Michael Jackson-Loss of a Legend

Anyone who knows me, knows that I think the word "legend" is overused. Today a legitimate legend and icon passed away.
Michael Jackson passed away at the very young age of 50.
I'd be lying if I said I grew up loving Michael Jackson and thought he was the greatest. I never bought any of his albums and never saw him in concert.
To me, Michael Jackson was a cultural phenomenon that got stranger and stranger as the years went on.
The allegations of child molestation and the plastic surgeries and his wearing of surgical masks, to name a few things, just made him seem more and more unreal.

What it is easy to forget are the following things.

Many of his songs are pop masterpiece's: Thriller,Beat It,Off the Wall,Billie Jean,Black or White,Smooth Criminal to name a few.

Whose jaw didn't hit the floor the first time you saw him moonwalk on the Motown Anniversary special.

His music videos were events, when videos meant something.

His appearance with N'Sync on the MTV Music Video Awards was exciting.

And most importantly, intentionally or not, he managed to connect with a wider audience than any other pop star. People from so many different races, religions and cultures connected to him.

I personally think he started to recycle his own dance moves as time went on, he never really changed much musically or performance wise like Madonna or Prince did.
But for those years in the early 80's to the late 80's, no one was more recognized as the king of pop music as Michael Jackson was, rightfully so.
In the late 90's I started to hear his music differently. I thought a lot of the songs were really good. Maybe it was a bit of nostalgia on my part, but I'd like to think it's because I really heard how good his early output was and how talented he truly was.
I don't think anyone can deny that Thriller is one of the greatest records of all time. It may not be your cup of tea, but you can't argue with a work that has been referenced by many artists and one that stands up still as a great album.

Prior to Michael Jackson there had been other artists of color on MTV such as American Garland Jeffreys and Joan Armatrading from the U.K. But Michael Jackson helped to usher in a broader range of music on the channel. It was no longer "rock" only.
In the future, I don't doubt that Mr. Jackson's personal life will once again be discussed and picked apart. But for today I'll remember the artist that blew open the doors on MTV for African American artists, whose Billie Jean video was always a highlight for me while watching MTV after school, whose song "The Way You Make Me Feel" has always been a favorite of mine, and the person who will always be remembered a great entertainer.
My favorite memory of Michael Jackson will always be his tribute to Sammy Davis Jr. years ago on TV. He performed the song "You Were There". No effects, no dance moves. Just Michael singing a beautiful song, with a voice you could easily forget he had. It was a great moment and probably the one I will remember as my favorite.
Rest in Peace.

In Memoriam-Farrah Fawcett

This is a horrible week of losses in the entertainment world.
Farrah Fawcett lost her long battle with cancer today.
Miss Fawcett was about as big a cultural icon as there could be in the late 70's and early 80's. Although she was only on Charlie's Angels for one season, she is the most recognized person and image from that show.
After leaving the show she never quite had the film success she was trying for. She did find success in television movies, and gave a great performance in the feature film The Apostle.
There are maybe one of two figures that come along each decade that seem to be the poster person for that time. Farrah Fawcett was one of those people.
Rest in peace.

In Memoriam-Ed McMahon

One of the true icons of late night television passed away this week.
Ed McMahon was the long time announcer/sidekick to Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show. Mr. McMahon's laugh and opening call of "Heeeeere's Johnny" have often been imitated, but never duplicated. He was part of the era when late night TV talk shows seemed like a world that was hipper and cooler than anywhere else. Johnny was the host at the party we all wish we could go to, but Mr. McMahon was the guy we wanted to hang with.
Rest in peace.

I have a simple idea

Today at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C., Mr. Stephen Tyrone Johns, a guard at the museum, was tragically killed by James W. von Brunn. Mr. von Brunn entered the museum and opened fire, and sadly fatally wounded Mr. Johns before being shot himself.
Of course it was later discovered that Mr. von Brunn was anti-Semitic and was not happy with what he was seeing in this country socially. I'd venture to guess there were plenty of personal issues too.
My idea is very simple. For all those like Mr. von Brunn, spend a few weeks secluded with people who have the same beliefs as you and meet your religious and physical requirements. My guess is that within a short period of time you'll start to have a problem with them too.
Do this and spare the young life of an innocent man who's mistake was that he went to work and did his job.
Rest in peace Mr. Johns. My sympathies go to you and your family.

