New song by REM....not bad. Check it out below, you can stream or download it.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Who could it be....believe it or not it's just me!
Is nothing sacred in Hollywood? Absolutely not, and as tinsel town continues to mine and pillage every conceivable source material for the 'next big thing', seems that they're more comfortable in remaking the past than plotting the future. Next up on the revisionist chopping block is a certain early-80s television classic that may hold a bit more meaning for some of you than any amount of Charlie's Angels or Starsky and Hutch ever would. That's right friends, believe it or not, we're about to walk on air all over again!
You bet we're talking about the certified classic gem Greatest American Hero! The show that spawned one of the most memorable and beloved television theme songs of all time (admit it, you're humming it right now) is about to undergo a revival of sorts thanks to a creatively bankrupt industry destined to relive past glories. The original show's premise followed the exploits of dopy schoolteacher Ralph Hankey who's soon visited by strange space aliens who, as any proper space alien is known to do, bestow our soon-to-be hero a suit that endows its wearer with incredible powers. It isn't long before Ralph dons his 'red jammies' and, along with the help of FBI agent Bill Maxwell, is off fighting crime. Oh, and he gets a girlfriend along the way...hilarity ensues.
No word yet on on release date, but behind-the-scenes things have certainly started heating up. Directing the remake is geek favorite Stephen Herek (Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey, Critters), with a script from longtime partner Chris Matheson and Ryan Rowe. Between the three of them magic has certainly been made (Bill and Ted), but so has remake mud (Charlie's Angels). Perhaps we'll have the proper balance such a project requires, but it'd be a shame to send another remake down the drain.
I'm absolutely convinced that while the original was indeed a treat, most are probably more familiar with its outstanding, inspirational theme song than the show itself. That's not a slam whatsoever, but considering how embedded the classic tune has become in popular culture (originally reaching # 2 on the charts, by the way) thanks to appearances everywhere from Seinfeld (George's answering machine...classic) to snippets on Family Guy (various...not so classic). I can't possibly see them not using it for the new film, but stranger and more boneheaded things have happened.
What a great, great show the original was and let's all hope the remake can capture even 1/10 of its charm. That's the word I was really looking for: charm. Although the original may seem a bit hokey to some of today's more 'sophisticated' audiences, there's just something about its undeniable sense of innate goodness and willingness to let its guard down that made it so darn endearing to just about everyone. Of course it was a one-trick pony, and like other genre shows it wasn't long before the trick ran out of steam...but talk about your wholesome steam!
Credit Popza.com for this story
You bet we're talking about the certified classic gem Greatest American Hero! The show that spawned one of the most memorable and beloved television theme songs of all time (admit it, you're humming it right now) is about to undergo a revival of sorts thanks to a creatively bankrupt industry destined to relive past glories. The original show's premise followed the exploits of dopy schoolteacher Ralph Hankey who's soon visited by strange space aliens who, as any proper space alien is known to do, bestow our soon-to-be hero a suit that endows its wearer with incredible powers. It isn't long before Ralph dons his 'red jammies' and, along with the help of FBI agent Bill Maxwell, is off fighting crime. Oh, and he gets a girlfriend along the way...hilarity ensues.
No word yet on on release date, but behind-the-scenes things have certainly started heating up. Directing the remake is geek favorite Stephen Herek (Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey, Critters), with a script from longtime partner Chris Matheson and Ryan Rowe. Between the three of them magic has certainly been made (Bill and Ted), but so has remake mud (Charlie's Angels). Perhaps we'll have the proper balance such a project requires, but it'd be a shame to send another remake down the drain.
I'm absolutely convinced that while the original was indeed a treat, most are probably more familiar with its outstanding, inspirational theme song than the show itself. That's not a slam whatsoever, but considering how embedded the classic tune has become in popular culture (originally reaching # 2 on the charts, by the way) thanks to appearances everywhere from Seinfeld (George's answering machine...classic) to snippets on Family Guy (various...not so classic). I can't possibly see them not using it for the new film, but stranger and more boneheaded things have happened.
What a great, great show the original was and let's all hope the remake can capture even 1/10 of its charm. That's the word I was really looking for: charm. Although the original may seem a bit hokey to some of today's more 'sophisticated' audiences, there's just something about its undeniable sense of innate goodness and willingness to let its guard down that made it so darn endearing to just about everyone. Of course it was a one-trick pony, and like other genre shows it wasn't long before the trick ran out of steam...but talk about your wholesome steam!
