Things that make me happy… The Last Wailer

April 17, 2011,

Things that make me happy… The Last Wailer

Spring time rocks!!  Winter is over and its time to for things to start growing again, much like a new beginning.  Maybe that’s why I always find myself reconnecting with my roots this time of year.  For me that includes Jamaican culture, in specific food and music.  As I prepare for my helping of Easter bun and cheese and the beginning of mango season, I figure I would explore something new. Let’s start with some music history… 

How much do you remember about the reggae legends like Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Peter Tosh, Beres Hammond, Barrington Levy, Shabba, and Super Cat?  I remember as a kid, my parents listening to Bob Marley and Wailers blasting throughout the house as I finished my chores (yes, I had chores despite popular belief.) There aren’t many artist producing music that can stand the test of time the way the legends have.

I didn’t realize that there is only one member of the Wailer still alive? 

Bunny Wailer still is alive and kicking and living in Jamaica.  Most people don't know that Bunny taught Marley alot about music. Talented in his own right, he was one of the founding member and was sort of an older brother to Bob.  It's good to hear that, he occasionally still does music but spends most of his time in his home near Kingston. He recently did an interview in a magazine and discussed not only music but the current state of Jamaican politics including a good explanation of the recent Kingston violence associated with the capture of Jamaican drug kingpin Dudas.  Bunny seems to be a supporter of this man and thinks of Dudas as a good man caught in bad Jamaican politics. There a quick history lessons of the creation of the garrison system (and the political parties PNP and JLP) and the lasting the effects on Jamaican society and government for those that may interest.

Link to article
The Last Wailer Music: GQ.com

If you want to hear some of Bunny classic songs…

Reincarnated Souls

http://youtu.be/-7Tv052M_kE

He Who Feels It Knows It

http://youtu.be/zuZWf-w46m0

Moses Children

http://youtu.be/wWjh5zed-F4

Innocent Blood

http://youtu.be/oyaqijPqtP8

Sometimes its good to go exploring for new things. Never know what you might learn.  Well I am going to put Bunny in my playlist this week. And play some classic Marley this weekend when I do my chores…just like old times.

I am curious who did your parents' listen too when you were young?

Things that make me happy… Amateur Night at the Apollo

April 12, 2011,

Things that make me happy… Amateur Night at the Apollo

When was the last time you laughed so hard that your ribs hurt?  I remember years ago staying up late night to watch “It’s Showtime at the Apollo” featuring the always funny Amateur Night. 

Remember comedian, Steve Harvey, before he became a King of Comedy, radio, and now… relationship books? He was the show’s most famous and funniest host that guided amateurs to famous tree stump for luck before they hit the stage to an eagerly waiting crowd.  For some, the crowd cheered and supported, but others suffered a different equally entertaining fate. Every time Howard “Sandman” Sims tapped and chase a performer of the stage to the jeers of the audience I would crack up laughing.

Well, guess what? The show is in its 70^th year and still running strong. This week I took my first trek to the live Amateur Night at the Apollo and all I can its one of the best shows for the money ($19-$30 tickets) in NYC. There is no doubt that although the entertainment provided by the host, comedian Capone, the performers, and band is first rate, the star of the Apollo is still the audience.  In no other venue, is the audience (and yes its still mostly black) participation the critical part of the show.  And boy does the crowd get involved…

It starts with dancing in the aisle to a pretty good DJ dropping current hits that gets the crowd hyped up like any hip club in the city.  Next they have the young amateur portion with a few kids doing there best to entertain. I saw the cute little girl of 9 years old belt out an old R&B classic with all the attitude of a diva….So cute and funny. 

But then comes the main event, the amateur competition.  To be fair most other the performers were very good and certainly could sing. But the crowd just couldn’t wait for bad singers to come out and feel the wrath of the crowd. What is even more fun is getting the booing started and watching the wave of jeers overtake the cheers and then the sirens… And when the siren sounds and the new “Sandman” comes out and dances the poor performer off stage… it still is way too much fun. 

Anyways.. if your in the city and want to check out a good show. Try the Apollo, Wednesday nights at 7:30pm.  I am sure you will have fun and will surely laugh… I just hope your ribs do better than mine.

This is short video of one of the audience members getting down during intermission.  This makes me smile...

So… Can you remember the last time you laughed really hard? I would love to hear how long ago and what made you crack up.

Things that make me happy this week… Movie - Hanna

April 10, 2011,

Things that make me happy this week… Saoirse Ronan

This week I saw the new adventure thriller called “Hanna” starring a young Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana (from the movie Munich), and Hollywood leading actress Kate Blanchet, in this European style thriller that has a Bourne Identity look but without a engaging plot. This mean by the time you reach the end of the movie the payoff is just okay.  Along the way you have to endure some real funky scenes that have no real point in the movie. At least there was a great performance by the young Saoirse in the star role.

I like the young star Actress Saoirse in the role of Hanna. Although I think this movie makes me think twice about the merits of home schooling.  A young girl being raised by her dad in the isolated wilderness might be good for livestock, but not really for kids.

All in all, this is Bourne Identity meets Home Alone (without the humor). If you like European based thriller you will like this movie. By European thriller I mean long periods of quiet moments followed by intense action scenes. No in between.  But I think I could have waited for Netflix for this one. At best I would recommend Matinee not full price.

Things that made me LOL… the German bad guy. What’s up with the Mafia style tracksuit.

Refreshing… No forced out of place romance in this movie… Straight up spy thriller, no chaser!

And yes, I think this has sequel potential.

I am curious what other people think about this movie. I welcome you thoughts…

S.F. Guru

Welcome to my first blog...

Hello everyone!

This is my first attempt at a blog.  The purpose of this blog is to explore things that make people happy!  I think its the little things that we see and experience every day that makes people happy.  So this blog explores "Things that make me happy..." and hopefully things that make other people happy.

The context will be mostly pop culture items.  The main categories that I enjoy exploring are movies, TV, books, music, arts, and online media.  There may be some reviews and recommendations in this blog, as well as, hot trends in pop culture weekly.

So hopefully you find my musing fun and I hope to connect with more people for their thoughts on all things pop culture.

Bye for now... and I look forward to exchanging ideas.
KB