More Roots July 1, 8, 14, 21, 28, and August 4,10

The Roots are coming up from Philly every night to be Jimmy Fallons house band on late, late night. This gives us New Yorkers more chances to see the Roots live onstage. Can't get tickets to the TV show, don't worry they have a weekly jam at the Highline Ballroom. This jam is only $10 so get there early. the show is known to go on and on till the wee hours of the morning. On June 2nd the house was packed and had a line outside. We were walked right in and went right upstairs, the floor overflowing with hiphoppers. The stage was also overflowing with entertainers. They come from far and wide for the Roots. Sierra Leone, Belfast, an around the world jam. And around the boroughs....AG from show and AG came out to represent the Bronx. Q-Tip on stage at the end bring up memories of A Tribe Called Quest. The Roots holding it down all night with a smooth beats that just don't quiet. More to come from them now that they have made the NYC there second home.
Review from June 2nd.

The Roots are still at it on stage at the Highline Ballroom adding even more Jams this summer.

Whatever Works Woody Allen

"Whatever Works" is Woody Allen's return to New York and Comedy. This movie seems to go back to familiar themes in Allen's films. Romance with cynicism, smart jokes with stupid gags, and of course an excess of funny dialog. "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" was witty and insightful, but this "Whatever Works" is laugh out loud funny. Sure most of these scenario's Allen has used before but when you go out to see your favorite band you want to here their "hits." don't you? If I may use the old cliche and say 'if its not broke don't fix it" Coming out of this film you feel good, its not a thought provoking, mind bending, or life changing movie its a joke, a lark. This makes us who live in New York City feel lucky to be where lives are changed just by the experiences of the city. In the beginning and at the end the point is drilled in, when it comes to relationships luck plays a big part and we all should go for, and out to see"Whatever works."

New York Dolls June 22nd, 09

By now Rock 'n' Roll is well defined, but at one time bands made it up as they went along. The New York Dolls where one such band. Before punk, before metal, before hair bands, the Dolls got down and dirty using fast riffs, pop like vocals, and androgyny to make a name for themselves. They had only two albums that are cult classics now but were concerted flops at the time. Having a chance to see the Dolls, even only two of them on stage seems like a right of passage. One that a lucky few experienced this last Monday night in Brooklyn. The Music Hall of Williamsburg is a lot like the Bowery Ballroom, and a great place to get up close and dance. They where loud, fast and so much fun to watch. Playing so many songs right after another "Stranded in the Jungle," Mystery Girls," Trash," "Pills." David Johansen a true front man out on stage with all the camp and wit expected. Its comforting to know that one can still dress up and go out for a noisy, reckless good time.

Moon Duncan Jones & Sam Rockwell

Where can we find the answer to all the worlds energy problems? The Moon, so close yet so far.... In this Sci-fi film directed by Duncan Jones, a big corporation is in charge of harvesting the moon. Not far off since all big projects now are handled by big ugly corporations. This is a one man operation on the surface, and Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) is the man on the job. With his three year contract coming to an end in two weeks, he is dreaming of home. Sam's made it this long but can he keep it together for a little longer? With only Gerty (voice of Kevin Spacey) the stations computer to talk to the isolation is getting to him. Will the hallucinations, paranoia, and other mishap's keep him from his family on earth? This is a true Since fiction story, written with believable science, and wonderful fiction. One gets the feeling that Sam Rockwell is merely being him self in space. He is so relaxed with the duologue, yet serious about the subject matter. With all the white nose and stillness you would expect from space the effects are perfect for building suspense in every frame. More independent film should use Sci-fi, it does not have to be left to major commercial movie studios.

Tetro Francis Ford Coppola

Francis Ford Coppola is one of worlds most loved director. When he started to go for the strange and avant-gard the public turned there backs. "Why can't he do something more like The Godfather?" people would say. The backlash sent him into a kind of hideous, coming out last year to directed "Youth Without Youth" with Tim Roth staring. "Youth" made one feel uneasy and comforted at the same time, worth your time to seek out and watch. Now Coppola not only directs but has written this new flick "Tetro." His first screenplay since "The Conversation" in 1974. This black and white drama set in Buenos Aires, makes south America look not only old world but romantic. Coppola is a master in the use of light, using it as a kind of focal-point in this tragic tale. Tetro played by Vincent Gallo is a man hiding from his family and himself. His writing that is his life work has helped him spiral down to the point where he forsakes it and the Success it represents.. Then his younger brother Bennie (Alden Ehrenreich) comes for a weeks stay, can Tetro hide any longer? The past known to one brother and not the other comes back.
The complex family rivalry and jealousy between father and son, brother to brother, is an old concept told again by a master in story telling and cinema. Remember that some of us like the strange and avant-gard.

