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Showing posts from December, 2023

One Life

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Yesterday I went to the Events Cinema Carindale to see the movie One Life which it's based on an true story. It's 1938 and London banker Nicky Winton(Johnny Flynn) goes to Prague and saw the state of the Jewish refugees which he plans to get the children out of there to go to London as the situation with the Nazis about to invade the city and with the help of his mother Babi(Helena Bonham Carter) as well as getting the legal requirements and finding homes for them as there was an race against time and 50 years later Nicky(played by Anthony Hopkins) is haunted by the fate of the children that he was not able to help which then an appearance on British TV that he see some of them. It is sad, touching, Brilliant and Superb with FANTASTIC and BRILLIANT acting by Anthony Hopkins, Helena Bonham Carter, Lena Olin and Jonathan Pryce. It is directed by James Hawes and produced by Joanna Laurie, Iain Canning, Emilie Sherman and Guy Heeley. This is another great peformance by Antho

A look at 2023

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I Want My Money Back Lee Gordon by Bob Hayden

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This is the book about American entrepreneur and promoter who promoted shows in Australia with the Big Show Lee Gordon and in this book has articles about Lee Gordon between 1955-2018 as well exceprts from biographies by people like Australian singer Diana Trask, Alan Heffernan, Max Moore(both worked for Lee Gordon) as well as Johnny O'Keefe Rocker Legend Wild One by Jeff Apter, the Wild One by Damian Johnstone and many others. It is FANTASTIC, BRILLIANT and SUPERB with FANTASTIC and AWESOME stuff in the book including the programs as well as photos of the performers on stage in Australia. Bob Hayden who has written books about the Australian music scene of the era has done an FANTASTIC job putting the book with great research and it is well worth an read. it is 60 years since the passing of Lee Gordon and the impact he made on Australian music and entertainment should never be ignored as he paved the way for people like Kevin jacobsen, Michael Chugg, Michael Gudinski, Paul Dan

Trolls Band Together

Yesterday I went to the Hawthorne Cinema with My brother and Nieces to see Trolls Band Together. Long after the split of BroZone Branch(Justin Timberlake) and his girlfriend Poppy(Anna Kendrick) are at the wedding of her best friend Bridget (Zooey Deschanel) to Gritsle (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) when Branch's oldest brother Johnny Dory(Eric Andre) interrupted the wedding and reveals to Branch that Floyd(Troye Sivan) their younger brother has been kidnapped by Velvet(Amy Schumer) and Veneer(Andrew Rannels) who are wannabe pop stars and Floyd is trapped in an diamond perfume bottle which the only way to break the diamond is to get BroZone to sing together again. Branch along with Poppy and Tiny Diamond (Kenan Thompson) go in an van to go to get the other brothers Spruce aka Bruce(Daveed Diggs) and Clay (Kid Cusi) and it gets interesting. it is excellent, very funny and very entertaining with excellent performances by Justin Timberlake, Anna Kendrick, Zooey Deschanel and Amy S

Unsung by Kate Ceberano

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This is the illustrated memoir by Australian Kate Ceberano and in this book tells stories about different experiences including quitting school, encounters with KD Lang and Kirstie Alley and performing at the Royal With The Royals concert as well as collection of photography and art work. It is excellent, FANTASTIC and BRILLIANT wth FANTASTIC, impressive and very entertaining stories and it is well worth an read. Kate ceberano will be doing shows during 2024 including the Opera House in Sydney and Tamworth during January as well as 2 shows at Phillip Island in January as well an show in Cairns on March 16th. This is an must for Kate Ceberano fans as well as Australian music fans and I give it 4 stars as it's in the shops now so do yourselves an favour and BUY IT which you will be impressed and amazed.

Ringside by Rod Willis

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This is the memoir of former manager of the iconic Australian rock band Cold Chisel Rod Willis and in this book he talks about his upbringing in Sydney, his parents split, seeing live music around Sydney, going to London in 1966 on the boat, seeing the live music in London, started as an roadie with UFO and Savoy Brown , working in Europe and America, came back to Australia in 1977, discovered Cold Chisel who would become their manager that would last 32 years and would take them to great success, playing an part in establishing the Dirty Pool Management Agency, his 2 marriages, worked at Regular Records, encounters with Fleetwood Mac, Foreigner, Icehouse, Michael Coppel and Michael Gudinski and many others. It's FANTASTIC, AWESOME and SUPERB with AWESOME and BRILLLIANT stories as well as very impressive and very entertaining which it is well worth an read. It's an amazing journey for Rod from seeing live music, to being an roadie and tour manager and an manager of an i

