Category Archives: Motion Picture Soundtrack

Inside Llewyn Davis and Dave Van Ronk

Posted on by Musicofourheart

Yesterday I blogged about the six week music education series Rhapsodic City: Music of New York presented by the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. It just so happens the third week focuses on the Folk Music Revival in New York that took place in the 1950′s and ’60s. Greenwich Village became the artistic setting for performers, artists, and club owners.  The Village invokes a warm nostalgic feeling within the music of our heart. Our son lives there today and we love to visit the clubs, restaurants, and stores around this historic neighborhood.

Building on the April 2nd event Sing Out! with Elijah Wood I reconnect with Dave Van Ronk. Elijah Wood and Dave Van Ronk co-authored the book Dave Van Ronk: The Mayor of MacDougal Street. The book is a memoir of the folk music scene in Greenwich Village. It has inspired the Coen Brothers to make the film, Inside Llewyn Davis. 

INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS follows an aspiring singer-songwriter (Isaac) as he navigates the 1960s folk-music scene in New York City’s Greenwich Village.  Grammy®-winner T Bone Burnett produced the film’s soundtrack which includes music performed by, among others, Oscar Isaac, Marcus Mumford and Justin Timberlake.  Robert Graf served as executive producer, T Bone Burnett served as executive music producer and Marcus Mumford as associate music producer.

The film has completed shooting in New York City and the International release date will be November 6, 2013 (France). Projected US release dates are unknown as of this writing. I have ordered the audio edition of the memoir to better immerse myself in the experience. The first trailer fascinates me to no end. Listen closely to the Bob Dylan track “Farewell” that plays underneath.

I think you will be asking as I  have been who does Llewyn Davis represent? Is he Dylan, Van Ronk, Phil Ochs or is a he a microcosm of that male folk singer of the time? Llewyn Davis will strike a chord in hopeless romantics who identify with living the life of a folkie in that halcyon age from our American culture. Perhaps this picture clues us in ;)

There are several reasons why I relish Dave Van Ronk’s spirit. I find him funny, compelling and engaging as an artist. He was quite the character as his recordings and live performances attest. He was a mentor and inspiration for Tom Paxton, Christine Lavin, Joni Mitchell, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and Bob Dylan (who described Van Ronk as “the king who reigned supreme” in the Village)[27]

I had the rare opportunity to meet Dave Van Ronk in person in Hermosa Beach, California one Sunday afternoon years back. My brother-in-law and I attended an early evening solo appearance at The Lighthouse Cafe. We sat at the bar before the show and shared drinks, stories, holding an intimate conversation with Dave Van Ronk. My brother-in-law was the one who turned me on to Van Ronk from his record collection when I started dating my wife in 1969. I went on to feature Dave Van Ronk regularly on my college FM radio shows in the mid-70s.

This early 80′s opportunity to sit across the bar and comfortably chat with Dave Van Ronk was a privilge. He answered our questions openly like an friend indulging old friends. He wiped away that fans talking to a legend sensation to show who he truly was a down to earth soul of a man. He spoke about Bob Dylan in a fatherly way which I liked a lot. We ended up being just two of the 12 people who stopped by that night to hear him play a raucous 90 minute set that was quite animated. Dave Van Ronk played excellent guitar and I will never forget his gravely yet pearl toned voice.  “Cocaine Blues (Rev. Gary Davis Traditional)” was the highlight and we thanked him for playing that song for us all. :)

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Dave Grohl’s Alegiance to Sound City Galvanizes His Music Direction

Posted on by Musicofourheart

Little did everyone realize that when Dave Grohl announced at the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park NYC on September 30, 2012 that he was taking a hiatus from the Foo Fighters the significance of that pivot point in his music career.

Before playing ‘Learn To Fly’, the group’s fourth song of the night, Grohl said: “Without making a big deal out of it, we
don’t have any shows after this. This is it, man. Honestly I don’t know when we’re gonna do it again…and this is the perfect place to do it.”

Krist Novoselic, Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl

Dave Grohl has been incredibly busy since that event. He played drums at the Kennedy Center Honors for Led Zeppelin on December 3rd. He appeared with Sir Paul McCartney and members of Nirvana at 12-12-12 and then on the Christmas SNL show.

