My father, Wallace Berman, on The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper album cover. I believe the original photo is from Dean Stockwell.
Tosh and Kimley are joined by author Eric Wolfson to discuss his new book Elvis Presley’s From Elvis in Memphis (33 1/3). Elvis is a paradox who became the mold for all rock stars to follow. He was the King of Rock in the 50s and then the king of schlock in the 60s but made an impressive comeback with the release of this album in 1969 that reinforced his place in the rock ‘n’ roll pantheon. Going back to Memphis where he started and working at the gritty, down-to-earth American Sound Studio helped him create what is considered by many to be his best studio album.
Links to Eric’s social media:
www.fromelvisinmemphis.com
Twitter: @FromElvisIn333
Instagram: @PresleyDayByDay
Theme music: “Behind Our Efforts, Let There Be Found Our Efforts” by LG17
"Who Is Lun*na Menoh?" premiere is at the Portland International Film Festival. Online showing. Screening online Fri, March 5 – Sun, March 14. Tickets here: Who Is Lun*na Menoh?
“Who Is Lun*na Menoh” follows the life and work of the extraordinary Japanese artist. From her early career in Japan to the underground music scene in Los Angeles, from fashion show runways featuring her sculptural designs to art galleries showing her fantastical work, Lun*na’s edgy, witty and beautiful creations are explored.
Director Jeff Mizushima follows Lun*na’s artistic career, showcasing her uniquely individual expressionism and interviewing her family, gallery owners, models, fans, and fellow visual artists & musicians to find out who and what Lun*na Menoh is and why her art, in all of its forms, fits in our world.
Directed by Jeff Mizushima
81 mins | United States | 2020
Documentary
February 12, 2021
The last two albums I purchased are David Bowie's "Look At The Moon (Live Phoenix Festival 97)" and The Screamers Demo album's recent release. And that, I think, are the last albums I buy in 2021. I'm interested in purchasing a compilation of recordings by Mazouni called "Un Dandy en Exil," A Leys Bruno E.P., and Forever Pavot's "La Pantoufle." That will not happen due to my financial situation, which is bleak. No, not grim; sorry, it's nonexistent.
One needs to live with what they have. Do I need those three records? Well, yes, of course. I can play the music on the YouTube website. At least they have Mazouni on the website. I'm drawn to his music, which he sings in French. Still, he's from Algeria, and the music is a combination of Yé-Yé and North African drones and strings. Imagine the Master Musicians of Joujouka if they were a pop band. Sometimes the electric guitar work sounds like Lou Reed/Sterling Morrison but in Algiers instead of Manhattan. Due to the virus, one is pretty much a prison in one's home, and it's music by Mazouni that takes me to another place, another world.
I play his music and look outside my window, and now it's night. I can see the stars, and it is almost like they are mocking me because I'm down here, and they are up above. Today the weather was clear, and the sky was blue. There was wind throughout the afternoon. It felt good being outside my door. I had to go in because there were some people not wearing face coverings coming toward my home. I went in and played Mazouni. I had a craving for hummus and maybe salted chips, but none in the household. I had popcorn instead, and it's good. Today is a good day.
The year 2008 was all about Sparks. In a few moments of madness, and without money, I decided to go to London to write a book on Sparks' "21 Albums in 21 Nights" series of concerts, where on each night they would focus on a specific album. From beginning to end, and then for an encore, they would do a b-side or a rare recording from that period of time they recorded that album. Believe it or not, the purpose of these shows was to announce their new album in 2008, "Exotic Creatures Of The Deep." A record with bouncy melodies and great beauty. I had so much fun, but it was also a lot of work. What came out of this whole trip is my book "Sparks-Tastic. And I remember buying a collection of Anthony Newley recordings on CD at HMV on Oxford Street.
Today is the second anniversary of my book TOSH being released to the world. In actuality, it feels like a year ago, then two years ago, due to the Covid-19 world sort of erased 2020 for me. Still, I was fortunate to promote my book in New York, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles in 2019. Also, countless interviews with all sorts of media took place as well. Thank you, City Lights, for the pleasure of being with you (and still am). -Tosh Berman
There are many fine compilations out there regarding Serge Gainsbourg. I listed my favorite collections in the past, but this specific Gainsbourg is essential because it focuses on his soundtrack work. The cinema is very much part of the Gainsbourg landscape. This is a boxset with three-CDs, including bonus cuts, from the year 1959 to 1990. "Le Cinéma de Serge Gainsbourg - Musiques De Films 1959-1990" is a superb and a must-have retrospective of some of his more nuanced and even masterpiece works. The obscure to the famous is in the collection. - Tosh Berman
According to my detailed buying habits, in 2007 the only new music I purchased that year was Scott Walker's "And Who Shall Go To The Ball? And What Shall Go To The Ball?" Hardcore orchestration music for a Dance performed by CandoCo Dance Company. I think "Pola X" was the first all-instrumental score by Scott, but this album is a mixture of glitches and sometimes lush orchestration. In parts, it reminds me of Webern string quartets. Still, an intense listening experience. - Tosh Berman
A remarkable documentary by Edgar Wright on my favorite group, Sparks. I'll write a longer appreciation/thoughts on the film shortly. Still, I want to recommend people to see this excellent work. I'm in it! Beyond that, it's still super good. More later!
