Early Elton's Epic Show at The FTC

Early Elton at Fairfield Theatre Company

Early Elton Trio, the phenomenal band that pays tribute to the music Elton John performed on his 1970-72 tours with Nigel Olsson and Dee Murray, once again graced the stage at the Fairfield Theatre Company Friday night. The band played for over two hours, and the show was nothing short of epic. The group, featuring Jeff Kazee on piano and vocals, John Conte on bass and vocals, and Rich Pagano on drums and vocals, provided the audience with superb renditions of a number of Elton John and Bernie Taupin's classic compositions, including "Rocket Man" "Take Me To The Pilot," and "Border Song."

The set list for The Incredible Mixed Show also included terrific versions of "Where To Now, St. Peter?" "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters," and "Friends." The band rocked out on "Elderberry Wine," "Ballad of a Well Known Gun," and "Grey Seal," which, although released on 1973's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road was originally recorded for 1970's Elton John. The band did sneak in one later tune, performing a beautiful version of "We All Fall In Love Sometimes," the penultimate track from 1975's Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy.

It's obvious from their extraordinary performances and undeniable chemistry that these supremely talented musicians enjoy playing together. The trio takes turns on lead vocals, and they're clearly passionate about these classic songs, as evidenced by John Conte's joyous take on "Country Comfort," Rich Pagano's emotional version of "Levon" and Jeff Kazee's superb rendering of "Indian Sunset." The band's excellent arrangements of these amazing songs also help to make their shows memorable. This evening was no exception, climaxing with a towering rendition of the live version of "Burn Down The Mission" from 11-17-70, and audience sing-alongs on "Tiny Dancer" and "Your Song."

I’ve been attending performances by Early Elton for a while now, and this group never fails to knock my socks off with their magnificent live shows. Their shows are always unforgettable, whether they're filled with the hits, the B-sides, or the deep cuts. These guys rock, and if you're a fan of Elton's music from 1970-72, you should definitely check them out. For more information, head over to the band's website at http://www.earlyeltontrio.com, or visit their Facebook page.

Superheroes! In Color! Silver Age Style!

For a long time now, superheroes have largely (thought not exclusively) been featured in darker themed adventures on the big-screen, including Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, Zack Snyder's Man of Steel and Batman v. Superman: dawn of Justice. Even Marvel Universe movies such as Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Endgame and Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness haven't been immune to including gloomy elements in their stories. Some of these films are well-made and beloved by fans, while others, like Josh Trank's disastrous 2015 version of Fantastic Four, have been lambasted by critics, and crashed at the box office.

This summer, it feels like we've returned to the days of Richard Donner's Superman and Sam Raimi's Spider-Man. New film versions of both DC's Superman and Marvel's The Fantastic Four have been released, and the brightly colored days of the Silver Age of comics have leapt off the page and into movie theaters. The Silver Age of comics ran roughly between the later 1950s to 1970, and featured pop art colors, fun and exciting stories, and resolute heroes who battled nefarious villains. Director James Gunn's Superman, the first in a new series of films about DC Comics superheroes, leans heavily into the positive hues of those Silver Age tales, as well as the sense of adventure and hopeful tone showcased in Donner's 1978 original movie.

We start right off in the middle of the story, with a Superman who's been wounded in battle. He calls out to his faithful dog Krypto (who's been a mainstay of the comics since the mid-1950s) who brings our caped hero back to the Fortress of Solitude for some patching up. After that, we're launched into a story that features all of the mainstays of the Superman mythos: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, The Daily Planet, and of course, the villianous Lex Luthor, who's given something of a 21st century makeover here, but one that stays true to the character's roots. There are also some other DC characters featured in the film, including Green Lantern and Hawkgirl, and the movie features some impressive action sequences.

