Sheltering in place and teaching students remotely from my home computer has been the ‘new normal.’ Anyway, home teaching and school meeting coordination with no travel allows for some extra personal free time, so I’ve been catching up on some shows, movies and music I had yet to see and hear.
The first catch-up has been in binge watching the Netflix series “Ozark.” Lots of drama and twists and I’ve always been a fan of star Laura Linney so it’s been fun. One point on co-star Jason Bateman, go to IMDB and take a look at his body of acting work in TV shows and movies, it’s more than impressive. I’ve finally watched all 3 seasons of “Ozark” and am caught up with the rest of the viewing world. Like everyone else hooked on this series, I can’t wait for season 4.
HBO brought me Bruce Springsteen’s movie “Western Stars” which tied in to his album of the same title. The film had a limited release last year and garnered lukewarm reviews. It is mostly a concert performance in a barn on Springsteen’s New Jersey farm. The music is lush with a full orchestra backing up the boss but there’s not a stand-out new song to be heard. Bruce narrates personal ponderings of his own life but they offer little insight. It seemed to me like he was throwing a lot of spaghetti on a wall, hoping for some of it to stick in our minds. Sorry, it didn’t happen. We learned much more and got more from Bruce thanks to his auto-biographical Broadway show which wrapped up at the end of 2018.
One thing I’m very proud of when it comes to my Netflix watching. I have not seen even one second of “The Tiger King” series! Sure the rest of the world raves about how nutty and wild that show is but I have zero interest in watching it. Sorry Joe Exotic, I don’t care how controversial or crazy you are, me falling down the rabbit hole of your show is not going to happen.
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld has a new Netflix stand-up special titled “23 Hours to Kill.” He covers and kills on topics like text messages, all you can eat buffets and porta potties. About half of the hour long show reflects on the differences and dynamics between single and married people and there’s plenty there to get you laughing. Seinfeld is a detailed wordsmith and at age 65 he shows no slowdown in plying his oral trade.
Reading all the tributes and accolades for Little Richard after his recent passing at age 87 has been a relief. The guy was one of rock’s pioneers and I’m glad younger folks who may not know much about him had a chance to learn a few things. Little Richard’s influence on the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Elton John, James Brown, Prince and many others plus the presentation of androgyny in a performer are things that should never be forgotten.
When I was producing the Larry Lujack show at WLS we had him on the phone to promote his role in the movie “Down and Out in Beverly Hills.” Larry asked Richard how he’s able to sing the “woos” in his songs both old and new. He said it came from his soul and tried to get Lujack to belt out a couple of loud “woos”! The best Larry could do was a low key monotone “woo.” It was hilarious to hear that exchange. Little Richard’s passing spurred the airing of early his hits like “Rip It Up”, “Long Tall Sally”, “Lucille”, “Tutti Fruitti” & “Good Golly Miss Molly.” So I’m posting up the piano pounder’s 1986 hit from “Down and Out in Beverly Hills.”
One more musical item to cover is the latest single from country superstar Luke Combs. A timely song titled “Six Feet Apart.” Back when 9/11 happened, Alan Jackson eloquently touched what millions of Americans thought and experienced with the song “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning.” In a simpler but still effective way, Combs’ newly written track expresses similar pathos with “Six Feet Apart.” We can all identify with the emotions of frustration and wanting that this bastard virus has turned our thoughts to. Well done Luke Combs!
NEXT BLOG- Some more Covid 19 related observations.