Credit Popza.com for this story
Stranded But Pfat in Pflugerville
This morning I had to go get the brakes fixed on my piece. Just Brakes for $99.88....lets hope that's all they charge me. The wife couldn't pick me up for an hour and a half, so I decided to kill some time at a strip center taco place. Now becuase I knew I'd be writing about this, I decided to take pictures of my adventure, including my meal. I am here to tell you, if you want good service and lots of attention, take a picture of your food when it arrives, and let the wait person see you do it. The next think I knew, I saw the manager and every other person in the place peeking out at me from behind tables and doorways. They must have thought I was a food critic or something. Well, now that I have this outlet for all the random shit that goes through my head, I guess I am critic....on anything and everything. So...tacos....I had a carneguisada w/cheese, a picadillo, and a potato and egg. Thakfully they were all pretty good. The tortillas were homemade, the carne guisada tender, and the picadillo just greasy enough. The potato and egg was good too, with nice crispy yet tender potato cubes mixed with perfectly done scrambled eggs. The salsa was so so, not nearly hot enough, but all in all I would give this meal 3 1/2 jalapeno peppers out of 5......ok, that's so dorky, but hey, if I'm reviewing a meal than why not?
Once I was Pfat in Pflugerville, I proceeded to kill time reading my book outside. It was a nice enough morning, and I staked my claim to a piece of the retaining wall that seperated the strip center from the Citgo gas station. Everyting was fine until an older lady came by, sat on a nearby milk crate, and decided she wanted a friend. Really, is this what my life has come to? Hanging around a shitty convenience store, chatting up a local gal that likes to sit on milk crates? I'm not even sure if she was homeless or not, she just kept rambling on about the price of smokes and how they just don't make milk crates as comfortable any more. "I can't sit on them long, they can't handle my weight" she said. She added that they also made her thighs look like a waffel iron.....yes lady, it's the milk crate's fault. I've included pictures of my new hang out, so if you're driving by Howard Lane and I-35 heading north, be on the lookout for a little piece of paradise where everyone is a friend, and milk crates are always available.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Justin Townes Earle New Record and SXSW 2008
About Justin Townes Earle
You need to check this guy out. Everything I've heard so far is exceptional. He has all his dad's talent and more, without the damn political shit...
From his myspace page....
new album, The Good Life, coming 3/25/08
"Like the late Van Zandt, Earle uses a base of acoustic blues and prewar folk to build his own brand of American roots music." Nashville Scene
With Justin Townes Earle’s pedigree come mixed blessings. As the son of legendary singer/songwriter Steve Earle, high expectations are the name of the game, and he’s shown that he is up to the task on The Good Life, crafting stark portraits and narrative tales with elements of blues, classic country and rock n’roll. A modern-day troubadour, Earle blends genres seamlessly, framing his songs in warm musical settings and creating tunes that could easily be mistaken for classics. “I started out to make an old timey country record, but I listen to so many other kinds of music,” Justin explained. “Some of the songs were rearranged on the spot and took on other lives and album is now more of an exploration of southern music.” Earle approaches universal topics like traveling and matters of the heart (“Hard Living”, “The Good Life”) with the same fervor with which he evokes the bleak loneliness of a Civil War soldier on “Lone Pine Hill”.
The Good Life is produced by RS Field (Billy Joe Shaver, Sonny Landreth) and Steve Poulton. The album was recorded (with the exception of “Ain’t Glad I’m Leaving”) at House of David studios, the legendary room that has hosted sessions with George Jones, Elvis Presley, Neil Young and countless others. Joining Earle in the studio are a cast of all-star players including longtime cohort Cory Younts (Bobby Bare, Jr) on banjo and mandolin, pedal steel player master Pete Finney (Dixie Chicks, Patty Lovelace), bassist Bryn Davies (Patty Griffin, Guy Clark), drummer Bryan Owings (Buddy Miller, Shelby Lynne), keyboardist Skylar Wilson and fiddle player Josh Hedley.
Justin Townes Earle is 25 years old and his age belies his experience. Growing up in Nashville he mis-spent his youth playing in bluegrass/ragtime combo The Swindlers and the louder, more rocking The Distributors and developing some very bad habits. During tours as guitarist and keyboardist (“…and not a very good one,” laughs Earle) in his father’s band, his problems became untenable and he was fired. Ultimately he cleaned up his act, dropped his self-destructive habits and began to focus on songcraft. “You don’t have to be fucked up or torture yourself to write songs,” explains Earle, “I used to write a lot, a whole lot, and half those songs I don’t even remember. Now, I sit there and I write it and I finish it and I keep it.”
