisle can't do? She's a phenomenal singer, a gifted songwriter, a talented voice actor and a fantastic stand-up comedian. Her latest album, She's An Angel, is a valentine to old school country, and this record will warm your heart if you dig the sounds of artists like Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn. DeLisle immediately declares her intentions on the sensational "I'll Go Back To Denver (And You Can Go To Hell)" a tale about a gal who hitched her wagon to a no good guy with a "greasy spray on tan." When he does her wrong, she lets him know in no uncertain terms just where he can move on to, and it's not back into her arms. That raucous opening number is the first of several tunes on the disc featuring tough as nails female characters, including "Everybody's Baby" and "I Missed You," a tongue in cheek number which will have you smiling and admiring DeLisle's gift for clever lyrics.

She's An Angel is filled with rollicking, guitar twangin' songs like "Quit Pickin' On Me," and "Shake That Thing" which are guaranteed to get you up and moving, and turning the volume way up. There's also the delightful "I Like The Way You Think I Think,"  the brassy "Big Sister," and the darkly funny breakup duet, "The Dog" one of the standout tracks on an album filled with high points. The wistful "Wasted" wouldn't sound out of place on one of Linda Ronstadt's early records, and the terrific "Who Bought The Boots Beside Your Bed?" evokes classic country at its best. DeLisle's exquisite voice is showcased throughout the album, but it's particularly effective on the lovely title song, and her knockout cover of Billy Vera's "I Really Got The Feeling", which reminds us that she's a brilliant interpreter of the work of other songwriters, as she displayed on her wonderful covers album, Borrowed, released in 2022.

DeLisle's magnificent voice melds perfectly with the masterful work of the talented musicians featured on She's An Angel. This outstanding group of players includes guitarists Deke Dickerson and Eddie Clendening, who produced the album, as well as Jonny Bowler and Lelah Simon on bass, DJ Bonebrake and Bernie Dresel on drums, Carl Sunny Leland on piano and Tammy Rogers on strings. Everyone featured on She's An Angel is at the top of their game, and contributes to the old school atmosphere and pure country sound which is deeply embedded in the DNA of these excellent songs. The passion and joy that this talented group has for performing this music is evident in every note.

She's An Angel is an outstanding, and it's a splendid showcase for Grey DeLisle's exceptional talents as a singer and songwriter. I've been a fan of her work for a while now, and I think She's An Angel is superb. If you're an old school or retro country fan, cue up this disc on whatever platform or device you listen to, and get ready to be knocked out by the remarkable work of DeLisle and her fellow musicians. Need further convincing? Here are links to performances of "Shake That Thing," https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3mCPmOEF-E, and "Quit Pickin' On Me" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VW0zP9tpcsk.

Godzilla Minus One: A Powerful, Moving Tale

Godzilla has been a cinematic icon for almost 70 years now. From the somber, anti-nuclear message of 1954's original Gojira (released in the US two years later as Godzilla, King of the Monsters, featuring additional footage with Raymond Burr as a reporter who witnesses Godzilla's rampage) to the enjoyable, light-hearted silliness of later entries like Monster Zero (1965) and Son of Godzilla (1967), the Big G has remained a fan favorite through various sequels, reboots and re-imaginings. Both Toho Studios in Japan, who originated the series, and Legendary Pictures in the US have released Godzilla films in recent years, including Toho's Shin Godzilla (2016) and Legendary's Godzilla, King of the Monsters (2019), and Godzilla vs. Kong (2021).

Godzilla Minus One, the latest entry in the Toho series, returns to the somber tone of Ishiro Honda's Gojira, and it's a terrific movie, one of the best in the Godzilla canon. The story opens in the final days of World War II, and follows a kamikaze pilot named Koichi, who chooses to land at a repair base on Odo Island (a location familiar to long-time fans) rather than sacrifice himself in battle. When the base is attacked by a prehistoric monster the locals call Godzilla, all of the personnel are killed, except Koichi and the head mechanic, Tachibana, who blames Koichi for the deaths of the crew because the nervous pilot failed to fire his plane's guns at the creature. Due to his failure to act, Koichi suffers a spiritual crisis, and suffers nightmares about his experiences.

When Koichi returns to Japan, he finds the country has been devastated due to the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States. He ends up sheltering a young woman named Noriko, as well as an orphaned child whose parents were killed in the bombings. Still haunted by guilt due to his inaction at Odo Island, Koichi gets a job on a ship that locates and detonates discarded mines from the war. While working on the minesweeper, he once again crosses paths with Godzilla, who has been mutated by postwar atom bomb tests conducted by the Unites States, and is stronger than ever. Godzilla attacks Japan, causing further death and destruction to an already broken and shattered country. When the governments of Japan and the US fail to act for fear of panicking the public, Koichi and a group of former military personnel come up with a unique plan to destroy Godzilla.

Godzilla Minus One is an exciting, powerful and moving tale. Because we see the story through Koichi's eyes, we share in his journey, and empathize with his feelings of doubt, guilt, fear and ultimately, redemption. The movie is the most character based entry in the Godzilla series since Gojira, and the human story is never overtaken by the monster action. This creature is not the friendly, Earth-defending Big G of the 1960s or 1970s films in the series. In Godzilla Minus One, the monster is a menacing, unstoppable force of nature that's symbolic of mankind's own destructive tendencies. The Godzilla attack sequences are visually striking, dramatic and well-staged by director Takashi Yamazaki, who also wrote the screenplay, and helped design and create the excellent special effects for the film.

In addition to the terrific work behind the scenes by Yamazaki and his talented crew, the cast is excellent. Ryunosake Kamiki as Koichi, Hidetaka Yoshioka as Kenji (a member of the minesweeper crew who's the architect of the plan to defeat Godzilla) and Munetaka Aoki as Tachibana, the Odo Island mechanic with a grudge against Koichi, are particular standouts. There are some nice callbacks to Akira Ifukube's classic Godzilla themes in the score for the film. If you're a long-time Godzilla fan, I highly recommended Godzilla Minus One. It's a fantastic movie, and it brings the story of Godzilla back to its darker origins as a cautionary tale, and also tells a compelling human story with a lot of heart. Here's a link to the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvSrHIX5a-0.

A Psyche-Pop Christmas with The Grip Weeds

I'm a big fan of New Jersey's psyche pop heroes The Grip Weeds. I've previously raved about their work both at this blog, and in my other writing gig over at CultureSonar, https://www.culturesonar.com/. If you haven't yet heard their music, which is a spectacular mix of psychedelia, power pop and garage rock, it's time to check out superb albums such as How I Won The War, Trip Around The Sun, and their wonderful covers record,  DiG. The band's supremely talented lineup features Kurt Reil on drums and vocals, Kristin Pinell Reil on lead guitar and vocals, Rick Reil on guitar and vocals and Dave DeSantis on bass. With the holidays coming soon, you should also experience their musical brilliance on the recently released re-issue of their fabulous album, Under The Influence of Christmas, which is now available on JEM Records.

