OUT OF OFFICE

STELLA ****

Films like STELLA really brighten my days! This genuine story of a 11-year-old heroine whose parents run a boisterous working-class bar, takes off when the girl enters an exclusive Paris middle school. The film subsequently tells about Stella’s everyday struggles to survive at school and at home where she finds solace with the daughter of an intellectual Argentinean Jew and some lowlife barfly. The film splendidly depicts a melancholic 1970s feel and the acting is simply wonderful. For her third feature film, Paris born director Sylvie Verheyde turned to her own childhood for inspiration and the result is a moving yet unsentimental coming-of-age drama that I can’t praise enough. Definitely a must-see!

RIP Ray Topping

I once shared two words with this walking encyclopedia of American roots music at the Blues Estafette in Utrecht. Seemed like a real nice fellow. Thanks for all those great Ace compilations, Ray!


Ray with Jules Bihari 1979

Ray Topping obituary with tributes from colleagues and friends
Don't forget to read the wonderful tributes at the bottom!

THE WEIRD AND NOT SO WEIRD - Mixtape

Here's the link to a new mixtape by my pal Miguel. It's all punk rock & roll this time so shove the furniture aside and go ape!

Tracklisting:
01 Eddy Current Suppression Ring - You let me be honest with you
02 Snake Flower II - Flight of the Navigator
03 Turpentine Brothers - Why can't I do
04 A.H. Kraken - Allan Müller
05 France has the bomb - World Of Mirrors
06 Jay Reatard - Painted Shut
07 Wooden Shjips - Shrinking moon for you
08 Nothing People - Cracked Actor
09 Land Action - Song for Michael Vick
10 Livefastdie - Sick as shit of shit
11 Fag Cop - My daddys got white trash friends
12 Civil Victim - Cop town
13 Needles - Blocked out
14 Barbaras - Summertime Road
15 Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - Green cotton sweater (version)
16 Hearts of Animals - Stars Say No
17 Davila 666 - Basura
18 Box Elders - 2012
19 Plexi 3 - We Know Better



Snake Flower 2 Live at a party in SF 2007 by Canderson

One day when nobody’s watching – PHIL LEE

Here’s a song that I must have played a thousand times; a wonderful declaration of love by former truck driver and honky tonk poet PHIL LEE. This song comes from his 1999 debut album ‘THE MIGHTY KING OF LOVE’ which Phil released when he was almost 50. Last year, his third record 'SO LONG, IT'S BEEN GOOD TO KNOW YOU' got rave reviews everywhere and – shame on me - I still do have to check that one out, as well as his second record from 2001. I think I’m gonna order both CD’s today because Phil Lee is what I call the real thing!

Do you ever wonder what it would feel like to be with me
the way I wonder what it would feel like to be with you?
Laying in a big old bed, doing things we shouldn’t do
saying some things better left unsaid

I know I shouldn’t say nothing,
I talk too much it’s true
One day when nobody’s watching
I’m gonna tell you how I feel about you

I guess you know I like you, anyone could tell I like you
well it goes a little deeper than that
Oh no, it’s not some whim, I know you’re dedicated to him
I will not interfere with that

One day you’re just gonna know it
It’ll come from out of the blue
One day when you least expect it
I’m gonna tell you how I feel about you

I know all of this is wrong, that’s why I’m leaving you all alone
it’s the honorable thing I do
And that’s not like me a bit, I’m known to take all I can get
all of that was before I met you

If you see me with some little honey
it’s gonna be just something to do
One day I’m gonna surprise you
I’m gonna tell you how I feel about you

I know I shouldn’t say nothing
I talk too much it’s true
One day when nobody’s watching
I’m gonna tell you how I feel about you
I’ll tell you that I’d like to touch you
I’ll tell you that I’d like to kiss you
One day when I should probably keep my big mouth shut
I’ll tell you that I do love you

One day when nobody’s watching – PHIL LEE mp3

Sons of the pioneer

Tom and William Ravenscroft, sons of the late John Peel, were recently guests on Tom Robinson’s BBC 6 programme “Introducing with Tom Robinson”. Two hours of great new music by bands you’ve probably never heard of. You can listen to the show or download it here. For more info about Tom and William, visit the Unpredictable Porridge (William) or the Channel 4 (Tom) websites.

Here’s the tracklisting:
a.ICE, SEA, DEAD PEOPLE - Hence:Elvis
b.CRYSTAL ANTLERS - Vexation
c.TEP - Plouf
d.LARKIN GRIMM - Ride That Cyclone
e.2 HOT 2 SWEAT - Your Space or Mine
f.PAUL WHITE - For You and For Me
g.ASS - I've Been Here
h.FUCKDRESS - Suburban Nietzsche Freak
i.ZOMBY - Strange Fruit
j.DOC DELAY - 5
k.MIDORI HIRANO - Null
l.ELECTRICITY IN OUR HOMES - Some Marvels
m.ZOMES - zomes
n.KING OF SPAIN - Bacon
o.THE FRENCH QUARTER - Bold With Fire
p.FABULOUS DIAMONDS - LP3
q.ROLO TOMASSI - Oh Hello Ghost
r.THE LOST LEVELS - Early Sheets
s.VIVIAN GIRLS - Going Insane
t.ELLIOT WHALE BOY - Drain the River Drown the Tree
u.PHOSPHORESCENT - Wolves
v.PARTYSHANK - Penis Vs Vagina
w.SPHINCTERWOLF - Pemix

Music For Jackofficers

Are you ready for the dancefloor? Here’s a link to an early 80's coldfunk, postpunk and electro compilation my pal Miguel has just made. Let me know if you dig it & I’ll ask Miguelito for more mixtapes!



