Madonna‘s songs ruled the 1980s and the 1990s. However, one song proved that she could have been a 1950s goddess if she had been born at a different time. Interestingly, the track was inspired by a movie star.
Madonna wrote a love song inspired by Sean Penn
Madonna had a high-profile relationship with actor Sean Penn. During a 1986 interview with The New York Times, the Material Girl revealed that Penn inspired her to write “True Blue.” The track was supposed to represent Penn’s “pure vision of love.” She called the song “True Blue” because that was one of Penn’s favorite sayings.
“True Blue” is a 1950s/1960s style doo-wop love song. Part of what makes it better than its influences is the way it plays with tone. The track is bright and sunny in parts but it also acknowledges how the search for true love can be a struggle.
Madonna wrote a love song inspired by Sean Penn
Madonna had a high-profile relationship with actor Sean Penn. During a 1986 interview with The New York Times, the Material Girl revealed that Penn inspired her to write “True Blue.” The track was supposed to represent Penn’s “pure vision of love.” She called the song “True Blue” because that was one of Penn’s favorite sayings.
“True Blue” is a 1950s/1960s style doo-wop love song. Part of what makes it better than its influences is the way it plays with tone. The track is bright and sunny in parts but it also acknowledges how the search for true love can be a struggle.
- 5/30/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Joni Mitchell had a big moment back on stage.
After making a surprise appearance at the Newport Folk Festival last year, over the weekend, the 79-year-old Canadian music legend headlined her first concert in 20 years.
Read More: Joni Mitchell Biopic In The Works From Director Cameron Crowe
The “Echoes Through the Canyon” concert at the Gorge Amphitheatre in Quincy, Wash. on Saturday featured co-headliner Brandi Carlile.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Brandi Carlile (@brandicarlile)
The three-hour show, dubbed the “Joni Jam”, saw the iconic artist performing classics and deep cuts from her long body of work, as well as cover songs.
Mitchell and Carlile were also joined by a slew of guests, including Sarah McLachlan, Annie Lennox, Allison Russell, Marcus Mumford, Blake Mills, Lucius and more.
Fans were delighted to hear Mitchell perform classics like “Both Sides Now”, as well as covers of standards like “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess,...
After making a surprise appearance at the Newport Folk Festival last year, over the weekend, the 79-year-old Canadian music legend headlined her first concert in 20 years.
Read More: Joni Mitchell Biopic In The Works From Director Cameron Crowe
The “Echoes Through the Canyon” concert at the Gorge Amphitheatre in Quincy, Wash. on Saturday featured co-headliner Brandi Carlile.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Brandi Carlile (@brandicarlile)
The three-hour show, dubbed the “Joni Jam”, saw the iconic artist performing classics and deep cuts from her long body of work, as well as cover songs.
Mitchell and Carlile were also joined by a slew of guests, including Sarah McLachlan, Annie Lennox, Allison Russell, Marcus Mumford, Blake Mills, Lucius and more.
Fans were delighted to hear Mitchell perform classics like “Both Sides Now”, as well as covers of standards like “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess,...
- 6/13/2023
- by Corey Atad
- ET Canada
Joni Mitchell has been one of the most honored musicians of this century. She’s picked up honors from the Kennedy Center, Library of Congress, the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, and an honorary degree from the Berklee College of Music.
But something was missing. Save for a surprise set at the 2022 Newport Folk Festival, you could’t buy a ticket to a Joni Mitchell concert.
That changed Saturday night, as the 79-year-old Mitchell returned to the stage at the Gorge Amphitheater in Quincy, Washington. The momentous occasion was marked by guest performances by Annie Lennox, Brandi Carlile, Blake Mills, Lucius, Sarah McLachlan, Marcus Mumrod, Celisse, and Taylor Goldsmith in an ensemble performance dubbed the “Joni Jam.”
Twitter was ablaze with multiple videos from the concert.
Carlile was the emcee as well as a performer. The ensemble performed hits from the vast Mitchell catalog, including “Big Yellow Taxi,” “Night Ride Home,...
But something was missing. Save for a surprise set at the 2022 Newport Folk Festival, you could’t buy a ticket to a Joni Mitchell concert.
