Music and film

Robbie William's Christmas album, The Present is out and seems to be a traditional mix of songs, but with some interesting duets, ie. with Rod Stewart, Bryan Adams and others.

Charlie's Angels, has obviously proved over the years to have some enduring popularity, what with the successful TV series of the 1970's-1980's; the film from 2000; despite the aborted TV series in 2011 and now, the 2019 release. The three lead actresses have at least received deserved praise, but the film itself...

Various Artists

Dream Boats and Petticoats: just a little more to add, re. originals artists, which includes too many to mention, (52!), from the 1950's through to the 1960s.

I do quite like Jane McDonald. She has an endearing personality and an attractive voice and is able to put her vocal twist on her own original songs and on any covers.

I am definitely interested in her Live Christmas Concert DVD, which will be released on 22 November.

The Good Liar

The Good Liar is in the cinema now. I did'nt realise that it was based on a book. Have to say it seems like a intriguing story. The film has both Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen, so that in itself is exciting.
                                                                              The big release of the year has to be Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker. The saga has to end, the trailer says, if only to move on and generate new...stories...the franchise has to move off in some other direction.

X Factor

I'm interested in getting previous series CD's or DVD's of the X Factor. There must be many available, given that it's been going for so long: the best and worst bits (ie. humiliating the contestants, which seems harsh). In addition, I look forward to following up the current                X Factor : Celebrity series.

Stevie Wonder

Songs in the Key of Life was a great album by Stevie Wonder. He is one of the great musicians/ artists of the 20th Century.                                    

An interesting collaboration was the one with Julio Iglesias: My Love, a beautiful and lyrical song.

Possible CD buys...

Looking at possible Christmas buys: there is a compilation album, Dreamboats and Petticoats, Let it Snow, Let it Snow, etc. It's a collection of classic songs by the original artists.        

Another album of intererst is Rockbird, by Debbie Harry...some particularly good songs on it: my favourite is French Kissin' in the USA.

Slyvester Stallone

Slyvester Stallone is one of my favourite actors. Ok, not the most versatile of actors, (they say), but still, he has created some of the most memorable characters in Cinema. If you asked anyone to name any of those characters, then they would probably say Rocky or Rambo. Rambo, even given the simplicity of the story, was a character stuck in the torment of Vietnam and what was it that he would even recognise that wasn't part of that nightmare.

Rod Stewart/ Judy Garland

Rod Stewart is another of my favourite musical artists; certainly one of the most established. I'm interested in his latest album (Blood Red Roses), or maybe, 'an in concert' DVD. He has been involved with so many great songs.

Of course I've seen the trailer for the new Judy Garland film. It reminds me what a great "actress in musical and dramatic roles and as a recording artist (and performer), she was." (
Wiki).

TV and film

 Another of my favourite TV programmes is Downton Abbey. Of course many historical period dramas have been successful over the years. Maybe it is a particulary British sort of nostalgia, in that we do seem to be stuck very much in the past (ie.19 Century). 
                                                                                  I would like to add the latest Rambo film, Last Blood to my DVD collection. I've seen a few of the others in the series and  have always quite liked the character portrayed by Stallone. 

Finally, Ad Astra is a film that has caught my imagination...intriguing.

Parminder Nagra

One of my favourite actresses is Parminder Nagra.  I particularly remember her from the film Bend it like Beckham and the character she played in ER. She has also appeared in a number of successful prominent tv series, eg. The blacklist, Fortitude.

Once upon a time...

One film that has got my attention, but only because I've seen it advertised on the side of the bus, is Once Upon a Time in Hollywood! 
                                                                    Tarantino is not a director that I am familiar with, but what little I do know...I will certainly get this on DVD. The poster has been literally everywhere, so it's been difficult to miss it.

Manhattan Transfer

Following the Top of the Pops theme, Manhattan Transfer, had a number of very successful singles and albums. They found a niche with their              a cappela, jazz, swing, blues and pop musical styles (easy listening?). This was particularly true through the 1980s, when they won grammy awards for many of their songs/ compositions.

Top of the Pops 19

One particular group that I like is Fairground Attraction and their single, Perfect, from the album The First of a million kisses, 1988. They were not active for very many years, but had a lot of success internationally...not forgetting the single, Find my love, of course. 


Danny Wilson were another band who together had some success as a band, but individually had a significant degree of success, reflecting their diverse abilities, as musicians and song writers.

Julio Inglesias jnr: Greatest Hits.

Julio Inglesias jnr, has only one concert in the UK  this year, at the Royal Albert Hall. As I said last week, I would like to get a greatest hits album (most likely from HMV). I've found the album I would like, ie. his Ultimate Top 40 Collection CD,  £8.68, but on Amazon. Compared to other similar albums, priced at as much as £30.00, it's a bargain!

