Archive for the 'Have you seen?' Category
(Chronologically Listed)
it’s a new day
A new day, indeed. Not to mention a very celebratory week. Still overjoyed, and still overwhelmed with pride and relief. My friend Cydney reminded me that Will.i.am, was reminding us that yes, we can - when some of us (yes, myself included) quite honestly were quite concerned that we might not. I was sticking with cautious optimism - but now I’m just generally optimistic, and it feels good. And now, for your celebration of a new day (gotta click on the link), I urge you to bask in the glory of just that.
Yes, we can, and yes - WE DID!!!
gratitude
I’m walking on a cloud… seriously over the moon. Filled with pride and - you guessed it, the G word. I feel like dancing, so here’s some Earth Wind & Fire to add some funkification to the satisfaction reaction over our recent election…
Funk don’t get much better than this:
I can’t ever think about EW&F without a memory for which I wish there was a video, that is, as some San Diegans may recall, the vision of Steve Poltz’s rendition of “Reasons”, a standard set piece back in the day, done in a dress in an oh-so-alluring…. um, fashion. This classic will have to do - it’s actually quite an extraordinary performance…
My God, I think I’ve got my mojo back…! Enjoy and have a beautiful, inspired, hopeful day.
Peace be with you.
feeling good
Actually, I’m sick as a dog, but in spite of it all I feel good. Tears of joy, relief, pride and hope were shed aplenty last night at the confirmation of our new President-elect, and at hearing Mr. Obama speak in Chicago’s Grant Park; a memorable speech, and a timely and historical day in American history. Thank God.
It’s a new dawn and a new day. Feel good and enjoy, and peace be with you.
don’t vote
A well-done appeal to register and to BE SURE TO vote… even if you think your state is going your way without your vote, PLEASE VOTE!! Just do it.
Silverman is a scream. Produced by Leonardo DiCaprio
harmony
I’ve elected (forgive the pun) to post an Elton John song today; Harmony, a nice cover of the Rocket Man by Jesse Malin. I do so that you may listen as I share just some of the disconcerting facts about the GOP’s vice-Presidential candidate, Sarah Palin. It’s all meant to offset the political anxiety and support the visualization of recovery, the sense of peace and hope and yes, even the pride (haven’t said that in awhile) that the thought of change brings. We must remember though, that things are so very screwy that nothing is going to come fast and easy, and that even in the face of these… situations, we cannot assume anything (and now that we’ve had one, we can never discount (wow, a 2-for-1) the possibility of another chad debacle, but lets not go there). We must simply get out and rock that vote. Speak your peace. Feel the pride. Visualize change. Let’s make it all a reality - do we really have a choice?
Okay, before I really get going, let’s get some music going:
I’m going to preface the following list with a few of my own observations… a) shouldn’t the mother of a four-month-old child with Down Syndrome be… not necessarily home with her child every waking moment - but not necessarily on the campaign trail every waking moment, giving her every attention (one would hope) to learning everything she possibly can about foreign policy, domestic policy and everything else that her lack of experience would command that she learn asap via the hard core cram? b) shouldn’t the mother of a pregnant, unwed 17-year-old child be rethinking her priorities, even if the 4-month-old with special needs hasn’t managed to spur that on? c) Thanks for the bone, Mr. McCain, but we don’t need your token puppy smashing our glass-ceilings, anymore. If the Hilary supporters that were going to vote for you just because they were mad that Hil didn’t get the Democratic nod still haven’t heard Mr. Obama, then there priorities are as effed up as Mrs. Palin’s, and finally d) McCain sure has a penchant for beauty queens!
Lastly, and in follow up to my last (Radiohead) post, I have to say that last week coincidentally contained two (back-to-back) of the most inspiring occasions on my personal recent record. They were very different, but both brilliant. The first was the Radiohead show. Pure genius. Mesmerizing. Stunning. The next night was Barack Obama’s already historic acceptance speech of the Democratic nomination for President of the United States of America, delivered to an audience of 38 million plus. I got chills. I got misty. I got conviction.