For all of the excellent special effects and nods to classic Superman stories, what makes this film work is the terrific writing and strong direction by James Gunn, as well as the superb performances from the cast, including Rachel Brosnahan as Lois, David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, and Nicholas Hoult as Luthor. The story stays true to the spirit of these characters, and the look and design of the film really captures the essence of the comics. The film actually feels like it's a classic comic book come to life. No spoilers here, but if you're a fan, you really need to check out James Gunn's splendid take on The Man of Steel.

As for The Fantastic Four, Marvel's first family of heroes also gets a big-screen relaunch this summer, in a new cinematic adventure directed by Matt Shakman, who helmed the well-received TV series WandaVision. Fantastic Four: First Steps is a fabulous tale that throws us right into the world of Marvel's original super-team. We get a quick recap of the FF's origin and early adventures on a TV special seen within the film, which is hosted by Ted Gilbert, played by Mark Gatiss. The film is set on Earth 828, which is a separate world from the others in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This allows Shakman and his writers to tell a standalone tale on a planet where the Fantastic Four are their world's only superheroes, and its beloved protectors. They even have their own animated TV show!

Fantastic Four: First Steps makes a bold choice in adapting one of original comics creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's most well-known tales, the story of Galactus, a world-devouring alien, who has chosen Earth 828 as his next meal.  Our heroic foursome, Mr. Fantastic, The Invisible Woman, The Thing and The Human Torch are the only ones who stand between Galactus and Earth's destruction. But there's a twist here (partial spoiler ahead): Galactus will spare the planet if Mr. Fantastic and The Invisible Woman hand over their newborn son Franklin to him. Can The Fantastic Four defeat Galactus, save the world, and protect Franklin? Which side will The Silver Surfer, Galactus' powerful herald, who has conflicted feelings about her role in these events, be on when things come to a head?

This film is an old-fashioned science-fiction adventure that hews closely to Lee and Kirby's original FF stories. The story is set in the 1960's, and the movie has a very cool, retro-futuristic look. The cast is outstanding: Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Vaness Kirby as Sue Storm/The Invisible woman, Ebon Moss-Bacharach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch all capture the essence of their four-color counterparts, and Julia Garner is quite good as Shalla Ball, The Silver Surfer. Fantastic Four: First Steps is a worthy addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and should please longtime fans of the super-powered foursome, as well as newcomers to their adventures.

The reason that Superman and Fantastic Four: First Steps work so well is that the creators, cast and crew of these films honor the legacy of these beloved characters by celebrating their positive attributes, while also telling their stories in an up to date manner. Also, both of these movies are a lot of fun. There's nothing wrong with dark styled versions of superheroes, but it's nice to highlight the brighter hues of our iconic heroes once in a while. Here's a look at the trailers for Superman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox8ZLF6cGM0 and Fantastic Four: First Steps : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18QQWa5MEcs. Both films are currently in theaters.

Marc Platt Revisits "3163 Coolidge Avenue"

Here at Eclectic Avenue, I've often written about and praised the excellent work of California based singer-songwriter Marc Platt. His latest record, 3163 Coolidge Avenue, is yet another exceptional release by this talented artist. The album is a truly powerful collection of songs reflecting on his younger days with his family, growing up at the title address in Mar Vista, while also taking a look at what's happened in his life, and his world, since then. It's a very personal record from a wonderful artist.

The opening track, "Never Stare at the Sun," is a tribute to Marc's Mom, who tried to give him some good advice regarding life, while "Me and My Brothers and Dad' is a heartfelt song about how he and his family dealt with losing her when he was young. Other standout selections include the mournful "Never Made A Difference" and "Angry Heart," as well as the thoughtful "Only God Can Say." The songs on 3163 Coolidge Avenue are poignant, deeply emotional and often contemplative in tone, and these superbly crafted compositions still offer a note of hope, despite their often heart-rending subject matter.