Jellybean...

The Real thing, is a 1987 hit single by the music producer Jellybean. The song was pretty successful in clubs and on various dance  charts. In his time, he has collaborated with artists such as Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and  Madonna.


Julio Iglesias Jnr, has been a long established artist. He certainly has a huge back catalogue of material.  I really do want to buy one of his greatest hits albums, most likely from HMV.

Sarah Vaughan

Sarah Vaughan is one of my favourite artists. She possessed 'what, may be the finest voice ever applied to Jazz' and a large vocal range across three octaves. However, not wanting to be pigeonholed, she said, 'I want to sing all kinds of music that I like and I like all kinds of music.'

Ransom

A 'new' series which I have just discovered on Channel 5, is Ransom. I've caught the beginning of (Season 1) it ? I really like the idea of the story ie. that there is an elite/ specialist team fighting dangerous criminals and their evil kidnapping schemes...maybe sounds familiar ? However, if the stories are well put together, it could be really exciting.

Was (Not Was)

Following on from previous weeks, ie. songs heard off Top of the Pops: one piece particularly struck me and that was Spy in the House of love, by Was (Not Was), an American band of the mid 1980's, early 1990's. However, trying to check it out online I was confused by the coincidence of their being a (very good ) British band, around the same time, called House of Love...

The Christians

The Christians were a successful UK band of the late 1980's, early 1990's. Watching Top of the Pops the other night, I came across their single Ideal World...very much a song of that period (1987), given what was happening in the World, but very lyrical.

 More of a collaboration, than anything else, was the 1987 single, Who found Who? Jellybean, with Elisa Fiorillo, on vocals. An electronic/synth pop track...quite memorable, with a couple of really good remixes.

B B and Q Band

I'm not sure how I discovered the B B and Q Band, most likely through Top of the Pops. The only song that I'm currently familiar with, is On the Beat. They formed in 1979 and disbanded in 1987. They were like a kind of commercial enterprise project to make money and errr...music.
                                                                                 I would consider getting one of their albums, either their first (1981), or the 2009 compilation, Greatest Hits and Essential Tracks.

Van Morrison and Rod Stewart

Have I told you lately that I love you, is a song written and recorded (1989), by 1.Van Morrison. However, 2. Rod Stewart, (with his version), had the greater commercial success (1991). Anyway, I'm interested in listening to those, or even getting the albums, that the song comes from, ie., 1.Avalon Sunset and 2.Vagabond Heart.

80's music

I would like to follow up my interest in 1980s music, by getting a best of compilation. I've found one particular CD, ie. 'Now 100 Hits, Forgotten 80s (Now That's What I Call Music...)'. I don't have any other 80s music, because I haven't bought any CD's of any artists from that period!

Debbie Harry

I often watch the repeats of Top of the Pops, most often on BBC 4. I like to try and follow up on songs that I like, when I go online. One such song is Kissin in the USA by Debbie Harry (1986), from the album Rockbird. 
Another song I'll follow up is, Jimmy Mack by Martha and the Vandellas, (1967), from the album Watchout. 
                                                                            Just briefly, I'm also after the compilation album Party Party, by Black Lace...

Music x film

I know that the Eagles are on/ or will be on tour in 2019. Obviously, they are one of the most successful bands of the last 50 years. Not too sure how influential they have been, but they have had some memorable songs and individual members have had significant solo success.

Quincy Jones is one of the great producers, musicians and composers.There is one collaboration that I particularly like, ie. The Secret Garden (from the album Back on the Block), released in 1990. It has some great vocal arrangements... 



Some of the films that I am currently interested in include: Rocket Man, Men in Black-International, Spiderman-Far from Home and the Fast and the Furious 9.

Music...

One band I particularly like is Los Lobos. Their music has been influenced by many different musical styles and obviously they made that successful crossover into the Rock/Pop Charts...well, success in the commercial sense. 
                                                                       Another artist that I also like, is Ray Parker Junior. Of course it's through his Ghostbusters theme that I became aware of his music.+

John Wick

I do like a good action film/ thriller, though a good story would sometimes help. In the case of John Wick: Chapter 3- Parabellum, this is unlikely to happen. With so many people carrying one weapon or another and blasting each other, there is little opportunity, if any.

Peaches and Herb

I'm interested in American duo Peaches and Herb: though apparently there have been seven female vocalists who have performed in the Peaches role since the duo was established (1966). However, they have brought out some very lyrical Pop/ Soul tracks, the most successful being, Shake Your Grove and Reunited, (both1978). There is a Greatest Hits CD (2009), which I might get.

Aladdin...