That changed Saturday night, as the 79-year-old Mitchell returned to the stage at the Gorge Amphitheater in Quincy, Washington. The momentous occasion was marked by guest performances by Annie Lennox, Brandi Carlile, Blake Mills, Lucius, Sarah McLachlan, Marcus Mumrod, Celisse, and Taylor Goldsmith in an ensemble performance dubbed the “Joni Jam.”
Twitter was ablaze with multiple videos from the concert.
Carlile was the emcee as well as a performer. The ensemble performed hits from the vast Mitchell catalog, including “Big Yellow Taxi,” “Night Ride Home,...
- 6/11/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Joni Mitchell staged her first publicly-announced concert in two decades at the Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Washington on Saturday.
The 79-year-old singer-songwriter initially made her return to the stage in August 2022 during a surprise appearance at the Newport Folk Festival. She subsequently announced a standalone headlining show as part of Brandi Carlile’s three-night concert event “Echoes Through the Canyon.”
With the assistance of Carlile and a bevy of guest musicians, Mitchell presented a 24-song performance that featured some of her most enduring hits. She kicked off the show with “Big Yellow Taxi” from Ladies of the Canyon. Marcus Mumford accompanied her on “Come in From the Cold,” and Blake Mills sat it on “Amelia.”
Annie Lennox joined Mitchell on “Ladies of the Cannon,” and Sarah McLachlan accompanied her on “Blue.” Other notable performances included “A Case of You” with Mumford and Carlile; “Cactus Tree” with Lucius; “Young At Heart...
The 79-year-old singer-songwriter initially made her return to the stage in August 2022 during a surprise appearance at the Newport Folk Festival. She subsequently announced a standalone headlining show as part of Brandi Carlile’s three-night concert event “Echoes Through the Canyon.”
With the assistance of Carlile and a bevy of guest musicians, Mitchell presented a 24-song performance that featured some of her most enduring hits. She kicked off the show with “Big Yellow Taxi” from Ladies of the Canyon. Marcus Mumford accompanied her on “Come in From the Cold,” and Blake Mills sat it on “Amelia.”
Annie Lennox joined Mitchell on “Ladies of the Cannon,” and Sarah McLachlan accompanied her on “Blue.” Other notable performances included “A Case of You” with Mumford and Carlile; “Cactus Tree” with Lucius; “Young At Heart...
- 6/11/2023
- by Scoop Harrison
- Consequence - Music
The box was about two feet high and made out of wood, a rudimentary but useful tool to allow Jerry Blavat to get an unencumbered view of his dancers at bars and clubs that didn’t have a proper stage. In his later years, Blavat, a diminutive but supremely influential DJ, placed the box in the middle of the dance floor, hopped upon it like a king on his throne, and began what to some might be considered a shtick, but to those in Philadelphia was the soundtrack of their...
- 2/9/2023
- by Joseph Hudak
- Rollingstone.com
Rolling Stone interview series Unknown Legends features long-form conversations between senior writer Andy Greene and veteran musicians who have toured and recorded alongside icons for years, if not decades. All are renowned in the business, but some are less well known to the general public. Here, these artists tell their complete stories, giving an up-close look at life on music’s A list. This edition features drummer Chester Thompson.
When Chester Thompson joined Genesis as a drummer for the Wind and Wuthering tour in 1977, he had every reason to think...
When Chester Thompson joined Genesis as a drummer for the Wind and Wuthering tour in 1977, he had every reason to think...
- 2/4/2021
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
In a recent episode of our Rolling Stone Music Now podcast, Smokey Robinson looked back at his astonishing run of hits at Motown Records in the 1960s, and much more. Some highlights follow; to hear the entire interview with Robinson (who has a new autobiographical Audible release, Smokey Robinson: Grateful and Blessed, out now), press play below, or download and subscribe on iTunes or Spotify.
Decades before Kanye West promised to fix “Wolves” post-release, Motown founder Berry Gordy re-recorded “Shop Around” after it was already in stores.
“The record had...
Decades before Kanye West promised to fix “Wolves” post-release, Motown founder Berry Gordy re-recorded “Shop Around” after it was already in stores.
“The record had...
