"Searching For Sugar Man" by RODRIGUEZ. A Review Of The BLU RAY…

"...I Think Of You..."

SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN

and the

Rodriguez Albums "Cold Fact" (1970) and "Coming From Reality" (1971)

In some respects to review the fantastic documentary film "Searching For Sugar Man" is to ruin it. But here's the some-info' version minus spoilers…

Sixto Diaz Rodriguez (pronounced Sees-Toe) was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1942 to recently emigrated Mexican parents. From the early to late Sixties, Motown had put the Motor City on the musical map – so emerging singer-songwriters cut their teeth in bars and cafes, soaked up the campus/street politics and hoped to get noticed. After an early 7" single in 1967 on Impact that folded without trace - enter Producer Dennis Coffey and Sussex Records (home of Bill Withers). 

Sixto's debut American album "Cold Fact" was born - March 1970 on Sussex SXBS 7000 - followed the next year by "Coming From Reality" - November 1971 on Sussex SXBS 7012. But despite their musical quality, few noticed locally. Legend in fact has it that "Coming From Reality" sold less than 20 copies. 

Cut to the other side of the world – South Africa in fact – and young black and white kids are plagued by Apartheid. With lyrics like "drinking from a Judas cup…papa don't like new ideas round here…" or "I wonder will this hatred ever end?" – they pick up on the Arthur Lee melodies and the Bob Dylan protest lyrics and the soulful Jose Feliciano voice and the album becomes a huge hit over there. So Rodriguez tours and those shows are emblazoned into the memory. But then the mysterious American immigrant troubadour disappears…some even ruminating that he's dead – or never existed at all. Cut to decades later and a South African secondhand record-store owner wonders what happened to this huge and positive influence in his life? And so the journey begins…searching for the sugar man…

As a cartoon figure wanders across the dirty city streets of a cold Detroit with a guitar case strapped over his shoulder - you listen to tracks like "Crucify Your Mind" and "Inner City Blues" – and you wonder how in God's name you've never heard this great music before. Politics, Mafia swindles, radio indifference – all of it probably. But it's what happens next that makes you double take and grin from ear to ear all the way to the joyous end…

I urge you to buy either of the stunning Light in The Attic CD/LP remasters and reissues of both his original albums - "Cold Fact" on LITA 036 or "Coming From Reality" on LITA 038. They have (at last) been reissued 30 August 2019 in the UK on both CD and LP - Universal/Sussex 00602577896255 (Barcode 602577896255) for the "Cold Fact" CD and Universal/Sussex 00602577077371 (Barcode 602577077371) for the "Cold Fact" LP - with Universal/Sussex 00602577896354 (Barcode 602577896354) for the "Coming From Reality" CD and Universal/Sussex 00602577077388 (Barcode 00602577077388) for the "Coming From Reality" LP. Both CD variants can be bought for between five and seven pounds. 

The "Coming From Reality" album has "I Think Of You" - as lovely a melody as you've ever heard. The album finisher "Cause" has stunning lyrics – "...Cause I lost my job two weeks before Christmas, and I talked to Jesus at the sewer, and the Pope said it was none of his Goddamn business…" The CD reissue even has three Bonus Tracks from his aborted 3rd album – "Can't Get Away" showing how well his songwriting had progressed. After them make a beeline to this wonderful BLU RAY.

To sum up - you know the way you look at hundreds of 5-Star reviews and wonder what all the love is about – don't. 

They're all right…

“Angel-A” on BLU RAY – A Review Of The 2009 Luc Besson Film

Here is a link to Amazon UK to get this BLU RAY at the best price:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002BC9YY8

“…It’s What’s On The Inside That Matters…” 

Coming from Writer/Director LUC BESSON who gave the world the Sci-Fi/Indiana Jones extravaganzas “The Fifth Element” and “The Extraordinary Adventures Of Adele Blanc-Sec” and tense/ballsy thrillers like “Taken”, “Nikita” and “Leon” – the pared-back almost serene “Angel-A” is not what you’d expect from this amazingly gifted Frenchman. Yet it so works.

Large part of the credit has to go to the casting one of his favourite lead actors JAMEL DEBBOUZE. Squat, cute, compelling – his lined crumpled features and stubbly chin are akin to a French Humphrey Bogart – the kind of actor whose face and watery eyes can express so much and have you routing for his character with an investment that feels personal. And like most Male Directors of a certain age - our Luc likes his leading ladies too (the prettier the better). Enter the extraordinary-looking RIE RASMUSSEN.