I think I have varied musical tastes, though maybe that doesn't necessarily include musicals in the 'Hollywood' tradition. However, the forthcoming Aladdin looks entertaining on many levels: as romantic action and drama; as a musical. the Arabian Nights influence always conjures up a familiar lavish dream/scape and the story requires little reinterpretation. Seems strange that the film is directed by Guy Ritchie, but he does bring his particular flair to the films he takes on...

The Avengers

One of the big film releases in April is Avengers Infinity War Endgame, the sequel. Admittedly, I'm looking forward to it, however, with the aid of time travel, we know that the time line will be readjusted to the Marvel Universe that we know.

Just to mention, that I've become aware of the cause of the protest marches in various parts of London today. I was in Oxford St at HMV this morning and wondered what the protest was about...now I know...


Next week: Hellboy

Dark Phoenix

Two films on my list of, would like to see are: Dark Phoenix, in the X-Men film franchise; and Men in Black: International. Again, it is unlikely that I will see either in the cinema. This is just the reality of how difficult it is to organise trips to the cinema. Other films of interest include: Alladin...looks like a terrific fantasy adventure.

Creed 2

I want to get Creed 2 on DVD, though I do have a box set with just the first three films and have not seen any of the others. The Series has moved on, focusing on developing other characters, whilst keeping longstanding ones on board. Despite the apparent cliched premises, the film still manages to embrace one on many different emotional levels...much as being punched in the face probably would...

Game of Thrones

We have Seasons 1-6, of Game of Thrones, at home, but not Season 7. However, I've not seen any of the series so far. Well, it's not my box set and I've come late to the whole saga. My plan now, I suppose, is to wait until it's available and then watch it at my leisure...from start to finish obviously.

January releases?

I'm trying to work out what films will be on DVD, in say April. And the easiest way to do that, is to ask what films were in the cinema in December (2018) and January 2019. I can't remember many...well Aquaman was out in Dec 2018.

Glenn Miller

I'm interested in getting a Glenn Miller Greatest Hits, Best of Compilation, which I think I can get  at Camden Market. Also, I want to make a day of it, as it's been some time since I've been up that way. The CD collection I've seen consists of three discs and has an impressive 75 tracks...no wonder it's called the Definitive Collection!

New releases

I'm looking again, both at DVD releases for films in March and April and film releases through the year. There are a number of significant releases, ie. Green Book and The Favourite (DVD). However, most of the films coming out I have no knowledge of, or much interest in. Looking forward also to: Aquaman and Bohemian Rhapsody on DVD.

Top Gun 2

I'm interested in getting (one or more) CD's by the American R&B/ Soul singer, Melissa Morgan. I'm not sure where I have heard her music. Her most notable hits were in the 1980s and the beginning of the 1990s, re: 'Do me Baby; 'Do you still love me?'. I may end up with a Greatest Hits/ or Best Of...

Waiting with some anticipation, for the release of Top Gun 2. Like everyone, I'm intrigued as to what they are going to do with the character, given the 30 odd years that have elapsed since the original film...probably exiting with some improbable, flag waving finale...'the needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the few'.

Change...I'd like to get the

I'd like to get the album entitled, Miracles, by Change. They had considerable success in the early 1980s on the US Dance and Soul Charts, with singles released from the album. Just reading a little of the background of the group, is interesting  in itself. For example, Luther Vandross featured on several songs released by  them. There is a heavy Chic sort of influence to their music. Both shared the same label, (Atlantic) and the same backing singers!

Alita...

Just released is, Alita, Battle Angel, though I know nothing about the Manga comic from which it comes. Having seen the trailer, I'm really hoping that it is as good as I would like it to be. However, I've seen some mixed reviews from the critics...but so what...

Laurel and Hardy

I saw one of the 'old' Laurel and Hardy films last week on TV. It's rare to see any of their films (on TV), these days, but I suppose that it is because the recently released, Stan and Ollie, in the cinema, has prompted it's being shown. Hopefully, more of their material will get an opportunity to be aired. Really remember enjoying a lot their films when I was much younger. 

King of Thieves

I would like to get the DVD of the recently released, King of Thieves. It's based on the Covent Garden Safety Box Robbery, of April 2015. Let's forget the usual romanticism. It has a solid British cast, including Michael Caine, Ray Winston, Tom Courtney. I remember the Ealing (Comedies) and I'm it has a touch of those...at least if only the way in which the scheme fell apart in the six weeks after the robbery. Still, who knows how much was never recovered?

Jurassic Park

I am really interested to see, what the story line for the sequel, to Jurassic Park: Fallen Kingdom, will be, particularly as the island in that film was completely destroyed by the volcanic eruption. I think the sequel in 2021 is supposed to be the final film in the franchise...hopefully they can create another story from the debris of the last one.


 
I want to get the Season 1 box set, on my birthday, for the Good Fight, the sequel to The Good Wife...not too long to wait!