There are a plethora of Christmas records out there, but how many of them offer you that perfect mix of rocking originals, inspired re-workings of traditional classics, and fantastic reinterpretations of some well-known rock and roll holiday tunes? The Grip Weeds' Christmas celebration kicks off with the guitar-driven original "Christmas Dream," a terrific selection that wouldn't sound out of place on 1960s pop/rock radio during the holiday season. That's followed  by another Grip Weeds composition, the hard-rocking "Santa Make Me Good," which includes guest appearances by Mark Lindsay of Paul Revere and the Raiders, as well as Myke Scavone and Dar Francis of The Doughboys. This high-energy tune will have you playing air guitar and dancing around the room while you put up your holiday decorations. 

One of the best tracks on the album is an ethereal cover of one of my personal Yuletide favorites, "2000 Miles." The heartfelt rendition of this modern rock classic (originally recorded by The Pretenders) includes guest appearances by Jim Babjak and the late Pat DiNizio of The Smithereens. Vince Grogan of Buzzed Meg and Third of Never is featured on an acoustic-tinged version of Jethro Tull's "A Christmas Song" and The Left Banke's George Cameron checks in on "For The Holidays," another marvelous Grip Weeds original. Of course, no ultra cool holiday party would be complete without a psyche pop guest star, so Peter Horvath of The Anderson Council is along for the ride on a sensational garage rock run-through of "Welcome Christmas," from How The Grinch Stole Christmas which could turn even the Grinch himself into a power pop fan.

Under The Influence of Christmas also features The Grip Weeds' psychedelic flavored renditions of the holiday perennials "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" which are infused with heavenly vocals and jangly Byrds-esque guitars, touched off with some brilliant production work by Kurt Reil. This must have holiday record also includes the band's cover of Greg Lake's "I Believe In Father Christmas," Vince Montana's "Merry Christmas All" and the magical, positive energy filled original "Christmas, Bring Us." Under The Influence of Christmas is an extraordinary album from a phenomenal band. If you don't enjoy this dazzling record, your rock and roll heart must be two sizes too small! Under The Influence of Christmas is out now on JEM Records. For more about The Grip Weeds, head over to https://www.jemrecordings.com/, or https://www.gripweeds.com/. Here's a link to the promo video for the album release: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrMz_o0KFo4.

Retro Movie: Occult Terror in "Equinox"

Edward Connell and Barbara Hewitt in Equinox

There are films that leave a lasting impression on you, especially if you first saw them as a young monster movie fan. Even if the film isn't considered a classic, like King Kong or The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms, there are movies that remain in your memory, because there's something about them that captures your imagination. For me, one such movie is Equinox (1970), a frightening tale of the supernatural that began life as a short film directed by Dennis Muren, who later worked on the special effects for films like Star Wars, The Abyss and Jurassic Park. Along with his friends Jim Danforth and Dave Allen (both of whom also went on to produce effects work for a number of films and TV series), Muren created a film titled The Equinox: A Journey Into The Supernatural (1967), which featured some excellent stop-motion animation, inspired by the celebrated work of Ray Harryhausen. The script for the film was penned by another member of Muren's circle, Mark Thomas McGee.

After an independent film company showed interest in distributing the movie, producer Jack H. Harris (The Blob, The 4D Man) hired director Jack Woods to shoot additional footage to expand the short film to feature length. The cast includes Edward Connell, Barbara Hewitt, Robin Christopher, and Frank Boers, aka Frank Bonner, who later co-starred on WKRP in Cincinnati. Fantasy author Fritz Lieber and director Woods also appear in supporting roles. Released in 1970, and retitled simply Equinox, the film concerns two couples who have a frightening encounter with the supernatural. As the film opens, a reporter visits David Fielding, a patient at a psychiatric facility. The reporter wants to interview him about a series of events that took place a year earlier, which led to the deaths of David's three friends, and left him in a catatonic state.

David's doctor plays the reporter a tape of an interview he conducted with the young man. David, his friend Jim Hudson, and their girlfriends Susan and Vicki, ventured into the woods to see Dr. Waterman, David's college professor. Waterman had asked David to visit, so he could share a discovery with him. The quartet don't find Dr. Waterman at first, but they do discover that his cabin is in ruins, and they find a mysterious book which seems to be able to conjure up dark, supernatural forces. There's a creepy park ranger named Asmodeus, who keeps following them around, and several monstrous creatures appear to terrorize our heroes. As a result of these chilling encounters, only David survives, and Asmodeus promises that, in a year and a day, David will also succumb to the forces of evil. It just so happens that the reporter is visiting David to talk about these experiences exactly one year and a day later!

Equinox displays its low-budget origins, and the cast sometimes shows its inexperience, but the film is eerie and atmospheric, and the effects sequences by Muren, Danforth and Allen are excellent. I first saw the movie in my younger days when it was shown on a late-night horror film showcase in the New York area. The movie has gained a solid cult following in the ensuing years, and both George Lucas and the late Ray Harryhausen, among others, have declared themselves fans of the film. In 2006, the movie was released on a two-disc special edition DVD as part of the prestigious Criterion Collection. In addition to showcasing the early work of a group of modern masters of special effects, Equinox definitely feels like a precursor and spiritual forefather to the original The Evil Dead (1981), directed by Sam Raimi. Here's a look at a vintage trailer for the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tctHCMAi8jw.

"Hit The Main Drag" with The Gold Needles

If you're missing the warmer weather and the recently ended good times of summer, why not cheer yourself up with a dose of rock and roll sunshine by listening to "Hit The Main Drag," the new single from The Gold Needles, recently released by JEM Records. This sparkling tune is a fantastic blast of energetic rock/pop from the band who dazzled us with the wonderful album What's Tomorrow Ever Done For You? back in 2021. This high energy song is firmly entrenched in the sounds of 70s and 80s power pop, entwined with the cool vibes of a classic rock and roll road tune. "Hit The Main Drag" is absolutely worth adding to your "cruising in the car" playlist.

The Gold Needles are based in England, and boast a talented lineup featuring Dave Burbage on lead and rhythm guitars, Mark English on synthesizers, Simon Dowson, vocals and rhythm guitars, Carl Slaughter on bass, and Will Jones on drums. "Hit The Main Drag," was penned by Burbage, Dowson and English, who came up with the melody and the chorus for the infectious tune. Download this outstanding track to your favorite device, and turn it up. You'll find yourself in a much brighter mood in no time! Check out the song by following this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkAsoViAuws. You can also head over to https://www.jemrecordings.com/ to find out more about the band, and learn about some of the other marvelous artists on JEM Records.

