FRIDAY MOVIE SUGGESTION NIGHT PRESENTS: "BELLE DE JOUR!"

Upon occasion, I have been asked by many of you to feature a "Foreign Film". and so I programmed "Belle De Jour"--it's as simple as that. Actually, I first heard of this Luis Bunuel "masterpiece" from a guy who took over my Afternoon to Midnight shift at the very first radio station that I worked at. He was a film genius, if not a proverbial "walking Encyclopedia". I can still hear him after all these years in the front lobby area of our studio raving about this movie as if it were a valuable stock to purchase. And in defense of those who will no doubt frown on my choice, a little perspective might be helpful. I do not take myself seriously, but I take the work I do--whatever I am laboring on--very seriously. The purpose of "Friday Movie Suggestion Night" is to share my love of movies with you. It is simply as the title implies, a 'suggested' movie night, albeit, many follow what I write weekly at least to consider whether or not to view a particular film. With two exceptions I don't repeat films outside of "The Steve McQueen Film Festival". And only twice, did I opt out and include current run films ("Capote" and "August Rush"). What I attempt to do is look for originality, a great range and I attempt to balance all of the featured films of excellence without pitting a comedy behind another comedy, for example. From Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau, to Jack Lemmon as a millionaire businessman and grieving widower who decides to have his apparel factory torched and just get out of the "rat race" of life, to a fatherless little boy who falls in love with Cinema during World War II in Italy. The Pink Panther, Save the Tiger and Cinema Paradiso (the films I've just referenced) couldn't be more different! My dream for FMSN is to make it appealing by offering something for everyone, and this week is an edgy film that relies on the subject matter (filmed in 1967) being handled without any nudity. Rather it implores the viewer to use their imagination without explicitness. The Plot: Catherine Deneuve who has forever been labeled "the most beautiful woman in the world", is married to a surgeon with whom she experiences little or no intimacy. A brief look back at an attack is inferred to explain why she begins to leads a double life by venturing into a devious if not surreal existence as a call girl by afternoon, known by the name "Belle De Jour". For decades now, critics have argued over the meaning behind a blurring of the line between reality and fantasy--the latter signalled by the sound of bells. This is the only film I've ever featured where the director admits to not knowing the boundaries himself after filming had wrapped!

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Alfred Hitchcock admired this film (to no one's surprise) for the way it draws the viewer into the story. The film was actually unreleased for years due to copyright problems until director Martin Scorsese became involved and had it released on DVD in 2003."Belle de Jour" was awarded The Golden Lion at the 1967 Venice Film Festival, as well as the award for Best Foreign Film in 1968 from the New York Film Critics Circle. The Cast: Catherine Deneuve as Severine Serizy (aka "Bell De Jour"); Jean Sorel is husband Pierre Serizy; Michel Piccoli is Henri Husson; Genevieve Page is Madame Anais and Pierre Clementi is Marcel. Again, I try to "mix it up a bit" each week and this offering is surely quite different fare. I'll be passing out the popcorn very quietly in the theater aisle! Interestingly, Deneuve deliberately avoided the Hollywood environment with the exception of the 1975 film, "Hustle" (with Burt Reynolds) and her royalties from film are donated to Amnesty International. She has never stopped working in films and her latest film (now in post-production) is entitled "I Want To See". She is also an active philanthropist in the removal of land mines, reminiscent of the non-profit work of the late Princess Diana.

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ENJOY!

CONCLUSION OF OUR REVISIT WITH BUD BUCKLEY! (PART 3 OF 3)

To acquire your own copy (I have mine!) go to: http://www.budbuckley.com/blog/
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MM: You do address a serious problem that concerns many of us, and that is how we have yet to become responsible stewards of the environment—one of the most serious themes in this CD. Of course I picked up on it quickly having worked with a Rainforest group for 7 years. How did this concern find a place on your CD and in your passion?

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BB: I actually have a much stronger song called "Swim Away" that deals with environment. But Helen and I ran out of time to get that one finished."Underground" deals with a lot of issues that were dogging me. They were upsetting to the point that I gave up hope that they'd ever be fixed. And maybe they won't. It's just enough to make you want to Go To The Underground, isn't it? Funny story about how we came to the chorus refrain. Helen and I worked on cleaning this song up for an entire day. She was near passing out and got up to go to the bathroom. I heard her voice from the other side of the door but couldn't get a sense of what she was saying or singing. She's always singing. I heard her yell, "I've got it!" and then the familiar flushing sound. She came out with the Un-der-ground, Un-der-ground Un-der-ground riff. Now whenever we get stuck in an arranging or rewrite conundrum, I tell her to please go take a piss.

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MM: (laughing) Ah, an inspiring moment! How funny. Your wife Cathy is clearly solidly behind your career, and yet I noted with some amusement in the liner notes that you give "special recognition" to your family "though they can't believe I'm doing this". Is this your feeling also—that you can't believe you have created and finished this CD?

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BB: No, I'm delighted it came out this great but it was always my intention to keep getting better. I live by setting goals for myself. Everything I've ever accomplished came from very specific and repetitive goal setting. It's my only religion. The only prayer I ever utter is an affirmation that states my goals. Works for me and I don't have to cast judgement on anybody or blow myself up. My siblings, cousins and I always lived far apart as adults so they had no idea what I was into, hence their amazement.

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MM: I wanted to close, Bud, by asking you how you see 2008 unfolding and what are some of the objectives you hope to accomplish with your music?

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BB: James Braha, my co-writer on "Meltdown", has written six books, five of which are on Hindu Astrology. At least one of them is considered a classic in it's field. James says this is going to be my best period. Peaking around the fall of this year. It's unsure to him because we are estimating my birth time. Another long story-- I'll spare you. But even if it wasn't astrologically a good time for me to flourish, it's my goal to just be better than I've been. I have a much better album, I have more guitar students, I'm getting more recognition. And I keep that ball rolling every day. An Indie musician has to do a lot of self promotion. I'm not crazy about that task because it keeps me from the actual music. But I'll do it because I need to make enough money to make more better music. I haven't decided what to do about radio yet. You have to pay big for that. I may look for ways to sneak in through the back door by getting sync deals in TV or Film first. I already have "Let Me Go" placed on four compilation CD's that include web radio. I have "Crowded Memory" in a closed circuit public service ad in California. I have reviews coming out from a local music paper and nationally with Target Audience.com in March.. Also MusesMuse.com is doing a review. Many of my listeners are writing reviews for CDBaby, iTunes and others. It's early yet but I believe good things are going to happen. I work every day at finding placements for my songs. Stay tuned.

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MM: "Let Me Go" has many implications for me. There's a certain freedom with the concept of letting something go free. What was your feeling as you were writing this song?

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BB: People assume this is a breakup song. If it works for them on that level, fine. I like lyrics that mean different things to different people. But it was actually inspired by the well publicized drawn out death of a person I won't mention. Somebody asked me recently if I lead a tragic life. I didn't realize they were referring to "Let Me Go". So it's fair to say that I was able to channel an emotion that I've never dealt with. Maybe I should consider acting, huh? An actor friend of mine is touched by this song the most, actually.

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MM: Describe what it was like working with our mutual friend Deni Bonet. Her violin flourishes are so mischievous and well placed with such a nice touch on "Elevator". I sat in my car and snickered with fun! Then on "Meltdown," which tackles loyalty of old friends-- she steps out front which is quite nice. Do tell!

