Covers Gallery, Volume VII

Another collection of covers, remakes & re-inventions:

1. The Tracks of My Tears – Johnny Rivers – A great performer who masterfully re-interpreted the music of other artists on several classic albums from the mid to late 60s. This version of the Smokey Robinson & The Miracles hit is on his fine 1967 disc, Rewind.

2. Leaving On A Jet Plane - My Morning Jacket brings out the pathos in this John Denver tune, made famous by Peter, Paul & Mary. This excellent cut is from a tribute disc entitled The Music Is You: A Tribute to John Denver (2013).

3. Always Something There To Remind Me – Naked Eyes take the Burt Bacharach\Hal David standard (recorded by Dionne Warwick, among others) into new territory: 80s synth pop heaven. From their 1983 disc Naked Eyes.

4. Do Right Woman – The Flying Burrito Brothers do very right by Aretha Franklin with this re-invented, countrified version of the Queen of Soul's classic, from 1969’s The Gilded Palace of Sin.

5. Different Drum – The Lemonheads cover this Mike Nesmith penned song, best remembered for the hit Linda Ronstadt/Stone Poneys version. From the compilation The Best of The Lemonheads: The Atlantic Years (1998).

6. I Fought The Law - The Clash power through The Bobby Fuller Four hit - from The Clash (1979), the U.S. version of their debut disc, actually released after Give 'Em Enough Rope in the U.S.

7. Something - Frank Sinatra covers what he supposedly called his “favorite Lennon-McCartney song” (it was written by George Harrison, Mr. Sinatra) From the 2000 compilation My Way: The Best of Frank Sinatra.

8. Break On Through – Stone Temple Pilots do a nice job with this Doors cover, from 2000's Stoned Immaculate: The Music of the Doors.

9. Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon - Urge Overkill brings a dark edge to this Neil Diamond tune: from the Pulp Fiction soundtrack, released in 1994.

10. Anna (Go To Him) – The Beatles smoothly re-do this Arthur Alexander classic, from Please Please Me (1963).

11. Sea Of Love - from The Covers Record (2000) - a spare, acoustic version of the Phil Phillips ballad by Cat Power. You might remember the hit cover by The Honeydrippers (featuring Robert Plant) released in 1984.

12. Not Fade Away - The Rolling Stones rock out on this cover of the Buddy Holly original, from the album The Rolling Stones: England's Newest Hit Makers (1964).

Bonus Track: Love On A Two Way Street – Boz Scaggs - Good version of The Moments 1970 soul gem, from his most recent disc, Memphis (2013).

Fitz & The Tantrums Dance Into The 80s

On their 2011 debut, Pickin’ Up The Pieces, Fitz & The Tantrums groove-tastically explored the world of 60s & 70s soul, mixing the classic sounds of Motown, Stax & 70’s R&B with a dash of New Wave. It was a unique variation on retro-soul, and the album was one of the best discs of its year. On their second full-length release, More Than Just A Dream, the group fast-forwards into the 1980s. This time around, there are big beats, synths & lots of percussion in the forefront. The songs are a mix of 80s dance, bouncy pop & New Wave, with a little less focus on the neo-soul. The sound of the 80s is all over this record on songs like “Break The Walls,” “The Walker” and “Get Away.” Welcome back to the 1980s via the 21st century, music fans.

Leader Michael “Fitz” Fitzpatrick & vocalist Noelle Scaggs still have the power, though they occasionally get lost in the “wall of sound” production by Tony Hoffer, who’s also worked with Beck and Supergrass. Fitzpatrick has said in interviews he didn’t want to do Pickin’ Up The Pieces 2 and cover the same ground. I find it admirable that the band went in a different musical direction this time out. It’s a largely successful endeavor, though a couple of the songs are a bit weaker lyrically. Still, there are standout tracks like “Fools Gold,” “Merry Go Round,” and "Out Of My League." The band is as tight as ever, laying down some excellent grooves. This is one record that’s ready made for dancing, and for being spun in the clubs.