Tracklisting:

01) Material - Disappearing
02) A Certain Ratio - Day One
03) Liquid Liquid - Cavern
04) 23 Skidoo - vegas el bandito
05) Pop Group - Justice
06) Spandau Ballet - Chant Number No 1
07) Tina Weymouth - Incognito
08) Pyrolator - Ein Weinachtsmann kommt in die Disko
09) Kraftwerk - Vitamin
10) The Slits - In the Beginning
11) Konk - Your life
12) Yello - Bostich
13) Quando Quango - Love tempo (remix)
14) Lora Logic - Stop, halt

Why do they hate the West so much, we will ask

Robert Fisk: Why do they hate the West so much, we will ask

OK, shoot me. I’m a terrible blogger. In fact, I don’t even know why I launched this damn thing at the time!

My problem is that I can’t decide what to do during my valuable spare time. Should I continue reading that great novel? Should I jump in my car and go see a good movie? Or should I watch one at home? But maybe I should first listen to some good music then? Or search the internet for some long lost gems? Hey wait, did I already listen to those new records in the mail? It gets even worse with age…

Needless to say, updating this blog isn’t a forerunner in my daily to-do list so no hard feelings if you delete my blog from your favorites list, really.

Talking about lists, I find it very hard to make a year end list as far as music is concerned. I just haven’t heard a lot of exciting new music in 2008. That said, I purchased a lot of terrific reissues and compilations last year and I promise that I’ll list ‘em all before the weekend.

I did see a lot of great movies in 2008 so maybe I should start with my film list:

1. IMPORT/EXPORT

"A shocking but brutally honest movie that feels like a knockout punch."

2. THERE WILL BE BLOOD

"A modern day masterpiece of blistering intensity. Really, this is an enthralling and powerfully eccentric American movie of epic dimensions!"

3. HUNGER

"A visually stunning and barbaric movie that never feels willfully arty, no matter what the press says. Some years ago, I saw a brilliant video installation by this conceptual artist and first-time feature filmmaker at the Venice Biennale and I am glad that his first feature film didn’t disappoint to say the least!"

4. THE BANISHMENT

"A gloomy and intriguing film about a disintegrating family, somewhere between Bergman & Tarkovsky."

5. LA GRAINE ET LE MULET (THE SECRET OF THE GRAIN)

"A touching, humanistic drama about an immigrant family in southeastern France. I loved every second of this 151 minutes pic!"

6. DELTA

"An apocalyptic, atmospheric drama, set on the Romanian Danube delta."

7. LUST, CAUTION

"Ang Lee is a true master and this grim love story is a rich and fascinating espionage thriller."

8. TWO LOVERS

"A romantic movie to cherish: so genuine and heartfelt, so real and powerful!"

9. LE SILENCE DE LORNA

"The Dardenne brothers did it again! Another urgent human drama that never ceases to fascinate."

10. UNSPOKEN

"This second feature by Belgian director Fien Troch is truly absorbing, challenging and magical. The film got under my skin and as soon as I left the theatre, I felt the urge to watch UNSPOKEN again."

11. THE MAN FROM LONDON

"Another Béla Tarr; another totally unique film noir murder mystery from Hungary."

12. WONDERFUL TOWN

"This debut feature from Bangkok-born, American-educated Aditya Assarat takes place in a seaside town in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami and evolves from a tasteful romance into a brutal tragedy."

13. SZTUCZKI (TRICKS)

"The Polish candidate for the foreign-language film Oscar is a bitter-sweet children’s movie that stole my heart!"

14. EL CANT DELS OCELLS

"Contemplative but totally wicked, this is a film that has to be seen on the big screen for sure!"

15.MUTUM

"A captivating story of a disintegrating family in a remote area of Brazil. A personal film festival discovery!"

16. CHARLY

"Another personal film festival favorite that I’ll cherish for the rest of my days! Isild Le Besco est une grande dame!"

17. NIGHT AND DAY

"It would be hard to imagine a film festival without the latest Hong Sang-soo! His preoccupation with the confused male psyche always makes my festival day!"

18. HONEYDRIPPER

"The feel-good movie of the year and a wonderful tribute to the blues!"

19. INTO THE WILD

"A powerful and poetic road movie with a hero in search for truth and beauty. A reflective and captivating journey for sure!"

20. I can't chose between NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, ENTRE LES MURS, LA VIE MODERNE, BURN AFTER READING, I’M NOT THERE, HELP ME EROS, PLOY (minus the ridiculous ending), SECRET SUNSHINE, L’HEURE D’ETÉ, THE BAND’S VISIT and WALTZ WITH BASHIR.

I also enjoyed watching THE REBIRTH, THE SUMMER SOLSTICE, LES AMOURS D’ASTRÉE ET DE CELADON, PURE COOLNESS, ALLEIN IN VIER WÄNDEN, SAD VACATION, LIFE TRACK, LA ZONA, NIGHT TRAIN, BREATH, BEYOND THE YEARS, JUNUN, THE YEAR MY PARENTS WENT ON VACATION, PÁRPADOS AZULES, ANDALUCIA, MUNYURANGABO, SUKIYAKI WESTERN DJANGO, WENDY & LUCY, WITH A GIRL ON BLACK SOIL, TULPAN, SNOW, SWEET FOOD CITY, KATYN, THE SONG OF SPARROWS, IN LOVE WE TRUST, KABULI KID, ADORATION, LA RABIA, GOD MAN DOG, ELLE VEUT LE CHAOS, MY MAGIC, AUTUMN, GOMORRA, SHULTES and TWO-LEGGED HORSE.

I almost felt a physical repulsion against ELEGY, the most hypocritical & fake movie I have seen in ages!