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BB: Deni is the most fun to work with than anybody I can think of. She creates on the fly too. She did multiple tracks on six songs in one day. She'd finish a take and yell, "Give me another track!" At the end we had so many perfect tracks from her we had a hard time deciding which to use. She kept us laughing all day. Our dinner party was a hoot that night too. I put her in a hotel and picked her up for breakfast before the train. The baristo did a spontaneous classical guitar set while we were caffeinating. She just lit up. Music is clearly her soul. It was sad to watch her disappear up the steps of the train. But a big Deni hug and smile eased it a bit. Can't wait to work with her again.I hope I can be that lucky twice. She clearly took my songs to another level.

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MM: I relate. She is special, I completely agree! Before I forget to ask this, I know you prefer to play your acoustic guitar clean through a Bose P.A. with little or no reverb or looping. Will this CD challenge your live gigs as a solo player? Also, do you foresee an event where you will use the full band set up?

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BB: I actually put just a tiny amount of chorus on the acoustic. I tune the Bose to take out some mids and goose up the low end too. You need to do that with most Taylor's and I own a fleet of them. I recently got my backing tracks from Scott for the CD. So I can now play and sing just my parts at gigs and have the band backing me. I wouldn't do that on every song every time. It'd just be a sample of what the CD sounds like to interest people in buying it. Playing the stuff solo is always going to be a different feel. And I frequently mess with the tempo or even a few lyrics when live. Except "Tattoo". I prefer using the tracks for that one because it's hard to capture that groove without the band. The coolest thing in the world would be for me to do a gig up north and pull the band together but the logistics make that impossible. It's have to be a big payday because it'd be very expensive just to rehearse. The music school I teach in down here might give me an opportunity to pull a band together for a one-nighter. I'll have to explore that. But bands, really are a huge pain in the ass. The rehearsal scheduling alone is enough to create a nervous breakdown. I think more bands break up over stuff that happens around that than anything else. Except for the division of spoils that is. Time and money--how ironic that it's about time and money. Maybe the next CD will be called, "It's About Money." I could do a Pink Floyd cover.

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My sincere thanks to Bud Buckley for taking time out of his hectic schedule to share the past few days with us!

---Michael

A REVISIT WITH BUD BUCKLEY (PART 2 OF 3)

Bud In Concert at The Sarasota Arts Fest!
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MM: That's great and Kathy sounds like a sweet person. The music field is crowded. Major labels have redefined themselves to the point where major artists like Paul McCartney and Joni Mitchell are using ingenious marketing avenues like Starbucks Coffee stores to market and sell their CD's. Fellow blogger David M. Bailey tours worldwide, and Deni is well known in New York. Where is the niche for Bud Buckley?

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BB: I've always felt more comfortable trying to carve out a niche with a one day commute. The Internet lets me expand well beyond that to some degree. I still need more hours or a full time aide to expand my numbers. I work hard at selling CD's on the web through CDBaby, iTunes, Snocap and others.The financial reality of putting out an album of this high quality, though, dictates that I stretch out a bit and try to perform in bigger venues a bit further away. So I now appear on world wide web radio. "Let Me Go" is on several compilation disks. "Crowded Memory" can be heard with my ad card showing on a public service ad in California. I keep trying for more stuff like this. I guess I'll just ride it out to where ever it goes.

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MM: I want to talk for a moment about two developments that I've witnessed with excitement, your new studio and now your new label is coming together. Please tell us about this direction and how does it fit together with your overall plan as a musician?

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BB: My studio is just a demo studio and a writing tool for me. And I'm struggling with software upgrades that I don't even have time to deal with because this is my busy season. It will see more work after my busy season. My label, BuBu Records, a division of Budley Music publishing is a way for me to control my own music when I license it to other users. The long range reality of the music business is that you have more opportunity to earn with your songs' publishing than you do with your actual recording. The business is changing so rapidly that I'm just trying to position myself to be flexible. Signing with a label steals your flexibility. And your money. Not to mention your self respect.

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MM: Your new CD upon first listen clearly spoke to me as a more cohesive, intimate project than the first? Your love of life, Cathy and your dedication to your students is here but there's more delving into our day to day emotional lives that we all share in common. What are your views on the emotional timbre of this CD? Would you characterize it as I have?

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BB: It's true that the old themes of my devotion to Cathy and to my kids (both genetic and "adopted" through teaching them) run through out this collection of songs. My collaborations with one of those former students, Kathy Feeney, took me into different territory. "Keeping Secrets" was her breakup song. Long story on how that came to be. I took her to the studio the day I did the vocal and sat her on a stool within my sight. I said, "Kathy, I haven't been dumped since 1983. Sit there and look like a girl who's just been dumped." I needed that to reach that emotional level. "Meltdown", was a angry diatribe by my friend and guitar student James Braha after a stock partnership deal went very sour. He had it as a kind of ballad. I gave it a riff and sped it up. Reworked some lyrics. Dumped a bridge. Helen, of course, had a fair amount of influence in this song as well. James was delighted. "Let Me Go" is really from another person's point of view. I don't like to advertise the particulars because it's a hot button issue for some folks. I'll just say it's about a person who is dying. It's not a traditional breakup scenario.

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MM: Okay. The importance of time and what we do with it reaches out to me in "Elevator". Tell us about this focus?

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BB: I'm glad that comes through for you. The whole album deals with time in one way or another. It was Mark Zampella's (former producer and designer of this cover) idea to find a unifying theme so I chose all my songs that dealt with time. I was surprised so many turned out like that. I had to allude to it on the album cover to help people get it. I've been fascinated by quantum physics very much from a layman's point of view. Kathy Feeney was a physics major during a lot of this period and shares many of my outlooks. She also digs old buildings and that's how "Keeping Secrets" got started., as a birthday poem to me about a decaying church she saw. When we sat down to write it as a lyric, it took an entirely different direction as I was reading her mind about her recent breakup before she even told me about it.

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MM: I think your Granddaughter Stella, has to be the youngest person on my Blogroll! And your entire being, your voice changes in "I Still Remember (How That Feels)." How did you come to write this song? Describe how it came together?

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BB: This is a deeply personal song, really, about my daughter, Bree, not about Stella. Stella's song will come when we've had a longer history. I think the chorus speaks for itself. I'll leave the rest open to interpretation.

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MM: While we're on the material, please talk about "Tattoo" and "Elevator" because they have the tendency to tickle and inspire with their hooks. Do I detect a more relaxed sense of humor here?

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BB: Miss Feeney's "Elevator" came to her while she was sitting in her college lobby watching the lifts and the drama. I took a little license with that and did a little mind reading. We don't often get to write within a thousand miles of each other. So mind reading is essential. She was in the studio for a minor rewrite. Often she writes me free verse and always says, "Do whatever you want with this." I have a folder of such gems in need of development. When I do this one live I slide up and down the neck of the guitar in the chorus like an elevator. But we decided to let Deni provide soaring effects when we got it in the studio.

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The idea for "Tattoo" came about during the recording of my first CD with Mark Zampella. We were totally out of studio time and I was out of money and up against a self imposed deadline. These are conditions under which one should never attempt to record anything good. I was bummed about a song or two and Mark consoled me by saying, "It's like these tattoos. When people ask if I regret them I tell them, 'No' because they represent who I was at that place in time." So my last CD is just that. When I started to write that as a lyric, it just took a turn on it's own and wrote itself about a relationship. Mine, of course. I wrote the opening bars of music while at the beach when we had a condo there. They just happened. Helen changed the key for me to let me sing it in a more laid back, unstrained manner. I made her play it because that samba thing she does is so cool and I didn't want to burn up expensive studio time learning it in a fingering I had never played before. Scott put in the stand up base and piano and it just grew on it's own into what it is. It's who I was at that place in time. And then we did "Underground" and I was somebody else.