Okay, back to business; courtesy of MoveOn.org, a few of the cold, hard Palin facts:
- She was elected Alaska’s governor a little over a year and a half ago. Her previous office was mayor of Wasilla, a small town outside Anchorage. She has no foreign policy experience. 1
- Palin is strongly anti-choice, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest. 2
- She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000. 3
- Palin thinks creationism should be taught in public schools. 4
- She’s doesn’t think humans are the cause of climate change. 5
- She’s solidly in line with John McCain’s “Big Oil first” energy policy. She’s pushed hard for more oil drilling and says renewables won’t be ready for years. She also sued the Bush administration for listing polar bears as an endangered species—she was worried it would interfere with more oil drilling in Alaska. 6
- How closely did John McCain vet this choice? He met Sarah Palin once at a meeting. They spoke a second time, last Sunday, when he called her about being vice-president. Then he offered her the position. 7
1. “Sarah Palin,” Wikipedia, Accessed August 29, 2008
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin
2. “McCain Selects Anti-Choice Sarah Palin as Running Mate,” NARAL Pro-Choice America, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17515&id=13661-8065754-X4T89Ox&t=1
3. “Sarah Palin, Buchananite,” The Nation, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17736&id=13661-8065754-X4T89Ox&t=2
4. “‘Creation science’ enters the race,” Anchorage Daily News, October 27, 2006
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17737&id=13661-8065754-X4T89Ox&t=3
5. “Palin buys climate denial PR spin—ignores science,” Huffington Post, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17517&id=13661-8065754-X4T89Ox&t=4
6. “McCain VP Pick Completes Shift to Bush Energy Policy,” Sierra Club, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17518&id=13661-8065754-X4T89Ox&t=5
“Choice of Palin Promises Failed Energy Policies of the Past,” League of Conservation Voters, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17519&id=13661-8065754-X4T89Ox&t=6
“Protecting polar bears gets in way of drilling for oil, says governor,” The Times of London, May 23, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17520&id=13661-8065754-X4T89Ox&t=7
7 “McCain met Palin once before yesterday,” MSNBC, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=21119&id=13661-8065754-X4T89Ox&t=8
In case you missed it, I’m proud to offer you (through YouTube, of course) the opportunity to witness for yourself this stirring, celebrated speech. It’s the stuff of which history is made. Do have a harmonious day, and do be prepared to fight for your rights, and to then say hello to a new nation and a new administration.
radiohead
I’m very excited. I’ve had tickets to see Thom Yorke and Company (a.k.a. Radiohead) since April and the show is finally upon us. Who else could I post tonight? I’ve linked an unsurprisingly rave review of last Sunday’s Hollywood Bowl show (click on photo to the left, also courtesy of the LA Times). Below is a garage version (and they all look like they’ve been in there for some time, in need of showers (or baths? nah…), a nap, and such) of the song “All I Need: the Scotch Mist Version”. Interesting opening (explains the nah on baths comment) and compelling to see them at play in what seems likely their very own home studio space.
It’s also worthy of note that this is my first post duplication of a song, I’d previously posted a homemade video of the tune, along with a number of other Radiohead numbers, pre-release of the latest CD In Rainbows or any of the “official” videos. This one is band approved.
Another “Scotch Mist Version”, this one of the gorgeous, in slow-mo “Nude”
love in action
I went to see Todd Rundgren last week. He’s one of my favorites from waaay back when, and I was surprised and pretty much dismayed at the difficulty encountered in finding anyone remotely as eager as me to attend. Most of my cohorts hadn’t even heard of him (guess I hang with a younger posse these days). The good news is that I did find a willing partner in crime, and met another loyal (and tall, dark and handsome) aficionado… but I digress - the point is that Mr. Rundgren was completely riveting. Not just the same creative genius I’d always so admired, but seemingly ageless as well. Most of the stuff he played will be on his new CD, Arena scheduled for release in September.
Beyond hearing his voice for the first time, I was especially taken with Todd (yes, I had an intense adolescent crush) when I learned that he created most of his prolific music totally solo; wrote every song, played every instrument (every single one), sang every voiceover, produced. Even if you don’t know his name you know some of the songs (Hello It’s Me, I Saw the Light, Can We Still Be Friends, Couldn’t I Just Tell You, Time Heals, Love is the Answer, It Wouldn’t Have Made Any Difference, Just One Victory, We Gotta Get You a Woman, All the Children Sing, Bang the Drum All Day, A Dream Goes on Forever [and so could this list, it seems]). Then there’s the Producer hat that he’s worn with another list of artists too long to get into here. Log into itunes or your preferred music provider and give a listen, and read his Wikipedia bio if at all interested (perhaps while listening). It offers not only a notable professional history but a compelling personal one as well. There’s a long list of links too, like Todd Radio, Todd TV; an entire subculture’s array of ‘em. So now, enough talk… for those of you who know him and especially those of you who don’t, here’s the legendary Todd Rundgren…
Love In Action in 1977 on Letterman:
Some personal insight circa 1988:
The contrasting Liar and Soul Brother, back-to-back, performed in 2005, without borders or brand:
Lastly, Lunatic Fringe, a cover performed earlier this month, just a few days after Mr. R’s 60th birthday. My new friend told me that Todd got tired of looking puffy so he started working out. It’s working. Unfortunate video quality but it was the most recent I could find, proof enough that the guy is still and always will be an original… a wizard, a true star:
More from the new CD (the song Pissin‘ in particular) when it becomes available. Got some Glen Campbell for ya’ too. Yep.
