In an inspired bit of show-don’t-tell, Steven Soderbergh just released a “Silent Film” version of ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (Black and White, Score-only) to demonstrate what he considers Steven Spielberg’s mastery of staging.
This is the type of thing that might end up not being available for long, so go to Soderbergh’s Extension 765 website now to read his explanation and to check out the video…
Sometimes the Universe whispers an offer of happiness to you:
“Pardon me…“, it asks. “Would you be interested in seeing something called ‘Apocalypse Pooh’? It’s a mash-up of ‘Apocalypse Now’ (iTunes / Amazon) and the cartoon version of ‘Winnie-the-Pooh‘, made by some mysterious Canadian film-maker.”
“Tell me more…” you say.
“Pooh Bear is dancing around in front of a mirror, à la an unhinged Martin Sheen. Do you think you would you enjoy seeing that?”
“I would.” you say to the Universe.
“And what about Piglet as voiced by Dennis Hopper? Would you like that?”
“Very much so!”
“Perhaps you’d also like to see Tigger appear in the scene where Chef is in the jungle and he freak…”
You hear yourself erupt in a guttural, Sam Kinison-like howl: “I WANT TO SEE THIS!! SWEET LORD – I NEEEEED TO SEE THIS!!”
“Of course you do,” the Universe says as it regards you with a sort of bored bemusement. “Everybody does.”
Like almost every other person who has ever tried to write a pop song, I’m a fan of The Beatles. Truth be told, though, I never spent all that much time listening to the “Post-Beatles” work of the Fab Four – save a childhood rewind-and-replay-until-the-tape-breaks obsession with a Paul McCartney song called “Coming Up”.1
Recently, though, I took the time to watch Martin Scorsese’s ‘George Harrison: Living In the Material World’ documentary (iTunes / Amazon) and gained new respect for how Harrison forged an identity for himself both during and after The Beatles. Seeing that film is probably why I noticed that today is the release date for ‘The Apple Years 1968-75’ (iTunes / Amazon)
A remastering of 6 albums worth of George Harrison’s post-Beatles output, ‘George Harrison: The Apple Years (1968-75)’ serves as a counterpart to Harrison’s other post-Beatle boxed set, ‘The Dark Horse Years 1976-92’ (Amazon). This new collection features re-released versions (with bonus tracks, natch) of ‘Wonderwall Music’, ‘Electronic Sound’, ‘All Things Must Pass’, ‘Living in the Material World’, ‘Dark Horse’ and ‘Extra Texture (Read All About It)’.
This collection seems like a great place to jump in to Harrison’s solo work if you are, like me, a lot more familiar with The Beatles than with what he did afterwards, . Check out the trailer above or, for more details on the remastering project, click here to go to the Official George Harrison page describing the release.
Cut Chemist and DJ Shadow Do A Joint Reddit ‘Ask Me Anything’.
More Prince goodness… Herc’s Hideaway has a nice round-up in honor of the 30th Anniversary of ‘Purple Rain’.