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We Conclude Our Visit with Bud Buckley Tomorrow!
Note: To order Bud's CD go to: www.budbuckley.com

"THE INTERVIEW" PROUDLY PRESENTS A REVISIT WITH SINGER/SONGWRITER BUD BUCKLEY! (PART 1 OF 3)

Bud Buckley
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"it's about time", Bud's exciting new CD!
Note: To order Bud's CD go to: www.budbuckley.com
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Bud Buckley was last featured on "THE INTERVIEW" in 2006. However, for those of you new to my website, Bud grew up in the Philadelphia/South Jersey area and developed a love of music. Armed with a Masters degree in education, Bud moved to the Mid Hudson Valley near Woodstock, New York and pursued his labor of love--teaching elementary school children with a unique approach of positive reinforcement, patience and supportiveness that—not coincidentally—describes his approach tailored to teaching music. As Bud recalls, "An inescapable sensation of self confidence" seized him by both shoulders and led him to purchase a second-hand guitar where he taught himself how to play. As with many of us, adult responsibilities led to a time lapse until the late 1990's. Bud found himself teaching a class of gifted children in both the fourth and fifth grade who encouraged him to follow his musical ambitions. Around this time, period, Bud struck up a friendship with Classical Guitarist, Helen Avakian and the two began to work in earnest on finger style, guitar theory and composition. Through Helen's encouragement, Bud eventually began to meet other musicians and soon became a regular performer in the Mid Hudson Valley of New York. Not wishing to shovel snow any more, Bud and his wife Cathy relocated to the warmer climes of Venice, Florida located on the southwestern coast near Tampa. His debut CD, "Feel My Love", led him to market the recording while performing in area coffee houses, restaurants and outdoor venues. Just 11 months after adding a BLOG page, Bud and I became Blogging friends and I began listening to and enjoying his music. Serendipity enabled Bud to introduce me to his son Jason (a bass player and singer) who thankfully took over my Webmaster duties.

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In the long two year break between our last interview and this one, Bud yearned for a break from promoting his first CD; he had in fact, been composing and collecting additional musical material while searching for a direction that felt right to him. In the interim, he continued to teach, play gigs and even designed his home recording studio in a display of multi-tasking that still allowed him to balance a busy life. It was my good fortune to flood Bud with cassette tapes of songs from Gordon Lightfoot to Rick Springfield. A strong believer in networking, I felt there would be a natural musical pairing with my talented and lovely friend Deni Bonet, electric and acoustic violinist, composer and singer extraordinaire. From blogging to speaking on the phone, an opportunity for Deni to join Bud in the recording studio materialized in New York along with guitarists Helen Avakian and Terry Champlin, bassist and keyboard player Scott Petito, drummer Chris Carey and cellist Laurel Pistey. Helen Avakian also produced and arranged and added luscious back up vocals as did Beth Reineke. Scott Petito provided some additional production and mixed and mastered in his NRS Studios. Co-writers Kathy Feeney and James Braha worked on four songs with Bud. This all resulted in Bud's newest CD release appropriately titled: "It's About Time". Accordingly, I felt it was 'about time' that I caught up with Bud about his exciting recording project.

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MM: Just from watching you work, Bud, I know that you struggled mightily to strike a continuity from all the music you had composed since releasing your first CD. What makes this CD project so different from your debut CD?

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BB: I wanted this to be totally acoustic with a live band in a top studio. The first CD was just me on guitar and all vocals with some electric guitar from Mark Zampella and the rest were automated tracks. I did it all at home and Mark mixed it. I liked most of the writing and was happy with my playing and vocals but the tracks I used didn't sit well in the mix with my vocals. Not Marks' fault. I was just going very low budget and tried to do too much. So this new one changed all that with a live band and female background vocals as well. There is only one song ("Underground") with any electric guitar. Scott provided that along with a few B2 organ shots on that song and "Keeping Secrets". This CD is totally professional done with seasoned pros.

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MM: What were the unique pressures associated with producing this release? What were you striving for?

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BB: Logisitics were the biggest problem. Getting the band together in the short measures of time I could book Scott and Helen. We did everything in layers depending on who was available when. So we had to get the bulk of every song done before we could bring in Deni Bonet and Chris Carey who were both available only for a day each. Scott had obligations in the studio with label artists. The Brubeck Brothers were right ahead of me and Ed Saunders of the Fugs graciously put off his session to give me an extra day. But the labels wait for no one.

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MM: Is it fair to say that you had to live with the material you chose while adding and leaving off material or put another way, what guided you to lean toward one composition and move away from another even though it was solid in how it was written and had merit?

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BB: Time available in the studio was the biggest factor. Using a well known studio like Scott's NRS meant I was competing with several musicians on big labels that Scott had to service first. If I had more time with Helen, who was also working on her own album and teaching in an ASCAP music camp as well as gigging, we would have squished the bugs out of more songs. But I'm not sure we would have had time to record them and get this album out on time and on budget. We nail-gunned every song we did to perfection, though.

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MM: I like your expression of "nail gunned", Bud! You teach music and handle a schedule of gigs as a familiar musician in Venice. How did you strike a balance with your home life and all the demands of working with Helen Avakian and others who lived so far away?

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BB: Artists have to have very supportive mates or none at all. Cathy went far beyond that in letting me manage my time to get this done along with my usual schedule. I had to suspend some guitar lessons and I only booked one gig a month during the summer. That works well here because our crunch season is late fall to Easter. Then musicians have to scramble to find gigs and a lot of students take off. I drove to New York for the long stays and flew for the shorter ones. Three trips in all. But that doesn't include summer '06 when I flew up to work on two songs with Helen that we didn't finish because of her schedule. So we have about seven weeks spread over two summers of just arranging and recording.

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MM: That is a lot of scrambling! Your debut CD gave me a sense of your early years growing up, and your students—who are today adults—still keep in touch with you. How would you describe the thematic elements of "It's About Time" by comparison?

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BB: There's still some of that in this one. "Crowded Memory" took place spontaneously when I was looking at a poster a parent had made for me. It was the Sergent Pepper cover with all the faces of my class and me pasted in. Kathy Feeney gave me the chorus "Miles and years mean nothing against our friendship," when I retired and left New York. She was my student, muse and constant friend. And of course I wrote "Elevator" and "Keeping Secrets" with Kathy based on her experiences. The rest came from different experiences since I moved down here. Mark Zampella suggested to me that I find a unifying theme for the album so I picked out the ones that related to Time. So, "It's About Time". Some songs didn't make the cut but will resurface on the next one. I guess I have issues with time. I fill it all up and it goes too fast. So I'm a health nut to try to squeeze a bit more time out of this organism I'm using and calling "Bud."

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JOIN US FOR PART 2 OF 3 TOMORROW!

TESTING, TESTING 1-2, 1-2! & ANDY MARTELLO!

"Hello, hello. Operator? Yes, I'll wait. It's what? Oh, it's Sunday! No, no. I was just wondering where everyone goes. Where? (listens to explanation) Ha! Okay. That was pretty funny, Operator. No, no. I'm going to hang up the phone now. It's getting kinda heavy! Bye!