Jamel plays Andre Massau – an Algerian pint-sized low-life living in Paris who steals croissants from restaurant tables and owes money to Frank the Frenchman and Pedro the Spaniard. But unless Andre pays up more than 50,000 Euro by midnight Saturday – his body will be ‘everywhere’ on Sunday morning. Failing to find solace in the American Embassy (a green card he won in a Lottery), even the French Police won’t put him in Jail so he can be safe for a few days. Andre finally goes to the bridge overlooking the Seine and toys with the idea of ending it all. But annoyingly he’s not alone. A six-foot high stick-insect blond in a tight black party dress with a pearl necklace sporting legs that stretch six miles into the ground is also on the wrong side of the ornate railings about to do the same. With her tear-stained makeup - she jumps – Andre follows - pulls her to the embankment - and for saving her from the clutches of despair – she ‘gives’ herself to him for the whole of Sunday. But first she needs a cigarette…

The similarity between “Angel-A” and “It’s A Wonderful Life” with its message of intervention to show us the errors of our ways will not escape many – Besson has just updated the story to modern day living. His principal character Andre is a self-loathing loser who still has some good left inside him somewhere. He just desperately needs to learn to “breathe” and “live in the moment” – and who better to teach him than a 300-year old chain-smoking angel falling from the sky that looks like a high-class hooker. But as Andre watches Angela pimp herself out in a nightclub for 1000 Euro per sweaty leering client – he begins to see the consequences of his greed - and worse – how he is his own worst enemy (sharks he repays with her ill-gotten gains tap into his gullible nature again by flattery because they know it works).

Cleverly resisting flashy celestial scenes – special effects are kept to a minimum allowing story and character to be all. But as Andre’s eventful Sunday progresses - slowly Angela wakes him up (dialogue above) and after an ashtray reveal in a café - money worries don’t matter anymore because love is also in the air.

  

First up is the look of “Angel-A”. Shot in black and white in old-world Paris – the locations and city pulse are beautifully rendered on BLU RAY. Defaulted to 2.35:1 aspect – there are bars on the top and bottom – but even stretched to full screen – the picture is never anything less than cinematically fab (note: if you do extend the aspect – the English subtitles will go off-screen).

There’s an entertaining “Making Of” featurette that has interviews with Director, Producer JEROME LATEUR and the Cast, a “Making Of The Music For Angel-A” featuring composer ANJA GARBAREK and her musicians and a Theatrical Trailer.  English is the Subtitle for this French-language film.

“Angel-A” isn’t your typical box-office fare – but it is masterfully done – and will get to you more than you think. Flap your credit card’s wings for this one…

"What Happens In Vegas" - A Review Of The 2008 Film On BLU RAY

Here is a link to the right BLU RAY issue on Amazon UK to get this at the best price:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001BADMW6

Sure Joy and Jack make for a handsome couple (Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher) - but what gives "What Happens In Vegas" so much zip as a rom-com - is that the two Hollywood A-Listers actually do seem to have some chemistry together (like Uma Thurman has with Jeffrey Dean Morgan in the underrated "The Accidental Husband").

Sober and forced to live in the same apartment as man and wife (the result of a drunken night and shotgun wedding in a Las Vegas Casino) - the warring couple have the incentive of a slot machine Jackpot at the end of their custodial sentence. So all our mismatched lovebirds need to do is survive six months in each other's company and a few soul-searching therapeutic sessions with one of those pesky marriage guidance types. Now how difficult can that be?

Will their initial undeniable attraction resurface? Will what happened in Vegas stay in Vegas? 

Cue raised toilet seats, shower curtain rails, poop jokes, parties, beer, hookers, double-crossing hijinks and man-woman bickering on a level that makes a night at The Sopranos dinner table look positively inviting.

“What Happens In Vegas” is a genuinely likeable watch – very funny and oddly charming too. Throw in a hugely talented support cast in Dennis Farina, Treat Williams, Deirdre O’Connell, Rob Corddry (as the obnoxious buddy), Zach Galifianakis and Queen Latifah as their put-upon but savvied marital doctor - and you’re on a winner.

Fans should also be aware that the 'US' BLU RAY on 20th Century Fox is REGION A LOCKED - so it won't play on our machines unless they're chipped to be 'all regions' (which few are).

Stick with the UK variant - it's cheaper than a high-heeled floozy at the roulette table and will legally allow you to throttle your partner should they reach for the pause button on the remote...

"Frequency" - A Review Of The 2000 Movie Reissued On A New Line Home Entertainment American REGION FREE BLU RAY

Here is a link to Amazon UK to buy this US BLU RAY at the beswt price:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B007NQVRNS

"...Picking Up Signals..." 