The disc also includes songs like the lovely "Be A Better Man," which celebrates how a positive relationship can inspire you, and "One of These Days," which looks at a romantic union that stands the test of time. Platt also provides listeners with a pair of covers on the album, offering up superlative versions of the Howard Jones hit "What Is Love?" and The Psychedelic Furs classic "The Ghost In You." As usual, his vocals and instrumental work are top-notch throughout the record. His music is imbued with the classic vibes of 1960s/1970s rock and pop, yet also sounds fresh and contemporary. You can't help but be moved by his splendid performances and these terrific songs.

Marc Platt's 3163 Coolidge Avenue is now available at over at bandcamp by following this link: https://marcplatt.bandcamp.com/album/3163-coolidge-avenue. Please note that all proceeds from the album will help benefit the care of Marc's brother Ben, who is struggling with Alzheimer's disease. Here's a link to the video for the title track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygSqXjuJPRc.

Monogroove Opens Up A "Popsicle Drivethru"

Monogroove, the supremely talented West Coast band led by the incomparable Rin Lennon, are back with Popsicle Drivethru, another outstanding release in a first-rate discography that includes superlative albums such as The Flip Side and Into The Sun.  If you’re looking for a record that will lift your spirits, make you smile, and have you absolutely rocking out during these difficult times, then you need to take a deep dive into this splendid disc. The 14 tracks on Popsicle Drivethru are a remarkable collection of tunes that will have strong appeal for music fans who appreciate the classic rock and roll sounds of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.

The songs on Popsicle Drivethru touch upon a variety of genres, including rock, pop, punk, and power pop, and every single song on the album is fabulous, and a must listen. The opening track, “Hello Everyone,”  exudes positive vibes, and is a paean to togetherness in this mixed-up world, as well as a call to change, very much in the spirit of The Youngbloods classic, “Get Together.” The album also includes power pop tinged tracks like “All Day, All Night,” and “Anything You Want,” which has a touch of punk seeded into its pop sound. “Chasing The Sound” catches the feeling of a band’s elusive search for the perfect vibe, and “That Girl” is a guitar-heavy rocker that will have you reaching for the replay button. There’s also an exuberant cover of The Rascals classic “Good Lovin.”

All of the tunes on Popsicle Drivethru are a joy to listen to and experience, including “Sun Needs A Holiday,” which radiates pop sunshine, the modern rock infused “Dangerous” and the lovely “Halo.” Many of the tracks on the disc meld together several genres, from Beatlesque rock and roll to 80s pop/rock, garage rock and punk, as evidenced by edgier selections like "Those Pills." The album is filled with letter perfect harmonies, shimmering guitars, groovy bass and high-energy drums. It wouldn’t be a Monogroove album without a heartfelt love song or two, and Popsicle Drivethru features a pair of them: “Meant For Me” and “Someone.” Both tracks feature ethereal lead vocal turns from the amazing Rin Lennon. I think the beautiful “Someone” is one of the best songs Monogroove has ever recorded.

The band’s phenomenal lineup features Rin Lennon on lead guitar, Michael George on guitar, Alex Ritter on bass, and Jay Smith on drums. Their undeniable chemistry and stellar musical chops help power Popsicle Drivethru into the rock and roll stratosphere. It’s clear that these top-notch musicians enjoy creating music and playing together, and that vibe comes thru on every song on the album. If you’re already a Monogroove devotee, I’m sure you don’t need more convincing to check out this magnificent album, but if you’re new to the splendid sounds of Monogroove, then Popsicle Drivethru is a great place to start your journey into becoming a fan of the band! Check out the album and get more information about the group and their music by heading over to bandcamp, by following this link: https://monogroove.bandcamp.com/album/popsicle-drivethru. You can also find the album on other streaming services, including Apple Music and Spotify.

A Detective, A Ghost and Some Lost "Souls"

Dan Moren knows his way around multiple genres. He's written a well-received multi-volume series called The Galactic Cold War, which combines science-fiction with action adventure. He's also penned All Souls Lost, an entertaining hybrid of a Dresden Files-esque horror story with a hard-boiled detective tale in the vein of authors like Raymond Chandler. All Souls Lost features Mike Lucifer, a spiritual consultant and private eye who investigates offbeat cases involving the supernatural. He's been off the grid for a while after an incident which resulted in the death of his partner.

