The idea of watching a documentary about a recording studio, or more specifically, a mixing board, directed by Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl didn’t exactly inspire a lot of excitement, but as it turns out, Sound City, the film and the album, is much better than I expected.
Click here to read the entire review, listen to a track from the album and watch the film trailer.
This 1966 feature brings together the talents of Francois Truffaut, Ray Bradbury, Julie Christie, Oskar Werner, Bernard Herrmann and Nicolas Roeg. And while the film isn’t without its charms, it’s ultimately something of a disappointment considering the talented individuals who were involved.
And just who is Patty Schemel, you may ask. Patty was the drummer for Hole during the mid-1990s. During that time she found herself surrounded by the classic rock & roll excesses of sex and drugs. She became good friends with Kurt Cobain, toured the world, played on Live Through This and came very close to not surviving the decade.
Click here to read the entire review and watch the trailer for Hit So Hard.
The less you know about Bernie, the more enjoyment you are likely to get out of watching the DVD…so feel free to stop reading at any time. In short, Bernie is a film about a much-beloved resident of a small town in Texas who befriends an elderly widow and then kills her. The twist is…or one of the twists is…the townspeople think so highly of Bernie, the District Attorney must move the murder trial to another town in order to get a jury that will willing to convict him, even after his confession.
Click here to read the entire review and watch the trailer for Bernie.
You might think the market on Rolling Stones-related product had reached its saturation point. Just recently there has been the Charlie Is My Darling film, The Stones Live In Texas ’78 concert, Muddy Waters & The Rolling Stones at the Checkerboard Lounge 1981, The Stones In The Park 1969 and Stones In Exile. But Brett Morgen’s new film proves that there is still more to know about the band, now celebrating its 50th year together.
Click here to read the entire review and watch the trailer for the film.
Patti Smith is one of those artists whose every concert should be recorded and released. I’ve seen her more times than I can remember and every show has been different. While it’s true that she has on occasion been a bit sloppy, forgetting lyrics or flubbing and intro or two, more often than not magic will take place at some point during the evening. Curiously (and frustratingly) there have been no Patti Smith live albums released over the 35-plus years she’s been performing, save a dodgy radio broadcast or two. That’s why this set, recorded at the 2005 Montreux Jazz Festival, is so important. Finally, the intensity and spontaneous rock & roll passion of a Patti Smith concert is available for all to see.
Click here to read the entire review and watch a clip from the DVD.
It’s not a long film…just over an hour…but it captures The Rolling Stones at the peak of their first major success. Satisfaction has just hit number one, the fans are screaming like extras from A Hard Day’s Night and Mick and Keith are just hitting their stride as songwriters. It was a great time to be a Rolling Stone and the five band members are clearly enjoying themselves. Best of all, Charlie Is My Darling crackles with rock and roll energy as generated by The Stones both on and off stage.
Click here to read the entire review and watch the trailer for the film.
When Paul released Kisses On The Bottom earlier this year, I found myself enjoying, or at least admiring his interpretations of pre-rock standards such as Bye Bye Blackbird and It’s Only A Paper Moon more than I expected. Interestingly, this DVD featuring McCartney and co performing virtually the same songs at the Capitol Recording Studios in Hollywood proves that sometimes more is less.
Click here to read the entire DVD review.
Forty-four years after The Doors performed at the Hollywood Bowl, comes the release of the show on Blu-ray, DVD and CD. Yes, it’s been released previously, back in the days of VHS, but it’s never looked or sounded this good. And, three previously unreleased songs have been painstakingly restored by Doors producer Bruce Botnick.
Click here to read the entire review and listen to a track from the show.
Wait around long enough and it’ll eventually see the light of day. Magical Mystery Tour, The Beatles’ much-maligned 1967 TV special has finally been released on DVD and Blu-Ray, complete with outtakes, mini-docos and commentary by Paul McCartney. So, how does the programme hold up 45 years after it was first released? Does it still deserve the bad reputation it garnered over the years or will seeing it in a newly-remastered form with surround-sound audio reveal it to be a work of comic genius?
It's All-Kiwi trivia night this Tuesday at BackBeat. Come on down!
The 13th Floor spoke to R&B legend Bobby Womack on the eve of his show at Auckland's Civic Theatre.
The Star Trek crew is back as J.J. Abrams plunges them Into Darkness.
Click here to read the 13th Floor review of Star Trek: Into Darkness.
 Killing Joke's Jaz Coleman hosts his own radio show exclusively on The 13th Floor |
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 Flying Nun's Roger Shepherd Plays His 30 Fave Nun-Songs L |
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 The 13th Floor's Marty Duda spins a few favourites. |
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 Caitlin Smith shares some of her most-loved tunes. |
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 Miriam Clancy spins a few tunes. |
Luke Thompson & Lydia Cole
May 1 – Nelson – The Free House
May 3 – Dunedin – The Church Café
May 4 – Christchurch – Wunderbar
The Gunslingers’ Ball
May 3 – Wellington – Bodega
May 4 – Wairarapa – Carterton Events Centre
LatinAotearoa Album Release Party
May 3 – Auckland – Goldfinch Lounge
Matt Langley
May 3 – Dunedin – Chicks Hotel
May 4 – Lyttelton – Naval Point Yacht Club
May 5 – Auckland – Kings Arms
May 9 – Wellington – Mighty Mighty
Midge Marsden & Chet O’Connell
May 3 – Christchurch – Pierside Cafe
Prowler, Neo Kalashnikovs & Filth Dog
May 4 – Auckland – Lucha Lounge
Jello Biafra & The Guantanamo School Of Medicine
May 7 – Wellington – Bodega
May 8 – Auckland – Powerstation
Tool
May 8 & 9 – Auckland – Vector Arena
Afrika Bambaataa
May 9 – Auckland – The Studio
Norma Jean, Cold By Winter & Antagonist A.D.
May 10 – Auckland – Kings Arms
May 11 – Henderson – Zeal West
Dave Dobbyn
May 11 – Christchurch – The Bedford At CPSA
May 18 – Auckland – Paddington Live
May 25 – Wellington – Bodega
May 26 – Wairarapa – King Street Live
Beth Orton
May 17 – Wellington – Old St Paul’s
May 18 – Auckland – Holy Trinity Cathedral
They Might Be Giants
May 17 – Wellington – Bodega
May 18 – Auckland – The Studio
Tommy Ill
May 17 – Christchurch – Dux Live
May 18 – Auckland – Kings Arms
May 24 – Wellington - Puppies
Bobby Womack
May 18 – Auckland – The Civic Theatre
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 Charles Bradley Victim Of Love Soul survivor returns with 2nd album of Daptone-style r&b |
 The Strokes Comedown Machine Is this the last gasp for the once-mighty band? |
 Chelsea Light Moving Chelsea Light Moving Thurston Moore's first post-Sonic Youth effort. |
 Various Artists Sound City Dave Grohl rounds up a few friends...Paul McCartney, Josh Homme and Trent Reznor among them |
 Ducktails The Flower Lane Real Estate side project shows promise |
 Wilco's Jeff Tweedy Tweedy talks about producing Mavis Staples and concert etiquette. |
 Bonnie Raitt Veteran rocker discusses her latest album, Slipstream |
 Mavis StaplesMavis talks about her upcoming album and 60 years of musical highlights.  The Bads Dianne Swann gives up the stories behind the songs of their excellent new album.
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 Fleetwood Mac's Rumours 35th Anniversary Edition |
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 Marianne Faithfull Broken English Deluxe Edition |
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 Sassafras & Moonshine: The Songs Of Laura Nyro |
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 R.E.M.'s Document: 25th Anniversary Edition |
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