Flanagan's Grand Guignol "House of Usher"

Bruce Greenwood in The Fall of the House of Usher

If you're a fan (as I am) of writer-director Mike Flanagan's previous work in the horror genre, which includes chilling series such as The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor and Midnight Mass, and eerie films like Oculus, Gerald's Game and Doctor Sleep, then have I got a Halloween treat for you. After providing us with superb re-imaginings of the literary tales of authors like Shirley Jackson, Henry James and Stephen King, Flanagan's latest project, The Fall of the House of Usher, takes a deep dive into the Gothic fiction of Edgar Allan Poe. It's a fantastic miniseries that proves once again that Flanagan is a modern master of the horror genre.

The Fall of the House of Usher centers on the Usher family, headed by siblings Roderick and Madeline. Roderick has built a financial empire based on the success of his company, Fortunato Pharmaceuticals. However, both he and Madeline share several secrets that have begun to tear their family, and their world, apart. Roderick's six children are being systematically killed by a supernatural force that appears to be taking revenge on him for his past misdeeds. The story of his family's downfall is told in flashback by Roderick to District Attorney C. Auguste Dupin, who's dedicated his life to exposing the corruption within Roderick's company. Dupin's name, is of course, just one of a myriad of references to Poe stories and characters throughout the series. The show is filled with easter eggs, nods and visual representations of Poe's work, both overt and more subtle in nature.

As he tells the tale of each of his children's grisly demise to Dupin, Roderick also relates stories of his and Madeline's younger years, and the questionable things the siblings did to achieve success. All of these flashbacks are skillfully tied together into a tapestry which features elements of many of Poe's classic short stories and poems, including The Black Cat, The Raven, and The Masque of the Red Death. To give too much away would spoil the many pleasures and surprises of this magnificently produced, well-crafted series. Let's just say if you're a fan of Gothic horror, and frightening set-pieces which include some memorable jump scares, and over the top terror, then The Fall of the House of Usher is definitely in your wheelhouse.

The cast is excellent, with many of Mike Flanagan's repertory company from previous productions returning in various roles for the series, including Henry Thomas, Kate Siegel, T'Nia Miller, Rahul Koli and Bruce Greenwood, who gives a great performance as Roderick. Carl Lumbly provides strong work as Dupin, Mary McDonnell is terrific as Madeline, and Michael Trucco is solid as a smarmy Fortunato executive who tangles with Roderick and Madeline, much to his eventual regret. Everyone is marvelous, but top honors for scene-stealing have to go to Mark Hamill as Arthur Pym, the Usher family's coldly efficient lawyer/fixer (whose character name is yet another tip of the hat to Poe), and Carla Gugino (also a Flanagan veteran) as Verna, a mysterious woman with deep ties to Roderick and Madeline's past, who appears to be something other than human, and who knows all of the Usher secrets.

The writing on the series is superb, with great dialogue provided for the actors by Flanagan and his co-writers, including Emily Grinwis and Justina Ireland. The show is visually striking, and brilliantly directed by Flanagan and Michael Fimongari, who also provided the cinematography for the series. The Fall of the House of Usher is a bit more wild and over the top than some of Flanagan's previous efforts, like The Haunting of Hill House, which, while it had its share of jump scares, often utilized a slow and subtle build up to its more terrifying moments. This series is a bit more Grand Guignol (by design) but it's no less well-crafted, or less effective, than Flanagan's other work. If you've enjoyed his other shows, such as the recent series The Midnight Club, then I think you'll dig The Fall of the House of Usher, which is currently streaming on Netflix. Here's a look at the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvuAWVzP6wI.

 

Retro Movie: A Different Side of Jekyll & Hyde

Martine Beswick & Gerald Sim

In the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s, England's Hammer Films made a name for themselves as one of the preeminent purveyors of horror tales. Hammer created their own versions of the classic Universal monsters of the 1930s and 1940s, releasing films featuring Dracula, Frankenstein's monster and The Mummy. During the 1970s, the studio had fallen on hard times, and tried amping up the sex and violence quotient with titles like Countess Dracula and The Vampire Lovers to bring audiences back into the theaters. The studio also issued some original takes on their tried and true horror formula, with films such as Demons of the Mind, Captain Kronos, Vampire Hunter and Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde. 

Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde spins the story of Dr. Henry Jekyll, an intelligent and forward thinking researcher who's trying to find a universal cure for most of the illnesses suffered by mankind. His cavalier friend Professor Robertson thinks he should get out and enjoy life more. Jekyll''s new neighbor Susan Spencer has a romantic interest in him, but he's too obsessed with his studies to notice. Jekyll reaches a compelling breakthrough in his work, but not the one he expected. He turns from curing illness to creating an elixir of life, using female hormones, since it seems to him that women live longer than men. When Jekyll drinks his elixir, he transforms into a seductive female named Edwina Hyde.

Edwina is a predatory, powerful woman and her strong persona overwhelms the weaker Jekyll, who ends up committing murder to obtain more hormones for his elixir. Ms. Hyde starts to gain control for longer periods, and she wants to become the dominant personality, eliminating Jekyll. Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde is an entertaining variation on the Jekyll/Hyde tale, featuring a good performance by Ralph Bates as Jekyll, and a dark, sensual one from former Bond girl and Hammer veteran Martine Beswick as Ms. Hyde. The clever script by Brian Clemens (who also penned Captain Kronos, Vampire Hunter) manages to insert real life corpse snatchers Burke and Hare, as well as the Jack the Ripper killings, into the story of Jekyll and Hyde, and toss a murderous female alter ego for Jekyll into the proceedings as well.

Roy Ward Baker's strong direction, the evocative score by David Whitaker, and the atmospheric cinematography of Norman Warwick combine to make the film one of one of the better variations on Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale. The solid supporting cast includes Gerald Sim, Lewis Fiander and Virginia Wetherall. Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde is an intriguing, offbeat entry in the latter day Hammer horror cycle, and it's worth checking out. The film is available on Blu-ray from Scream Factory, and is currently available for streaming on Peacock. Here's a look at the trailer for the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylWRtdfcMLk.

The Weeklings Salute "Brian Jones"

The Weeklings, those New Jersey based power pop maestros, have already given us a pair of excellent releases during the past year. Their magnificent version of the Beatles classic "I've Just Seen A Face," and its accompanying music video became fan favorites during the winter months, and the group's brilliant re-imagining of Bruce Springsteen's "I'm On Fire" as a rockabilly rave-up wowed us all this past summer. But if you thought The Weeklings were done dazzling us after that dynamic one-two punch, you couldn't be more wrong. The band has just released a terrific new single saluting the late Brian Jones, one of the founding members of The Rolling Stones.

