a little bit of BK in VA
An AWESOME collection of classic rock and R&B covers (and some originals), done like The Yardbirds woulda done it. In fact, they even cover The Yardbirds–along with The Box Tops, Gin Blossoms and others…And they do a fantastic tribute song to, and in the style of, Jerry Lee Lewis.
And done live, too–without overdubs or production or anything.
Proof that these guys are the real deal.
And it’s free!
Just because. The man had vision.
Go here for a great set by Pia Mater, with several JL covers like this one: Working Class Hero
Do you like Lou Reed? Tom Petty? Bob Dylan? Joe Strummer? (The right answer to all these questions has to be “Yes.”)
Then why aren’t you listening to Chuck Prophet‘s latest album, “Temple Beautiful?” It’s tremendous.
Stream it on Soundcloud.
Okay, so I had to go to Prince of Persia with the kids. Boy was that painful. As I muscled through the relentless barrage of clichés and predictable plot developments, I thought to myself, “Is this the worst Video Game Movie ever?” Answer: Probably not. But are there ever any good ones? Surprisingly, there are . . . Of course, I’m not including any of the Pokemon movies because, well, it’s Pokemon.
One more thing: There are a few hidden song goodies in here, too. Just ’cause you’re all so dang special.
Runners up: Movies that weren’t as bad as they should have been: Doom and Hitman.
I don’t have much to say about this first entry. I can’t say I liked it, but I didn’t hate it, and lots of people I know liked it. So it gets the number 10 slot.
Street Fighter was directed by Steven E. de Souza, a comic book writer who is currently attached to direct the Sgt. Rock movie. On the one hand, he’s the guy who wrote Die Hard. On the other, he’s the guy who directed Beverly Hills Cop 3. From the foundation of such ambiguity came this strangely satisfying film. It’s also the best Jean Claude Van Damme film ever, and also starred Oscar winner Raul Julia in one of his most screen-eating roles. Don’t concern yourself with plot or acting, just come for the cheesy violence.
Okay, pinball isn’t a video game, but it is an arcade game. It’s on the list, but I ranked it low for lack of being an actual video game. I had to include it, though. If nothing else, it’s an excuse to post Eric Clapton’s brilliant performance of Eyesight to the Blind . . .
. . . And a cover . . .
See Me, Feel Me Listening to You (Eddie Vedder w/The Who, live 2003)
http://player.groovebat.com/player.swf
This post notwithstanding, I’m not much of a gamer. I think most video games are pretty boring. So I had no idea that this movie, in which the always compelling Timothy Olyphant plays a dude raised by monks to be the perfect assassin and spends an hour and a half pretty much shooting everything he sees, was based on a series of video games. If I had known that, I might have avoided the movie. But I really enjoyed it. Of course, I like pretty much everything Olyphant does, including his current TV series, Justified.
6. Wargames (1983). “It’s still playing the game!” Not just a good video game movie, a good movie in general, about a game called Global ThermoNuclear War and a little hacker boy played by Matthew Broderick. Who appears not to have aged a day since he made that movie. Must be all the lovin’ he gets from Sarah Jessica Parker. So although the movie is a little dated, he isn’t.
Anyhow, this is one of several films on this list that were not based on video games but were about them. Think that’s cheating? Well, you try to do a top 10 list like this and not include crappy movies like Tomb Raider. This was the only way to make it work. And everyone knows every list worth a damn has to have at least 10 items.
Play the Game (Queen cover)-Beach House
http://player.groovebat.com/player.swf
One of two films on this list directed by Paul W.S. Anderson–talk about having a niche specialty–Mortal Kombat starring Christopher Lambert and a group of unknown, young and attractive martial artists was surprisingly good. Particularly if you went in expecting it to be a steaming pile of crap. The effects might not be impressive by today’s standards, but the fight scenes still hold up well. Caution: Do not confuse this film with Mortal Kombat: Annihilation. You’ll be sorry.
I’m too lazy to investigate whether the game or movie came first, but the game was pretty awesome. This was the quintessential video game movie: It’s all about being in a video game. The special effects, for its time, were great. It was the first film to specifically target gamers as an audience, and it actually received some fairly positive reviews. With Tron: Legacy coming soon, and Jeff Bridges reprising his role from this film, everyone should get a hold of this on DVD and check it out again. It’s more than a little dated, but it’s a classic.
