As if the review in this blog of the Crystal Skull movie wasn't a big enough clue, I'm a bit of an Indiana Jones fan. Regardless of my feelings on each individual film, one element of the entire movie series is always of the highest quality: the scores of John Williams.
Every Indy movie has a corresponding soundtrack on CD. Well, almost every movie does. The Temple of Doom soundtrack is noticeably absent. No CD has ever been released and no plans have ever been announced. I don't know why; the music is haunting, exciting, and perfectly captures the emotion of each scene. I challenge anyone not to get chills listening to the music from the scene where the human sacrifice takes place. The bug tunnel and spike room track is one of the most fun for me to listen; the only problem is that I have to have the movie playing to hear it. That's not a bad thing, I just would like to be able to listen in my car or at my computer while I do something else.
Let's start a campaign. Let's inform the powers that be to release the soundtrack on CD. I'd settle for a transfer of the original LP, but if we could get a Raiders treatment where the entire score is presented in chronological order would be even better.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Sonny Rollins comes to Chicago!!!
You may have already heard this somewhere else, but I just found out about it tonight.
Sonny Rollins, one of the last great giants of the hard bop jazz era, will be at the Chicago Jazz Festival in Grant Park. The entire lineup of events and performers can be found here, but Sonny appears to be slated for a 6:30 performance in the Pritzker Pavilion on Aug. 28th.
Anybody who has been to this site knows how much of an influence Rollins has been to me personally, so getting a chance to see him live anywhere is an opportunity not to be missed. When that opportunity is on the lakefront in beautiful downtown Chicago, I can't imagine a better scenario.
The festival goes to Aug. 31st, with many other quality artists and performances during the festival. Hope to see you there.
Sonny Rollins, one of the last great giants of the hard bop jazz era, will be at the Chicago Jazz Festival in Grant Park. The entire lineup of events and performers can be found here, but Sonny appears to be slated for a 6:30 performance in the Pritzker Pavilion on Aug. 28th.
Anybody who has been to this site knows how much of an influence Rollins has been to me personally, so getting a chance to see him live anywhere is an opportunity not to be missed. When that opportunity is on the lakefront in beautiful downtown Chicago, I can't imagine a better scenario.
The festival goes to Aug. 31st, with many other quality artists and performances during the festival. Hope to see you there.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Class Act Videos now on YouTube!
Hey Everyone,
If you've perused my site, you'd hopefully know that one of my steady playing gigs is with Class Act Big Band. I just found out that videos from the last two gigs are now available for viewing on YouTube. I've included the link to one video here. To view the rest, just type in Class Act II Big Band into the YouTube search bar and it should pop them up. There are four videos total ranging from 15 seconds to 2 minutes. The person who took the video also told me that he is planning on taking videos at future gigs. You never know, I might be up there next.
If you've perused my site, you'd hopefully know that one of my steady playing gigs is with Class Act Big Band. I just found out that videos from the last two gigs are now available for viewing on YouTube. I've included the link to one video here. To view the rest, just type in Class Act II Big Band into the YouTube search bar and it should pop them up. There are four videos total ranging from 15 seconds to 2 minutes. The person who took the video also told me that he is planning on taking videos at future gigs. You never know, I might be up there next.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
City of Angels - Festival 56
Hey.
I just had my final performance of the Festival 56 performance of City of Angels. Having never seen the show and not heard the music beforehand, I didn't know what to expect. After 10 performances, I can not only say I know the music pretty well but also say that is one of my favorite shows to play.
The score is wonderfully written, making full use of the jazz language as well as providing a few innovations. The only musical that has better writing in the jazz idiom is West Side Story. The story is clever and fairly easy to comprehend, with plenty of opportunity for comedy and drama. Even though it was tiring, especially after a 5-day run of at least one show a day, I am proud to have been a part of this production. The pit orchestra consisted of community players as well as a few brought in specifically for this festival. Everyone put forth %100 effort and words cannot express how blessed I feel to have shared this time with them.
For those of you who haven't had a chance to see a Festival 56 production, you're missing out. For being located in North Central Illinois, this festival doesn't skimp on the talent. Actors and actresses at all stages of experience populate these productions and the quality is apparent. This isn't Joe the mechanic overacting in his spare time; these people know their craft. There are only three shows running until the middle of August for this current season. Hopefully, this festival of theatre will continue to stage quality productions and hopefully I'll be asked to participate in another musical production.
Until next time, take care.
I just had my final performance of the Festival 56 performance of City of Angels. Having never seen the show and not heard the music beforehand, I didn't know what to expect. After 10 performances, I can not only say I know the music pretty well but also say that is one of my favorite shows to play.
The score is wonderfully written, making full use of the jazz language as well as providing a few innovations. The only musical that has better writing in the jazz idiom is West Side Story. The story is clever and fairly easy to comprehend, with plenty of opportunity for comedy and drama. Even though it was tiring, especially after a 5-day run of at least one show a day, I am proud to have been a part of this production. The pit orchestra consisted of community players as well as a few brought in specifically for this festival. Everyone put forth %100 effort and words cannot express how blessed I feel to have shared this time with them.
For those of you who haven't had a chance to see a Festival 56 production, you're missing out. For being located in North Central Illinois, this festival doesn't skimp on the talent. Actors and actresses at all stages of experience populate these productions and the quality is apparent. This isn't Joe the mechanic overacting in his spare time; these people know their craft. There are only three shows running until the middle of August for this current season. Hopefully, this festival of theatre will continue to stage quality productions and hopefully I'll be asked to participate in another musical production.
Until next time, take care.
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