"Brian Jones" is a bluesy, harmonica infused tune paying tribute to Jones, who for many longtime Stones fans was the heart, soul and driving force of the band's early years. The song, co-written by Bob Burger and Glen Burtnik, aka Zeek and Lefty Weekling, also features the exquisite harmonies that are a hallmark of The Weeklings sound, as well as some groovy guitar, bass and drum work by the group. With the Stones releasing a new album this month, interest in the band is high, so The Weeklings couldn't have picked a better time to release this fantastic tune, their third fabulous release in a row this year! 

The phenomenal lineup of The Weeklings consists of Zeek, aka Bob Burger, on lead vocals, harmonica, and guitar; Lefty aka Glen Burtnik, on bass and background vocals; Rocky, aka John Merjave, on guitar and background vocals, and Smokestack, aka Joe Bellia, on drums. If you dig "I've Just Seen A Face," "I'm On Fire" and the rest of the splendiferous music of The Weeklings, then you'll absolutely love "Brian Jones." It's an outstanding tribute to a rock and roll icon from a top-notch band. Here's a link to the fabulous video for the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abAFKBANq0I.

Songs & Stories at BFVCC with Thomas Walsh

Thomas Walsh at Best Video

Thomas Walsh is a tremendously talented singer and songwriter who, since the 1990s, has created wonderful music as the founder of Pugwash, an Irish band whose songs have echoes of XTC, ELO, The Beatles and The Beach Boys. While Pugwash's music does indeed recall the sound of those much beloved bands, their music also stands on its own, showcasing Thomas' knack for crafting marvelous pop/rock songs combining enchanting music with memorable lyrics. This month, Walsh is releasing his first solo disc, The Rest Is History. On Sunday, October 1st, he performed a show at the Best Video Film & Cultural Center in Hamden, Connecticut, to promote the album.

The show was outstanding, featuring a generous helping of tunes from Pugwash, a couple of selections from The Duckworth Lewis Method, his cricket themed band (with Neil Hannon), and some terrific covers including songs by The Bee Gees, The Move, The Kinks and Michael Penn. He also previewed several tracks from The Rest Is History, including the fantastic "A Good Day For Me" and the lovely "We Knew." Thomas is a phenomenal performer, whose affable personality, playful sense of humor and positive energy shone through not only in his singing and playing, but in the stories he shared about the origin of his songs, and his encounters with the likes of Jeff Lynne and Brian Wilson.

Thomas was in excellent voice, offering us glorious versions of Pugwash gems such as "Take Me Away", "Fall Down" and "The Perfect Summer," as well as heartfelt renditions of songs he loves, such as The Bee Gees "Birdie Told Me," and Michael Penn's "Coal."  It was a special treat to hear these wonderful songs performed "unplugged"style, and Walsh's expert guitar playing perfectly matched his heartfelt vocals. From the emotional "Here" to the light-hearted Duckworth Lewis Method track "Meeting Mr. Miandad," His joy in performing these tunes was palpable. The intimate nature of the space at Best Video and the enthusiastic audience also added to the show's positive vibe.

Another delightful thing about Thomas is that like ourselves, he's a music fan.  His unabashed affection for the artists and bands he loves, such as XTC was evident when he would break into an impromptu rendition of their song "Grass," The Kinks tune "Animal Farm" or a snippet of George Harrison's "Blow Away." Thomas Walsh creates magnificent pop/rock music, and performs it with wit, heart and passion. As a long time fan of his work, I feel very lucky to have seen him perform at a venue like Best Video Film & Cultural Center, which is the home of so many great music and film related events in this area. If you're fan of pop, power pop and melodic rock, I strongly recommend checking out Thomas' fantastic music, and if you get the chance, head out to see him perform live.

With Thomas after the show

Retro Movie: The Watcher in the Woods

Kyle Richards, Lynn Holly-Johnson and Bette Davis

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Walt Disney Pictures was experimenting with releasing live-action films that appealed to slightly older audiences than the ones that viewed G-rated family oriented fare like The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes or The Apple Dumpling Gang. Instead, Disney offered movies such as the science-fiction epic The Black Hole, an adaptation of Ray Bradbury's classic novel Something Wicked This Way Comes, and a big-screen version of Florence Engel Randall's thriller A Watcher In The Woods. Originally released in 1980, The Watcher In The Woods had a troubled production history, which included the film being pulled from theaters shortly after it opened, having some scenes cut, and a completely new ending added before it was later re-issued. There are some fans who remember being frightened by the movie when they saw it back in the day, and its worth taking a look back at the film.

The Watcher In The Woods tells the story of the Curtis family: Paul, Helen, and their daughters Jan and Ellie, who move into a home in rural England, while Paul, a musician, works on a project. The house they're staying in is owned by Mrs. Aylwood, a woman whose daughter Karen mysteriously vanished years ago. Both Jan and Ellie begin to experience strange events, and it appears there's a supernatural presence in the house, as well as the woods nearby. Jan investigates the circumstances behind Karen's disappearance, discovering a decades old secret about the night Karen went missing. Mrs. Aylwood warns Jan not to look too deeply into the past, but she persists, working with Karen's friends to recreate the events of that fateful night, which leads to a surprising revelation about the missing girl.

The cast includes Carroll Baker, David McCallum, Ian Bannen, Kyle Richards as Ellie and Bette Davis as Mrs. Aylwood. Lynn Holly-Johnson, a former figure skater who had scored a hit with the romantic drama Ice Castles (and would later be featured in the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only) stars as Jan. She gives a good performance in the role, projecting the right balance between the character's wide-eyed innocence and Nancy Drew style determination to find out the truth about what happened to Karen, but it's the veteran performers like Davis, Bannen and Baker who provide the film with some old fashioned star power. The movie has an offbeat tone and some eerie atmosphere, courtesy of director John Hough, who had previously helmed the well-received haunted house tale The Legend of Hell House.

Based on the cast and the behind the scenes personnel, it seemed like The Watcher In The Woods would be a big hit...but there was trouble afoot in these woods. The script for the film went through several revisions, with the original version penned by Brian Clemens (a veteran of the British TV series The Avengers, and films like Captain Kronos, Vampire Hunter) reportedly rejected as too intense for the film's intended young adult audience. The studio hired Rosemary Anne Sisson, and later Gerry Day, to rework the screenplay. During production, Ron Miller, who was the CEO of Disney at the time, clashed with director Hough and the crew, advising them to dial back the intensity of some of the more frightening scenes in the film.