I bought the American BLU RAY of "Frequency" on New Line Home Entertainment because I've always loved this 'talking to my Dad 30 years ago' Fireman movie with a passion.

Directed by GREGORY HOBLIT and written by TOBY EMMERICH (older brother of the respected actor NOAH EMMERICH – see below) - "Frequency" has built up a bit of a cult fan base since its 2000 release. I’ve had it on many 'Slipped Through The Net' Amazon lists for years.

It's the night of 10 October 1969 – the Baseball World Series will be played out on television sets across American Homes the following day. But that night the atmospheric dance that is the Northern Lights of The Aurora Borealis is doing strange things to the skies over Brooklyn. It’s even messing with the airwaves.

Lighting a cigarette - Frank Sullivan (Dennis Quaid) looks up at the phenomenon and smiles. Frank is a hero father and all round good egg - a fireman that fights the blue beast with courage by day, rides his Harley home afterwards and plays catch with his 'chief' son of 6 on the sidewalk outside their home at night. Until 11 October 1969 - when Frank enters a warehouse down by the docks and in trying to rescue a woman on the top floor – takes a wrong turn to get out of the building. Neither makes it and The New York Post sadly reports the death of another true blue who didn’t make it…

Cue to 30 years later in October 1999 and Jim Caviezel is John Sullivan – his 'chief' all grown up – a cop who is boozing, losing his wife and still hurting over his Dad’s loss. His buddies since childhood on the Force Satch and Gordo (Andre Braugher and Noah Emmerich) are worried about him. Gordo (the excellent Noah Emmerich - Jim Carrey’s Sea Haven mate in “The Truman Shoe”) drops by with his son for a chat and to share a Brewsky. But his bored young son (an early part for Michael Cera) finds an NYFD Radio Transmitter in a locked box hidden in a cupboard that everyone’s forgotten about. The device is old school with glowing valves – and you need a licence just to use it. John gets it working – but when no one is in the house and through the crackles – John hears a man’s voice – his Dad Frank from 30 years back.

Disbelieving at first - John then begins to realize the potential of the situation and tells Dad how to save his life, which will end the next day (in his time). Dad does just that and John’s future changes accordingly. Frank hasn’t died in 1969 but in 1989 from lung cancer. But now a serial killer called "Nightingale" who targets nurses has also lived and killed 15 women instead of 3 – one of which is John’s Nurse mum Julia (Elizabeth Mitchell from “Lost” and “Revolution”). Now both father in 1969 and son in 1999 are locked into a cat and mouse game with this monster to ‘alter’ that list. And on it goes to a genius ending that is wholly satisfying…

Special features include:

1. Commentary by Director Gregory Hoblit

2. Commentary by Writer/Producer Toby Emmerich and Actor Noah Emmerich

3. The Science And Technology Behind Frequency

4. 4-Animated Solar Galleries

5. Music Only Track with Commentary by Composer Michael Kamen

6. Deleted Scenes

7. Theatrical Trailer

The picture is 1080p High Def with an Aspect Ratio of 2.4:1 (16 x 9) so it stretches to the full screen and looks great – rich colours and hues – even in a lot of the darker night sequences. Subtitles are English SDH and Spanish only.

There are times when you can’t quite nail why a movie gets to you so much – or why you hold it in such affection. Perhaps it’s the father and son thing – the good guy wins – the pig gets his comeuppance – or perhaps it’s just the sheer likeability of the lead actors given great material to work with.

Whatever way you look at it – "Frequency" on an American BLU RAY is a winner. Great movie, top extras, nicely rendered and reasonably priced into the bargain.

Let "Frequency" burn its cosmic greatness into the table of your viewing lounge real soon...

“The Giant Mechanical Man” or “Love In Detroit (Karlek I Detroit)" on DVD and BLU RAY. A Review Of The Lee Kirk 2012 Film…

Here is a link to the BLU RAY on Amazon UK for the best price:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00EYVFEES

“…Love And Hopeful Things…” 

A few words about this overlooked nugget of a film that seems to have unwisely slipped everyone by.

Written and Directed by LEE KIRK in 2012 - its original title was "The Giant Mechanical Man" - which was quickly followed by its less difficult but more commercially feasible name - "Love In Detroit". To confuse matters even more - it appears to be only available to UK buyers as an ‘import’ DVD and BLU RAY that goes under the name of "Karlek I Detroit" because its issued in DENMARK (or SWEDEN?).

I’m sensing that the sellers of this lovely movie bottled out of the quirky original title and opted for the horrid and cheesy "Love In Detroit" instead - also elevating the prettier Malin Akerman to the top of the cover (the blond) when she really only has a back part in the story (the original poster only includes the two principal leads at a bar).