Sound City Studios

Dave has produced a labor of love movie about Sound City Studios in Los Angeles, California, Sound City. This studio has been the birthplace of many of the greatest recordings in rock and roll history. The studio has since closed but we get to visit it once again through the miracle of  the camera lens.

I really feel like SOUND CITY is my life’s most important work. I hope you do too. – Dave Grohl

Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, Rick Rubin, Copyright Kevin Estrada

Sound City

There is a companion motion picture soundtrack, Real to Reel with many new tracks recorded through the 1970′s Neve Sound Board Dave Grohl purchased from Sound City Studios.

The making of this film and the soundtrack initiates the nucleus of an innovative sound direction for Grohl and friends.

Dave Grohl will debut a new supergroup, named Sound City Players, at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, where the Sound City movie will début reports Rolling Stone. The track listing above gives a good sign as to who that new supergroup may feature ;)

2013 promises to be an extremely busy and productive year for Dave Grohl. He will deliver the keynote speech at this year’s South By Southwest festival in Austin, Texas on March 14. He will also be drumming on the forthcoming Queens Of The Stone Age album.

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West of Memphis: Voices for Justice

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West of Memphis: Voices of Justice is an album of music from and inspired by the new documentary, West Memphis Three. Your purchase of this album will in part directly benefit the West Memphis 3. The album becomes available on January 15, 2013. Pre-order here

West of Memphis: Voices For Justice – Track Listing

1. Henry Rollins (feat. Nick Cave & Warren Ellis original score) – Damien Echols Death Row Letter Year 9
2. Natalie Maines – Mother
3. Lucinda Williams – Joy
4. Camp Freddy – The Jean Genie
5. Tonto’s Giant Nuts feat. Johnny Depp & Bruce Witkin – Little Lion Man
6. Marilyn Manson – You’re So Vain
7. Band of Horses - Dumpster World (Live)
8. Citizen Cope – DFW
9. Eddie Vedder – Satellite
10. Bill Carter - Anything Made of Paper
11. The White Buffalo – House of Pain
12. Bob Dylan – Ring Them Bells
13. Nick Cave & Warren Ellis – West of Memphis Score Suite
14. Tonto’s Giant Nuts feat. Johnny Depp (feat. Nick Cave & Warren Ellis original score) – Damien Echols Death Row Letter Year 16

BONUS TRACK
15. Patti Smith – Wing (Recorded Live at Voices For Justice Benefit Concert – August 28, 2010)

DIGITAL ONLY BONUS TRACK (iTunes)
16. Bill Carter – Road to Nowhere

The movie poster for ‘West of Memphis,’ a documentary that stars Damien Echols, Lorri Davis, Jason Baldwin, Jesse Misskelley, Jr., and Pam Hicks

Movie: Not Fade Away

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The David Chase flim (Creator of the Sopranos), Not Fade Away speaks to the teen spirit inside us that rock and roll sets free. I love the soundtrack and what the trailer says to the rebel spirit ever-present in the music of our heart. It doesn’t hurt either that  the Executive Producer is Steven Van Zandt.;)

Hope to see this movie soon…

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Frankenweenie – A Tim Burton Film

Posted on by Musicofourheart

Tim Burton is my favorite American film director and producer. He enchants and entertains with his vivid sense of imagination. I am constantly amazed at his stop motion-animation techniques.

Frankenweenie is the first live action movie that Tim Burton made. 

I am hoping to see it on the iMax screen in 3D this weekend ;)

Retro Poster (1 of 6 available)

Frankenweenie: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the film score for the Disney film with music by Danny Elfman.

File:Frankenweenie OST cover artwork.jpg

A separate soundtrack concept album titled, Frankenweenie Unleashed!: Music Inspired by the Motion Picture by various artists was also released. The packaging for Frankenweenie: Unleashed was distributed in a digipak CD format with phosphorescent cover art.

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Metropolis (1927) – Gorgio Moroder Presents and the Complete Metropolis Bundle 50% Off

Posted on by Musicofourheart
Metrópolis (1927)

Metrópolis (1927) (Photo credit: Lord_Henry)

metropolis.jpg

I didn’t get to see Metropolis until 1984 when it was re-released in the nostalgia movie houses. I went to SoNo Cinema in South Norwalk to experience it. Giorgio Moroder restored and produced the 80-minute 1984 re-release, which had a pop soundtrack written by Moroder and performed by Moroder, Pat Benatar, Bonnie Tyler, Jon Anderson, Adam Ant, Cycle V, Loverboy, Billy Squier, and Freddie Mercury. I love that soundtrack. I find it inspirational and vibrant to this day. The combination of rock artists and the colorizing techniques proved a very effective medium to communicate this Sci Fi classic to our generation.