First of all, by way of disclaimer, I have to note that this is a David Cronenberg film. Now, I love Dave’s work–he’s one of my all-time favorite directors–but I recognize he’s not for everyone. Particularly because this isn’t a Scanners/History of Violence/Eastern Promises Cronenberg film. It’s a Shivers/Videodrome/Dead Ringers Cronenberg film: One apart from the mainstream, freaky and disturbing as hell. It’s about a fictional virtual reality game that plugs into users’ spines, looks suspiciously like an umbilical cord, and gradually takes over their existences. The word “isten” means God, which fits the philosophical themes of the film. It is an exploration of the role of fantasy and faith in our lives. Like a few other films on this list, this is a movie about a video game, not based on one. Starring Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jude Law.
2. Resident Evil (2002). First of all, you get to see Milla Jovovich’s bare rib balloons, which is always a good thing. Second, this is actually a very solid zombie flick and is even occasionally scary. The sequel was pretty good, too, but the third one was godawful. The fourth comes out this year, and based on the first two, I’ll probably go see it, but it will probably be a huge let down. All the films are directed by Paul WS Anderson, also known for directing the remake of Death Race starring Jeremy Statham, another very good, very violent B-movie.
1. The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007). If you love to stare at geeks, marvel at mullets, or enjoy a good slice of life documentary, Seth Gordon’s film about the competition between the two best Donkey Kong players in the country is perfect. It is a truly excellent film and, surprise of surprises, is actually touching. It should be required viewing for all video game fans, and is far and away the best video game film in history. Winner of several best documentary awards, including a People’s Choice.
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Who doesn’t like Neil Young?
Even if you’re a right winger, you have to admire the grit of a musician willing to go up against MTV back in the 1980s, the longevity of someone who sold records back when they are records and continues to move digital downloads, and the skill of a man who can craft pop songs, protest songs, and ballads that make you want to kill youself. And he walks the walk, too, with his work for the Bridge School and support for various other charitable and political causes.
Plus, he makes some damn fine music that everyone can love. Don’t like the heroin-induced desperation of “Helpless” or “Needle and the Damage Done”? Then turn to fast-paced rockers like “Mr. Soul,” “Like a Hurricane,” or “Rockin’ in the Free World.” Want something gentler? There’s “A Man Needs a Maid” and “Comes a Time.” Prefer your music protest-folky? Then he’s got “Ohio” and “Southern Man.” Want more violence? Check out “Down by the River” or “Powderfinger.” Prefer something that sounds more modern? Check out “Let’s Roll,” “This Note’s For You” or even “Cinnamon Girl”—an old song that’s timeless. Face it, I could spend a page writing about the man’s music.
It’s about giving you something really cool. Like a copy of “Dreaming Man,” a concert of Neil’s classic Harvest Moon album, drawn from solo acoustic shows of his 1992 tour. If you’ve never had the chance to hear him acoustic, it’s a treat. I’ve seen him twice and heard countless boots of it, and the ’92 tour is among his best work. Plus, the actual studio album relied on The Stray Gators band, but here you get to hear Neil working the songs out solo. I have two copies to give away. It’s in celebration of the 17-year anniversary of Harvest Moon.
Here are some .mov files from the label:
Purchase Dreamin Man here.
But the grand prize is Neil Young’s Archives, Volume 1. It’s 8 CDs recorded between 1963 up through 1972 (when he released Harvest—one of the greatest rock albums of all time). There’s stuff from Buffalo Springfield, CSN&Y, and plenty of Crazy Horse material. No, you’re not imagining this. I really have one to give away. I haven’t been blessed to hear it yet, but I’ve been told that the sound quality is a vast improvement over the original releases (much of the boxed set contains material that has previously been available elsewhere).
It’s like a starter-kit for a Neil Young fan who doesn’t own a lot of his early stuff—or who only has it on vinyl or audiotape (guilty!).
Another .mov file from the label:
HOW TO WIN:
Drop a comment with your e-mail and your favorite Neil lyric. Winners will be chosen at random in one week, and will be contacted by the e-mail in the comment. So if you leave out your e-mail, you can’t win. And if you don’t check your e-mail within 24 hours after I send you the “winner” notice, I’m moving on to the next guy. I’ve got one archives and two copies of Dreaming Man to offer, so your odds are looking pretty good here.
And how about a few covers to tide you over—or console you if you don’t win the giveaway?
Splendid Isolation-Neil Young and Warren Zevon (direct link)
Rockin in the Free World-Drive-By Truckers (direct link)
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Pearl Jam and Robert Plant share a stage and make beautiful music together.