- 12/1/2020
- by Brian Hiatt
- Rollingstone.com
“Harmony, harmony, harmony — no band, no nothing,” explains Charlie Thomas of the Drifters in director Brent Wilson’s Streetlight Harmonies, a new doc tracing the history of doo-wop (premiering tonight on VOD). Doo-wop could be swoony and romantic, playful and mischievous. It was the sweet-voiced sibling to the insouciant rock & roll being made at the same time, and genre classics like “I Only Have Eyes for You,” “In the Still of the Night,” “I Wonder Why,” “Speedoo,” and “Why Must Fools Fall in Love” remade the sound of syncopated pop...
- 3/31/2020
- by David Browne
- Rollingstone.com
Billy Dee Williams,” says Billy Dee Williams, ticking off the syllables with a well-manicured index finger. “Billy . . . Dee . . . Williams.”
He repeats himself three more times in his musical baritone before unleashing one of the 20th century’s most seductive smiles, satisfied he’s made his point. “There are certain individuals whose legacy you will never forget,” he says, taking a sip of his Tuesday-afternoon beverage, a vodka-lemonade concoction. “I’ve always tried to create this — Billy Dee Williams.”
Williams, who turned 82 in April, came out of semiretirement to reclaim the...
He repeats himself three more times in his musical baritone before unleashing one of the 20th century’s most seductive smiles, satisfied he’s made his point. “There are certain individuals whose legacy you will never forget,” he says, taking a sip of his Tuesday-afternoon beverage, a vodka-lemonade concoction. “I’ve always tried to create this — Billy Dee Williams.”
Williams, who turned 82 in April, came out of semiretirement to reclaim the...
- 12/5/2019
- by Brian Hiatt
- Rollingstone.com
With Diahann Carroll’s death having been announced Friday, and with Judy Garland mania in as full a swing as it’s likely to ever be in the 21st century, due to the biopic “Judy” having just landed in theaters, there could be no better moment in history — at least since 1964 — to take a look back at the time when these two legends met up for a television duet.
They paired up on Garland’s weekly prime-time show 55 years ago to sing a duet of Harold Arlen and Richard Rodgers songs. If you’re thinking that Arlen and Rodgers were not a songwriting team, that was part of the gambit: The two of them took turns singing one classic songwriter’s work or the other’s. “You sing Arlen and I’ll sing Rodgers,” Carroll says at the beginning of the flip. “Roy Rogers?” asks Garland.
Carroll had good reason...
They paired up on Garland’s weekly prime-time show 55 years ago to sing a duet of Harold Arlen and Richard Rodgers songs. If you’re thinking that Arlen and Rodgers were not a songwriting team, that was part of the gambit: The two of them took turns singing one classic songwriter’s work or the other’s. “You sing Arlen and I’ll sing Rodgers,” Carroll says at the beginning of the flip. “Roy Rogers?” asks Garland.
Carroll had good reason...
- 10/4/2019
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
Near the end of a recent conversation with Rolling Stone, in which he emphasized time and again that his musical tastes aren’t confined to any one style, eminent avant-gardist Anthony Braxton illustrated his point by sharing a nickname he’s earned from those close to him.
“My friends call me Anthony ‘Beefheart Boy’ Braxton!” he says cheerfully.
“He was totally creative,” Braxton says of the late Captain Beefheart. “His compositions were outrageously beautiful and original. His ensemble was really special. Some people talk of Captain Beefheart as a far-out rock musician,...
“My friends call me Anthony ‘Beefheart Boy’ Braxton!” he says cheerfully.
“He was totally creative,” Braxton says of the late Captain Beefheart. “His compositions were outrageously beautiful and original. His ensemble was really special. Some people talk of Captain Beefheart as a far-out rock musician,...
- 6/18/2019
- by Hank Shteamer
- Rollingstone.com
As wisecracking J.J. Evans on the hit 1970s sitcom Good Times, Jimmie Walker swept the nation with his catchphrase "Dyn-o-mite!" But in his mind, he never became a superstar. "People think it happened to me, but it didn’t," he exclusively told Closer Weekly in the magazine's latest issue, on newsstands now. "People knew who I was, but they knew who Charlie Manson was. Please, I’ll call you when I’m a superstar. I’ll say, 'Hey, remember me? Goodbye!'" Perhaps it’s this kind of humility that keeps Jimmie working so hard at 71. He still tours the country as a stand-up comic and recently released a special, We Are Still Here — available on Amazon, iTunes, and other platforms — with Police Academy sound-effects specialist Michael Winslow. The title "means, despite what some people in the industry are saying — you’re too old or out of style — we’re still here,...