February 4, 2021
Today Facebook is 17-years old. A mere teenager on the entranceway to being an adult. Where would I be without Facebook? Or bigger question, where would you be without Facebook? Before Facebook, I was quite happy to be on MySpace and then before that Friendster. I started being creative on MySpace by writing a daily diary directly to their website. Some reason or another, I became a Facebook member, and why I left for one social platform to the other is a mystery to me. I remember Facebook people at the time would rather be caught dead than be on MySpace. Facebook had a loyal fanbase, and memory doesn't serve me well why that was or is the reason. At the time, I think Facebook was more comfortable to use.
I have to point out the importance of Facebook to me and my writing. On news years eve, 2013, I decided to post an essay/fiction/journal entry every day in 2014. I posted the writings on my personal Google blog (Blogger) as well. Every morning I would wake up around 6:30 morning and started my research that day. It took me about an hour to figure out what I'm going to write about, and then by 11 that morning, I would post the piece on Facebook as well as my blog. For me, Facebook is a canvas for me to work on. I got a fair amount of readers, as well as people commenting on the pieces. So, right away, I got attention for my work. The negative thing about Facebook is its censorship time-to-time and obviously mining out personal information regarding your 'likes' and commentary. It's not uncommon to comment on something and then see the ad for that product or political party show up on your Facebook feed and even outside the website.
I have never been upset with Facebook because I know I'm a guest here, and the site is by no means my property. I don't have to pay rent, nor do I have to click on items brought to my attention. Still, it's difficult to ignore something or get emotionally involved, where you feel you must click to 'like." The Facebook community has done harm. We see that by the rise of Right-Wing Militant groups and others who use the platform to spread false reports or news. One can say the same for the Left, but I'll let that slide since I sympathize with The Left. Not only will I let that slide, but I will never leave Facebook. Even before the virus, I felt the strains of alienation and being separated from the landscape. By being with Facebook, I often felt outraged over someone's post or stance in life. I often think about it in the middle-of-the-night while trying to fall asleep.
Facebook is like having a boyfriend, girlfriend, or the other. You have to input information, thoughts, insight, and anger to make the social platform into something primarily vital in one's life. You can't win on Facebook, but you can survive. At times it is like watching a road accident took place, but one should just move on and go on to the other posts. It's interesting to note how personal Facebook can be. For instance, Mark chose the blue color design due that he's color-blind. That, maybe just a myth. But then again, Facebook itself is a myth. Happy 17th Birthday Facebook.
Of all the mediums, besides the music, of course, a theatrical play would be best to tell the narrative of Joe Meek. For one, I can't picture him being outside of his apartment/flat/studio. I think at least 90% of the photos I have seen of Meek's in the studio working or posing in front of his recording equipment, which also has tons of reel-to-reel tapes thrown on the floor. In a manner, he reminds me of looking at photos of the painter Francis Bacon in his tiny and messy studio. Meek and Bacon share a sexual orientation as well as a love for being in their studios making art/commerce. Their work is enormous and went beyond their studios. Still, in an everyday life situation, both were chained to their work and studio.
Nick Moran with James Hicks (that's the billing on the book cover) is a very accurate and crystal clear series of Meek snapshots at work. Dealing with the issues of rent with his understanding landlady, who he eventually murders in the act of insanity, as well as with his love/artist Heinz, and the various and somewhat dedicated musicians who worked with Joe. In a way, the Meek narrative works itself as a play. Joe Meek being in the studio was a total theater experience. It seems he was always on the brink of complete disaster, but on the other hand, he was a genius. Not the greatest songwriter, but truly a master of sound and how it conveys emotions and sexuality to the listener. Although I suspect he wasn't aware of France's Musique-Concrete composers, he did use similar techniques of using noise. Such as throwing pebbles into a toilet. Also capturing the pounding foot-stomping from his staircase for the amazing "Have I The Right" by The Honeycombs.
This is a somber narration, but putting together such a fascinating group of people in the Meek studio, therefore his world, is an excellent read. The chances for me to see this play on stage are probably non-existent; still, I get the show after reading the play.
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