Pete Seeger 90th Birthday Concert-Madison Square Garden 5/3/2009

One of the most overused words today is "legend". Not that there aren't people deserving of the title, but it seems to get thrown around a little to easy nowadays.Not to sound too much like my father, but it used to be that in order to be considered a legend, you needed to have been around for quite some time, you needed to have created an important body of work and also continue to be relevant in some fashion as time went on. On Sunday May 3, 2009, a benefit concert was given at Madison Square Garden to pay tribute to a legitimate legend. Pete Seeger. Pete Seeger is considered the father of American folk music. He made folk music popular when no one cared, and fought tirelessly for human rights and also environmental issues when it was not fashionable. He is an artist who has to be considered a legend regardless of his political views, some of which may have been misguided or naive, and which made him disliked by many for many years. He has always stood up for what he believed was right, and did it peacefully. The fact is, his views were pretty spot on in most cases. The concert at Madison Square Garden was a virtual who's who of folk and rock. Pete himself opened and closed the festivities.The majority of the artists performed ensemble versions of Pete's music and music he inspired. A few of the performers did not perform in an ensemble setting, probably due to the fact that they are currently touring and may not have been able to rehearse with the others. The concert was billed as a benefit for the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, a charity that helps to clean up the Hudson River and maintain the sloop that Mr. Seeger helped get built. One of their main goals is to educate young people about the environment. There were many musical highlights throughout the evening. For me, the best songs were The Water is Wide, Bring Em' Home, Oh Mary Don't You Weep, Where Have All the Flowers Gone and Ghost of Tom Joad. I will provide details of the performers of all the songs below. I also loved seeing all the artists onstage for the finale. Tim Robbins and Norman Lear gave short tributes to Mr. Seeger also, and Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street had the funniest line of the night. Tom Chapin told him we were gathered together to celebrate Pete's 90th birthday. Oscar replied by saying "90, I thought he was like 100".Members of Pete's family were also on hand, including his older brother(95 years old). Bruce Springsteen's speech before Ghost of Tom Joad was also very moving. He credited Pete with being a virtual living history lesson and "a stealth dagger through the heart of the country's illusions of itself". And you cannot look at Pete Seeger's life without giving much deserved credit to his wife of 66 years, Toshi Seeger. She has stood by him when most people probably wouldn't have. Happy 90th Birthday Mr. Seeger, and may you live 90 more.

******************************************************* I must also note that Pete's Grandson, Tao Rodriguez-Seeger played on many songs, I noted as many that I know he was onstage for.

The house band included saxophonist Lenny Pickett and drummer's Shawn Pelton and James Wormworth. Jay Ungar & Molly Mason were onstage for several songs. I noted as many as I could.

The New York City Labor Chorus were also onstage throughout the performance. I noted the songs were they were featured.