The group didn’t completely abandon the blue-eyed soul, as evidenced on songs like “Keeping Our Eyes Out” and the fantastic “6AM.” The best tracks here have great pop songcraft, catchy choruses, dance rhythms to spare and even some interesting electronic textures courtesy of producer Hoffer. This is an album that invites multiple listens, and grows on you each time. I have to say I liked it even more on repeat spins, as I relaxed into its grooves & sonic pleasures. And I bet that these tunes are going to sound amazing live as the group tours this summer. More Than Just A Dream is now available in stores & online. The iTunes Deluxe Edition of the album includes some extra tracks.

Here are links to “More Than Just a Dream” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4mbxaa3XL8&list=PLcAOi6gb2UPgj8jIOltK0Jo3c_OiWNKCx and “6AM” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrPZDhI1Ink

Iron Man 3: The Man Inside The Suit

After the worldwide success of The Avengers, Marvel launches “Phase 2” of its shared universe superhero saga with Iron Man 3. Tony Stark is still haunted by the aftermath of the alien invasion depicted in that super-team adventure. He’s been experiencing panic attacks and throwing himself into his work, making improvements to the Iron Man armor. Tony’s also been ignoring his personal relationships, including his romance with Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), who’s concerned for his well-being. While he battles his inner demons, a villain named The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) has initiated a series of bombings, and has the authorities baffled; there’s no forensic evidence at the attack sites.

A thread running through all the Iron Man films is the consequences of the sins of Stark’s past. This time, a scientist named Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce, excellent in the role), whom Tony rebuffed and embarrassed back in his playboy/jerk days, returns with an offer for Stark Industries: they can invest in his new technology, Extremis, which helps re-grow the limbs of injured soldiers, restoring their mobility. Pepper is concerned that the technology could be used to create invincible human weapons, and turns him down, though Killian seems unwilling to take no for an answer. Meanwhile, Tony’s security chief, Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) is injured in one of The Mandarin’s attacks, pulling Stark out of his tailspin. He calls out the terrorist, challenging him to come after him personally; a decision that has tragic results. In the aftermath of a fiery battle, Tony’s home is destroyed, and the world believes Iron Man/Stark is dead.

But our hero is still alive (no huge spoiler there) and has to recover so he can return to defeat The Mandarin and save the day. As Tony investigates, he finds out there may be ties between the bombings and the Extremis technology. The Mandarin has escalated his attacks, and is now threatening to go after the President. While his friend James Rhodes aka War Machine (Don Cheadle) and now renamed the Iron Patriot, tries to protect our Commander-In-Chief, Tony discovers the truth behind The Mandarin’s plans. It will take all his strength and wits (along with help from some unlikely sources) to defeat the villain’s scheme and save the day. But this is as much a story about the inner strength of the man inside the suit (and what makes him a hero) as it is about Iron Man, the superhero.

Iron Man 3 is more consistent in tone than the second installment, which had some good ideas, but had almost too much plot, and tended to overemphasize silly comedy, with Robert Downey, Jr. overdoing the negative aspects of Stark’s personality. This film has more in common with the first movie, where Tony actually learned some hard lessons, and the character grew & developed over the course of the film. In this story, Tony realizes that he’s the true heart & soul of Iron Man, who’s much more than just a suit of armor. It’s his own inner strength that allows him to be a hero. In a way, we see the end of the journey Tony Stark began in the first movie; he’s a grown up now, not just a playboy genius with a lot of cool toys.

Director/co-writer Shane Black (best known for writing Lethal Weapon and The Last Boy Scout and also directing Downey, Jr. in 2005’s Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) brings his flair for kinetic action sequences & sharp dialogue to the forefront in the film. The special effects & technical wizardy are also first rate. As always, the cast is wonderful, with Downey, Jr., Paltrow & Cheadle in fine form. It’s hard to imagine anyone else but Robert Downey, Jr. in the role. He has truly made it his own, and the reason we care so much about the character is that his performance is so good, He’s also got wonderful romantic chemistry with Paltrow; the two make a fine team.