When the movie premiered in April 1980, both audiences and critics were underwhelmed by the ending of the film, which many viewers felt provided an abrupt and incomplete conclusion to the suspenseful story. The climax of the movie shown during the initial release of the film included some effects work that had been rushed in order to get it completed on time. Due to the negative response to the film, Disney actually pulled it from theaters, and had special effects wizard Harrison Ellenshaw develop a new ending. The studio also hired director Vincent McEveety to shoot several new scenes for the movie, and the eerie original opening sequence was cut from the film.

The Watcher In The Woods was re-released in October 1981, and was marketed by Disney as an intense thriller that would have you spending "ninety minutes on the edge of your seat." The new version of the film was only moderately successful, and along with other highly touted Disney productions like The Black Hole, didn't live up to the studio's box-office expectations. For many years, the movie was hard to see, as it was rarely screened on TV, and after an initial release on VHS in the 1980s, was unavailable until some recent DVD and Blu-ray re-issues. In 2017, there was a new (non-Disney) remake of the film produced for Lifetime Television, starring Anjelica Huston, and directed by Melissa Joan Hart.

Part of the problem with the film is that it's never sure whether it wants to be an old school supernatural thriller or a science-fiction tale, as the plot features elements of both genres. This is especially evident in the original ending for the film, which is available for viewing on the DVD and Blu-ray editions. I think it's an interesting movie, which is worth a look for Disney fans, as well as genre devotees who are curious about the studio's attempts to try something different when they were primarily releasing family fare in theaters. While the The Watcher In The Woods isn't available for streaming on Disney+, you can find DVD and Blu-ray releases of the film online, and there are some YouTube videos of the various endings. Here's a look at the trailer for the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DFacqQp8uw.

Marc Platt's "No AI: Plattinum Approved"

Here at Eclectic Avenue, I've regularly covered the exceptional music of singer-songwriter Marc Platt. He consistently knocks it out of the park on his stellar albums; his previous work includes such terrific releases as Colors of the Universe, That Mid-Life Crisis, and The Golden Ticket. Following the excellent Runaway Train, which was issued earlier this year, his latest album, No AI: Plattinum Approved, is yet another impressive record.

Platt's music is reflective, thought-provoking and powerful. As listeners, the insightful lyrics of "No Way To Live" "Dark Clouds," and "Sad Thought of Being Alone," allow us to both connect with and empathize with Marc as a person, and an artist. We've all experienced feelings of love, loss, joy and sadness, and I think you'll deeply feel the soul-baring emotion inherent in songs like "It's Father's Day Again" and "Those Shades of Grey."

The production (also by Platt) on No AI: Plattinum Approved is low-key, which is a perfect fit for these poignant, folk-inflected songs, from the austere "The Giving" to the contemplative "Sad About A Girl." Speaking of folk, the album also includes a cover of "Very Last Day," a tune composed by Paul Stookey, originally recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary, and later covered by none other than The Hollies. Platt's top-notch version of this remarkable song deftly illustrates his fondness for 1960s pop, rock and folk.

No AI: Plattinum Approved is a fantastic record, featuring Platt's masterful, acoustic flavored guitar work, emotion-infused vocals, and superb songwriting. It's an album that will definitely grow on you with subsequent spins. I think it will quickly become one of your favorites. You should definitely visit https://marcplatt.bandcamp.com/album/no-ai-plattinum-approved, to check out and purchase the album. You'll also find several of his previous releases at bandcamp as well. I highly recommend taking a deep dive into the wonderful music of Marc Platt.

Sutliff's Shimmering "Only Ghosts Remain"

Power pop fans are absolutely passionate about the artists they love. If you ask a dyed in the wool power pop loyalist to rattle off some of their favorites, you'll probably get answers that include the likes of the Raspberries, Big Star, Jellyfish, Shoes, The Rubinoos, and a host of others. One of the shining lights of the Southern power pop movement was Bobby Sutliff, who co-founded (with Tim Lee) cult favorites The Windbreakers, a Mississippi based band that released several well-regarded albums during the 1980s and 1990s, with the help of such luminaries as producer Mitch Easter and guest star Richard Barone, of Bongos fame. Bobby also released several solo projects, including the remarkable Perfect Dream (2003).

Sadly, Bobby passed away last year. To commemorate his musical legacy, JEM Records is releasing a special edition of one of Sutliff's finest albums, 1987's Only Ghosts Remain. This special edition, entitled Only Ghosts Remain Plus, will include all 11 tracks from the original disc, as well as 11 bonus tracks from throughout his career, selected by Bobby's family and friends. Produced by power pop luminary Mitch Easter, Only Ghosts Remain is full of melodic, introspective songs that will not only get stuck in your head, but will make you smile, touch your heart and have your reflecting on your own brushes with the ups and downs of life and the often thorny pathways of love.

Bobby's phenomenal guitar work, excellent vocals and sharp lyrical gifts shine through on emotionally resonant tracks such as "Second Choice," "Couldn't Help Myself" and "Same Way Tomorrow." Only Ghosts Remain Plus will delight, astound and thrill power pop fans. In it's original form, Only Ghosts Remain is simply one of the best power pop releases of the 1980s. But the Plus on this fantastic re-issue is the sensational bonus tracks, which include songs from several of Bobby's other solo albums, including Perfect Dream, On A Ladder and Bitter Fruit. These extraordinary tunes include "Change The Way," "The Color of Your Eyes" and "One Way Ticket."

If you're a fan of Bobby's work, these remarkable songs will remind you why he's beloved by power pop fans and fellow musicians alike. If you're new to Bobby's music, listening to the shimmering melodies of Only Ghosts Remain Plus will hopefully inspire you to check out his oeuvre with The Windbreakers, and the rest of his solo catalog. Only Ghosts Remain Plus will be released on September 22nd on JEM Records. Here are links to "Same Way Tomorrow" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kwm0fovT-g, and "Couldn't Help Myself" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtSG8EZvauU. Kudos to JEM Records for keeping Bobby's work alive in the hearts and minds of the power pop faithful, and hopefully introducing his work to a new generation of fans.

Springsteen's Transformative Musical Power

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band took the stage this past Saturday for the second of a pair of shows at Gillette Stadium. Bruce and the band provided the crowd with a serious blast of high energy rock and roll, performed with all the heart, soul and boundless energy fans have come to expect from a Springsteen concert. Throughout the three hour show, we were treated to a favorites heavy set featuring much loved tunes like "Prove It All Night," "The Promised Land," "Backstreets," "Badlands," and "Because The Night." Also sprinkled throughout the show were some were some well chosen deep cuts, including a terrific version of "Kitty's Back," and a rough and ready, badass run through of "Johnny 99."