Janice is a young slightly kooky temp (Jenna Fisher of the American TV series “The Office”) who can’t seem to hold down a job. One day on the train platform she spots a street mime artist that she somehow connects with. Tim is kind of hard not to miss - because he stands nearly ten feet tall and is painted head to toe in silver (Chris Messina of Aaron Sorkin’s “The Newsroom” – he plays Jane Fonda’s son in the show Reese Lansing). Tim doesn’t engage with passers-by (except maybe a TV crew who spot an interesting morning segment). Feeling low – she engages in conversation with the still silver giant whom of course doesn’t flinch a muscle in keeping with his street art. But Tim has noticed Janice…

Tim’s pretty but ambitious girlfriend (Lucy Punch) has had enough of Tim’s art-for-the-people dreams - as has her brother (a fantastic turn by Bob Odenkirk – Let’s Call Saul in “Breaking Bad”). He needs a job – so he gets one at a Zoo when he meets Janice. Without his make-up - they slowly and awkwardly edge towards each other (without her knowing of his alter ego). Thrown into the mix to tempt weak-kneed Janice is Topher Grace as a longhaired self-help book-selling twat. Will Janice be able to fend off her pushy sister’s interventions (Malin Akerman) in her hopeless love life? Will she stop dreaming of her teeth falling out? Will the two society misfits make it in a sometimes cold and meddlesome world?

The DVD is Region 2 so if you live in the States - check compatibility (if you live in the UK or Europe - there's no issues). 

The BLU RAY is REGION FREE so will play everywhere. It's defaulted to 1:85 (16 x 9) Anamorphic which is FULL ASPECT - so there's no bars top or bottom. And more importantly - the picture quality is gorgeous – a beautifully filmed piece of work. 

Subtitles are English, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish. I also think the "Love In Detroit" BLU RAY sleeve that is pictured on the Net and Amazon is a mock up that never appeared - it doesn't exist except with "Karlek I Detroit" on the sleeve.

A fabulous and genuinely touching film - “The Giant Mechanical Man” also uses locations in the presently much-maligned and bankrupt city of Detroit to amazing effect.

Give this gem a chance – I liked it so much – I had to buy it. I find hopeful and lovely things are like that…

"Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley/Pressure Drop" by ROBERT PALMER - 1974 and 1976 Studio Albums Plus Outtakes featuring members of LITTLE FEAT and THE METERS (August 2013 UK Edsel 2CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 145 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

MORE THAN A FEELING 

1976

Your All-Genres Guide To 

Exceptional CD Reissues & Remasters

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs

Just Click Below To Purchase (No Cut and Paste Crap)

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"…Gotta Work To Make It Work…"

After stints with THE ALAN BOWN in the Sixties, DADA in 1970 and three albums with VINEGAR JOE (featuring Elkie Brooks) between 1972 and 1973 – ROBERT PALMER was finally ready to go Solo. 

The result was his fabulous debut "Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley" in 1974 on Island Records and its under-appreciated follow-up "Pressure Drop" in 1976. This 2CD reissue on Demon's Edsel label celebrates both records with real style (even throwing in 6 Bonus cuts which all new to CD - 4 Previously Unreleased).

UK released 26 August 2013 - "Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley/Pressure Drop" by ROBERT PALMER on Edsel EDSK 7037 (Barcode 740155703738) is a 2CD Compilation in a Card Slipcase with Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (52:24 minutes)

1. Sailin' Shoes

2. Hey Julia

3. Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley

4. Get Outside

5. Blackmail

6. How Much Fun

7. From A Whisper To A Scream

8. Through It All There's You

Tracks 1 to 8 are his debut Solo LP "Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley" – UK released September 1974 on Island ILPS 9294

BONUS TRACKS:

9. Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley (Single Mix)

Non-Album version released November 1974 as a US-Only 7" single on Island 006

10. Epidemic

Non-Album B-side to "Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley", November 1974 US 7" single on Island IS 006 - his debut 45 in the States (no UK equivalent)

11. Blackmail (Alternate Mix) – Previously Unreleased

12. Get Outside (Alternate Mix) – Previously Unreleased

Disc 2 (43:56 minutes):

1. Give Me An Inch

2. Work To Make It Work

3. Back In My Arms

4. River Boat

5. Pressure Drop

6. Here With You Tonight

7. Trouble

8. Fine Time

9. Which Of Us Is The Fool

Tracks 1 to 9 are his 2nd Solo LP "Pressure Drop" – UK released April 1976 on Island ILPS 9372