Iron Man 3 is a fast-moving story that still takes time to develop its themes, and adds in some welcome humor, but not at the expense of the characters, which was often the case in Iron Man 2. This is a fun, action-filled summer movie with some real heart at its core. There are some interesting twists & turns to the plot, and some significant changes to the Iron Man comics mythology, which might bother some hardcore fans. It will be interesting to see where they take the character next in the Marvel films. I’ve tried to avoid spoilers in this review; this one’s worth checking out on the big screen. As always with Marvel movies, make sure to stay all the way through the end credits for an extra scene.

Iron Man 3 is now in theaters in 2-D, 3-D and in IMAX. Here’s a link to the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CzoSeClcw0.

It's A Bubblegum World: A Chewy & Delicious, Long-Lasting Playlist

Now that spring is finally here, we interrupt the usual reviews & musings to present a "Bubblegum Music" playlist. Fire up your Spotify or Pandora accounts and dial up the following sunny tunes:

1. Sugar Sugar - The Archies
2. Billy, Don't Be A Hero - Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods
3. Dizzy - Tommy Roe
4. Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) - Edison Lighthouse
5. Yummy Yummy Yummy - Ohio Express
6. Saturday Night - The Bay City Rollers
7. Tracy - The Cuff Links
8. I Think We're Alone Now - Tommy James & The Shondells
9. I'm A Believer - The Monkees
10. My Baby Loves Lovin' - White Plains
11. The Night Chicago Died - Paper Lace
12. I Think I Love You - The Partridge Family
13. Easy Come, Easy Go - Bobby Sherman
14. Build Me Up, Buttercup - The Foundations
15. Simon Says - The 1910 Fruitgum Company
16. Heartbeat, It's A Lovebeat - The DeFranco Family
17. One Bad Apple - The Osmonds
18. Green Tambourine - The Lemon Pipers
19. Little Willy - Sweet
20. Gimme Gimme Good Lovin' - Crazy Elephant
21. Beach Baby - First Class
22. Indian Reservation - Paul Revere & The Raiders
23. Brandy - Looking Glass
24. Magic - Pilot
25. Na Na, Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye - Steam
Extra Tasty Bonus Tracks: 
26. Hooked on a Feeling - Blue Swede
27. Smile A Little Smile For Me - The Flying Machine
28. Bend Me, Shape Me - American Breed
29. Sooner or Later - The Grass Roots
30. Hitchin' a Ride - Vanity Fare
31. No Matter What - Badfinger
32. Beautiful Sunday - Daniel Boone
33. ABC - The Jackson Five
34. Want Ads - Honey Cone
35. Knock Three Times - Tony Orlando & Dawn
36. Come On Down To My Boat - Every Mother's Son
37. Judy in Disguise (With Glasses) - John Fred & His Playboy Band
38. Black is Black - Los Bravos
39. Every Beat of My Heart - Josie & The Pussycats
40. I Wonder (What She's Doing Tonight) - Boyce & Hart

Fun fact: Some of the "bands" who had hits in the bubblegum era were studio creations & the groups themselves never really existed (e.g., The Archies, First Class, etc.) Some singers like Ron Dante (who sang leads on #1 & #7 on the list, and Tony Burrows, who provided vocals for #4, #10 & #21) made a career out of fronting these "bubblegum" groups.

Here are links to Ron Dante performing Sugar Sugar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MiQzAo6Cp8 and Edison Lighthouse with Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr6H1a7YUac.