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P.S.: In the spirit of Fun and Cool Stuff, Sylvester Stallone was recently on "Late Night with David Letterman" and remarked that he knew of no really fine plate spinners. As such, a letter writing campaign is underway to get our good friend Andy Martello on the Letterman Show as a Guest to spin plates! This is HUGE. But we have to hurry. Write to : cbsmailbag@aol.com and direct them to Andy's website (which is on my Blogroll at : http://andymartello.blogspot.com). While you're at it, visit Andy! :)

WEEKEND HOBBIES!

Many of you have hobbies involving collections of one sort or another. While my 14-year collection of Executive Desktop Commercial Aviation models is complete, I also collected certain hard to find Die-Cast Automobile models in 1/18 scale that each hold specific memories for me. And, I still possess a huge airline Coffee Mug stable too. This has been great fun and adds a bit of wonder for the imagination. Herein lies the "magic" of collecting. Have a nice weekend!

A Pan Am 727-200
My favorite Boeing Jet

I've sat on this Bike in Nevada. It was one of two built for
the iconic movie "Easy Rider". I was told that Peter Fonda
cracked a rib on this bike due to the stiff suspension.

Steve McQueen's 1968 Ford 390 Fastback from "Bullitt"

Bill Hickman's 1968 Dodge Charger 440 R/t from the movie "Bullitt"

Steve McQueen's Porsche 917K used in the movie "LeMans"

(Above): A car my late Uncle Nicky
drove me around in Detroit

(Above) A model given to me at age 7
after I exited Intensive Care in the hospital

A model of a car my Uncle Jimmy once owned
It had a 352 V-8 with headers that was
no match off the line for even Corvettes.
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(Photo Courtesy: gallery glory)

Rare Coffee Mugs from Airlines is another passion
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Today, my passion is Journalism and Music.

My Takamine Acoustic-Electric
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What are some of your hobbies?

MY MR. MIYAGI STORY!

The Real "Mr. Miyagi"
Noriyuki "Pat" Morita
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Miyagi's Restuarant in L.A. that Michael Manning Visited!
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Want to hear an amusing story? Okay: While I spent a month in Los Angeles last Summer, I was told that Miyagi's Restaurant (8225 W. Sunset Boulevard) was a "must experience". So, I had dinner there and asked the bartender the obvious question. And no, the late and beloved actor Pat Morita never owned the restaurant that bears the famous last name of the film character he created three times. However, when Pat died in Las Vegas in 2005, this restaurant was suddenly overwhelmed with large sacks of mail filled with sympathy cards from grieving fans all over the world! At the suggestion of Producer Jerry Weintraub, "Pat" (a name he took from a Catholic priest after he was released from an Arizona internment camp at the end of World War II) reclaimed his first name of Noriyuki. Born to Japanese immigrant parents in Isleton, California he enjoyed great television success with roles as "Arnold" on the 1970's sit-com "Happy Days" and a recurring role as "Ah Chu" on NBC's "Sanford & Son". But while he worked steadily in films right up to his untimely passing (he finished 5 films in 2005), perhaps the most endearing role that Morita played is that of "Mr. Miyagi" in "The Karate Kid" film of 1984. Two sequels followed, but they never really equaled the fascination of the first film. Morita played a widower who worked at an apartment building and appreciated his small but amazing collection of rare automobiles. After meeting "Daniel-san" (Ralph Macchio) who was being terrorized by bully's, karate teacher Kesuke Miyagi (Morita) stepped in and taught the boy martial arts with an amazing teaching approach that wed balance, hard work and serenity to "The Golden Rule". Thus, the popularity of the saying "Wax On, Wax Off"--he assigned Macchio's character chores to improve his physical skills. He earned a Best Supporting Actor Nomination at The Academy Awards in 1985 but lost out to the late Dr. Hang S. Ngor who earned the Oscar for "The Killing Fields". I have to confess here that I still enjoy re-runs of "The Karate Kid". One of Morita's last roles was Master Udon in the Sponge Bob "Square Pants" episode. Earlier in his life, Morita endured spinal tuberculosis and later worked in computers at Aerojet General. His film break came in 1967's "Thoroughly Modern Millie". In a 1989 interview he recalled life in the American-Japanese internment. "One day I was an invalid. The next day I was public enemy No. 1 being escorted to an internment camp by an FBI agent wearing a piece", he said. His wife said that his life-long devotion was to comedy and Morita expounded on this fact. "Only in America could you get away with the kind of comedy I did. If I tried it in Japan before the war, it would have been considered blasphemy and I would have ended in leg irons".

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I wanted to tie-in my previous Blogpost about my own life-long love of automobiles with this story, since I noted that an old Packard I spotted and photographed here in Arizona during an oil change stop made me think of Noriyuki's role of Mr. Miyagi. Here we have another beloved actor who is dearly missed worldwide. I am forever fascinated by his life story because it reinforces to me that there is no one "path" to success. We each have our own individual trails to blaze, and it's all possible.

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Have a nice Friday, everyone!

FRIDAY MOVIE SUGGESTION NIGHT PRESENTS: "ST. ELMO'S FIRE"!

In 2007, just for fun I intended to offer this film, but others were already on my schedule. Now comes the freezing temperatures of Winter, and a rather intense film was offered last week. I've decided that if ever there was a good time to "turn up the heat" and enjoy St. Elmo's Fire, now is a better time. This is a lighter fare film than last week's selection that finds its way to the heart without trying to be something more. I take exception to those who haven't taken a second look at the seven characters of "the brat pack" since its 1985 release. Against the backdrop of deep friendships, we follow seven characters who have just graduated from college and are staggering to gain a foot hold in the real world. Director Joel Schumacher allows plenty of room for character development. Rob Lowe's saxophone musician character has fathered a child, walked away from marriage, and is scared to death to discover that life is not a fraternity house party. He plays this coy by masking his fear as an edgy playboy buying time until he figures out his way. Demi Moore is the ultra-attractive "party girl" living in denial and sinking in debt by borrowing money to create an image of success. Emilio Estevez is memorably pursuing a "pipe dream" romance with a clearly unavailable girl (Andie MacDowell). Ally Sheedy (who was on the first season of T.V.'s CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and will be featured in "Harold" this year), loves Alec (Judd Nelson), but has good reasons to hold back and see what his motives are as a political hack. Andrew McCarthy is the lost writer who is in a serious limbo longing for the past and Mare Winningham is casted superbly as the different girl of the group who just doesn't fit in anywhere. But she's a solid and dependable friend. Say what you will. I'll admit that this film is a bit dated, but what many missed the first time around were the issues that real people confront. Unfulfilled dreams, drug use, forbidden love and romantic obsessions. This film really resonates with a nice cast and an ending that is quite unpredictable. Featuring: Rob Lowe as Billy Hicks; Demi Moore as Jules; Emilio Estevez as Kirby Keager; Ally Sheedy as Leslie Hunter; Judd Nelson as Alec Newbary; Mare Winningham as Wendy Beamish and Andrew McCarthy as Kevin Dolenz. Directed by Joel Schumacher, the film was Written by: Joel Schumacher and Carl Kurlander . I was surprised to find that the film was Produced by Lauren Schuller Donner, whom I once met at an L.A. social. Nominated at the 1986 Academy Awards for Best Original Music Score, again, this is just a nice film to watch comfortably from the sofa with hot Cocoa and a roaring fireplace.

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HAVE FUN!