Being Henry The Fonz and Beyond by Henry Winkler

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This is the autobiography of American actor Henry Winkler and in this book he talks about his upbringing in New York, his relationship with his father, Going To Emerson College and Yale Drama School, worked at the Manhattan Theatre Club, made an film called the Lords Of Flatbush, auditioned for the role of Arthur "The Fonz" Fonzarelli on the iconic show Happy Days which he got it and would play the role for 10 years, doing films like Night Shift, Heroes, The Waterboy and Down To You, doing directing as well as being exceutive producer for shows like MacGyver, A Smoky Mountain Christmas and Sightings, directing movies including Cop and A Half, working with Ron Howard, Katherine Hepburn, John Ritter, Garry Marshall, Dolly Parton and Sally Field, doing other TV shows Arrested Development, Children's Hospital, Royal Pains and Barry which he won an Emmy and many others. It is FANTASTIC, BRILLIANT and SUPERB with FANTASTIC and AWESOME stories as well as very entertaining

Sons of Beaches by Bill McDonough

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This is the memoir of musician and member of the legendary Australian rock band Australian Crawl Bill McDonough and in this book he talks about his upbringing in North Balwyn and Mount Eliza with his brother Guy, the passing of their father in 1966, playing in bands Glass Onion, Sam Blank, The Untouchables with his brother Guy and Spriff Rouch, going on the trip to Bali, Christmas Island and Europe, played in Spiff Rouch, the Flatheads and Loose Trousers, joined Australian Crawl in 1978 which he was with them for 5 years playing on 3 albums as well as writing the classic hits Downhearted and Shut Down, working with David Briggs, Glenn Wheatley, Mike Chapman, Willie Nelson, Cold Chisel, Dragon and Goanna, his being sacked from Australian Crawl in 1983, the passing of his brother Guy in 1984 and many others. It is FANTASTIC, BRILLIANT and SUPERB with FANTASTIC, AWESOME and Impressive stories as well as very entertaining which it is well worth an read. This is the first book written

Too Hot by George Brown

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This is the autobiography of musician, songwriter and an member of the Legenday American group Kool and the Gang George Brown and in this book he talks about his upbringing in Jersey City, starting playing drums at an young age, joined an band called Jazziacs, The Jazz Birds and the Soul Town Revue, becoming Kool and the Gang who would achieve success with hits including Jungle Boogie, Summer Madness, Celebration, Too Hot, Get Down, Ladies Night and many others, his 3 marriages, working with people with people like Elton John, Earth Wind and Fire and Van Halen and many others. It is FANTASTIC, BRILLIANT and SUPERB with FANTASTIC, BRILLIANT and Impressive stories as well as very entertaining with it's well worth an read . George Brown passed away recently after an battle with cancer but the great he music he made with Kool and the Gang will live on forever as the book was out recently and the group now with original founding member Robert "Kool" Bell are still performin

Wonka

On Sunday I went to the Dendy Cinema Coorparpoo to see the movie Wonka. Willy Womka(Timothee Chalamet) arrives in London to establish his own chocholate shop which he bunks as an boarding house owned by Mrs Scribbet (Olivia Colman) and goes to Galeries Gourments to introduced hoverchocs which it's chocolate makes people fly that leads to 3 rival chocolatiers owned by Arthur Slugworth (Paterson Joseph), Gerald Prodnose (Matt Lucas) and Felix Fickelgruber(Mathew Baynton) calling the Chief of Police to confinscate his earnings for disrupting their businesses and selling without a chocolate stor. Wonka is then captured and is in the launderette with 5 other people including Noodle(Calah Lane) and Abacus Crunch(Jim Carter). Becoming aware of Chocolate Cartel involving rival chocolatiers Wonka makes Mrs Scribett and Bleacher (Tom Davis) fall in love and plans his escape to sell his chocolate with the help of noodle that would include going to the Zoo where he milks Abigail the Giraff

Head Full Of Music by Cliff Richard

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This is the new book by British singer Cliff Richard and in this book he talks about the songs that has played an part of his life as well as songs that influenced him as well as stories behind it including Heartbreak Hotel by Elvis Presley that got him into music, Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley and His Comets which Cliff saw him live in 1957, The Kalin Twins with When whch Cliff toured with them in 1958, Great Balls of Fire by Jerry Lee Lewis which Cliff and the Drifters before they were called the Shadows saw him live in 1958, Move It that launched Cliff Richard on the music scene and many others as well as many other great stories including the missed opportunities to meet Elvis Presley and Little Richard. It is FANTASTIC, AWESOME and SUPERB with FANTASTIC, AWESOME and BRILLIANT which it is well worth an read and you are going Cliff's journey through the songs that had an impact on it which it's just amazing. It's 65 years ago when Cliff Richard emerged on the

