Absolutely apropos for Halloween.
Before there was “The Most Interesting Man in the World,” or me, for that matter, there was Christopher Lee. He could do everything well – even cowboy songs for Halloween.
Film
[Music] Third Ear Band – Inverness: Macbeth’s Return / The Preparation / Fanfare / Duncan’s Arrival
The Third Ear Band were among the first British bands (who shared this affinity with Krautrock projects from Germany) to move into a field we now know today as world music. This piece actually comes from the soundtrack to Roman Polanski’s adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic tale, Macbeth.
A thanks to Al Clark, who picked up on the errata of this post.
[Music] Philip Glass – The Kiss
A simple, rhythmic, filmic, beautiful melody. A great one by Philip Glass.
[Music] Emir Kusturica & The No Smoking Orchestra – Live In Buenos Aires 2005
Most American film buffs know Emir Kusturica as one of the best directors to come out of the Balkans. What they may not know is that he’s a hell of a band leader. Check out this concert from 2005.
[Film] The Silent Angel (Teaser)
Dobri Dobrev is perhaps one of the most beautiful human beings on the planet. A Bulgarian Orthodox Christian, deaf from a bombing attack during World War II, he has become a living saint, showing the sort of humility that has gained him admirers even from the atheist world.
Grandpa Dobri, as he is known to those whom he sees in his trips to the city daily, is the subject of the documentary, The Silent Angel. Consider watching it when it comes to your area.
The good will is just and true. Everything in it is good. We must not lie, nor steal, nor commit adultery. We must love each other as God loves us.
—Dobri Dobrev
[Article] Nina Simone Documentarian Reveals Singer’s Shockingly Violent Temper
Nina Simone was always worth celebrating as a wonderful musician. She was also, unfortunately, a bit of a monster to her daughter. What Happened, Miss Simone?, will show a balanced view of her public and private persona.
A Truly Bad Day For The Arts
My friend Gummi from Iceland had posted that the legendary James Last, King of Easy Listening, had passed away. Of course many mourn his loss, but things got progressively worse of the past 24 hours.
Next was the loss of Christopher Lee, the best Dracula to ever appear on celluloid, and a man not to be trifled with in real life. Stage actor Ron Moody also died.
And it got worse. Ornette Coleman, who introduced the world to the concept of free jazz, died this morning. His albums, Foxhole and The Shape of Jazz To Come were formative listening for me.
The truly sad one doesn’t have a normal place here, as he was more of a TV performer. Dusty Rhodes, the professional wrestler who ‘won’ world titles during his stint in the National Wrestling Alliance, and who was known as an affable clown to WWE fans, also left this mortal coil. I grew up watching a lot of professional wrestling, as Saturday mornings were free before I played ball, cut the grass or read.
All will be missed.
[Film] 25 Noir Films That Will Stand the Test of Time: A List by “Noirchaelogist” Eddie Muller
OpenCulture.com is a godsend of a resource, housing all kinds of material past the copyright protection date. In this post, we find Eddie Muller giving a list of what he thinks are the best film noir flicks ever. I agree with most of it!
[Video] Bruno Nicolai – De Sade ’70
Does it get any trashier than the movies of Jess Franco? Maybe, but those probably aren’t legal to show anywhere outside of Europe.
Italian film-score maestro Bruno Nicolai is responsible for this slab of fuzz. For more on the film, read here.
[Film] Crowdfunding Sought To Release Orson Welles’ Unfinished Final Film
Yesterday would have been Orson Welles’ 100th birthday. This is quite a present for the rest of us!
NPR has more here.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 