- 8/25/2018
- by Closer Staff
- Closer Weekly
In conversation, it’s impossible not to fall head-over-heels for Ronnie Spector. Even over a tiny cell phone speaker, her strong voice bursts forth with electric excitement, full-bodied passion, and the occasional flirtatious giggle. It’s the voice—a mix of street tough New Yorker and tender schoolgirl vulnerability—that provided the heart, soul and swagger of the iconic ’60s group the Ronettes. Alongside her sister Estelle Bennett and cousin Nedra Talley, the trio scored hits with pop masterpieces like “Be My Baby,” “Walking in the Rain,” and “I Can Hear Music.” Spector’s incendiary live performances established her as...
- 6/24/2017
- by Jordan Runtagh
- PEOPLE.com
Over the course of 14 seasons, American Idol has had its fair share of uncomfortable moments.
Chris Daughtry serving up a “Wait, I got eliminated?” grimace. Paula Abdul critiquing a song Jason Castro was about 45 minutes away from covering. (Fret not, old girl will be back in a judging capacity this summer on Fox!) Danny Gokey trying to out-Adam Adam Lambert — and failing like a 5-year-old taking the AP Physics exam — on “Dream On.”
RelatedMay Sweeps Scorecard 2015: Weddings, Deaths, Breakups, Sex, Resurrections, Firings and More!
Tonight, however, The House That Spawned Two Terrible Movies: From Justin to Kelly and That Fantasia Barrino Mess on Lifetime,...
Chris Daughtry serving up a “Wait, I got eliminated?” grimace. Paula Abdul critiquing a song Jason Castro was about 45 minutes away from covering. (Fret not, old girl will be back in a judging capacity this summer on Fox!) Danny Gokey trying to out-Adam Adam Lambert — and failing like a 5-year-old taking the AP Physics exam — on “Dream On.”
RelatedMay Sweeps Scorecard 2015: Weddings, Deaths, Breakups, Sex, Resurrections, Firings and More!
Tonight, however, The House That Spawned Two Terrible Movies: From Justin to Kelly and That Fantasia Barrino Mess on Lifetime,...
- 4/16/2015
- TVLine.com
Are you gonna go their way, or will your TV be playing the sound of silence when American Idol‘s Season 14 Top 7 take the stage this Wednesday (8/7c on Fox) to perform not one but two “American Classics”?
RelatedMay Sweeps Scorecard 2015: Weddings, Deaths, Breakups, Sex, Resurrections, Firings and More!
To help you make up your mind, TVLine’s got your exclusive first look at the contestants’ song choices.
A couple of tunes on the set list have never been performed during the Idol voting rounds (hi there, “American Girl” and the aforementioned Lenny Kravitz jam), while others (“Superstition,” “Piece of My Heart...
RelatedMay Sweeps Scorecard 2015: Weddings, Deaths, Breakups, Sex, Resurrections, Firings and More!
To help you make up your mind, TVLine’s got your exclusive first look at the contestants’ song choices.
A couple of tunes on the set list have never been performed during the Idol voting rounds (hi there, “American Girl” and the aforementioned Lenny Kravitz jam), while others (“Superstition,” “Piece of My Heart...
- 4/13/2015
- TVLine.com
Gil Kaufman and James Montgomery debate which 'Then and Now' hits the 'Idol' top seven should tackle.
By Gil Kaufman and James Montgomery
Jessica Sanchez performs on "American Idol"
Photo: Fox
The "American Idol" top seven took on current hits last week, and look how well things turned out! Uh, wait, never mind.
Anyway, after Jessica Sanchez escaped elimination thanks to the judges' save (which officially marked the first time this season they've actually done something right), "Idol" producers decided to up the ante for Wednesday night's (April 18) show by letting the contestants sing both a #1 from the past decade — since it worked so well before — and a classic soul tune.
Yes, it's "Then and Now" week on "Idol," which, come to think of it, is a pretty apt way of viewing the show's steady decline. It also means we're going to see the usual front-runners strut their stuff: Sanchez will dominate a Beyoncé hit,...
By Gil Kaufman and James Montgomery
Jessica Sanchez performs on "American Idol"
Photo: Fox
The "American Idol" top seven took on current hits last week, and look how well things turned out! Uh, wait, never mind.