The Boss and the rest of the group were in fine form, with Nils Lofgren and "Little Stevie" Van Zandt providing explosive guitar work, Jake Clemons offering up some red hot saxophone, and multi-instrumentalist Soozie Tyrell and backing vocalists Curtis King and Michelle Moore also giving the audience some memorable moments. The E Street Band is a well-oiled machine at this point, and Springsteen is such a generous leader, that every member of the ensemble had a chance to shine throughout the night. For fans, it's a truly communal experience attending an E Street show, where everyone in the audience sings, shouts and chants along in joyful unison.

While there wasn't as much between song chat as there often is at a Springsteen show, he did take some time out to talk about, love, life, friendship and loss. During the concert, he performed several songs from the album Letter To You, including "Last Man Standing" and "Ghosts," which recall his friend and former bandmate George Theiss, who died in 2018. Springsteen and Theiss were both in the New Jersey based band The Castiles in their younger days. With the passing of Theiss, Bruce is the last surviving member of the group. His touching renditions of the selections from Letter To You, including the title track, and the evening's final song, the acoustic "I'll See You In My Dreams," were reminders of the emotionally resonant power of his music. Bruce hasn't lost one iota of his near-mystical skills to enthrall, thrill and captivate an audience.

Springsteen has always interacted with his fans on a deeply personal level. It's not just about the incredible songs, the insightful and thoughtful lyrics, or the incendiary live performances. There's a transformative power to his music that sparks a powerful response. The emotions and feelings he explores in his work are things we can all relate to, and that sense of empathy and understanding allows us to form a unique bond with him. My late wife Gloria was a passionate Springsteen fan. She felt a powerful connection to him through his songs that elevated her love of his music, and sharing her transcendent experience made me even more of a Springsteen fan. I don't know how many more large scale tours Bruce will be doing at this point, but if you get the chance to see him live, don't miss out. It's truly a one of a kind rock and roll experience.

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band Setlist 8/26/23 
Lonesome Day 

No Surrender 

Ghosts

Prove It All Night 

Letter To You 

The Promised Land 

Out in the Street

Candy's Room

Kitty's Back 

Nightshift

Atlantic City

Johnny 99

Mary's Place

Last Man Standing

Backstreets

Because The Night

She's The One

Wrecking Ball

The Rising

Badlands

Thunder Road

Encore 1: 

Born To Run

Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)

Seven Nights To Rock

Glory Days

Dancing In The Dark

Tenth Avenue Freeze Out

Encore 2:

I'll See You In My Dreams

Ron Shelton Visits "The Church of Baseball"

As both a baseball fan and a movie aficionado, Bull Durham is one of my favorites. The 1988 film, written and directed by Ron Shelton, and starring Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins, is a delightful comedy set in the world of minor league baseball. In addition to the talented star trio, there's a wonderful supporting cast, including Robert Wuhl and Trey Wilson. The movie was Shelton's directorial debut, and its success was followed by several more sports themed films, including Cobb, White Men Can't Jump and 1996's Tin Cup, which also starred Costner.  But it all started with a small-budgeted film about a romantic triangle, with baseball as the backdrop to the story.

Shelton has written an in-depth account of the production of Bull Durham, entitled The Church of Baseball: The Making of Bull Durham, and it's a fascinating read. Shelton actually played in the minor leagues, and used his real life experiences to add depth to his colorful tale about life, love and the love of baseball. He'd previously written the screenplays for a couple of films that didn't catch fire at the box office, but he really wanted to get his baseball film produced by a Hollywood studio. The Church of Baseball is the fascinating story of Shelton's often challenging journey to get the film made.

The process of getting Bull Durham produced and ultimately released was a journey littered with the usual Hollywood roadblocks, including thick-headed studio executives, financial issues and casting problems. One executive wanted Anthony Michael Hall to play the Tim Robbins role, despite the fact that Shelton's experience with Hall's audition was less than positive. At various times during the filming, studio personnel wanted to re-shoot portions of the film, cut important scenes from the script, and even replace Shelton with another director.

Shelton's retelling of the film's pre-production, production and completion is an absorbing story, related in a low-key, conversational style, almost as if you're sitting at the bar with him listening to the story. It's a compelling tale that's as much about Shelton himself as it is about his adventures dealing with the Hollywood machine. There's a lot of great inside information on the making of Bull Durham, but there are also some funny, moving and illuminating autobiographical reminisces about Shelton's own life experiences, which informed his work on the movie. If you're a fan of Bull Durham, or Shelton's other films, The Church of Baseball: The Making of Bull Durham is a must read.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: The Musical?

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has enthralled long-time fans throughout its first two seasons. This prequel series, featuring the adventures of Captain Pike and the crew of the USS Enterprise prior to the era of Captain Kirk, has successfully captured the flavor of classic Trek, utilizing a more episodic format akin to the original show. This fresh approach to modern Trek storytelling has allowed the series to showcase a variety of genres in individual episodes, including body-switch comedy, intense war stories, time travel adventures, and in one of the wildest stylistic swings in Star Trek history: a musical. “Subspace Rhapsody,” the penultimate entry of the series’ sophomore season, is a full on Broadway extravaganza, featuring original songs performed by the actors in character.

When the Enterprise investigates a subspace anomaly which has the potential to significantly boost communication signals, Uhura and Spock  decided to use music, when their experiments to obtain a reaction from the anomaly are unsuccessful. They definitely get a reaction: a wave washes over the crew, and suddenly everyone is compelled to sing about their feelings. Things start off with an ensemble number, followed by Captain Pike warbling about his relationship with fellow Captain Batel, in full view of the bridge crew. Spock and Nurse Chapel emote about their difficult relationship in separate songs, and both Number One and security chief La'an (Christina Chong) get to sing cool tunes as well. But its Celia Rose Gooding (who portrays Uhura) who gets to belt a show-stopping number toward the episode's climax.

The songs (composed by Kay Hanley and Tom Polce of alternative rockers Letters To Cleo) are well placed within the story, move things forward, and define the characters, just like the tunes in a traditional Broadway musical. The cast is clearly having a lot of fun, and they give it their all, though Tony nominee Gooding and musical theatre veteran Chong (who plays La'an) absolutely get to show off their top-notch musical chops. "Subspace Rhapsody" is a wonderful episode, one that could have easily gone off the rails, but director Dermott Downs (who also helmed a musical crossover between the CW's The Flash and Supergirl ) does a superb job, integrating the musical aspects of the story with the ongoing development of the show's storylines.

