Van Morrison performs "Astral Weeks" for two nights, tonight and tomorrow...
...in Los Angeles, of course, at the Hollywood Bowl. I can't even imagine being lucky enough to see this; at least they will be filming it. That means those of you watching the eventual DVD at home will not be subject to Van's customary ban on all alcoholic beverages.
Patti Smith documentary set for the Detroit Film Theatre
The celebrated new Steven Sebring documentary on Patti Smith, "Dream of Life" will finally play Detroit -- at the Detroit Film Theatre from Nov. 14-16.
Filmmaker Sebring started following Smith around, filming her every move, after the sudden death of first her brother, then her husband Fred "Sonic" Smith of the MC5, in 1994.
Here's a trailer for the film:
Second service planned in October for Motown's Norman Whitfield
In addition to Saturday's funeral service for Motown producer Norman Whitfield, his daughter is organizing a service that will take place from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. Whitfield, 67, died two weeks ago at Cedars-Sinai in L.A. after suffering from complications of diabetes for years. More details to come on performers scheduled for the October memorial. Some published reports had it that the second service was today, but it is not until Oct. 5.
Radio Silence
I didn't think it would be that hard to be away from satellite radio for just one week in northern Michigan. After all, it's just the ride up, and just past Grayling you can pull in one of those inter-connected NPR signals up in the northwest. Alas, it took forever to find that oasis of public radio, in the meantime, I-75 was endless miles of really average country programming...interspersed with a few odd '70s formats (or am I being redundant?). Strangest of all was the little station I found that seemed to be all '70s California artists...Eagles, Jackson Browne, etc. CDs? The car was already overloaded. Never again!
Video link: Tina Fey as Gov. Sarah Palin
The resemblance between Tina Fey and John McCain's running mate gives this SNL skit an other-worldly feel, as if the real Palin is standing next to a Hillary impersonator. Fey delivered the Fargo/Anchorage accent perfectly:
1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die
Former Philly Inquirer music writer Tom Moon chose a "Listener's Life List" in this new book, "1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die" (Workman Publishing), that inclues some expected recordings like Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On," Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue" and the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds," but he's got a lot more slots to fill, and he does, sometimes with more obscure choices like The Comedian Harmonists ('30s German barbershop/beer hall songs). What's most interesting is reading Moon's reasons why. These aren't just fly-by reviews, but thoughtful essays.
It would take an all-nighter to read the whole thing, but it should provoke some good discussions ...
What I like on a first read is the Occasion Index in the back with various suggestions for different themes and moods, like cocktail hour, get the party started, cardio workout, for the kids, etc.
Obama to appear on SNL on Saturday
There's no word on what he'll do, but Sen. Barack Obama will make an appearance on Saturday Night Live's season premier Saturday night.
As for the inevitable Sarah Palin lead-in skit, my theory (affirmed by a few of my News mates) is that Tina Fey will return to play Palin, and somebody -- probably Darrell Hammond -- will play ABC's Charles Gibson, interviewing her.
Will Tina Fey play Sarah Palin on this week's SNL?
This week "Saturday Night Live" will start up its new season with a live show, and of course Sarah "Barracuda" Palin, the Republican vice presidential candidate, has got to be in the opening skit.
Question is, will her Doppelganger, former SNL-er Tina Fey play Palin? My theory is, Fey will play herself in a skit about being ticked off that her sexy librarian image has been co-opted so successfully...
Of course, current SNL staffers Casey Wilson or Kristen Wiig might play Palin.
In this interview with New York magazine's Vulture, SNL writer Simon Rich stays mute, twice, when asked if Fey will return to play Palin...
I take that as a "yes."
Obama on Mojo in the Morning: He'll build a basketball court in White House
Sen. John McCain has appeared three times on 95.5's Mojo in the Morning show, most recently in July; now it was the Democratic candidate's turn, as Sen. Barack Obama did his first phone-in interview on WKQI-FM.
Obama said he would put a basketball court in if he's elected -- it's one of his preferred ways to exercise -- and that wife Michelle will still expect him to make his bed every morning. Spike, who took the photo of Obama here in Farmington Hills, asked for a presidential pardon in advance.
You can listen here.
Mojo in the Morning on 95.5 FM to host Obama Tuesday morning
...That's a taped appearance, and it will be aired at 7 a.m. and again at 8:30 a.m., according to Spike, who emailed confirmation from the Obama rally in Farmington Hills.