Anyway, after Jessica Sanchez escaped elimination thanks to the judges' save (which officially marked the first time this season they've actually done something right), "Idol" producers decided to up the ante for Wednesday night's (April 18) show by letting the contestants sing both a #1 from the past decade — since it worked so well before — and a classic soul tune.
Yes, it's "Then and Now" week on "Idol," which, come to think of it, is a pretty apt way of viewing the show's steady decline. It also means we're going to see the usual front-runners strut their stuff: Sanchez will dominate a Beyoncé hit,...
- 4/18/2012
- MTV Music News
Each week within this column we strive to pair the latest in theatrical releases to worthwhile titles currently streaming on Netflix Instant Watch. This week we offer alternatives to Woman in Black, Chronicle and W.E.
In theaters Friday Harry Potter goes ghostbusting, while teen boys with superpowers test the bonds friendship and the Material Girl tempts with her directorial debut that boasts true-to-life romance. If you’re desperately seeking more Gothic horror, superhero tales, and love-filled biopics, we’ve got you covered with the best what’s now streaming.
Danielle Radcliffe leaves magic behind to tackle the role of a young father and lawyer whose skeptical worldview is shaken when he comes face to face with a vengeance-seeking ghost in James Watkins’ gothic thriller. [Teaser]
Looking for more Gothic horror?
The Phantom of the Opera (1925) Silent film icon Lon Chaney secured his legacy with his gut-wrenching performance as the eponymous composer...
In theaters Friday Harry Potter goes ghostbusting, while teen boys with superpowers test the bonds friendship and the Material Girl tempts with her directorial debut that boasts true-to-life romance. If you’re desperately seeking more Gothic horror, superhero tales, and love-filled biopics, we’ve got you covered with the best what’s now streaming.
Danielle Radcliffe leaves magic behind to tackle the role of a young father and lawyer whose skeptical worldview is shaken when he comes face to face with a vengeance-seeking ghost in James Watkins’ gothic thriller. [Teaser]
Looking for more Gothic horror?
The Phantom of the Opera (1925) Silent film icon Lon Chaney secured his legacy with his gut-wrenching performance as the eponymous composer...
- 2/2/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
In an exclusive interview with The Daily Beast, the Fox News chief says Obama thinks differently from most Americans, defends Murdoch's Gop donations, and admits Beck sometimes goes too far.
Update: White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters Wednesday that he was not surprised by Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes quotes about President Obama to The Daily Beast's Howard Kurtz. "I think if you watch most of the programming on the channel, I don't think you would find many of those comments surprising," Gibbs said.
Related story on The Daily Beast: The Right's Democracy Hypocrisy
In the media world, as in politics, having a high-profile target can be a very good thing.
The age of Obama has provided a ratings boost for Fox News as its loudest personalities have relished the opportunity to play offense. Critics, of course, view Fox as an unabashed cheerleader for the Republican Party, an...
Update: White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters Wednesday that he was not surprised by Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes quotes about President Obama to The Daily Beast's Howard Kurtz. "I think if you watch most of the programming on the channel, I don't think you would find many of those comments surprising," Gibbs said.
Related story on The Daily Beast: The Right's Democracy Hypocrisy
In the media world, as in politics, having a high-profile target can be a very good thing.
The age of Obama has provided a ratings boost for Fox News as its loudest personalities have relished the opportunity to play offense. Critics, of course, view Fox as an unabashed cheerleader for the Republican Party, an...
- 11/17/2010
- by Howard Kurtz
- The Daily Beast
With the new tv show Undercovers premiering next month, starring the already oft-mentioned Gugu Mbatha-Raw, who I know best at Freema Agyeman’s (#1 on my ‘Wifey List’) sister on Dr. Who, and pretty-boy extraordinaire Boris Kodjoe, I thought I’d focus on what seems to be, in a good way, a proliferation of Black men on tv shows lately. Although these guys are supporting characters, they’re playing some pretty intense roles and putting forth some great comedic and dramatic performances. Though none of these are network shows like Undercovers, they are often better (and sometimes better performing) than those.
Coby Bell on Burn Notice
Coby Bell has been working non-stop for the past decade. First as a rookie cop on Third Watch, then as team captain & starting running back Jason Pitts on The Game and now as the first cast addition since the show started three years ago – and...