Giorgio Moroder presents Metropolis

There is a special 3-Disc DVD bundle available at 50% off (29.99) from Kino Lorber Home Entertainment. It contains THE COMPLETE METROPOLIS and GIORGIO MORODER PRESENTS METROPOLIS.

What’s really sensational is that The Complete Metropolis is now the most comprehensive restoration of Fritz Lang‘s classic with an additional 25 minutes of lost footage and the original Gottfried Huppertz score.

Now I just have to make one final decision do I get the DVD edition or the Blue Ray edition? Flips a coin….calls heads….

The Rum Diary + Soundtrack

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I caught Johnny Depp‘s appearance on The David Letterman Show last night to promote his production company (Infinitum Nihl) film The Rum Diary. I am glad I stayed awake for Johnny’s interview with Dave as this has re-ignited my passion for Hunter S. Thompson‘s gonzo journalism.

I was happily surprised to discover that the movie The Rum Diary is based upon the “first” novel by the Hunter S. Thompson. Johnny Depp as a close friend of Hunter S. Thompson(to learn more about Johnny Depp’s explosive pal read the Newsweek column Depp wrote) was the first to discover the original pieces of the book while going through a box at Hunter’s home. It was then the pact was struck between the two of them that a film could be made from these writings. Johnny Depp quipped to Hunter S. Thompson that first a book should be published. The Rum Diary was written in the early 1960s but was not published until 1998.

The Rum Diary.jpg

The movie, The Rum Diary was filmed in 2009. The Web site for The Rum Diary is smartly designed, with rich, interactive content that provides an engaging browsing experience. You owe to yourself if you remotely consider this film to peruse the site.

Take a minute to watch the trailer, I found it to be both humorous and strikingly original. We are eagerly looking forward to seeing the movie this weekend.

It’s noteworthy that Johnny Depp plays as a musician on four tracks on the The Rum Diary Soundtrack. He plays some instrumental rockers with his band, the Johnny Depp Band. There is a stark contrast of his musicianship on “The Mermaid Song” which he performs as a solo pianist. The same song is then sung by Johnny Depp’s bohemian kin Patti Smith. “The Mermaid Song” is performed a capella featuring Patti’s unique tonality. Her phrasing coupled with the timbre in her voice is haunting and poignant.

Why Pink Floyd? The Wall

Posted on by Musicofourheart
Cover of "The Wall"

Cover of The Wall

Why Pink Floyd? week culminates with my thoughts and observations about The Wall.

The Late Night with Jimmy Fallon’s Why Pink Floyd? Week ends tonight in spectacular fashion with Pearl Jam doing “Mother” from The Wall.

I find The Wall to be the creative apex of Pink Floyd’s collective musical genius. It also happens to be the split in the nuclei for Pink Floyd. The Wall is very much Roger Water’s baby, as it is his story.

The stress and strain on the band members during The Wall’s recording sessions are well documented. I won’t take the time here to get into the dynamics that took place. When The Wall collapses into rubble and the dust clears we witness a very different Pink Floyd standing in our midst.

I have always felt it was unfortunate that Richard Wright was forced to resign from the group by Roger Waters. I love his signature keyboard sound. He created a rich fullness with his textures of layered sound. In my estimation he took the Hammond B3 organ to amazing new heights. Of all the members of Pink Floyd I witnessed at The Dark Side of the Moon concert in 1973, Richard Wright organ playing etched himself the firmest in the my memories.

Much has been written and analyzed about The Wall. Certainly The Wall has taken on a life of it’s own over time. I am constantly intrigued by the dimensional variations The Wall has given us over the decades since it went on stream in 1979.

First as a limited series of live concerts in 1980 that created a major stir because a cardboard wall was constructed in front of the band, walling them in and then, being torn down at the end.

Next The Wall was turned into a film directed by Alan Parker and was released in 1982. The Wall broke new barriers with multimedia, as recorded film footage with actors was interspersed with wild animations from Gerald Scarfe (which we first saw on the double album cover art and as part of the live show). I a liken Scarfe’s graphic art to Ralph Steadman’s manic art.