There are some nice Easter eggs contained in the episode, including a not-too surprising romantic revelation from Lt Kirk, and a career change for Nurse Chapel that will delight and intrigue Trek fans. There's also a nod to "Once More, With Feeling" the 2001 musical episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer that's kind of the standard bearer for shows like this one. Even if musicals are not your cup of tea, I encourage you to give "Subspace Rhapsody" a try. It's a delightful change of pace for Star Trek, and another genre which Strange New Worlds has adeptly pulled off during its run. The show isn't afraid to switch gears from a dark-themed war story to a musical, and the upcoming season finale looks to be another stylistic shift. I give the cast and crew credit for taking chances within the Star Trek format, while telling entertaining and enlightening stories that are firmly in Star Trek's thematic wheelhouse. "Subspace Rhapsody" is now streaming on Paramount+.

Grey DeLisle's Retro Country "Baby"

Grey DeLisle is a wonderful singer and songwriter, and a veteran voice actor who's been featured in a plethora of animated TV series and films, including the Scooby Doo franchise and The Simpsons. She's also performed stand up-comedy, and released several acclaimed albums, working in multiple musical genres, including country, folk and children's music. I've written about some of her recent singles here at Eclectic Avenue, and DeLisle's latest release is one of her best. "Everybody's Baby," produced by the talented duo of Eddie Clendening and Deke Dickerson, is a refreshing blast of old-school country.

DeLisle's dynamic vocal performance anchors this retro country tune, and she's supported by the terrific work of Lelah Simon on stand-up bass, Bernie Dressel II on drums, and Dave Berzansky on pedal steel guitar. If you dig sassy and strong country ladies like Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and Tanya Tucker, then "Everybody's Baby" will absolutely be your cup of tea, or perhaps a shot of something stronger! This honky tonk tale about a gal showing her no good cheatin' guy the door is country music like it ought to be! DeLisle once again illustrates that she's a virtuoso in any musical genre she takes on, and I'm looking forward to her forthcoming album, which will be released later this year.

"Everybody's Baby" is available now wherever you get your music fix, including Apple Music and Spotify. Check out the song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bt9CgdGzvMo. Classic country fans, this tune is definitely in your wheelhouse, so load it onto the jukebox and get dancing!

The Subtle Terrors of "The Remaking"

I was really impressed by Clay McLeod Chapman's novel Ghost Eaters, which I reviewed recently on this blog. I dove right into his earlier work, The Remaking, and it's pretty fantastic as well. The Remaking tells the story of Ella Louise Ford, and her daughter Jessica, who are burned as witches in a small Virginia town in the early 20th century. In the 1970s, a low-budget horror movie based on their story is filmed at the actual location where they were put to death. Strange things happen, and Amber Pendleton, the young actress playing the daughter, has a horrifying experience that scars her for years afterward. The film becomes a cult classic, and the terrifying events that occurred during its production only add to its legend.

Years later, in the 1990s, a hotshot young director wants to remake the film in the modern era, and he tries to convince Amber to play the mother this time around. Amber reluctantly agrees, as she's been haunted by her earlier experience. She hasn't been able to maintain an acting career, due to her struggles with alcohol and drug addiction. Amber makes money by appearing at horror conventions and signing photos for fans of the original movie. But what Amber and the rest of the cast and crew don't know is that the spirits of Ella Louise and Jessica aren't done with their ghostly vengeance, and their need to put their spirits at rest once and for all.

The Remaking is a very meta-infused novel, and if you're a horror fan, you'll enjoy all the self-referential nods to classic horror film franchises, and the knowing references to the tropes of the genre. It's a well-developed tale of how stories can gain a life of their own across the generations, and that things beyond our understanding really do exist. McLeod Chapman's insightful portrayal of Amber, and her haunted existence, is central to the success of the novel. There are some truly terrifying sequences that will make your hair stand on end. Many of the most frightening moments in the novel are of the subtle variety, but that doesn't make them any less horrifying.

If you're a fan of the works of Stephen King and Peter Straub, and a true horror film aficionado, who enjoys meta-inspired works like The Blair Witch Project and Scream, than you'll find a lot to enjoy while reading The Remaking. McLeod Chapman is an innately talented author who knows how to tell an unsettling, eerie and atmospheric tale of terror. Along with Ghost Eaters, the other novel of Chapman's that I've recently read and reviewed, I highly recommend The Remaking to dedicated readers of expertly written tales of the supernatural. The Remaking is currently available in paperback. And please remember: "these woods whisper."

"Ghost Eaters" is a Haunting, Frightening Tale

What if you could reunite with the spirits of the people you've lost? Clay McLeod Chapman's eerie, terrifying novel Ghost Eaters imagines that this is possible through the use of a drug called Ghost, which allows you to see the ghosts of departed friends and family members, and interact with them. The problem is that this connection isn't quite what you bargained for, as madness and obsession are the result of using Ghost. This highly addictive drug turns its users into haunted versions of their former selves, converting them into hollowed out shells, aching for their next fix, who feel a strong need to remain connected with the spirit world.

The novel's main character, Erin, is part of a group of friends who met in college. Silas, the charismatic leader of their group, has always depended on Erin to help him when he runs into trouble, including his run-ins with the law. Their relationship is complicated, to say the least. When Silas dies of an apparent drug overdose, Tobias, another member of their circle, offers Erin a hit of a drug called Ghost, which allows you to be "haunted" by the ghosts of those you've lost, and connect with them from the other side. Erin is hoping to gain some closure, but her use of the drug leads her into a spiral of addiction, terror, and a series of frightening encounters with the spirit world (and other users of Ghost) that just might drive her mad.

There are a series of unsettling and disturbing sequences throughout the novel, and McLeod Chapman amps up the horror content as the story moves forward. You'll definitely want to keep the lights on while you read this one. Erin is a fascinating character, and her quest to reconcile her personal demons, while surviving her battles with the very real ones that Ghost conjures up, will keep you turning the pages. Just when you think the story has gotten as dark as it can get, McLeod Chapman comes up with yet another intense set-piece that will chill you to the bone.

As the novel draws to its dark, uncanny conclusion, you'll find there are no easy answers or neat resolutions for Erin, or the other haunted people featured in Ghost Eaters. This is one of the best horror novels I've read in recent months. The interesting and well-drawn characters, combined with a stark and powerful tale of addiction, infused with strong elements of horror and the supernatural, make for a compelling journey. This is the first work by McLeod Chapman that I've read, and I'm now working my way through his earlier novel, The Remaking, so a review of that will follow. Ghost Eaters is now available in paperback.

Retro TV Movie: Pray For The Wildcats

Robert Reed, Marjoe Gortner & William Shatner

The 1970s was definitely the golden age of the made for television movie, and many of these telefilms showcased all-star casts. One prime example is 1974's Pray For The Wildcats, which stars Andy Griffith, William Shatner and Robert Reed, and also features Angie Dickinson in a supporting role. That's right, Sheriff Andy Taylor, Captain Kirk, Mike Brady and "Police Woman" Pepper Anderson all in the same movie! Pray For The Wildcats tells the story of business executive Sam Farragut (Griffith), who cajoles three advertising agency employees (played by Shatner, Reed and 1970s B-movie star Marjoe Gortner) into joining him for a fateful motorcyle trip into the California desert.