Fleetwood Max @ Kedron Wavell

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Last Sunday I went to Kedron Wavell to see the Fleetwood Mac tribute act Fleetwood Max who are from Melbourne and it was my first time seeing them. I caught the bus to CHermside from the city, had a look at JB Hi Fi and walk to Kedron Wavell. Went to the Kitchen, had chicken schnitzel, chips and Salad for lunch, drank Coke With No Sugar, ate Sundae, had another coke with No sugar and write notes. Went to the Blue Pacific Room, went to the men's room which I put on an Fleetwood Mac Shirt, use mobile, saw Barbara who works there and drank Coke With No Sugar. The show started at around 3.05pm with Fleetwood Max coming on stage and in the first set they performed many of the Fleetwood Mac classics from the 70's and 80's as well as the stevie Nicks solo hits with Sue Jones doing both the Stevie Nicks lead vocals and Christine McVie lead vocals on those Fleetwood Mac songs as well as Jordan her son doing the Lindsey Buckingham lead vocals. There was an interval which I had an

The Complete Collection Dinah Lee

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This is the 3 CD boxed set The Complete Collection of legendary New Zealand singer Dinah Lee and on this 3 CD set it has the hit singles from the 60's including Don't You Know Yockomo, Reet Petite and Do The Blue Beat, album tracks, live recordings and jingles as well as recordings from the 70's as well as 2006 and 2016 and there is an booklet which had has fantatsic stuff including comments from Peter Williams from max Merritt and the Meteors and Dave Miller from the Dave Miller Set as well as photos including some never been seen before. It is AWESOME, BRILLIANT and SUPERB with AWESOME and FANTASTIC songs that has stood the test of time which they still sound great today as it did back then and still gets played on radio in Australia and New Zealand. Dinah Lee as I mentioned in my last review about the collection CD has just done an NZ tour with Tami Neilson as well as shows in Australia for the Good Old days of Rock and Roll tour with Little Pattie, Jade Hurley,

Yentl Barbra Streisand

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It is 40 years ago this year when the soundtrack album Yentl was released as well as the movie that starred Barbra Streisand who did the album and it went to number 9 in the USA, number 21 in the UK and number 24 in Australia and also from the album it had the hit singles The Way He Makes Fell and Papa Can You Hear Me which was number 26 on the US Adult Contempoary Adult Charts and No matter What Happens which was released in the UK. It was produced by Barbra Streisand herslef along with Marilyn and Alan Bergman, Dave Grusin and Phil Ramone with Michel Legrand doing the arranger and conducting . it is now out on CD as an double CD set which the first CD has the original tracks that was on the album and on the second CD it has the unreleased demos as well as 2 different versions of Papa Can You hear Me and others. It is FANTASTIC and BRILLIANT with FANTASTIC songs that has stood the test of time and they sound as great today as it did back then. This is an must for Barbra Streisa

Evergreens Celebrating Six Decades on Columbia Records Barbra Streisand

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This is the new compilation by legendary American singer Barbra Streisand and it celebrated 60 years when Barbra Sterisand joined up with Columbia Records which the songs on the album have chosen by Sterisand herself including an unreleased track from 1997 as well as an an remix of her 1976 hit single Evergreen as well as mainly album tracks from over 6 decades. It is FANTASTIC and Excellent with Great songs which hold up very well and sound great today as it did back then. it has been an year for Barbra as she has released her autobiography as well as the reissue of her 1983 album yentel whhich was the soundtrack album from the movie she starred in. This is an must for Barbra Streisand fans and I give it 4 stars as it's in the shops now so do yourselves an favour and BUY IT which you will be impressed and amazed.

G'Day G'Day Slim Dusty

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It was 35 years ago this year when Australian country singer Slim Dusty released the album G'Day G'Day which went to number 78 in Australia which it went Gold and from the album had the hit single which was the title track written by Rob Fairbairn went to number 37 in Australia and also the album is now out on CD. On the album which has the original tracks that was on the album back in 1988 with tracks written by Slim Dusty himself, Rob Fairbairn, Tony Jewel, Ernie Constance, Russell james, Barry Forrster and Alistar Jones and there is no extra bonus tracks on it . It is FANTASTIC and BRILLIANT with FANTASTIC songs which has stood the test of time and still sound as great as it did back then. It's been 20 years since the passing of Slim Dusty but the great music he made still lives on and holds up very well. This is an must for Slim Dusty fans and I give it 4 stars as it's in the shops no so do yourselves an favour and BUY IT which you will be impressed and a