SUNRISE ON A NEW DAY!

Over this past year, I have been only one of many Blogger's who has come to enjoy Minerva over at "A Woman of Many Parts". She has some spectacularly Good News to report! And let's face it, we could all use some Good News that is Hopeful, right? So, go over to the Right-Hand Margin of my Blogroll and click on her site to drop by "across the pond" and say hello! Minerva is an outstanding writer and a true source of warmth and inspiration.

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The second of four kids in my family (my brother) and me (the fourth and last) are certified motorheads. We've always shared a passion for cars and their design. While I was having the oil changed in my car the other day, a 1950 Packard was parked in the bay next to me. The owner was generous and allowed me to snap photos of it. My Sister-In-Law (according to my Mom) reads my Blog daily. I have no independent verification of this, however, if she sees this Blogpost I hope she tells my brother his photos have been placed in the mailbox. See you tomorrow!

U.S. Mailboxes similar to what I use weekly!

1950 Packard Super 8 "Mr. Miyagi" would approve!

SUZANNE PLESHETTE (1937-2007)

Suzanne's best-known television role as "Emily Hartley" on "The Bob Newhart Show" (1972-78). With one of the most identifiable deep, sexy voices and good looks she played the rational adult to Newhart's often bewildered character as a psychologist. She earned 2 Emmy Nominations on the series, for a career total of 8.

Broadway roles included: "The Cold Wind and the Warm" with Maureen Stapleton and Eli Wallach, and replacing Anne Bancroft in "The Miracle Worker" as Anne Sullivan. She was featured in Hitchcock's 1963 epic, "The Birds" with Tippi Hedren and co-starred with Steve McQueen (who "adopted" her as his sister in real life) in 1965's "Nevada Smith". She once told The Toronto Star newspaper in 1989, "When I started in movies they said I'd be this big star, but I was only a moderate one. Not enough good pictures. It's important to be in a good piece of work no matter the size of one's own part", she said. Movie roles opposite James Garner in "Support Your Local Gunfighter" and in Disney films revealed her comedic genius and sass. This led to guest appearances on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" and as a Guest on "Hollywood Squares". A versatile actress who worked steadily, she took on the 1990 television movie role of real estate businesswoman Leona Helmsley in "The Queen of Mean". From 1999-2001 her voiceover work for Disney and other films was interspersed with the guest role of a barkeeper's mother on the TV series "Will & Grace" from 1998-2006 and from 2002-2005 as Katey Sagal's mother Laura on "8 Simple Rules". She was scheduled to receive her "Star" on the "Hollywood Walk of Fame" on what would have been her 71st birthday on Thursday, January 31st.

TV: With Hal Linden on 1994's "The Boys are Back"

"Good Morning, Miami" 2002-2004

Four decades after appearing together on Broadway and briefly dating, Suzanne married comedian Tom Poston in 2000. Sadly, Tom passed away last year.

With friend and Co-Star Bob Newhart
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A wonderful career and a Classy Lady.

CLIPPER HERITAGE AWARD!

Sir Richard Branson
(Photo Courtesy of Ask Men magazine)
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Last month, while I was relocating to Arizona, my friends at The Pan Am Historical Foundation presented a very special award to Sir Richard Branson. It reads as follows:

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"The CLIPPER HERITAGE AWARD is presented by The Pan Am Historical Foundation to honor a significant contribution to Humanity involving aviation and exemplifying the vision, innovation and adventure that was Pan American World Airways.

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To recognize his unique initiatives as an airline owner to meet the challenge of global warming and minimize the environmental impact of his businesses, the Pan Am Historical Foundation is proud to present the CLIPPER HERITAGE AWARD to:

SIR RICHARD BRANSON
Founder and Chairman,
Virgin Group Limited
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Sir Richard has committed profits from the transport companies (airlines and trains) of his Virgin Group, estimated at $3 billion over the next 10 years, to renewable energy initiatives to combat global warming.

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In addition, he has launched the Virgin Earth Challenge, offering a prize of $25 million for a commercially viable design which results in the net removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere each year for at least 10 years, so as to help stabilize the Earth's climate".

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PAN AM HISTORICAL FOUNDATION

STANDING IN LINE AT THE MOVIES!

Woody Allen in 1977 with Diane Keaton in "Annie Hall"
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it was in the film "Annie Hall" where Allen gets stuck in a movie ticket line behind a braggadocios college professor trying hard to impress a 20-something student (he's obviously on a date with) that he is an expert on the author Marshall McLuhan, of "Understanding Media" fame. An amusing footnote: Only two of us in my high school Media Class read that book as an assignment; Even our teacher admitted he couldn't make sense of it. I can't speak for the other kid; I was trying to be "Cool". I wasn't. Back to the film: Allen's frustration is building. Finally, he looks directly into the camera (a technique that I still find hysterical!) and says the following to the movie theater audience.

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Allen: "What do ya do when you get stuck in line with a guy like this?"
Professor: "Hey! What? I can't have an opinion?"
Allen: "Your opinion, sure. But do you have to pontificate like that? Marshall McLuhan. You don't know anything about Marshall McLuhan!"
Professor: "Oh, is that right? Well, it just so happens that I teach a course at Columbia called 'T.V., Media and Culture'. So, I think that my insights into Mr. McLuhan's work is...is....valid".
Allen: "Oh yeah? Well I just happen to have Mr. McLuhan right here (actually pulls author McLuhan out in front of the camera from behind a cardboard advertisement).
Allen to McLuhan: "Tell him".
McLuhan: "Yes, I heard what you had to say. You know NOTHING of my work. The fact that you teach a class in anything at all is truly amazing!"
Allen looking back into camera lens: "Ah, if only life were like this!"

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HAVE A GOOD SUNDAY!

HEY, YOU'RE INVITED!

Early last night, I had a chance to sit down and have a "first look" at my own "Interview" that was filmed in late November, 2007 shortly before I relocated to Arizona from the Mid-West. The final edit will eventually be posted on my REEL PAGE. Today will give me a better opportunity to make some editing notes for my Videographer. But I have some exciting news and photos to share!

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Invitations to the 51st Annual Gala benefiting the National Parkinson Foundation are being mailed out. If you are going to be in Ft. Lauderdale Beach, Florida on the weekend of February 23rd and want to attend, this is a great reason to "escape" the cold weather up North. Plus, I'd love to meet you! For more information on how to participate in this worthwhile benefit--to help us find the cause and a cure for Parkinson's disease--just Click-On the NPF Logo on the Right Hand margin of this BLOG PAGE and you'll find all the info you'll need. This year's Theme is "Hope Swings Eternal" and I am privileged to serve as Master of Ceremonies. We are going to have a BLAST at the St. Regis Resort & Spa! Take a look at this picture show I arranged just for YOU!

A Gorgeous Resort!

How About a Little Break from Blogging?

And Those Rooms!...

I know. It feels like Julia Roberts will show up, doesn't it?

Sure...get in your workout. Then...

The Spa Room...Oh come on, you know you deserve it!

Ah yes! At night, we dine in style...

Me? I'll be right up there in my borrowed tuxedo
from Regis Philbin!
(I'm just kidding Regis!)

There's a bar Bogie and Bacall would love but...

...We're gonna Rhumba like Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze! Oh, Yeah!

(Photo Courtesy of Lions Gate Films)

Seriously, this is going to be one of the most talked about events of the year! We'll have a fun "Silent Auction", Great food, Great music, Dancing galore and much more...at The St. Regis Resort in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on Saturday, February 23rd. If you can make it, act now!