Special thanks to the numerous articles & reviews that helped with some of the song titles. *****Setlist***** (Some of the title's may be wrong) Menomonee Love Song(Instrumental)-Pete Seeger on recorder Native American Indian Cultural Alliance Tribute If I Had a Hammer-John Mellencamp Ride Back Home-John Mellencamp Tim Robbins Tribute to Pete To My Old Brown Earth-New York City Labor Chorus Which Side Are you On?-Ani DiFranco & Bruce Cockburn John Henry-Tom Paxton,Tom Morello,Eric Weissberg,Jacob Silver Dear Mr. President-Michael Franti,Patterson Hood,Laura Cortese,Eric Weissberg Oh Freedom-Patterson Hood,Toshi Reagon,Bernice Johnson Reagon,Abigail Washburn,Guy Davis,Jacob Silver,NYC Labor Chorus Internationale'-Billy Bragg(With lyrics he penned) The Union Maid-Billy Bragg,Mike & Ruthy Merenda,Dar Williams,NYC Labor Chorus (All holding up Union cards at the end) Sailin' Up Sailin' Down-Pete Seeger,Steve Earle,Taj Mahal,Toshi Reagon,Warren Haynes,Tao Rodriguez-Seeger False From True-Steve Earle,Warren Haynes,Buddy Miles Water is Wide-Emmylou Harris,Teddy Thompson,Kate & Anna McGarrigle Family,Rufus & Martha Wainwright,NYC Labor Chorus Dink's Song-Bruce Cockburn,Anna & Kate McGarrigle,Martha & Rufus Wainwright Banjo Medly(Including Blue Skies & Happy Birthday)-Bela Fleck & Tony Trischka Waste Deep in the Big Muddy-Taj Mahal & Tom Morello Where Have All the Flowers Gone-Joan Baez The Torn Flag(Reading)-Ruby Dee (Musical Accompaniment-Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring-Bela Fleck) Bring Em' Home-Tyler Ramsey,Ben Bridwell,Patterson Hood,Warren Haynes,Tao Rodriguez-Seeger,Preservation Hall Jazz Band We Shall Overcome-Toshi Reagon,Joan Baez,Bernice Johnson Reagon,Emmylou Harris,Keller Williams,Ani DiFranco,Ruby Dee,Bill Nershi,Preservation Hall Jazz Band and others **************Intermission****************** Norman Lear Tribute to Pete Amazing Grace(Sing Along)-Pete Seeger & Tao Rodriguez-Seeger Garbage-Tom Chapin,Michael Mark,Oscar the Grouch There's a Hole in the Bucket-Kris Kristofferson & Ani DiFranco Little Boxes-Tommy Sands & His Irish Band Michael Row the Boat Ashore-Tim Robbins,Miles Robbins,Anna & Kate McGarrigle,Martha & Rufus Wainwright,Tony Trischka,Jacob Silver,Casey Driese,NYC Labor Chorus Freedom/Motherless Child-Richie Havens Jacobs Ladder-Joan Baez,Mike & Ruthy Merenda,Scarlett Lee Moore,Jay Ungar,Molly Mason,Larry Long,NYC Labor Chorus Oh Mary Don't You Weep-Arlo Guthrie,Del McCoury,John Hall,Tony Trischka,Bill Nershi,Preservation Hall Jazz Band Worried Man Blues-Arlo Guthrie,Tao Rodriguez-Seeger,Jay Ungar,Molly Mason,Ramblin' Jack Elliott,Bill Nershi Gather Round the Stone-Ben Harper,Ellen Verdes,Sue Chase,Tom Morello Letter to Pete(Reading)-Peggy Seeger Maggies Farm-Kris Kristofferson,Ramblin' Jack Elliott,Warren Haynes,Keller Williams,Richie Havens,Taj Mahal,Jay Ungar,Molly Mason Turn! Turn! Turn!-Roger McGuin,Tyler Ramsey,Ben Bridwell Precious Friend-Emmylou Harris,Arlo Guthrie,Tony Trischka,Preservation Hall Jazz Band Rye Whiskey-Dave Matthews Ghost of Tom Joad-Bruce Springsteen & Tom Morello This Land is Your Land-Pete Seeger & All Happy Birthday-All (Exit music-When the Saints Go Marching In-Preservation Hall Jazz Band) **************Encore**************** Well Make the World Go-All This Little Light of Mine-All Good Night Irene-Pete Seeger & All

Greatest Movie Moments-The Last Temptation of Christ

One of my favorite movies, and possibly my favorite.

Most people know the basic story of Jesus through one of the many films or TV shows telling his life story. As I heard it once stated, "we may get the story of Jesus from the Bible, but we get the images from Hollywood." One of my favorites is The Greatest Story Ever Told. A good straight ahead telling of the New Testament.

Unlike most other versions, The Last Temptation of Christ focuses more on the human side of Jesus. Yes, he was also human, a fact most people tend to forget or overlook.

Before this movie came out, there was tons of controversy surrounding it. There was an attempt to have it banned even before anyone had the chance to see it. Had any of those protestors bothered to see it, they would have seen a pretty straight forward telling of the important events of the adult Jesus' life.

Of course the big controversy was that the film portrayed Jesus as actually having true temptations that he most likely would have faced, and also doubting if he is actually the Messiah. But I think that is the strength of the film. He could easily go through his life as if nothing phases him, but this Jesus has actual dilemma's and true conflict's. You actually see his struggles which makes them all the more relevant.