Coby Bell on Burn Notice
Coby Bell has been working non-stop for the past decade. First as a rookie cop on Third Watch, then as team captain & starting running back Jason Pitts on The Game and now as the first cast addition since the show started three years ago – and...
- 8/26/2010
- by Curtis the Media Man
- ShadowAndAct
On top of getting full lists of "Just Dance 2" tracks and "Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock" songs this week, we've also received a complete soundtrack listing for a game you may not have been looking forward to for its tunes — "Mafia 2." 2K Games released the rundown ahead of a live one-hour playthrough they're hosting today at 2Pm Pst via Ustream.
Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Louis Prima and Little Richard all appear on the game's soundtrack, which has been posted on the "Mafia 2" website. If "GTA Godfather" has always been something you thought you might like to play with some bona fide Ratpack music in the background, you should find the entries here to your liking:
• Gatemouth Moore - "Did You Ever Love A Woman"
• Al Hibbler - "After the Lights Go Down Low"
• Al Hibbler - "Count Every Star"
• The Ames Brothers - "My Bonnie Lassie"
• The Andrews Sisters -...
Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Louis Prima and Little Richard all appear on the game's soundtrack, which has been posted on the "Mafia 2" website. If "GTA Godfather" has always been something you thought you might like to play with some bona fide Ratpack music in the background, you should find the entries here to your liking:
• Gatemouth Moore - "Did You Ever Love A Woman"
• Al Hibbler - "After the Lights Go Down Low"
• Al Hibbler - "Count Every Star"
• The Ames Brothers - "My Bonnie Lassie"
• The Andrews Sisters -...
- 8/20/2010
- by Brian Warmoth
- MTV Multiplayer
Justin Bieber, our generation’s Frankie Lymon, went on some sort of New Zealand teenager show to presumably discuss music and swagger, but guess what? The host—who, notably, was wearing a shirt that said “Justin Bieber”—engaged in some despicable “gotcha journalism” and asked Bieber if he knew that in German, “Bieber” means “basketball.” Bieber says he doesn’t know what that word means. After first ascertaining that the offending term is the English word “German”—not the German word itself—the host blames his Kiwi accent, and shows his index card to Bieber and points to the word “German.” Bieber’s not familiar with this word, “German”! “We don’t say that in America,” he replies. Ha ha, “I like basketball if that’s what you’re asking me!” Bieber says, gamely. It’s like Who’s On First, minus the intent. See also: Bieber appears on German television.
- 5/4/2010
- Vanity Fair
Fangoria Musick / Robot Monster Free MP3 of the day: American Werewolves "Never Seen By Waking Eyes". Free download available for 24 hours! Learn more about American Werewolves and the other bands we're featuring this week after the jump.
Robot Monster, Inc. has teamed up with Fangoria Musick to give you Free tracks by six rising stars of the horror-rock scene. 6 Days, 6 Bands, 6 Free MP3's. Six Days Of Monster Musick! To get the Free, high quality, Drm-free MP3's, all you have to do is subscribe to the Fangoria Podcast on iTunes. In addition to the free music, you'll also have access to a full archive of free clips including interviews with the biggest stars in horror from Fangoria Radio!
American Werewolves- The Lonely Ones
Fangoria Musick/Robot Monster Free Track:
"Never Seen by Waking Eyes" - Download it 01.27.2009!
Buy CD: Necropolis, Interpunk, Amazon
Originally known as The Plan, American Werewolves...
Robot Monster, Inc. has teamed up with Fangoria Musick to give you Free tracks by six rising stars of the horror-rock scene. 6 Days, 6 Bands, 6 Free MP3's. Six Days Of Monster Musick! To get the Free, high quality, Drm-free MP3's, all you have to do is subscribe to the Fangoria Podcast on iTunes. In addition to the free music, you'll also have access to a full archive of free clips including interviews with the biggest stars in horror from Fangoria Radio!
American Werewolves- The Lonely Ones
Fangoria Musick/Robot Monster Free Track:
"Never Seen by Waking Eyes" - Download it 01.27.2009!
Buy CD: Necropolis, Interpunk, Amazon
Originally known as The Plan, American Werewolves...
- 1/27/2009
- Fangoria
If it were a '40s romantic comedy, "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" might be titled "Testimony of Three Wives".