Farragut is egotistical, manipulative and a borderline socipath. He leads the other three men on a nightmarish journey that will change their lives forever. The three men are dealing with issues in their personal lives. Warren Summerfield (Shatner) is about to be fired by the agency, and is considering suicide. Paul Mcllvain (Reed) is having trouble in his marriage, and Terry Maxon (Gortner) has just found out his girlfriend is pregnant, and they'll need to figure out what to do about the baby. The trio is at a crossroads, and Farragut's macho posturing is exactly what they don't want in their lives. However, they need him as a client for their company, and agree to go on the trip with him.

During the desert ride, things take a deadly turn after the group visits a cantina, and only Summerfield is willing to challenge Farragut regarding his bad behavior. Will the maniacal executive push the suicidal Summerfield (quite literally) over the edge? Pray For The Wildcats features a scenery chewing turn from Griffith as Farragut. At the time, he was still best known to TV audiences for his portrayal of the kindly Sheriff Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show, but following this film, he was cast in several other villainous roles, including that of a a murderous hunter in another telefilm, 1974's Savages, co-starring Sam Bottoms. It shouldn't be surprising that Griffith wanted to stretch his acting muscles a bit, as he'd given a chilling performance in the 1957 Elia Kazan film A Face In The Crowd.

William Shatner, Robert Reed and Marjoe Gortner are all solid in this entertaining film. Shatner dials back his usual Shatner-isms a bit, and it's fun to see Reed in a role other than Mike Brady. The cast also includes Lorraine Gary (best known as Chief Brody's wife Ellen in Jaws), the late Janet Margolin (who co-starred with John Saxon in the Gene Roddenberry telefilm Planet Earth) and Robert Burton, who appeared in the Dan Curtis classic Trilogy of Terror. Pray For The Wildcats was written by Jack Turley and directed by Robert Michael Lewis. The film is available on DVD and Blu-ray, and can also be found on YouTube. If you're looking to see several actors best known for iconic television roles ride dirt bikes around the California desert, wax philosophic, and deal with a homicidal Andy Griffith, then check out Pray For The Wildcats.

The Weeklings Inspired Take on "I'm On Fire"

The Weeklings are a terrific New Jersey based band who are well-known for their sterling interpretations and re-imaginings of the music of The Beatles. The group also creates fantastic original power pop music in the spirit of their British Invasion heroes. Their album 3 is one of the best power pop records of the last decade. They released a video for their marvelous rendition of The Fab Four's “I’ve Just Seen A Face” earlier this year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGlfZ6up7NI. 

The band’s latest single (on JEM Records) is a superb re-invention of a memorable Bruce Springsteen song. “I’m On Fire,” a classic track from the album Born in the USA, rose to number 6 on the charts in 1985. The Weeklings take this brooding, intense number and re-imagine it as an all out rockabilly rave up. Yes, you read that right. The band reworks “I’m On Fire” into an old school rocker, complete with James Burton-esque guitar and vocals that recall early rock and roll heroes like Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran. This splendiferous, electrifying revamp of a much revered tune from The Boss is one of the most electrifying covers I've heard in a very long time.

The Weeklings "I'm On Fire" is a brilliant version of an iconic song that takes it in an entirely different, but tremendously exciting and compelling direction. I think it’ll get stuck in your head, and you’ll find yourself wondering why no one's ever thought of this idea before. Kudos to Glen Burtnik, aka Lefty Weekling, on bass and vocals, Bob Burger, aka Zeek Weekling, on rhythm guitar and vocals, John Merjave, aka Rocky Weekling on lead guitar and vocals, and Joe Bellia, aka Smokestack Weekling, on drums and vocals, for making this left field (but truly inspired) cover of "I'm On Fire" work so well. Check out the video for for the song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rO43E2LFc8o.
 

A High Energy "Rattled Humming Heart"

When I reviewed Red Letter Glow, the debut album from The Midnight Callers back in 2020, I waxed rhapsodically about the band, their well-crafted songs, and their fantastic sound, a perfect fusion of classic rock and power pop, featuring a touch of punk. The band is back with their sophomore release, Rattled Humming Heart, which will be released June 23rd on JEM Records. I’m here to tell you that Red Letter Glow was no fluke. Rattled Humming Heart is one of the best rock and roll records I’ve heard this year.

“New York Tramp,” the album’s opening salvo, explodes with a hard-driving guitar and drum attack, amplified with some terrific vocals, wrapped up in a song that will remind you of vintage Cheap Trick. Rattled Humming Heart is positively drenched in the sounds of classic rock and power pop, with a bit of glam added to the mix. If you’re a fan of T-Rex, The Raspberries, Badfinger, Big Star, Queen, Dwight Twilley and Tom Petty, you’ll find tunes such as “Closer” and “Without Ya” absolutely hitting your sweet spot. Songs like “Step!” and “Baby Let Me Be” will warm the hearts of power pop fans everywhere, and have them quickly reaching for the replay button.

The Midnight Callers also know how to rock out, as evidenced by the boisterous “What Goes Around,” and the high-energy “Little Runaround.” In addition to the classic rock influences which permeate this must-have release, there’s a modern rock vibe on songs like “Girl On The Run” and “Colors," which has a bit of an Alarm-like feel to it. It’s hard to pick favorites on an album filled with such splendid tunes, but I really dig the synergy of wonderful lyrics, vocals and instrumental work on “The Plan,” and the acoustic-laced “Maggie,” a pair of love songs that have a lot of heart, and amply display the versatility of this outstanding band.

The group may wear their influences on their sleeves, but they’re not a copycat act. Their passion for creating extraordinary music is evident throughout Rattled Humming Heart, illustrated by their top-notch playing, as well as their superb songwriting skills. The band’s stellar lineup consists of Chris Paine on rhythm guitar and vocals, Marley Myrianthopoulos on bass and vocals, Martin Stubbs on lead guitar and vocals, and Julien Budrino on drums and vocals. The album was produced and mixed by the uber-talented Kurt Reil (of Grip Weeds fame), who did a phenomenal job working with the band, helping them craft a disc that’s even better than their impressive debut.

The Midnight Callers aren’t jaded rockers going through the motions, they’re excellent musicians at the peak of their powers, both as players and songwriters. This band is clearly dedicated to crafting first class rock and roll. Rattled Humming Heart fulfills the promise of Red Letter Glow, and shows us that the best is yet to come from these New York City based rockers. For more on The Midnight Callers and Rattled Humming Heart, head over to JEM Records: https://www.jemrecordings.com/.