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Showing posts from October, 2020

Hidden Treasures The Rarities Collection Volume 2 by The Seekers

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 This is the new CD by the legendary Australian group The Seekers which it's the second volume of the Hidden Treasures series as  Volume 1 was released in May. On this CD it has live recordings from NZ 1968 as well as the songs they performed at Expo 1967 as well as jingles and backing up Melbourne singers Adrian Usher and Pam Bradley  and it has the DVD  which has  the Seekers performance at Expo 67 that was shown on the ABC with Bobby Limb doing the intro. It's FANTASTIC, BRILLIANT and SUPERB with great songs as well as rarities and great to see their performance on DVD of the Expo show   which it's wonderful to see. It is well worth having in your collection and  to be enjoyed. This is an must for Seekers fans and I give it 5 stars as it's in the shops now so do yourselves an favour and BUY IT which you will be amazed and impressed. 

Rams

 Yesterday I went to the South Bank Cinema to see the Australian movie Rams. Two Brothers Les (Michael Caton) and Colin(Sam Neill)  who are sheep farmers and have been estranged for 40 years which they have been raising flock of sheep and then when Les'  prized sheep is diagnosed with a lethal and rare illness the authorities ordered to have  every sheep purged from the valley which puts the community in an situation. Les is defiant  while Colin hides some of the sheep to outsmart the authorities and it's up to them to save their flock as well as getting the community back together and putting aside their differences which gets interesting. It's excellent, very funny and very entertaining with great and excellent acting by Michael Caton, Sam Neill, Asher Keddie and Miranda Richardson. It is directed by Jeremy Sims who worked with Michael Caton in the Australian TV Show Chances from 1991-92 and  produced by Janelle Landers and Aidan O'Bryan. This is an feel good Australi

What Can I Do by Jane Fonda

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 This is the book written by legendary Hollywood actress and in this book she talks about moving to Washington DC last year (2019) where she started an weekly rallies protesting about climate change  and some of her Hollywood friends including Lily Tomlin, Sally Field, Rosanna Arquette as well as people like Bobby Kennedy Jr risking arrest and inspiring other people to join in  nonviolent civil disobedience as well as her personal journey  as an activist . It's FANTASTIC, BRILLIANT and SUPERB with great stories as well as impressive and an enjoyable read. Jane Fonda is about to do the final season of the TV show Grace and Frankie. This is an must for Jane Fonda fans and I give it 4 and an half stars as it's in the shops now so do yourselves an favour and BUY IT which you'll be amazed.  

More Than Love by Natasha Gregson Wagner

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 This is the memoir of Natasha Gregson Wagner who is the daughter of actress Natalie Wood and in this book talks about her mother's life as an child actress and an screen icon with movies like Rebel Without A Cause, Splendor In the Grass, Gypsy, West Side Story, her relationship with her mother, the relationship with her stepfather Robert Wagner (Daddy Wagner) and her father Richard Gregson an British film producer and screenwriter,   the tragic loss of her mother November 29th 1981  which has been  shrouded in rumours and scandalous tabloid speculation  which until now there has never been an account of what happened  and aftermath  which was experienced by Natasha, her issues with drugs, her acting career and others. It's BRILLIANT, FANTASTIC and SUPERB with great touching, impressive and entertaining stories told by Natasha and tells it very honestly  with great love and openly about how she dealt with her grief. It's 39 years since  the passing of Natalie Wood and the f

Brother Robert by Annye C Anderson

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 This is the book written by Annye C Anderson who is the stepsister of American blues musician Robert Johnson and in it she talks about Memphis in the 1920's and 1930's, Robert's starting playing music at age 7 playing guitar, memories by family members about Robert, Playing for children and house parties, his favourite things including food and entertainers, his sad passing in 1938, dealing with legal issues about the estate and many others. It's FANTASTIC, BRILLIANT and SUPERB with FANTASTIC and Impressive stories as well as enjoyable and entertaining and  it's great to see someone who remembers Robert Johnson as well as experiencing  the time as  still around to tell the story which it's amazing  to see. This is an must for blues music fans as well as fans of Robert Johnson  and I am giving it 4 and an half stars as it's in the shops now so do yourselves an favour and BUY IT which you will be amazed and impressed. 