A dark, dramatic biopic based on the downsliding life of doo-wopper Frankie Lymon, who rose to fame on the titular song, "Fools" stars Halle Berry, Vivica A. Fox and Lela Rochon as the women who were married to Lymon and whose court fight over his royalty "estate" clue us to Lymon's sorry life, a drug-filled saga that had too little "doo" and way too much "wop."
Boasting some great late '50s and early '60s rock sounds, this Warner Bros. film, unfortunately, spins back and forth narratively so much that it has trouble settling into a consistent story rpm and is likely to get only a short play time at the boxoffice despite the excellent lead performances and nostalgic rock 'n' roll sound track.
Frankie Lymon (Larenz Tate) was short, cute and smooth. In the early '60s he was a star, lighting up the roadshow venues with his electric personality and, most popularly, his hit song -- "Why Do Fools Fall in Love". Even by rock star standards, Frankie had a way with the ladies: they adored him and, with his slight frame and boyish looks, he brought out their motherly instincts as well. According to Tina Andrews' fact-based screenplay, Frankie attracted all kinds as we readily see in the three very different women who vie for the royalties he supposedly acquired following his death by overdose. In a court battle, which very much resembles a game show owing to the varied nature of Limon's wives, Widow No. 1 is Zola Taylor (Berry), a former Platters singer and female rock star; Widow No. 2 is Elizabeth (Fox) a streetwise, petty criminal, and Widow No. 3 is Elmira (Rochon), a demure Southern schoolteacher. Frankie had a rather loose regard for bigamy laws, and all three contend that they are the true wife of the late singer. Each has a story and, as you'd expect, they're not exactly airtight.
In essence, Frankie's life and career is refracted through the prism of these three women's viewpoints and, not surprisingly, each paints a startlingly different portrait of the troubled entertainer. With most of the film told in flashback with multiple viewpoints, we're given a textural portrait that is both entertaining and illuminating. Best, this includes some great rock 'n' roll period stuff as well, early Alan Freed shows with such groups as the Shirelles, Little Richard and the Platters performing up and through the mid-'60s on shows including "Hullaballoo". Most of this is engaging, especially owing to the gritty and glossy lead performances, but some of the period evocation is a bit scratchy: '60s protesters come across as variety-show entertainers and the authenticity is muddled by the all-too-obvious studio-lot look of the settings. Like all music bios, we get the feeling that much of the story is grooved according to which music rights were available -- it's odd to see the mid-'60s in rock history with only a one-line mention of the Beatles and a cursory selection of songs that, overall, gives us no "Satisfaction".
The high note of this affectionate production is in the performances, especially Fox as the sultry bad-girl who decides to take on the music-industry practice of producers plastering their name on the writing credits of pop songs for royalties. Fox's don't-mess-with-me demeanor is a powerful pack of facial expressions, body language and attitude. She's reached back for some moves we haven't seen before. High praise also to Berry for her sassy, splashy performance as Frankie's songstress/wife, while Rochon is splendidly credible as Frankie's provincial Southern schoolmarm wife. As the troubled Frankie, Larenz Tate is a perfect blend of charisma and self-destructiveness. Once again, Paul Mazursky is outstanding in a supporting role, hitting all the right slimy notes in his role as a sleazy music producer.
Despite the artificial, studio look of much of the film, light up the applause meter for Cary White's garish, eye-catching, pink-patched production design, perfectly conveying the excess and transience of the characters and the era.
WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE
Warner Bros.
Producers: Paul Hall, Stephen Nemeth
Director: Gregory Nava
Screenwriter: Tina Andrews
Executive producers: Gregory Nava, Mark Allan, Harold Bronson
Director of photography: Edward Lachman
Production designer: Cary White
Editor: Nancy Richardson
Music: Stephen James Taylor
Costume designer: Elisabetta Beraldo
Casting: Reuben Cannon
Sound mixer: Veda Campbell
Color/stereo
Cast:
Zola Taylor: Halle Berry
Elizabeth Waters: Vivica A. Fox
Emira Eagle: Lela Rochon
Frankie Lymon: Larenz Tate
Little Richard: Himself
Morris Levy: Paul Mazursky
Herman Santiago: Alexis Cruz
Sherman: J. August Richards
Running time -- 123 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
A dark, dramatic biopic based on the downsliding life of doo-wopper Frankie Lymon, who rose to fame on the titular song, "Fools" stars Halle Berry, Vivica A. Fox and Lela Rochon as the women who were married to Lymon and whose court fight over his royalty "estate" clue us to Lymon's sorry life, a drug-filled saga that had too little "doo" and way too much "wop."
