Bono
BONO MY BONO --- As I revealed last on Monday, I have not been able to take the official soundtrack to the Spider-Man Turn off The Dark CD. Sure, it all sounds like Bono and U2, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. I'm of the age to recall when U2 first started in 1976 and Bono was just plain old Paul Hewson. The group, on old friend Chris Blackwell's Island Records put out some spectacular; albums, including, Boy, October, War, and The Joshua Tree , and gained a rather fabulous notoriety, which at times bordered on the surreal, as Bono becoming something of a saint with his humanitarian efforts for such disparate causes as the recording of Band Aid to raise money for Ethiopian famine relief; The Global Fund; the One campaign; Amnesty International; and Greenpeace. At one point, the band and their effervescent manager Paul McGuinness were awarded Amnesty International's Ambassador of Conscience Award for their work in promoting human rights. The band became a familiar fixture, as much as at the UN as at their unique, boutique hotel in Ireland. The became a brand. It was only a matter of time before they attacked Broadway. Sure, we were dragged, quite literally, through the travails of the play; original director and visionary Julie Taymor, who was thrown under the bus by producer Michael Cohl and replaced; and, the fact that last week's opening (finally!) produced some good reviews. I haven't seen the play yet and quite honestly, with the ouster of Taylor, really don't want too now. But, the CD, produced by the best producer U2 ever had, Steve Lillywhite, is luxurious and quite terrific. The show's best song, which I knew instantly when I heard it, is “Rise Above.” There are two versions of it on the album, one sung by Reeve Carney and the cast, the other sung by composer Bono, and it is everything you like about him. His phrasing, his execution … is really spot-on perfect. If you've ever had your doubts about his talent, one listen to this recording will immediately and forever dispel them. It is that good! One other track, “Picture This” is all-U2, circa their wonderful and psychedelic “Beautiful Day” period. Just a wonderful song and I predict that the band will perform these numbers on their next worldwide excursion; they'd be silly not too. “Bouncing Off The Walls” and "DIY World" are both classic U2 and actually sounds terrific and we love "If The World Should End." Again, totally atmospheric ... but, exceptionally good. In fact, I'd go so far as to say, its one of the best CDs so far this year. Hey, it made me want to review Paul Simon's Capeman opus all over again. It's a funny dynamic when rock stars visit the theater-world. They get ... all full of drama and stuff. My favorite moment at the Tonys was when Bono and The Edge essentially stood on stage and apologized to the community for the whole event and mis-direction. The Edge looked at Bono at one point and said: "This humble thing really works for you." Now, that was funny! You don't want to mess with Broadway ... hey, ask Simon! Look, I love U2; my own personal favorites, in case you wondered, being “In God's Country,” “Even Better Than The Real Thing,” Mysterious Ways,” and “Pride,” and this CD is a must-have. Hey … I may even go to see the show too!****
Freddy Cannon CANNON MEETS SPRINGSTEEN --- Little known fact: Did you know that Bruce Springsteen opened his 1987 Tunnel Of Love tour with Freddy 'Boom Boom' Cannon's “Palisades Park?” How about this: Elvis Presley once climbed 17 floors up the fire escape of The Peabody Hotel in Memphis to hang out with Cannon, Frankie Avalon, and Fabian after a show? Amazing stuff!
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George Clooney
SUMMER TV TIME --- Hard to believe that with the July 4 weekend coming up we've been well into summer TV-time. That time of the year, when the so-called bona fide TV hits have been benched until the fall. Heck, the new season will be here before we know it. We thought we'd take a look at some of the summer hits currently airing: TNT's Memphis Beat, starring Jason Lee (and, produced by George Clooney and Grant Heslov) is just terrific. Crackling dialogue and terrific acting puts this hour-opus near the top of our list. Quirky to a fault for sure. Another standout on the show is DJ Qualls. Must-see TV for sure. USA's Covert Affairs with Piper Pearabo is more-than-standard issue fare here as the title character (Annie Walker) is a CIA-operative in training. It's a better than expected written and directed outing. Very reminiscent of the early days of The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and Mission Impossible. Campy and fun; and, it's terrific semi-animated opening is stunningly good. We've liked the actress ever since her star-turn in Coyote Ugly … remember that one? We love Burn Notice which returns tomorrow night on USA, starring the wonderful Jeffrey Donovan. We haven't seen it yet, but Falling Skies premiered over the weekend with Noah Wylie. It apparently was TNT's biggest premiere ever. Produced by Stephen Spielberg, we want to give it it's proper due. More on this one next time. And, lastly; Law & Order: Criminal Intent starring one of our favorites Vincent D'Onofrio. The episodes this short season have been pretty terrific, but the addition of a closing segment with the tortured character of his Robert Goren, meeting and talking with a psychiatrist, beautifully essayed by Julie Ormond have been a stroke of genius. In my opinion, these scenes reach the emotional heights of the work done by former-producer/director Warren Leight on the show. While the two talk; they insert brief flashbacks from previous episodes and it works just so well. I can't believe that after next Sunday's show this series is history … it's just too good. D'Onofrio just stellar! Last week's show, Icarus, which was about an actor killed in an about-to-open Broadway show (!!!) was pretty exceptional. It featured a short scene featuring our friend radio's Ken Dashow as a theater-critic, and a totally, powerful stand-alone scene with D'Onofrio and Patti Smith. That scene I watched several times. Pure gold!Photos By: Walter McBride/RD/Kirkland/Retna
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