With inspirations as diverse as Townes Van Zandt (he was named in honor of the elder Earle’s hero), Jimmy Reed, Kurt Cobain, The Replacements, Ray Charles and The Pogues, Justin forged his own brand of American roots music. Going through life with a namesake of Van Zandt’s stature cannot be easy for a young songwriter, but Earle takes it in stride,” saying, “Anyone who tries to live up to Van Zandt is a fool. I’m honored to carry the name, but if I spent my life trying to live up to it, I’d have a pretty miserable life.” Likewise, his father’s incredibly acclaimed, prolific career casts a huge shadow, but Justin Townes Earles makes a name for himself by focusing his writing on the personal rather than the political, narrative tales instead of protest. The Good Life melds the qualities of a short story with the lyrical acuity of excellent songs, celebrating grand southern traditions and blowing a fresh breeze across the musical gardens and dive bars of Nashville.
You need to check this guy out. Everything I've heard so far is exceptional. He has all his dad's talent and more, without the damn political shit...
From his myspace page....
new album, The Good Life, coming 3/25/08
"Like the late Van Zandt, Earle uses a base of acoustic blues and prewar folk to build his own brand of American roots music." Nashville Scene
With Justin Townes Earle’s pedigree come mixed blessings. As the son of legendary singer/songwriter Steve Earle, high expectations are the name of the game, and he’s shown that he is up to the task on The Good Life, crafting stark portraits and narrative tales with elements of blues, classic country and rock n’roll. A modern-day troubadour, Earle blends genres seamlessly, framing his songs in warm musical settings and creating tunes that could easily be mistaken for classics. “I started out to make an old timey country record, but I listen to so many other kinds of music,” Justin explained. “Some of the songs were rearranged on the spot and took on other lives and album is now more of an exploration of southern music.” Earle approaches universal topics like traveling and matters of the heart (“Hard Living”, “The Good Life”) with the same fervor with which he evokes the bleak loneliness of a Civil War soldier on “Lone Pine Hill”.
The Good Life is produced by RS Field (Billy Joe Shaver, Sonny Landreth) and Steve Poulton. The album was recorded (with the exception of “Ain’t Glad I’m Leaving”) at House of David studios, the legendary room that has hosted sessions with George Jones, Elvis Presley, Neil Young and countless others. Joining Earle in the studio are a cast of all-star players including longtime cohort Cory Younts (Bobby Bare, Jr) on banjo and mandolin, pedal steel player master Pete Finney (Dixie Chicks, Patty Lovelace), bassist Bryn Davies (Patty Griffin, Guy Clark), drummer Bryan Owings (Buddy Miller, Shelby Lynne), keyboardist Skylar Wilson and fiddle player Josh Hedley.
Justin Townes Earle is 25 years old and his age belies his experience. Growing up in Nashville he mis-spent his youth playing in bluegrass/ragtime combo The Swindlers and the louder, more rocking The Distributors and developing some very bad habits. During tours as guitarist and keyboardist (“…and not a very good one,” laughs Earle) in his father’s band, his problems became untenable and he was fired. Ultimately he cleaned up his act, dropped his self-destructive habits and began to focus on songcraft. “You don’t have to be fucked up or torture yourself to write songs,” explains Earle, “I used to write a lot, a whole lot, and half those songs I don’t even remember. Now, I sit there and I write it and I finish it and I keep it.”
With inspirations as diverse as Townes Van Zandt (he was named in honor of the elder Earle’s hero), Jimmy Reed, Kurt Cobain, The Replacements, Ray Charles and The Pogues, Justin forged his own brand of American roots music. Going through life with a namesake of Van Zandt’s stature cannot be easy for a young songwriter, but Earle takes it in stride,” saying, “Anyone who tries to live up to Van Zandt is a fool. I’m honored to carry the name, but if I spent my life trying to live up to it, I’d have a pretty miserable life.” Likewise, his father’s incredibly acclaimed, prolific career casts a huge shadow, but Justin Townes Earles makes a name for himself by focusing his writing on the personal rather than the political, narrative tales instead of protest. The Good Life melds the qualities of a short story with the lyrical acuity of excellent songs, celebrating grand southern traditions and blowing a fresh breeze across the musical gardens and dive bars of Nashville.
SXSW 2008 Dates:
Two Cow Garage @ SXSW 2008...so far....
Mar 11 2008
9:00P
Beerland--THIS is American Music Show
Austin, Texas
9:00P
Beerland--THIS is American Music Show
Austin, Texas
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