When Mike returns to his hometown haunts in Boston, he finds himself embroiled in a new case after a young woman visits his office, asking for his help, because her boyfriend's been possessed. He soon finds himself hip deep in ghosts, demons, murders and behind the scenes skullduggery at a high tech company called Paradigm. Soon, both the cops and otherworldly forces are after him, and his investigation leads him to question some events in his past, and face some hard truths about himself.

This is an entertaining, fast-paced read that should appeal to fans of supernatural horror, as well as fans of modern noir. Mike Lucifer is a detective in the classic mold, and his quick wit and cynical observations are well-meshed with the horror elements of the story. There's a solid supporting cast of characters, including Lucifer's client, a gal name Jenny Sparks, who may know more about the case than she's telling, a detective who's (sort of) on his side, and some colorful human (and non-human) allies and adversaries, who both aide and bedevil our hero.

All Souls Lost is a clever tale with a convincing backdrop, a world just a step outside our own, where magic and technology exist side by side. You might recall a made for HBO film called Cast A Deadly Spell (1991), which featured Fred Ward as a detective in the hard-boiled mode investigating a supernatural mystery, and this novel has something of the vibe of that movie, albeit in a modern setting. All Souls Lost is a lot of fun. Here's hoping that Dan Moren will bring back Mike Lucifer in a new adventure in the near future.

Tribute Discs: The Hollies and The Left Banke

 Tribute albums are a difficult enterprise. While there have been a plethora of these discs issued since the 1980s, only a small number end up being considered essential listening by fans, who often debate the true worth of such releases. I highlighted a couple of worthy tribute albums back in 2015, and that entry is one of the most popular here at Eclectic Avenue, so I thought it was worth another look.

Sing Hollies In Reverse (1995) – The Hollies are one of the best bands from The British Invasion era, and their superb harmonies and sparkling guitars, showcased on a number of classic pop/rock singles like “Bus Stop,” and "Look Through Any Window" are fondly remembered by music aficionados to this day. The band also gave us our first look at Graham Nash, later to form a super-group with David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Neil Young. Sing Hollies in Reverse features twenty-one Hollies songs covered by a bevy of power pop artists, who are clearly fans of the band. Standout tracks include Tommy Keene’s version of “Carrie Anne,” The Wondermints wonderful romp through “You Need Love,” and The Posies perfect take on one of my favorite Hollies tunes, “King Midas In Reverse.” 

 

 

There are several artists who endeavor to put their own stamp on the songs, including Jon Brion’s psychedelic run-through of “Sorry Suzanne,” E’s interesting take on “Jennifer Ecles,” and the Flamingoes version of “Water on The Brain,” which is a must listen. You’ll also get to hear The Continental Drifters (featuring ex-Cowsills member Susan Cowsill) pour their hearts and souls into “I Can’t Let Go” and Material Issue do their best British Invasion pop star impressions on “Bus Stop,” while the Shakin' Apostles rock their way through “Dear Eloise.” Sing Hollies In Reverse is currently out of print, but used copies are pretty easy to find online. If you’re a Hollies devotee, or a fan of any of the groups featured on the album, it's worth seeking out.

Shadows Breaking Over Our Heads: A Tribute To The Left Banke (1999) - You probably know The Left Banke based on their two classic 1960s singles “Pretty Ballerina” and the oft-covered “Walk Away Renee.” This short-lived group truly helped define the “baroque pop” genre explored by bands like The Zombies and Love, as well The Beatles, The Beach Boys and The Rolling Stones. While their original output consists of only two albums, they left a lasting impression on their fellow musicians, and rock and roll fans. This album features 22 tracks, and there’s not a bad one in the bunch. Some of the most enjoyable entries include Frank Bango’s pop-tinged “Goodbye Holly,” Sun Sawed in 1/2’s effervescent “And Suddenly,” and Starbelly’s rocking version of “Myrah.” I also really like The Phenomenal Cats fantastic reading of “I’ve Got Something On My Mind."