The Heart & Soul of Charles Bradley

Charles Bradley sings like he knows what heartbreak, pain & tough times feel like. And he does. His first album, No Time For Dreaming, came out in 2011, when the singer was 63. It quickly garnered rave reviews; his gritty vocals and intense delivery won the singer many fans around the world. After a lifetime of odd jobs, bad luck and personal tragedy, he had become a success. His amazing story is told in the 2012 documentary Charles Bradley: Soul of America. On his second album, Victim of Love (2013), the soul singer evokes memories of the sounds of the 60s & 70s, while further establishing himself as one of the best soul singers working today. You’ll hear echoes of Otis Redding, Al Green & Harold Melvin, to name a few. But Bradley isn't just imitating the sounds of the past. He's using the classic soul style to make music that is just as engaging today as it would have been in the days of his influences' greatest successes.

These are stories about love, loss & pain, though a sense of hope & redemption does shine through on many of the tracks. The songs evoke Motown, Stax, and even the Philly sound of Gamble & Huff. There’s a vibe of depth & emotion running through every note, from the Motown psychedelic-era stylings of Confusion, the smooth vibes of Strictly Reserved For You and the powerful title track. Other standout cuts include Crying In The Chapel and the funkified Let Love Stand A Chance. The backing by The Menahan Street Band builds a strong foundation for Bradley’s intense vocals and lays down some cool grooves.

This is powerful, engaging music, performed with passion, heart & true soul. If you’re a fan of the neo-soul genre and dig acts like Bradley’s Daptone Records label mates Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, this album is a must.  The disc is now available in stores, and also for digital download from various sources, including iTunes. Both Victim of Love & No Time For Dreaming are highly recommended. Here’s a link to a live performance of Bradley’s cover of the Neil Young classic Heart of Gold, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5Vkfpuv-r4 and the title track from his current album: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxFYkoAFZAY.

Ang Lee's Breathtaking "Life of Pi"

It’s a rare feat for a movie to successfully portray a character’s voyage of spiritual discovery. Ang Lee’s Life of Pi (2012) is one of those films. “Pi” Patel is a young boy in India whose father owns a zoo. He’s very intrigued by religion and spirituality, and decides to not only follow Hindu tradition, but also to explore both Christianity and Islam, which angers his traditional father. But Pi “just wants to love God” and experience him in different forms. Pi is also interested in the zoo’s Bengal tiger and wants to befriend it, but his father (who’s more of a realist) warns him that animals are not like people. He tells Pi to should stay away from the animal, and that he shouldn't expect it to act like a human.

When Pi is around 16, his father tells the family they are moving to Canada, where they will sell all the zoo animals and begin a new life. The freighter they are traveling on encounters a storm, and the ship sinks. Pi finds himself on a lifeboat with several animals from the zoo, including the tiger. They appear to be the only survivors of the shipwreck. As time goes on, it ends up being just Pi and the tiger stranded at sea. They have to learn to live together if they are going to survive long enough to be rescued. It’s an experience that will change Pi’s life forever and “make him believe in God.” I don’t want to say too much more about the story here; this is one of those movies you’re better off experiencing as you see it.

Ang Lee, director of such films as The Ice Storm (1997), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), and Brokeback Mountain (2005), knows how to tell a story with an epic sense of scale without losing sight of the personal side. The nature of this tale necessitates the use of a lot of CGI, but it’s not distracting here, as it can be in some modern films. In addition to the tiger, who feels real, there are some splendid visual moments that are truly awe-inspiring. The evocative score by Mychael Danna & the gorgeous cinematography by Claudio Miranda also add a great deal of atmosphere to the film. Suraj Sharma, who plays Pi for most of the movie, gives a wonderful performance, filled with emotion and depth. We go on this adventure together with Pi, and Sharma makes you feel like you're there on that lifeboat with him.

David Magee wrote the moving screenplay for this adaptation of Yann Martel’s 2001 bestseller. This is a story about journeys, both spiritual and personal, and how experiences like this can change our lives forever. It’s a film that will stay with you long after you watch it. All of the artists who worked in front of and behind the camera on the movie have done a fantastic job. Ang Lee was honored with a Best Director Oscar for the movie in February, and it’s well deserved. I’m a great fan of Ben Affleck’s Argo (2012), and at the time, I was a little disappointed that he didn’t win the directing Oscar. I have to admit the Academy may have gotten this one right, in honoring Lee for his work on this film, while awarding the Best Picture award to Argo.