Never Too Late

 Yesterday I went to the Events Cinema at Carindale to the new Australian movie Never Too Late. Jack Bronson (James Cromwell) along  with Angus (Jack Thompson) an ex AFL player, James Wendell (Roy Billing) and Jeremiah (Dennis Waterman) who had been Prisoners of War in Vietnam are reunited in an retirement village and they plan an break out of the retirement village  in an attempt  to achieve their dreams with Jack wants to marry Norma (Jackie Weaver) who knew each other before going to Vietnam, Angus who has Alzheimer's  wants to see his Brownlow Medal, James is estranged from his son Bruce (Shane Jacobsen) and Jeremiah want to sail and there are obstacles on the way but eventually happens and then it gets interesting. It's excellent, very funny, witty and very entertaining with great acting by James Cromwell, Jackie Weaver, Jack Thompson, Roy Billing, Denis Waterman, Shane Jacobsen, Max Cullen, Zachary Wan  and Renee Lim. It's directed by Marl Lamprell and produced by Ant

Do You Feel Like I Do by Peter Frampton

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 This is the memoir of legendary British singer and musician Peter Frampton and in this book he talks about his upbringing in South London and Bromley, started playing banjoele at age 7, getting his first guitar at age 8, playing in bands The Turbeats  and the Preachers,  joined an group The Herd who had some singles including I Don't Want Our Loving To Die, formed Humble Pie in 1969 with Steve Marriott  until 1971,  his solo career which including the hugely successful  album Frampton Comes Alive in 1976, working with Bill Wyman, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Harry Nilsson, Stevie Wonder, Pearl Jam, The Bee Gees, BB King etc, his friendship with David Bowie, his health issues with IBM (inclusion Body myositis) and many others. It's FANTASTIC, BRILLIANT and SUPERB with AWESOME stories as well as very entertaining and an great great read. Peter was due to do an Farewell European tour this year but due to covid not happening. This is an must for Peter Frampton fans and I give it

Johnny O'Keefe Discography 78s 45s EPs LPs by Bob Hayden with Don Hudson

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 This is the book about the Australian record releases of Australian rock n roll singer Johnny O'Keefe and it has information about the 78's, 45's, EP's and LP's from 1957-92 along with photos of Johnny O'Keefe and also about the Dee Jays which has some photos of them as the singles, LP's and EP releases of the Dee Jays. It's FANTASTIC, BRILLIANT and SUPERB and very well put together as well as very well researched by Bob and Don which they have done an FANTASTIC job putting it together. This is an must for Johnny O'Keefe fans as well as Australian rock and roll fans and I am giving this 5 stars which the only way you can get is to email at witcpublications@gmail.com 

Let Love Rule by Lenny Kravitz

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 This is the memoir of American singer-songwriter and musician  Lenny Kravitz and in this book he talks about his upbringing in New York, Brooklyn and Los Angeles, getting his first guitar at age 7, joining the California Boys Choir, played in an band called Wave, his relationship with his father Sy who was an news executive, His parent's divorce which his mother was Roxie Roker who played Helen in the American comedy show The Jeffersons, turning down every record deal, his marriage to Lisa Bonet who played Denise in the American comedy show The Cosby Home, signing to Virgin which he recorded Let Love Rule and others. It's FANTASTIC, BRILLIANT and SUPERB with Awesome and impressive stories as well as entertaining, sad and  amazing. This is co written with David Ritz  who has co written other autobiographies with Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, BB King, Etta James and others. I was surprised to learn the Lenny Kravitz's mother was on the Jeffersons. This is an must for 80'

The Sanest Guy In The Room by Don Black

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 This is the memoir of legendary British songwriter Don Black and in this book he talks about  his upbringing in Hackney, being an stand up comedian, working for NME(New Musical Express), working with Michael Jackson, Tom Jones, Matt Monro, Shirley Bassey, Quincy Jones, Van Morrison,  collaborate with Andrew Lloyd Webber,  stories behind the classic songs like Born Free, Diamonds Are Forever etc, his marriage to Shirley that lasted nearly 60 years when she passed away in 2018 and others. It's FANTASTIC, BRILLIANT and Impressive as well as witty and Very Entertaining with with great Fantastic stories and an enjoyable read  indeed. This is an must for music fans and I give it 4 and an half stars which it's in the shops now so do yourselves an favour and BUY IT which you will be impressed. 

Killing Time by Jimmy Barnes

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 This is the 3rd book written by Australian singer Jimmy Barnes and in this book he tells short stories about his ventures including going to japan with Cold Chisel member Don Walker on the ski slope, going to Thailand in 1980, encounter with Rod Stewart, going to Nashville in 2016 to record, encounters with Wayne Gardner and Craig Johnston the soccer player, being on holidays when Covid started happening and many others. It's FANTASTIC, BRILLIANT and SUPERB as well as Funny and very entertaining and an great great read which I loved it. The book has gone to number 1 on the Australian book charts and Jimmy has been performing on social media during covid. He has just done an show at Lizotee's  Newcastle 2 weeks ago  and next month at Rooty Hill as part of the Great Southern Nights show. This is an must for Jimmy Barnes fans which I give it 5 stars and it's in the shops now so do yourselves an favour and BUY IT which you will love it. 