 

A couple of tracks really hit it out of the park, including ex-Jellyfish member Jason Falkner’s beautiful rendition of “Pretty Ballerina” and The Jigsaw Scene’s late period Beatles sounding take on “Desiree,” while The Birdwatchers channel their inner Brian Wilson on “My Friend Today.” Blue Cartoon contributes a strong cover of  “Give The Man A Hand,” and Ken Stringfellow provides an echo-tinged interpretation of "She May Call You Up Tonight." As with The Hollies tribute, having power pop and indie bands take on these songs is an inspired idea that really pays off. Like Sing Hollies in Reverse, this disc is out of print, but readily available at various online outlets. Repeated exposure to Sing Hollies In Reverse and Shadows Breaking Over Our Heads: A Tribute To The Left Banke just might inspire you to seek out the originals, and turn you into a true devotee of The Hollies and The Left Banke.

 

 

The Grip Weeds Extraordinary "Soul Bender"

A new disc from New Jersey’s psychedelic pop/rock heroes The Grip Weeds is always cause for celebration. They're one of my favorite bands, and their latest release, Soul Bender, is a magnificent record that will, rock you, inspire you, delight you, and soothe your soul in equal measure. The songs on this phenomenal album are overflowing with scintillating guitars, thundering bass, high energy drums, captivating vocals and gorgeous harmonies that harken back to the classic rock of the 1960s, while also sounding fresh and contemporary. Soul Bender is one of the best rock and roll albums of the year, and it deserves a regular spot in your listening rotation, as well as a permanent one in your record collection.

The Grip Weeds lineup is comprised of Kurt Reil on drums and vocals, his wife Kristen Pinell Reil on lead guitar and vocals, Kurt’s brother Rick Reil on guitar, keyboard and vocals, and their long-time friend Dave DeSantis on bass and vocals. You can feel their unbridled enthusiasm at creating and playing music together. Their undeniable chemistry as a band is evident in every note, song and arrangement on Soul Bender, which was produced by Kurt at the band’s home base, the House of Vibes studios.

The record kicks off with the kinetic title track, an ode to love and musical inspiration, featuring dizzying guitars, high energy drums and impassioned vocals. That amazing opener is followed by “Flowers For Cynthia,” one of my favorite tracks on the record, a groovy baroque pop confection whose retro soundscape brings to mind the sounds of The Zombies, The Beatles and The Left Banke in equal measure. The dynamic “Spinning The Wheel” has a modern rock aura, while “Promise (Of The Real)” is an emotional tale of lost love, featuring strong vocal performances by Kurt and Kristen.

Soul Bender is filled with fantastic songs, including the hard-rocking “Conquer and Divide” and “Fragmented,” which have an edgier vibe than some of the more retro-imbued Grip Weeds tunes. Both tracks include some excellent instrumental work from Rick and Dave. “Gene Clark (Broken Wing)” successfully evokes the classic sound of The Byrds while paying tribute to the late guitarist and co-founder of that beloved band. The extraordinary “Someone In Love” is a revised version of “Your Love” the first song ever written by Kurt Reil. This wonderful tune has a definite Beach Boys meets early Beatles feel and sound to it, while the gritty “Wake Up Time” is an energetic, garage rock infused number that really kicks out the jams.

Every track on Soul Bender is worthy of multiple spins, including the sparkling, girl group styled “If You Were Here,” and the anthemic album closer “Love Comes In Different Ways” which joyously celebrates...love in true Beatles-esque fashion. To put it simply, Soul Bender rocks. It's an awe-inspiring, soul-satisfying record which showcases the talents of The Grip Weeds and elevates their already top-notch songwriting and performing skills to new heights. Soul Bender is out now on JEM Records: https://jemrecordings.com/. You can find out more about the The Grip Weeds and this phenomenal record at : https://www.gripweeds.com/.