Visit Todd’s MySpace page for more, if you can take it.
chemtrails and time bombs
Here’s one by the ever-diverse Beck from his yet to be released Modern Guilt. From what I’ve heard of it so far, he’s created yet another reinvention of himself - and kept it fresh as always. Hope you like it, and may all your trails be happy and chem-free.
Now an interpretation of Time Bomb, created by Chris Jordan and blessed by the Beckster. Jordan’s work is a fine example of the social statement-making artistry that I admire so and aspire to achieve someday. Click on his link above and have a look at his latest work.
We are on a ticker here, and we all have got to do our part to conserve, sustain, reuse, reduce, recycle, make peace, love and take care of one another and the planet - and everything else that’s within our power to do. Every one of us. Let’s give the children an opportunity to grow up and have their children on a clean, healthy, peaceful planet.
cusack takes mccain
From MoveOn.org, an ad featuring John Cusack and a challenge to take the Bush-McCain Challenge. Now that there’s one Dem candidate (phew!), the focus can be on the one vital task at hand… the win!
You may also be interested in catching not one but two of Cusack’s most recent films, both dealing with the war in Iraq; Grace is Gone, and War Inc.
P.S. let me know if you’d like to wear Obama on your bumper. I have a few hundred stickers to distribute, or you can always order some yourself at MoveOn.org, and in doing so contribute to his campaign.
Here’s another one, full of hope with some fun scrambled in from MoveOn.
black cat
Here’s something from the recently released new cd by Ladytron, Velocifero. This electroni-cat purrs in French. May it fire you up for a luck and fun filled weekend.
I’ll spare you too much info on the political buzz of the week, former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan’s memoir “What Happened“. If you’ve not yet heard about it you either live under a rock or more likely you’re totally over the political banterings of all the pundits out there and simply stopped listening (which is probably way better for the blood pressure). Anyhoo, although I’ve not yet read it, it seems that there’s quite a stir brewing at the Bush digs (not to mention Fox News); scathing! scandalous! disgruntled! Ha! More like blowing a whistle on a runaway train, and a long time coming. Hear his very believable and very unsurprising story first hand, at least pieces of it, here.
On another note but closely related to both my previous entry earlier in the week and also “What Happened” above, if you’re home this Friday night you may want to tune into Bill Moyer’s Journal on PBS:
Bill Moyers fantastic one hour special on Body of War will be
re-broadcast on PBS nationwide tomorrow, May 30th.
Check your local listings for broadcast time.
* * * * *
Check Nationwide Theatrical Openings at
Tomas Young, a 26-year-old veteran, was shot and paralyzed after serving 5 days in Iraq. His story is told in the critically acclaimed antiwar feature documentary Body of War, produced and directed by legendary talk show host Phil Donahue and award-winning filmmaker Ellen Spiro. The film features two original songs by Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam.
Body of War is an intimate human drama wrapped in a political documentary — full of emotion, humor and hope. As the paralyzed veteran Tomas deals with his disability, he evolves into a new person, finding his own passionate voice against the war. Body of War also captures the historic debate in the Congress in the fall of 2002 authorizing the war and celebrates those that stood up against the rush to invade.
Body of War was voted “Best Documentary of the Year” by the National Board of Review, nominated for “Best Documentary” by the Producers Guild of America, and received multiple audience awards at film festivals from Toronto to Palm Springs. It’s been acclaimed in the media and by the public. Everyone who has seen the film says that everyone should see it.
A companion double-CD compilation “Body of War: Songs that Inspired an Iraq War Veteran” is available from Sire Records.
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Tee of the Month
