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George Baker Selection – Original.
George Baker Selection – Newer, Hipper version.
Heino!
Slim Whitman.
Nina & Mike.
The Spanish Caribe Hits.
Patricia Lavila.
Morelli and Napoli.
Conceived, composed, and realized by George Baker, Paloma Blanca soared to the skies upon its release in 1975, and has been covered by many since—yes, even/especially by Heino. But it is Johannes Bouwens {Baker} himself who is synonymous with this iconic piece.
Belgian maestro Jacques Brel seemed to set new standards for utterly authentic, godlike intensity, every time he took the stage; he seemed possessed, magical. He also created some of the greatest songs of the last century. He served, lastly, as a huge influence to aspiring songwriters/performers…not least of all, Scott Walker. {I included Scott doing “Fils de” at post’s end} A true titan.
Gilbert BΓ©caud. Monsieur 100,000 volts. A truly powerful performer, few {none}{Brel…??} could outdo The Creator. On the above Seul, Gilbert gives an intimate, and increasingly euphoric, reading, culminating in {playful} pianist-shoving and back-slapping, and finally, in blissful embrace, of himself. Monsieur 100,000 Volts was a marvel. Nathalie, perhaps his best-loved composition, could provoke the assembled multitude in Stravinsky-esque ways.
Revised: Massively. 7/6/2019.
Titans of Belgian, French, and American Performing. Jacques Brel. Gilbert Bécaud. Serge Gainsbourg. Jacques Dutronc. Claude François. And, of course: The Rod McKuen.
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The Roger Federer.
The 1999 Horror/Cult film Ravenous is a most unusual moving picture, even for one detailing the Wendigo exploits of certain individuals. Many comedic elements continue to pop up, often on the heels of a truly frightening passage. The musical score, by Damon Albarn and Michael Nyman, adds a very great deal to the proceedings. This singular cinematic endeavour starred Robert Carlyle, Guy Pearce, and Jeffrey Jones, with Carlyle in particular standing out. His Colqhoun/Ives character is both the slippery eel and the fulcrum of the film.
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The Tom Noonan.
The great (and quirky) character actor Tom Noonan, in 2 of his finest performances: in Wolfen; and in The X-Files episode Paper Hearts. There might be some Robocop 2 activities, as well. Perhaps also a jot of 1986’s Manhunter. Ok, 4 of his finest.
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Heino!
Heino, born Heinz Georg Kramm, is a legendary, iconic figure in the world of German music. Rousing pop versions of traditional songs became his trademark. And…he has a certain…something, all his own.
{Note: Revised 7/7/2019}
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Anton Chigurh.
The astonishing Cecil Taylor. Simply magical.
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The Wolfen.
The 1981 horror/conservationist film Wolfen, based on the novel by Whitley Strieber, stars Albert Finney, Edward James Olmos, Gregory Hines, and Tom Noonan. All give first-rate performances, with the quirky character actor Noonan in particular providing a can’t-take-eyes-off-of-him turn as Ferguson. A movie with a switch in the hero and antagonist roles, bestowing an atypical, noteworthy moral compass upon it.
Bideodromage 