Totally Hot Olivia Newton John

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It's 45 years ago this year when Olivia Newton John released the album Totally Hot which was produced by member of the Australian group the Strangers and the Shadows John Farrar and it went to number 7 in the USA pop charts, number 4 in the USA country charts, number 30 in the UK and number 7 in Australia which from that album had 2 hit singles A Little More Love and Deeper Than The Night. It went platinum which was her first one and it was her first top 10 album in 3 years since the Have You Never Been Mellow album and it is now on CD. on the reissue album that is out now it has just the original tracks that was on the album and there no bonus tracks this time. It is FANTASTIC and BRILLIANT with FANTASTIC songs that has stood the time and still sound great today as it did back then. 1978 was an big for Olivia due to the movie Grease playing Sandy which she was the good girl and wore the leather at the end of the movie which was the transformation and the cover on the album sho

Cliff With Strings My Kinda Life by Cliff Richard

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This is the new album by Cliff Richard and it is combining with past recordings from the 7 decades of recordings with the orchestra arrangements done by German Composer and producer Chris Walden which among them Living Doll, The Young Ones, The Best Of Me, Suddenly with Olivia Newton John and many others as it celebrates 65 years since Cliff Richard came on the music scene in 1958. It is FANTATSIC and BRILLIANT and the combination works so brilliantly which it sounds so great and Chris Walden has done an Fantastic job. He and James MacMillian produced the album and it went to number 5 in the UK which was Cliff Richard's 48th Top 10 album which it's an huge achievement. Cliff Richard has just done an British tour and this an must for Cliff Richard fans which 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 will be impressed and amazed.

Accentuate The Positive by Van Morrison

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This is the new album by legendary Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison and this is an covers album which he does covers of classic rock and roll, R&B and Country songs which included When Will I Be Loved, Shakin All Over, Blueberry Hill, You Are My Sunshine, Lucille amd many others as well as among the musicians who played on the album including Taj Mahal on some tracks and legendary British singer Chris Farlowe sings on 1 track as well as Jeff Beck before he passed away. It is excellent and FANTASTIC with great songs as well as great singing by Van Morrison who is still sounding great at 78 and he sings those songs very well as well as singing it his way. It went to number 39 in the UK and this is an must for Van Morrison fans which I give it 4 stars as it's in the shops now so do yourselves an favour and BUY IT which you will be impressed and amazed.

Mixing Up The Medicine A Retrospective by Bob Dylan

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This is the compilation CD by legendary American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan and it is the companion piece to the book that was recently released written by Mark Davidson and Parker Fishel. On this CD it has the classics including Blowin In The Wind, Hurricane, Knockin on Heaven's Door, Lay lady Lay, All Along the Watchtower and many others. It is excellent and FANTASTIC with FANTASTIC songs that stood the test of time which the songs still sound great today as it did back then. Bob Dylan has just done an American tour and this is an must for Bob Dylan fans which I give it 4 stars as it's in the shops now so do yourselves an favour and BUY IT which you will be impressed and amazed.

The Gospel According to Marcia by Marcia Hines

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this is the new album by legendary Australian singer Marcia Hines and it has covers of legendary gospel songs including Amazing Grace, Oh Happy Day, What A Friend We Have In Jesus, How Great Thou Art, Morning Has Broken and many others. It is an FANTASTIC album with FANTASTIC song with great singing by Marcia Hines who is still sounding great at age 70 and it was produced by Joe Giuseppe Accaria who also played drums and percussion. It went to number 2 on the Australian Independent label albums charts and number 15 on the Australian Artists Album charts. Marcia Hines has just played in Brisbane this afternoon at Rock The Bay and is in the Grease musical on New Years Eve at Her Majesty's Theatre Melbourne and in March 2024 at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney as well as doing Australian Idol TV show as one of the judges next year too. This is an must for Marcia Hines fans and I give it 4 stars as it's in the shops now so do yourselves an favour and BUY IT which you will be impre

The Collection Dinah Lee

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This is the CD compilation by legendary New Zealand singer Dinah Lee and it's the single CD called The Collection that I am reviewing as there is the 3 CD set called the Complete Collection which I will be reviewing that soon. On the CD it has the hits from the 60's including Don't You Know Yockomo, Reet Petitie, Do The Bluebeat, Can't Believe What You Say as well as other recordings from 1964-2016 as well as 2 Jingles she did in the 60's as well as an 16 page booklet which Dinah tells stories on it. It is FANTASTIC, AWESOME and ROCKIN with FANTASTIC songs that has stood the test of time which they still sound great today as it did back then. This album went to number 3 in the NZ Top 20 album charts and didn't do anything in Australia. Dinah toured parts of Australia including Brisbane for the Good Old Days of Rock and Roll throughout the year with AUstralian music legends Jade Hurley, Digger revell, Lucky Starr and Little Pattie and did some New Zealand sh