The Meaning of Mariah Carey by Mariah Carey

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 This is the memoir of American singer Mariah Carey and in this book she talks about her parents splitting up as well as violence and fistfights  as well as arguments  with her older siblings,  achieving success with hits like Vision Of Love, I'll be There, Hero, Fantasy, Emotions and others, her 2 marriages, working with Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Boyz II Men, Bobby Brown, Encounters with Nelson Mandela, Stevie Wonder, Prince and many others. It's an FANTASTIC, BRILLIANT and SUPERB book with FANTASTIC stories as well as very entertaining and great read indeed which well worth an read. Mariah has also got an new CD out The Rarities and has an new single out called Out Here On My Own as well as an single back in August called Save the Day. This is an must for Mariah Carey fans and I give it 5 stars as it's in the shops now so do yourselves an favour and BUY IT which you will be amazed and impressed. 

Buy The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart on DVD from EzyDVD.com.au

Buy The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart on DVD from EzyDVD.com.au

The High note

 Yesterday I went to the Events Cinema to see the movie The High Note. Maggie Sherwoode(Dakota Johnson is an personal assistant for singer Grace Davis (Tracee Ellis Ross) who is still touring  but has not recorded new material for a decade  and is managed by jack Robertson (Ice Cube) who believes that she should perform in Las Vegas and released live albums rather than record new songs. Meanwhile Maggie is an aspiring record producer which in her time  remixes Grace's songs and then at an grocery store she meets inspiring musician David Cliff (Kelvin Harrison Jr)  and is impressed with his voice offers to record him despite lying about being an professional record producer . It is excellent and very entertaining as well as funny with excellent acting by Dakota Johnson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Ice Cube, Kelvin Harrison Jr, Zoe Chao and Bill Pullman. It is directed by Nisha Ganatra and produced by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner. I give it 4 stars as it's in the cinemas now and do yourselv

Max Merritt (1941-2020)

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 It has been 9 days when the news of the passing of legendary New Zealand-Australian singer Max Merritt was announced and I first knew about when I first it on Facebook at work (St Andrews War memorial Hospital)  which I was sad to hear that  but in the other way wasn't surprised as I knew he had not been in good health 13 years ago when he was diagnosed with Good Pastures Syndrome  which it is an disease that attacks the lung and kidneys. I first started to know the name Max Merritt and the Meteors was in an book  in late 80's-early 90's and it was in 1991 I first heard Slipping Away on the TV special  35 Years Of Television on Channel 9 when Australian TV then celebrated 35 years and also heard it on 4KQ. It was also on 4KQ that I first heard  their version of Zip A Dee Do Dah on Jukebox Saturday Night hosted by Dave D Whitcomb  and I like their version. I first saw Max Merritt live at Kedron Wavell  with my Mum Cath on Friday May 17th 2002  with Doug Parkinson  and It wa

Confess by Rob Halford

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 This is the autobiography of Rob Halford lead singer of the legendary British heavy metal rock band Judas Priest and in this book he talks about his upbringing in Walsall,  playing in 2 bands Athens Wood and Hiroshima, joining Judas Priest in 1973 who would go on to achieve great success with hit albums including British Steel, Screaming For Vengeance, Defenders Of The Faith, Turbo, Killing Machine and hit singles including Take On The World, Living After Midnight and Breaking The Law, working with AC/DC and  Def Leppard,  his sexuality, his issues with drugs and alcohol, leaving Judas Priest in 1992 to do solo work which he would return to the band in 2003 and many others. It's AWESOME, BRILLIANT and SUPERB with FANTASTIC stories and an FANTASTIC and Very entertaining as well as an great read. Judas Priest are still around but have not performed  due to Covid but are likely to tour Europe and North America in 2021. This is an must for Judas Priest  fans as well as heavy metal fan

The Secret Garden

 Last night I went to Balmoral Cinema with my niece Ani where we saw the Secret Garden and it was my first time going to the movies at night prior to Covid Friday March 13th . It's 1947  Mary Lennox (Dixie Egerickx) is found by the British forces  at her parents' home in British India  and  her parents are killed which she is sent to away to England to stay with her uncle Lord Archibald Craven (Colin Firth) in Yorkshire. She is met by the Craven's house servant Mrs Medlock (Julie Walters) who is strict and firm and orders Mary to stay in her room and not to move around. She meets the house servant Martha (isis Davis) and Mary starts to wander around the forest as well as eventually meets Lord Carven's son Colin (Edan Hayhurst) who is bedridden. Mary continues to wander through the forest and discovers an secret  Garden and it gets interesting. It is excellent, very entertaining and touching with  great acting by Dixie Egerickx, Colin Firth, Julie Walters, Isis Davis, Ed