Boasting some great late '50s and early '60s rock sounds, this Warner Bros. film, unfortunately, spins back and forth narratively so much that it has trouble settling into a consistent story rpm and is likely to get only a short play time at the boxoffice despite the excellent lead performances and nostalgic rock 'n' roll sound track.
Frankie Lymon (Larenz Tate) was short, cute and smooth. In the early '60s he was a star, lighting up the roadshow venues with his electric personality and, most popularly, his hit song -- "Why Do Fools Fall in Love". Even by rock star standards, Frankie had a way with the ladies: they adored him and, with his slight frame and boyish looks, he brought out their motherly instincts as well. According to Tina Andrews' fact-based screenplay, Frankie attracted all kinds as we readily see in the three very different women who vie for the royalties he supposedly acquired following his death by overdose. In a court battle, which very much resembles a game show owing to the varied nature of Limon's wives, Widow No. 1 is Zola Taylor (Berry), a former Platters singer and female rock star; Widow No. 2 is Elizabeth (Fox) a streetwise, petty criminal, and Widow No. 3 is Elmira (Rochon), a demure Southern schoolteacher. Frankie had a rather loose regard for bigamy laws, and all three contend that they are the true wife of the late singer. Each has a story and, as you'd expect, they're not exactly airtight.
In essence, Frankie's life and career is refracted through the prism of these three women's viewpoints and, not surprisingly, each paints a startlingly different portrait of the troubled entertainer. With most of the film told in flashback with multiple viewpoints, we're given a textural portrait that is both entertaining and illuminating. Best, this includes some great rock 'n' roll period stuff as well, early Alan Freed shows with such groups as the Shirelles, Little Richard and the Platters performing up and through the mid-'60s on shows including "Hullaballoo". Most of this is engaging, especially owing to the gritty and glossy lead performances, but some of the period evocation is a bit scratchy: '60s protesters come across as variety-show entertainers and the authenticity is muddled by the all-too-obvious studio-lot look of the settings. Like all music bios, we get the feeling that much of the story is grooved according to which music rights were available -- it's odd to see the mid-'60s in rock history with only a one-line mention of the Beatles and a cursory selection of songs that, overall, gives us no "Satisfaction".
The high note of this affectionate production is in the performances, especially Fox as the sultry bad-girl who decides to take on the music-industry practice of producers plastering their name on the writing credits of pop songs for royalties. Fox's don't-mess-with-me demeanor is a powerful pack of facial expressions, body language and attitude. She's reached back for some moves we haven't seen before. High praise also to Berry for her sassy, splashy performance as Frankie's songstress/wife, while Rochon is splendidly credible as Frankie's provincial Southern schoolmarm wife. As the troubled Frankie, Larenz Tate is a perfect blend of charisma and self-destructiveness. Once again, Paul Mazursky is outstanding in a supporting role, hitting all the right slimy notes in his role as a sleazy music producer.
Despite the artificial, studio look of much of the film, light up the applause meter for Cary White's garish, eye-catching, pink-patched production design, perfectly conveying the excess and transience of the characters and the era.
WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE
Warner Bros.
Producers: Paul Hall, Stephen Nemeth
Director: Gregory Nava
Screenwriter: Tina Andrews
Executive producers: Gregory Nava, Mark Allan, Harold Bronson
Director of photography: Edward Lachman
Production designer: Cary White
Editor: Nancy Richardson
Music: Stephen James Taylor
Costume designer: Elisabetta Beraldo
Casting: Reuben Cannon
Sound mixer: Veda Campbell
Color/stereo
Cast:
Zola Taylor: Halle Berry
Elizabeth Waters: Vivica A. Fox
Emira Eagle: Lela Rochon
Frankie Lymon: Larenz Tate
Little Richard: Himself
Morris Levy: Paul Mazursky
Herman Santiago: Alexis Cruz
Sherman: J. August Richards
Running time -- 123 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 8/10/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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