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Thanks All!
---Michael

HERE'S TO YOU MRS. ROBINSON!

The Original Movie Poster
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Dustin Hoffman & Anne Bancroft
as the original "Mrs. Robinson"
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Last year, we featured "The Graduate" on "Friday Movie Suggestion Night" and it remains one of my Top 5 Favorite Films. Patricia Neal was offered the role of "Mrs. Robinson" initially, but had suffered a stroke. Then Doris Day and Jeane Moreau chose to pass. There can be little doubt that the late Anne Bancroft could have known in 1967 what a cultural icon this movie and the role she played would have on subsequent generations of movie fans 40 years later. The movie was Directed by Mike Nichols and adapted by a book written by Charles Webb. I managed to see Anne interviewed on "Inside the Actor's Studio" about her role, which often overshadowed so much of her work that followed. And it was fascinating to hear her personal input about the subtext she saw in the character she played. "The Graduate" is of course, a fascinating "coming of life" Drama/Comedy with it's impeccable casting, its images of Dustin Hoffman tooling around in his Red Alfa Romeo Spyder and the unforgettable Katherine Ross as "Elaine". Here is an interesting look at the actresses who in recent years have played "Mrs. Robinson" in the stage play of "The Graduate". I provide a YOU TUBE site at the bottom of this BLOG featuring Simon & Garfunkle's live performance of the song "Mrs. Robinson" at "A Concert in Central Park". Their original soundtrack was actually songs Mike Nichols "adapted" so perfectly to catch the mood of this film. At the time, no filmmaker had used existing music whole in this manner, even though some of Dave Grusin's music made the soundtrack CD. Each time I see this film, it stays with me for a few days. Recently, Dustin Hoffman was a Guest on "Larry King Live" and he showed Larry two stills from the movie. He said "You want to see something? Look." He pointed at the movie stills and noted that he was 30 years old at the time playing a 21 year old and Anne was 35 at the time playing a 40-something character. The late Anne Bancroft was a remarkable talent and she is missed.

Kathleen Turner as Mrs. Robinson 2000-2002

Lorraine Bracco

Jerry Hall

Morgan Fairchild
(Photo Credit: Sandy Nickerson)

Vera Fischer

Linda Gray
(her leg appears in the original poster in 1967)

Amanda Donohoe
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Hope you can check out the concert footage below!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE1dz6_u2JI

FRIDAY MOVIE SUGGESTION NIGHT PRESENTS: "FIVE EASY PIECES"!

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Five Easy Pieces was filmed in 1970 and is easily one of the more unpredictable films I've ever programmed for "Friday Movie Suggestion Night". My decision to go ahead with it was further driven by the fact that in just the last five years alone, the sheer number of films Jack Nicholson has appeared in has carried with it the human tendency of taking for granted that Nicholson doesn't have much of a stretch to play as an often cantankerous, overweight-cast character who appears to "walk through" a role. In fact, quite the opposite is true when you watch "A Few Good Men", and to quote an ex-acting teacher of mine, it is vividly evident what Nicholson is "fighting for" in that role. Also, it is quite shocking to stop and realize just how long Nicholson has been a working actor in Hollywood; today's films (such as "The Bucket List" which I treated myself to this past Monday night co-starring Morgan Freeman--another "national treasure" of ours here in the U.S.) is quite a stretch from Nicholson's break-through role in 1969's "Easy Rider" with Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper. So, basically I saw an opportunity to show anyone over the age of 20 what an enigma Nicholson really is as a serious actor. The Screenplay was written by Carole Eastman and Bob Rafelson who serves as the film's Director and Producer with Richard Wechsler as Assistant Producer. THE PLOT: We have Jack Nicholson in the role of Bobby Dupea, born into aristocracy within a household of musical prodigy's. Dupea becomes alienated from what he experiences as a claustrophobic daily grind of rehearsals as a concert pianist. And shockingly makes a one-hundred-eighty-degree turn to work on an oil rig and later frittering away his nights in a bowling alley when he isn't arguing with his live-in girlfriend, Rayetta (Karen Black), a waitress. When word reaches Dupea that his father is ill, he returns to Puget Sound, Washington to confront the upper class world he turned away from. This film is a character study of a distraught and angry man who seemingly can't find himself in the world. THE CAST also includes: Billy "Green" Bush as Elton; Fannie Flagg as Stoney; Sally Struthers as Betty; Lois Smith as Partita Dupea; Susan Anspach as Catherine Van Oost; Ralph Waite as Carl Fidelio Dupea; Toni Basil as Terri Grouse; William Challee as Nicholas Dupea and Helena Kallianiotes as Palm Apodaca. This will come as a surprise to unsuspecting bloggers when I tell you that this film was Nominated at the 1971 Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Jack Nicholson); Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Karen Black); and Best Picture and Best Writing, Story and Screenplay Not Previously Published of Produced (Adrian Joyce and Bob Rafelson). In 2000, the United States Library of Congress deemed the film "culturally significant" and selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry. And for the curious at heart; the "Five Easy Pieces" are really not all that easy. Nevertheless here they are: Chopin's "Fantasy in F Minor, Op. 49 (played by Dupea on the back of a moving truck), Bach's "Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue (played by Dupea's sister in a recording studio and in last year's "Friday Movie Suggestion Night" feature "32 Short Films About Glenn Gould"), Mozart's E flat Major Concerto (K. 271) played in the film by Dupea's brother, Carl, and Catherine upon Bobby's arrival to the island, Chopin's Prelude Opus 28 in E Minor, No. 4 played by Dupea for Catherine and finally Mozart's Fantasy in D Minor (K. 397). Don't be intimidated by the Classical music. Tammy Wynette has five songs on the soundtrack. If there was ever a movie about raw human emotion, this film delivers.

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ENJOY!

THERE'S MORE?

A number of my friends keep up with my weekly exploits by clicking on my NEWS page at www.michaelmanning.tv. Basically, it serves as a teaser to certain (but not all) BLOGS which is why I have a BLOG page, as many of you do. For the remainder of the month, I'll be attending to the REEL page and PHOTOS (Page 2) with some changes. That's all. See ya tomorrow!

MORNING COFFEE VISIT...

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Good Morning! I'll start off by reminding you that the ASPCA is sponsoring a great feature called "Mew" Year's Resolutions. This follows their Dog series, so don't worry. All creatures being equal, people with cats and dogs alike who are having any pet "issues" can click on their Logo located on the right-hand margin of my BLOG PAGE to submit questions receive answers to all sorts of pet challenges. Speaking of which, "Mr. Cat" has stopped visiting my neighbor, Jackie. I saw Jackie recently getting into her car with a cat box transporter and noticed that she has stopped setting out food and water for our gated community cat. Film at 11. Got a couple of minutes?...Visit Gunner Gillespie's Blogsite to wish him well as he continues to battle his cancer. Gunner is 7 years old and his site explains that he is enjoying collecting cool post cards of high structures that are interesting. Check it out for specifics. ...Blog Bud Lois Lane reminded me about two years ago that "All cool kids know about the 'Big Mac Bridge' " in my birthplace of Cincinnati, Ohio. Yes, as the name implies, it has a twin-arch span and is painted bright yellow as the beginning and end of Highway 471 in the downtown Riverfront area. So, on my "To Do" list for Monday is finding Gunner a cool post card of an interesting structure here in Arizona to mail him. ...I am half way through one of my Christmas presents:

Yes, a great book that is not a biography, but rather a focus on the late Steve McQueen's amazing and tasteful collection of cars, and motorcycles. As a certified motor head, I am enjoying reading about the gorgeous number 20 blue and orange Gulf Porche 917K used in the filming of his movie LeMans (conveniently featured below on this page). It turns out that this car and the Ferrari 512's were very short-lived in the grueling 24 hour race. For you Mini Cooper fans, Steve had a 1967 Cooper S (yeah, with the 1275 cc four power plant). Many of his cars can now be seen in Las Vegas at The Petersen Automotive Museum, joining its permanent "Cars of the Stars" collection.