Goin’ To California-Pearl Jam with Robert Plant
Little Sister-Pearl Jam with Robert Plant
Money (That’s What I Want)-Pearl Jam with Robert Plant
Fool in the Rain-Pearl Jam with Robert Plant
Last week, it was The Rolling Stones (post 1, 2, 3). Now, it’s the Fab 4.
Brilliant, eh?
A Robyn benefit from July of this year. He did the full Sgt Pepper’s album, and then a few more Beatles (and Kinks) covers. Tune in later this week for more.
Tastes some single cuts below, ZIP HERE.
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band
With a Little Help from My Friends
She’s Leaving Home
Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!
Within You Without You
When I’m Sixty-Four
Lovely Rita
Good Morning Good Morning
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)
In the same week, I received the resisue of the Syd Barrett/Floyd classic, “The Piper At The Gates of Dawn (Special Edition),†an EMI Records release that’s worth every penny it will cost you, and Jagjaguwar’s latest Sunset Rubdown album, “Random Spirit Lover.” “Piper†features not only Syd but also Roger Waters and, so it includes the creative core of both of the Band’s essential iterations. (David Gilmour, while a great guitarist, did not in my view shape or form the direction of Pink Floyd.) The release marks the group’s 40th anniversary, and it’s a double disc—one stereo, one mono, with so many great tunes: Arnold Layne; Gnome; Bike; Astronomy Domine; Lucifer Sam . . . And, of course, Interstellar Overdrive. I popped it in for a little taste of retro heaven, and then right after it came the new Sunset Rubdown record.
Sunset Rubdown is not exactly space rock, but it’s as close to prog rock as we get nowadays, and goes along nicely with “Piper.†“Random Spirit Lover” It’s a heavy and full, complex and cosmic. Check it out. Everyone else in the blogosphere already has, and they like it. So you probably will, too.
Winged Wicked Things-Sunset Rubdown.
Finally, Wooden Shjips is psychedelic space rock deeply rooted in the Pink Floyd tradition. They’re even from San Franciso, and they’re named after a totally trippy song. Their new EP, self titled, is an excellent, jammy, strange trip.
You can find Pink Floyd on Amazon and everywhere else.
Wooden Shjips can be found at the Holy Mountain website.
Sunset Rubdown isn’t available retail until October 9, but you can preorder it here. If you do, you get a digital download coupon code to download the full album two weeks before the release date. Scroll down for their tour dates.
1. Lucifer Sam-The Flaming Lips (Pink Floyd Cover).
2. Wish You Were Here-Sparklehorse w/Thom Yorke
3. Interstellar Overdrive (Pink Floyd)-Camper Van Beethoven.
4. Also, from the same show, One of These Days, which shares its title with one of my favorite Floyd jams.
5. Go here for The Shins covering Breathe.
6. Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd cover)-The Grateful Dead
7. Tilted in Any Colour You Like-Lupe Fiasco
8. Ode to [Pink Floyd's] The Wall-Eyedea
9. Phat as Hell-Pink Floyd vs. Leftfield.
10. See Emily Play-Robyn Hitchcock.
10/06/07 Montreal, Quebec – Theatre National w/
Black Mountain + Oakley Hall + Lightning Dust
10/07/07 Cambridge, MA – Middle East Downstairs
10/08/07 Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
10/09/07 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
10/10/07 Philadelphia, PA – First Unitarian Church
10/11/07 Washington, DC – Black Cat
10/12/07 Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506
10/13/07 Atlanta, GA – Drunken Unicorn
10/15/07 Baton Rouge, LA – Spanish Moon
10/16/07 Austin, TX – Emo’s
10/18/07 Tucson, AZ – Plush
10/19/07 Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theatre
10/21/07 San Francisco, CA – Independent
10/23/07 Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theatre
10/24/07 Seattle, WA – Crocodile Cafe
10/25/07 Vancouver, BC – Plaza Club
10/26/07 Victoria, BC – Logans
10/28/07 Calgary, Alberta – Broken City
10/29/07 Edmonton, Alberta – Velvet Underground
10/30/07 Saskatoon, Sask. – Amigos
10/31/07 Winnipeg, MB – Royal Albert Arms
11/01/07 Fargo, ND – Aquarium
11/02/07 Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock Social Club
11/03/07 Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle
Check out my other blog!
http://berkeleyplacecomics.wordpress.com
December 1, 2012
ekko1