Life of Pi is now available on Blu-ray, DVD and for digital download from various sources. The Blu-ray edition features some interesting behind the scenes documentaries, covering the entire production of the film. The movie has also been released in a 3D Blu-ray version. For the purposes of this review, I watched the 2D Blu-ray, and the picture quality was amazing. You owe it to yourself to experience this powerful film. Here’s a link to the movie’s trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9Hjrs6WQ8M.

More Short Takes.......3 Mini Reviews

Frankenweenie (2012) - Director Tim Burton remakes & expands his 1984 short film to feature length. Young Victor Frankenstein loses his loyal dog Sparky in an accident, and is saddened by the loss of his best friend. He’s inspired by his science teacher’s use of electricity to revive a dead frog, and tries the same experiment on Sparky. The dog returns to life, but other kids in Victor’s class find out, and they try to recreate his experiment bigger & better, in order to win the upcoming science fair. Soon the town is overrun with monsters, and it’s up to Victor and his friends to save the day. The movie has a late-night B-movie, retro look (it was filmed in black & white) and the stop motion work & character designs are phenomenal. As always with a Tim Burton project, there are a myriad of visual references to classic horror & sci-fi films. Burton & writer John August are clearly in love with their subject matter in this delightful tale. The voice cast includes includes Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Landau and Charlie Tahan. The movie is now available on DVD, Blu-ray and for digital download. Highly recommended, especially for Burton fans.

Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011) – Martha (Elisabeth Olsen) escapes a commune-like cult she has been living with, and returns home to her sister (Sarah Paulson, American Horror Story). As the siblings try and repair their damaged relationship, we flash back to Martha’s time with the cult, and its manipulative leader, played by John Hawkes (Winter’s Bone) in a creepy, arresting performance. Olsen (Silent House) is also first rate at showing us Martha’s inner turmoil & the emotional fallout from her experience. But the film is slowly paced & keeps you a bit too distanced from the characters. Why don't Martha's sister & brother-in-law take her to a professional for help right away when it's clear she's scarred from her experience? And there’s a tonal shift in the last third of the film that makes you feel like you’re watching a different kind of movie, especially when you reach the ending. Some critics loved this film and lavished a lot of praise on it, and it’s clear writer-director Sean Durkin is a talent to watch. But for me it’s an admirable try that falls short of the mark. The movie is now available on DVD, Blu-ray and for digital download.

Hitchcock (2012) – This drama about the making of Psycho (1960) and the romantic & working relationship between Alfred Hitchcock and his wife Alma Reville plays very fast & loose with the facts. But the film is anchored by marvelous performances from Anthony Hopkins as Hitchcock and Helen Mirren as Alma. They capture the essence of this famous couple without resorting to caricature. The movie does go a bit overboard in giving Hitchcock a dark, manipulative side in his professional life, and it may not be what really happened during the production of the classic thriller, but it’s recommended viewing for the remarkable acting of its stars. The solid supporting cast includes Scarlett Johansson as Janet Leigh and James D’Arcy as Anthony Perkins. Worth seeing for movie fans; but take this one with a grain of salt. It’s kind of like watching one of those biographies of actors or musicians Hollywood churned out in the 1940s & 50s, where they never let the facts get in the way of a good story. Hitchcock is available on DVD, Blu-ray and digital download. The film should not be confused with the HBO drama The Girl (2012), a more mean-spirited take on the director and his relationship with Tippi Hedren, who starred in The Birds (1963).

Here are links to the trailers for Frankenweenie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MquUxWXEOLU, Martha Marcy May Marlene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERREgOobLOs and Hitchcock: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rQuRLERl6A. The Frankenweenie trailer is a neat homage to classic horror films of the old school.