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And now a house tour: ...well, no. Let's put that off for another day. Enjoy some good Coffee and have a great week!

What a dream!...
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REELING IN THE REEL PAGE!

"I believe that there is a place in the spectrum of television for really good conversation, if it is informed, spirited, soulful".
---Charlie Rose

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Late last night, my Videographer in Ohio contacted me to say that he was scheduling Monday to digitize my sit-down interview that will ultimately wind up permanently parked on my REEL PAGE at www.michaelmanning.tv. There are 10 segments and I have to review them here in my new home of Arizona and then suggest edits. My Videograher Jamie Sluder will then have to complete the edits before he turns the final cut over to my Webmaster Jason Buckley. The concept for this project came about during a lunch conversation in Florida back in 2006 with my dear friend and musical genius Deni Bonet (Deni appears on singer/songwriter Bud Buckley's new CD "It's About Time" and she will be releasing her own new CD soon, so "stay tuned"). However, as anyone will tell you who has been through the creative process, between my hectic travel with Journalism assignments and Jamie's heavy production schedule, it took us both 16 full months to arrange some studio time together. We didn't have a large round Oak table as Charlie Rose does on his talk show. But we deliberately created a no-frills, totally unscripted interview without any constraints. I do tend to reflect at length if I feel the question is best served by expanding my viewpoint with some historical references for anyone who hasn't met me. What hopefully emerges will be a transparency and an energetic sharing of thoughts that is above all else honest. While the filming took place last November, I have to share with you that in the interim, I can only recall that I enjoyed my visit, and that my general mood was relaxed and open; I remember laughing a lot (frankly, if you were me and had to reflect back on your life you'd be laughing too!) and feeling afterwards as I walked out of the building to my car was that I had a good experience and covered the topics thoroughly. So let's see what we have "in the can" and I'll keep you up to date!

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HAVE A NICE WEEKEND, WHEREVER YOU ARE!

FRIDAY MOVIE SUGGESTION NIGHT PRESENTS "NELL"!

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Released in 1994, "Nell" is the story of a young woman who is discovered following the death of her mother in a remote cabin in the woods who is unable to speak English, but rather a cryptic-sounding language in the mountains of North Carolina. A psychiatrist named Paula Olsen (Natasha Richardson) is sent by a physician, Dr. Jerry Lovell (Liam Neeson) to investigate the case. It is evident that Nell has had no exposure to the outside world beyond the forest. A judge rules that Lovell and Olsen are to keep Nell under observation for three months to determine whether traditional institutionalization is in order. Gradually, the two uncover more about Nell's past and how she adapted a distorted speech pattern after her mother (whose speech defect was the result of a series of strokes) along with words remembered from the private language spoken with her deceased twin. Before the moral issue of what is in Nell's best interests is solved, the two find that they need to learn how to communicate with her.

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The most outstanding performance perhaps of her career to date, Jodie Foster is remarkable within the vehicle of her characters' range, with a heavy demand upon an unearthly-sounding enunciation that is combined with gestures and facial expressions, to convey a full range of emotions few actors could navigate to the Oscar nomination Foster earned--and many feel--she should have won.

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This film brilliantly explores the triad relationship between Nell, Jerry and Paula as each struggles to decide what is in Nell's future. Paula and Jerry begin this journey as friends who then fall in love (Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson, indeed married shortly after this film wrapped). The tensions that threaten to divide Jerry and Paula are brought together by Nell herself as the two break down her seemingly encrypted language to understand both literally and metaphorically. The brief scenes of nudity are used here not as eroticism, but rather to demonstrate Nell's innocence.

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Overall, The reason I chose this film was that at the core of the central character lies an untampered gentleness and an ability to love and experience joy. This film was unjustly denied an Oscar win over Jessica Lang's "Blue Angel". But it is undeniably one of the most powerful acting performances of the nineties. Here's the Central Cast: Jodie Foster is Nell Kellty, Liam Neeson is Dr. Jerry Lovell, Natasha Richardson is Dr. Paula Olson; the film is Directed by Michael Apted and Written by Mark Handley from William Nicholson's screenplay. I hope you find this to be a powerful performance of the human heart!

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ENJOY!

STEPHEN STILLS ON THE MEND!

Stephen Stills of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
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Stephen Stills' surgery for prostate cancer on January 3rd was a success and the musical legend is recovering. It seems that every 20 year-old has a familiarity with both the debut album "Crosby, Stills and Nash" (with the hits "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes", "Helplessly Hoping", and "Wooden Ships") and their release, "Deja Vu" ("Carry On", "Teach Your Children" & Our House"). The late Cass Elliot of "The Mama's & The Papa's" fame had the guys over at her California house one afternoon when they decided to play some music for fun. Their harmonies were astounding! David Crosby had come from "The Byrds", Stephen Stills from "Buffalo Springfield" and Graham Nash from "The Hollies". A personal favorite in my vinyl collection is the double-album of Stephen's band "Manassas". The opening on Side One: "Song of Love" will attack your stereo (and your neighbors)! Neil Young would later join in occasionally. I was in a Barnes & Noble bookstore the other night and saw Stephen's new CD made from tapes that went missing for 40 years. In 1968 after watching then-girlfriend Judy Collins finish a recording session, Stills slipped $300 to the recording engineer and layed down a stripped-down set list of songs. Also featured is the 1970 Top 40 power hit , "Love the One You're With". Stephen has been inducted twice into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His new release is "Just Roll Tape: April 26, 1968" and was recorded just before the CS&N LP. The guys be touring this year. Here's a cool link: http://stephenstills.com.

The First Album (remastered on CD 2006)
outside Cass Elliot's House

ANNUAL "EVVY" AWARDS IN NEW YORK!

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Posthumous Honoree: "Dizzie" Gillespie
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Barbara Walters sent her nest wishes!
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One of my dear ex-Pan Am friends is Florette Vassall. Flo is a former fashion model and a First Generation American of a Cuban Father and Panamanian Mother. As a native New Yorker, she broadcasts her "EVVY Cultural Interchange" on local cablecast BCAT (Brooklyn Community Access Channel 68 and Time Warner 35) seen at www.bcat.tv./bcat. A world fashion leader for over three decades, Flo worked as a Supervisor at Pan American World Airways. The position at Pan Am helped open many doors to Flo as a high fashion model and an international writer and reporter. Her late husband, Sydney was an Associate Producer of NBC's "The Today Show". As a tri-lingual school teacher, Florette's love of children energized her to spend her adult life teaching in Berlin and Acapulco. An alumnus of St. John's University, Florette holds a BA from Fordham University College at Lincoln Center. When I last featured Flo here on "THE INTERVIEW", she was cast as the dancing Grandma in the MTV music video "Big Yellow Taxi" featuring The Counting Crows. She is a familiar television commercial actress and last night, I caught up with her by phone to get a report on this past November's "EVVY" Awards Show.