BONUS TRACKS 

10. Willin' (Demo, Little Feat cover version) - Previously Unreleased 

11. Hope We Never Wake (Demo) – Previously Unreleased

The outer card wrap is generic to all these Edsel reissues and certainly gives the whole thing a classy feel. Fans will also know that outside of the "Gold" anthology on Universal – Palmer's Island catalogue has been languishing without remasters for decades. Although it doesn't say who remastered these album at Universal – the sound quality is great – a huge improvement over the dull Eighties discs we'd had for years. The 28-page booklet is substantial – pictures of the albums and rare singles, studio shots, colour publicity stuff, lyrics to both albums, affectionate and knowledgeable liner notes by CHRIS JONES – it's a bang-up job done.  

Fans will know that the original UK vinyl album has barely decipherable credits on the top left of the rear cover that give no real recording info and there was no inner sleeve (the standard issue blue inner bag). I say this because recording history now shows that members of LITTLE FEAT (Lowell George, Bill Payne and Paul Barrere) and much of THE METERS (Art Neville, Leon Noncentelli, Ziggy Modelisti and George Porter Jr.) filled out the sessions with Funky-Rock magic.

As if that isn't amazing enough – there's Jazz-Funk main men RICHARD TEE on Keyboards with CORNELL DUPREE on Guitar, the legendary sessionman BERNARD PURDIE on Drums (Steely Dan and millions of others) and even STEVE WINWOOD on keyboards. He also took the Bassist STEVE YORK from Dada and Vinegar Joe with him and Steve provides some amazing backbeat and Harmonica Solos throughout. None of this was on the artwork! Perhaps had that info been displayed – it might have sold better – or made more of an impact…

The debut opens with the distinctive guitar of Lowell George on a boogie cover of his own "Sailin' Shoes" followed by Palmer getting funky with his beat box on "Hey Julia" (an RP original). A slice of magic occurs with Allen Toussaint's "Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley" – all the staggering funk of the musicians collides to produce a mean shuffler. There’s some hiss for sure on the slinky "Get Outside" (another Palmer original) but the remaster still allows the amazing Bass and Rhythm breathe like never before –it's fantastic (the lady vocals are still uncredited).

"Blackmail" is an upbeat co-write with Lowell George (good rather than great) while "How Much Fun" goes as fully Little Feat as possible – stabbing keyboards, backing girl vocals, lingering slide guitar notes – it's very cool. There then follows the album's double masterpiece finishers – the incredible "From A Whisper To A Scream" (more Allen Toussaint New Orleans old-skool coolness) and the twelve and half minute Palmer original "Through It All There's You". It's the kind of slow building funky Rock tune that always brings customers to the counter – Winwood on the Fender Rhodes with Cornell Dupree flicking those licks throughout. It has an infectious vocal too – truly brilliant stuff.

Fans of both Palmer and Little Feat will thrill to the two debut LP outtakes – "Blackmail" features Lowell and the band giving it some melodic magic – it's just superb. "Get Outside" is a slow bluesy take instead of the funkier album final – and again – great guitar and a very pronounced lady vocal.

After the heavy dependence on covers on the debut – album number 2 "Pressure Drop" features six Palmer originals with "Trouble" being another Little Feat cover, the title track a take on the famous Toots & The Maytals reggae anthem and "River Boat" a return to one of his faves – Allen Toussaint. The opener "Give Me An Inch" would later be covered by Ian Matthews to stunning groovy effect on his underrated and soulful "Stealing Home" album from 1979. There then follows a huge favourite of mine – the groovy "Work To Make It Work" (lyrics above). For 1976 it seemed to somehow predate so much Funk-Rock that followed in a similar vein in the late Seventies. Things get a bit too syrupy with the stringed-up "Back In My Arms" while “River Boat” returns to that New Orleans choppy feel and is far better.

The album's second real gem is "Here With You Tonight" sounding like Little Feat with The Tower Of Power horns blasting in the background with an impassioned Palmer vocal out front. What a winner.

Again – Little Feat fans will flip for the simple acoustic demo of George's gorgeous "Willin'" – even as a basic demo recording – its lovely and intimate. "Hope We Wake Up" is similar – a simple acoustic demo – where he stops and starts as he works out the melody – it's lovely too.

I've always thought Robert Palmer was a class act – not just as singer – but also as a vessel for other people's songs. Sure it's not all genius – but there's a lot of quality Seventies Funk-Rock on offer here for not a lot of dollar bills.

Get this fabulous double-CD in your life and you'll find yourself sneakin' those other titles into your shopping basket too…