The Pictures Generation Met. Through August 2ND

This is one of the most impressive exhibits to see in the Metropolitan Museum of Art this summer. Running till August 2ND there is lots of time to plan a trip to the park and then the Met. Remember that this museum a "suggested donation" and open late on Fridays. This show focuses on media's influence on young artists from 1974 to 1984. Some of the lesser-known artists shine but most patrons will recognize early works from bigger names like Cindy Sherman, David Salle, sand Richard Prince. This was a time in our history when print media was king, television was reinventing its self and radio was at its peak. This was the precursor to the lives we all live now where all media is thrown at us at alarming speeds. The art makes us realize how these ads and commercials, stick in our heads and change how we live, see ourselves, and what we buy. With a Pop Art influence but not copied, lots of peaces use blown up or distorted magazine images. Others show how moving pictures relate to printed ones. All in all a very provocative exhibit that one will want to go discuss over a late dinner on the East Side.

Elvis Costello & The Sugsrcanes June 10Th, 09

Elvis Costello a songwriter, a showmen, a legend. The show at the Beacon was highly anticipated, not one to miss. Dressed up and out front early helped in scoring a $20 balcony ticket. Moving at first opportunity to the lodge for better seats, the sound in the beacon always impresses. Realizing that when Elvis and The Sugarcanes came out on stage there was not any electric instruments meant a set without songs from albums like "When I Was Cruel." Most of the set was the new album "Secret, Profane, and Sugarcane." This is another album to teach us Americans about our music history, Blues, Bluegrass, and some Honky-Tonk. Almost all the classic Elvis was saved for the many encores. "Allison" and the rest played with his signature sound. The best being when he steps back from the mic and bellows words that sound far away and right behind you at the same time. Surprising was right before the last bow they pulled out "Friend of the Devil" making one wonder if you can go to the beacon without hearing the Grateful Dead.

NIN & Jane's Addiction June 6Th & 7Th, 09

Last weekend was a big one for fans of rock 'n' roll. Two big bands with two big followings at two big arenas. All original band members of Jane's Addiction on stage for the first time in over ten years, touring like they did in 1991 with NIN. When announced this sounded to good to be true. Having a chance (with a little effort) to see them twice was way worth it. The PNC Bank Arts Center in New Jersey has better sound and seemed like a smaller more intimate show. The Jones Beach arena has the beach, is easier to get to, and has the view of the water. This rock 'n' roller does not get out to Jersey often, in fact tries to stay away, but this was worth it. Got there late and still scored a ticket in the 6Th row for $20 bucks outside, then walked around the parking where they let everyone tail-gate to bum some drinks. Inside NIN was smokin'....a little hard to look at with all the strobe lights but wouldn't have it any other way. Playing lots from every album they where on stage for longer then expected, "Hand That Feeds", "Head Like a Hole" and of course "Hurt" highlighting a very, very heavy set. The crowed was a little disappointing though. Moving from the packed 6Th row where my ticket was back to the 10Th and 12Th row, where one could dance a NIN fan said that I "don't belong here and should go back up to the grass." Please remember that a fan that sneaks up front is risking there show to get a good look at the band might belong there more then the one that has seen the act four dozen times. This is rock 'n' roll after all. Then Jane's descended to the stage in all there glory. Perry Farrell is always spell binding, he rules the stage. This being the first time this reporter had a chance to see the whole band together, the last shows where other reincarnations with Flee and others. The importance of a band playing like the old days makes all the difference, leaving with a new respect for Navarro, and Eric Avery on bass. The back drop and effects seemed to work better in this covered stage then in the open one at the beach. Songs from high school came back to your ears like "Caught Stealing" "Oceansize" "Pigs in Zen" and an unplugged "Jane Says." Even Farrell had something to say to good fans " Those that matter don't mind & those that mind don't matter" The Jones Beach show was just a little disappointing compared. It was Cold, windy, you cant drink, but there where some highlights. The wind took some of the sound away from NIN loud set, but nothing away from Trent's stage show. When Jane's came out one could see an almost full moon high in the sky with a reflection off the water. The difference in the sound was all to apparent on "Stealing" but Farrell makes the stage and audience his, calling out New York as the whore we all are. Shows like this are the reason music fans go out in the first place.

IL Divo Italian Mob Movie

Mob movies are known for there suspenseful story lines, wild characters, and real life parallels. This is true of IL Divo. A mob movie from the Mather land, Italy. Giulio Andreotti was Italy's most powerful prime minster his career spanning over 50 years. When his political party falls around him he is found in the middle of a conspiracy. This ties the mob, Vatican, and most of Italy's politicians together in a violent web with him as numero uno. IL Divo starts (like all good mob flicks) with most of the violence in the begining and then the back story. Using all the great camera tricks like stop-start, slow motion, wide pans, and extreme close ups, this film holds up to all other mobster movies. In Italian with English subtitles, this movie was surprising easy to flow. The twist and turns are carefully maneuvered. Great film making with one of cinemas favorite genres, the mob movie.