Director Martin Scorcese also opted to replace vintage dialogue with a more modern tone, and characters with modern accents. It is strange to hear Judas, the amazing Harvey Keitel, speak with a Brooklyn accent, but I think it makes the character more unique and gives him a new life.

I can understand how people might be offended by a scene where Jesus watches Mary Magdalene sleep with several men, she was a prostitute, and then is even tempted himself. He does not sleep with her, but sits a breaks bread with her. You see that they have a friendship since childhood, and that he does love her, just not romantically.

I think by focusing on the fact that Jesus was human, makes the viewer even more amazed at the sacrifices he made. We know he makes them, but it is more impressive when there is conflict, which exists in all temptations.

Another reason I love the movie is that if you know nothing about the many pivotal moments and events in Jesus' life (Palm Sunday,The Last Supper,The Sermon on the Mount,etc.) the movie gives you enough backstory to know what each of these events was and why they are important, something sadly missing in some of the other Biopics.

Of course the biggest controversy came over the final portion of the film, the last temptation. The temptation is that Jesus, at his weakest moment, is given the chance to live a normal life, to grow old and have a family. I repeat that this comes at his weakest moment, after being tortured and hung on the cross. He sees what his life could be like. He marries Mary Magdalene and has children. There is a very brief scene where we see the two of them making love. It is not prolonged or even erotic. This to most people who opposed the film, was very offensive.

Of course Jesus before dying of old age decides he does not want to live a human life, and begs God to let him die on the cross. He suddenly is once again on the cross where he dies.

What's great about this scene, is that at first you almost wish he could have this perfect peaceful life. But as the scenes go on, you get more disturbed. You know this is not how his life should be, and so does he. He gradually is confronted by Saul/Paul and later Judas. These people help him to find his way back. It's Jesus' realization in the form of people that were crucial in his life. Saul/Paul sums it up beautifully in his meeting Jesus. He is preaching to a crowd about how he was reborn after meeting the risen Christ. Jesus tells him that he did not die on the cross, that he lived a normal life. Saul/Paul says "I'm glad I got to meet you, because now I can forget all about you."

It doesn't bother me that people were offended by the film, or even if they protested it. What bothers me is the idea that there were people who belived no one should be able to see it. I'm an adult and a movie is not going to change my faith.

I would tend to believe that those people protesting Last Temptation, were also the ones praising Passion of the Christ, a 2 hour movie which glorifies the torture of Jesus, with absolutely no character development. I don't think that movie provided any insight into the life of Christ, but was more a exploitation film into his death. But if someone wants to see it, and feels they are getting something out of it, so be it. Visually it was an impressive movie, but when you get to the point where violence makes you numb, there's too much.

I personally would rather see a movie which discusses what religion and faith and love are, than one that focuses only on the most horrific part of the story.

Despite the fact that there are many memorable moments in Last Temptation, I always was amazed at how impressive the Palm Sunday sequence is. It is a pretty traditional staging of the day, with Jesus and the disciples entering the temple. Jesus is seated on a donkey and the townspeople wave palms and blankets are laid out on his path. What made the scene memorable, aside from the cinematography, was the amazing score by Pete Gabriel. Seeing this in the theatre was breathtaking. Instead of going with a traditional classical piece, Peter Gabriel composed a score that suited the landscape and geography. The Palm Sunday sequence was heavy on percussion and also included vocal runs by Peter Gabriel and Youssou N'Dour.

See it. You'll never look at Palm Sunday the same way again.

In Memoriam - Fernando Correia Martins

Portuguese composer/arranger/conductor/musician Fernando Correia Martins passed away today in Lisbon, Portugal.
Maestro Correia Martins had arranged/composed & conducted for such artists as Olivia and Marina Mota. He was also known for being the Music Director for the television program Sábado à Noite, as well as conductor, arranger and composer for several Festival of Song on the Portuguese public television channel RTP.
Most recently he was the Conductor & Musical Director for the show Piratada à Portuguesa in Lisbon.
On Friday March 27, he was awarded the Máscaras do Teatro on the stage of the Teatro Maria Vitória.
Our deepest condolences go out to his family and anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Rest in peace.