The Wall was later performed and filmed in Berlin as a celebration for the tearing down of the Berlin Wall. Roger Waters engaged producer Tony Hollingsworth to create The Wall – Live in Berlin, at a location once occupied by part of the Berlin Wall. It featured such guest stars as Rick Danko, Levon Helm and Garth Hudson of The Band, The Hooters, Van Morrison,Sinéad O’Connor, Cyndi Lauper, Marianne Faithfull, Scorpions, Joni Mitchell, Paul Carrack, Thomas Dolby and Bryan Adams, along with actors Albert Finney, Jerry Hall,Tim Curry and Ute Lemper. This concert features my favorite collaborative edition of “Comfortably Numb” sung with a fierce passion by Van Morrison.

File:RWTheWall90.jpg

Roger Waters has been touring steadily with The Wall Live since 2010 . He brings The Wall Live to North America Stadiums (including Yankee Stadium) in the second quarter of 2012.

Roger Waters: The Wall Live

An effort was made to produce and bring The Wall to Broadway. The closest that came to realization was a two week off-Broadway production in Boston, Massachusetts in 1996.

The Why Pink Floyd? Immersion Box Set will become available on February 28, 2012. This will complete the Why Pink Floyd? product distribution campaign.

The Wall - Immersion Box Set

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Rome – Reviewed

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Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi Present RomeRome

Starring Jack White & Norah Jones

Loving the spaghetti western forays as instrumental interludes, sometimes as choirs, other times with soprano solos as they are interspersed with songs with distinct vocals by Norah Jones and Jack White. Rome is an Italian tapestry that unfolds as a well woven thematic epic. The sentiment forms in me that I am experiencing a new vestige, cinematic masterpiece. Rome happily exceeds my expectations with its rich, musical compositions and arrangements, kudos to Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi music writing collaboration. Your years of care and passion have given us a wonderful gift to share in and experience.

Luppi

Danger Mouse’s seven-year pet project evidences a distinct passion and respect to Ennio Morricone. I love how he and Daniele Luppi expand the music from its origin to the dimensions we are wrapped in throughout Rome.

I visualize Daniele Luppi conducting the orchestra with significant five o’clock shadow, rolling a tiparillo in the corner of his mouth, bullets strapped across his chest, wearing an Outlaw sombrero. The full orchestra is situated in an Italian piazza, with statues by Michelangelo standing in fountains, as pigeons fly overhead.

I am taken with the signature, sour, twangy guitar sound offset by celestas (love their sound), complemented by choir and orchestra. A modern Fistful of Dollars ;)

Norah Jones continues to morph positive before my eyes and ears as an artist who takes all the right risks. “Season’s Trees” is my favorite of her three songs where she is the vocalist. The other two tracks are “Black” (equally, if not more impressive) and “Problem Queen”.

I especially like Jack White’s lyrical contributions to the three songs he is the lead vocalist on, “The Rose with A Broken Neck”, “Two Against One”, and “The World”.

What will really grow on you is the backdrop of the orchestra players assembled. They all were involved with Ennio Morricone’s Italian spaghetti western original soundtrack sessions!

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Motion Picture Soundtrack – Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

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Strange Overtones

Image via Wikipedia

We watched the movie, Wall Street, Money Never Sleeps last night. I was entranced with the motion picture soundtrack. The movie begins with a sweeping panorama of New York City which envelops you in the temperament of the action to follow.

Oliver Stone incorporated much of the music of David Byrne and Brian Eno during the course of the film. The film has five selections from Everything That Happens Will Happen Today. I haven’t played that recording in some time and it was refreshing to see where Oliver Stone used their music as a backdrop. The city scenes engulf you in the power of New York City as the financial capital of the world.

I have come to strongly associate David Byrne’s musical art with metropolitan New York. His muse strikes just the right embellishment for a city landscape ever in motion and that never sleeps. The sonic collaboration with Brian Eno offers a striking contrast to suburbia and city life.

The soundtrack also has a couple of tracks from My Life in the Bush with Ghosts, the first genius collaboration recording between David Byrne and Brian Eno. I am thinking I will watch the film again for the interaction of David Byrne’s music with the story.

My favorite part of the soundtrack is the closing credits, Oliver Stone chose the Talking Heads, “This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)” from the recording Speaking in Tongues 1983. I couldn’t keep my leg and body still as that song is so engaging ;)