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On Saturday afternoon, November 10, 2007 the Annual New York "EVVY" Fashion Award was presented to Fashion Designer Frances Hendy whose Menswear creations gave been worn by Missy Elliott, P. Diddy, The Back Street Boys, N'Synch and actors Terence Howard and Mario Van Peebles. Also honored was Seniorita Lolita De La Vega , former Editor of Temas Magazine. Bandleader Pucho of "Pucho & The Latin Soul Brothers" was presented the"EVVY"Achievement Award for 2007.

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The Enzian Ski Club of New York and New Jersey received the "EVVY" Achievement Award 2007 for its International prowess and for making their love of the sport more accessible to local Winter sports lovers for over four decades.

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Producer/Host of "The View" Barbara Walters sent a message of best wishes to Florette. The year of remembrance included recognition of John Birks--"Dizzie" Gillespie whose music was played throughout the program by The Bernice Brooks Trio and Pucho & The Latin Soul Brothers.

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A portion of the proceeds from "EVVY" events benefit the educational and personal needs of New York City Foster Children. Florette founded The Annual New York "EVVY" Fashion Awards in 1974 to recognize New York as a world fashion leader. Contributions are still being accepted by "EVVY" Cultural Interchange, 251 E. 29th Street, Studio LLB, Brooklyn, New York, 11226-6372.

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TAMING THE DRAGON!

Bruce Lee

"I think the high state of martial art, in application, must have no absolute form. And, to tackle pattern A with pattern B may not be absolutely correct."

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Some time ago, those of you who have been on this ("Ahem!...") unique journey of mine may have recalled a story where I played a role in helping a girl being attacked and kidnapped in broad daylight in a shopping center parking lot. Quick action and the Police nabbed the perpetrators. While a rather long stretch, I feel completely justified in using this rather extreme example (and Bruce Lee's quotation above) in describing how and why I remained in my pajamas yesterday from the moment the Fed Ex delivery man rang my doorbell in the morning (and I took delivery of my new laptop computer), to "Taming the Dragon"--with new bells and whistles through my work out in the early evening. Whoa! Let's "talk trash" for a moment here.

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I have been noticing cautious comments on many of your Blogsites about "Vista" by Bill Gates. Yesterday, not coincidentally, was the first time I swore in 2008--and perhaps no one could understand the reason I did so better than CNN's Lou Dobbs! How many times have you called for "technical support" on a product and wound up talking to someone in another country? This is ridiculous! We are cannibalizing our manufacturing in this country to "outsourcing" with record numbers of unemployed. To add insult to injury, I was asked to register with MSN. I'm going on record to tell you MSN and AOL are lousy. They unload so much garbage onto customers' computers that is simply unnecessary. So far, I've eluded them. And for seven hours I was --to use a great man's movie title, "Taming the Dragon". In conclusion, I'm perfectly happy with my Honda CRV and could care less about owning a Lamborghini (even though I love cars). Just keep it simple. Oh, by the way...as a follow-up: No, I haven't taken karate lessons yet. But I was disciplined enough not to attack my new laptop computer. In summary, I'd characterize yesterday as a "rough first date" with the latest software from Mr. Gates. We'll have to eventually come to a truce. Any similar "Vista" stories out there? Do tell!

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ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND WITH A SMILE :D))!

BUDDY RICH FANS UNITE!

It's hard to fathom this, I know. But On September 30, 2007, Buddy Rich would have been 90 years young! "The World's Greatest Drummer" may be gone, but a spectacular new CD titled, "TIME OUT," a collection of some of Buddy's never before heard live performances (recorded with Buddy's permission in the mid-70's) on the road over a period of two years by Buddy Rich Band alumnus, Alan Gauvin is out and about! The tracks include:

1.) Goodbye Yesterday

2.) Machine

3.) Bouncin' With Bud---(My personal Favorite!)*

4.) Readymix

5.) Senator Sam

6.) Party Time

7.) Joy Spring

8.) Funk City-Ola

9.) Loose

10.) Time Out

11.) Chicago

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I was very lucky to see Buddy Rich and the Big Band "Live" twice. Both in my 20's. In fact, I saw Buddy play a gig at Richland College in Dallas just weeks before his untimely passing. He was a bit paunchy, but here was the guy I had seen endlessly on "The Tonight Show" and who drove himself (and his band) relentlessly. He was quite a perfectionist and couldn't understand anyone not giving 100% of themselves as he did. A bigger-than-life persona, he could do one hand drum rolls where the entire concert venue was hushed listening to him raise and lower the volume! Even a mid-air blinding display of stick solos left us all thinking; "Am I really seeing this or what?" He was amazing! When he passed away, I had written a poem that morning called "Buddy Rich" and sent a copy to Buddy's wife and one to fellow drummer and pal, Johnny Carson. Johnny actually wrote me a letter back on his own stationary with his signature. I have never been able to find that letter and I am not one to loose anything. But he told me he was very moved by what I wrote and that he missed his friend. Carson rarely sent letters from what I am told and I remember securing it in a vinyl album cover to keep it preserved. Yes, I opened every one of the vinyls I have four times (including two weeks ago while sitting on the floor). No good. If you have never seen this man in action, catch a DVD or this CD. Whether Neil Peart of "Rush", Carl Palmer of "Emerson, Lake and Palmer" or Bill Bruford of "Yes", Buddy was to jazz what Elvis was to "The Beatles". As Buddy once said: "Genius is the light that ignites itself".

"FRIDAY MOVIE SUGGESTION NIGHT" PRESENTS: SILVER STREAK!

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Arthur Hiller directs our first film "out of the gate" for 2007 and it is funny if you like "silly humor". Writer Colin Higgins (who gave us "Harold and Maude" and "Foul Play") pairs up Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor for the first time and the results are hilarious! Not to be missed: Gene Wilder seducing Jill Clayburgh into his train cabin where there is only talk--no nudity, but after umteen bottles of wine the dialogue is side-splitting. Wilder asks her "Wanna see my new shoes?" and holds up his foot. THAT's "silly humor". The Plot is as diabolical as you'd expect. A book editor who looks a bit worse for the wear (Wilder) thinks that he sees a murdered man thrown from the train while on a cross country trip from Los Angeles to Chicago. The problem is nobody believes him! So, he launches his own "investigation" and winds up having the killer go after him! After being thrown from the train, wanted by the police, and joining forces with a car thief to re board the train to save his love (Clayburgh) many found this to be a spoof on Alfred Hitchcock movies. To me it spoofs just about everything! I think this movie is a GREAT way to start the New Year! The Cast: Gene Wilder is George Caldwell; Jill Clayburgh is Hilly Burns; Richard Pryor is Grover Muldoon; and Ned Beatty is Bob Sweet. So, grab a pillow, a blanket, light the fireplace, and curl up to this comedy!

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ENJOY!

HOPE YOUR NEW YEAR WAS NICE!

It sure is different here in Phoenix. Our temps are in the high 40's to low 50's by day and high 30's by night. Quite tame. But the desert is gorgeous and the mountains are very soothing. Which reminds me...

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My friend ALLY has eclipsed $4,600 on her site "ALLY That Glitters" for the American Gold Star Mothers. This was a phenomenal feat for such a late time of year. I'm off to practice my guitar and get ready for our first "Friday Movie Suggestion Night" post on Thursday (and to catch up with you)!