Four out of Four Stars

Roots Highline Ballroom June 2,9,16,22 09

The Roots are coming up from Philly every night to be Jimmy Fallons house band on late, late night. This gives us New Yorkers more chances to see the Roots live onstage. Can't get tickets to the TV show, don't worry they have a weekly jam at the Highline Ballroom. This jam is only $10 so get there early. The show is known to go on and on till the wee hours of the morning. On June 2nd the house was packed and had a line outside. We were walked right in and went right upstairs, the floor overflowing with hiphoppers. The stage was also overflowing with entertainers. They come from far and wide for the Roots. Sierra Leone, Belfast, an around the world jam. And around the boroughs....AG from show and AG came out to represent the Bronx. Q-Tip on stage at the end bring up memories of A Tribe Called Quest. The Roots holding it down all night with a smooth beats that just don't quiet. More to come from them now that they have made the NYC there second home.

Isis Fillmore (Irving Plaza) June 2nd 09

The Fillmore (Irving Plaza) hosted Bostons heavy Band Isis on Tuesday night. Missing the opener but not the film during the break. This Visual distraction to the time between bands was extremely interesting. With puppets, hamsters, and a whole bag of tricks using stop animation sequences. Then the band descended on to the stage. First the keyboardist(Bryant Clifford Meyer) was a melodic background on the first song. Then He picked up the guitar and made the band sound change, louder, fuller. The mix of songs where he went back and forth was just right. With one Aaron (Aaron Harris) on drums and another (Aaron Turner) on lead the A's have it. The crowd seemed to get the sprawling, atmospheric mood. Some moshing down stairs, head banging upstairs, mostly entranced by Isis's dark spell. This band has a fair amount of albums to chose from, all as strange and ambitious as the band on stage. Boston will never seem the same in my mind. Never thought such a Original hard heavy band could come from Bean Town.

Rock & Roll Alert- Neil Young Box Set

Love Neil Young? Did you go to record stores looking for this holy grail box set he put together of his first 10 years. Well dear Rock and Rollers I have found it for you. Yes, Yes thanks are in order....quite right. The best thing is that when you buy it your money goes to Public Television. We all love PBS, and more of us should do our online shopping at http://www.shoppbs.org/. They have many, many live music DVDs and some hard to find special editions and out of print Cds. The one asked for the most at the record store I am employed at is the Black & White Night with Roy Orbison. Filmed right before he died with a cast of characters as a PBS music event its sadly out of print. But you can pick it up from the source. The Neal Young Archives Vol. 1:1963-1972 8pk of Cds starts with his Winnwpeg band the Squires, heavily influenced by early rock that of Sun Records, through to his breakthrough solo album Harvest. This can all be yours for $99.98 With free shipping with over a $60 dollar purchase. This has been a Rock and Roll Alert.

Bushwick Open Studios & Arts Festival June 5-7, 09

Want art in Brooklyn, well you got it. Artist, musician, and theater, are taking over Bushwick this weekend June 5-7, 09. This community of enthusiast are opening there studios to New Yorkers with up to 200 events scattered around the L-train. They even had a parade on Thursday. This Saturday Is a 'High Society" cabaret, with a $5 suggested donation. Sounds like a great way get out and celebrate and a way to shake off the last days of rain. Everything is mapped out for you online at www.artsinbushwick.org. One space has over a dozen spots in one building 117 Grattan. The Urban Farm sounds like something everyone should check out at Boswyck Farms 1609 Dekalb Av. 1D. This is so big that they have set up 10 info hubs close to subway stops, stop by one and get a program. So come out to Bushwick this weekend take in some culture.

X Bowery Ballroom May, 31st 09

These shows were highly anticipated, at least for those in the know. Selling out Friday, Saturday and packing them in on Sunday. Offering a three day ticket for $75 helped the sellout for sure. Who's X? Lots of people down in the LES didn't know on Friday night. At the show on Sunday a ticket appeared for $10 from a women. She could not find a friend who knew eXactly what X was. If you don't, you'd better find out. They rock old school punk. LA's Scene would not be the same without them. Rodney Bingenheimer, the mayor of sunset strip, once said "they made you," well the wast coast you. Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek help bring them into the studio to record "Los Angeles." The city of angles gave them a certificate of recognition in the 80s for the song. When They played it on Bowery ever one freaked out. So, So much fun. The original line up Having as much fun as us on the floor. Exene Carvenka was great in polka-dots. After a double encore, Billy Zoom came out for pictures. Then latter at the merch table John Doe signed posters and was cool with fans. All around one of the best shows, one to get all dressed up for.