Lou Reed: 1942-2013

It would be difficult to overstate Lou Reed's contributions to modern music. As founder and lead singer of the most influential rock band of all time, The Velvet Underground, he did more to broaden the lyrical range of popular music than just about anyone since Lennon/McCartney or Bob Dylan. His formative influence on punk music is undeniable; as essential to punk's progression as Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, and The Ramones. Even his voice, which has nothing in the way of technical proficiency, has been endlessly imitated. (Listen to any Sonic Youth record from the '80s or '90s and you'll hear Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon doing their best Lou Reed impression.)

Post-Velvet Underground, Reed collaborated with kindred spirit David Bowie, became a glam-rocker, became whatever is the opposite of a glam-rocker, released an entire album of noise (Metal Machine Music) that is still divisive, and experimented with everything from rap to cabaret. He also cultivated a curmudgeonly public persona that grew more myopic with each passing year. Reed had a special loathing for music critics; many of his interviews seem weirdly tense, even on the page, and he was notorious for blowing cigar smoke in his interlocutors' faces. Given his long-standing antipathy for music journalism, it was downright shocking when earlier this year he published a lengthy review of Kanye West's  album Yeezus. In typical Reed fashion the review was effusive, profanity-laden, and entirely heartfelt.

Lou Reed lived one of those wild American lives that, however improbably, just kept on going. He underwent electroshock therapy as a teenager, experimented with everything that the '60s/'70s New York art-scene had to offer, hung out at Andy Warhol's Factory, struggled with narcotics addiction, remade himself artistically, time and time again, and left a musical legacy that continues to inspire and challenge.

CDs:
The Velvet Underground and Nico (with the Velvet Underground)
The Velvet Underground Live at Max's Kansas City (with the Velvet Underground)
The Definitive Collection
The Best of Lou Reed
Coney Island Baby
Animal Serenade
Ecstasy
Metal Machine Music

DVDs:
Lou Reed: Rock and Roll Heart

Books:
Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk

James Gandolfini: 1961 - 2013

Beloved actor James Gandolfini passed away yesterday at the age of 51. The accomplished character actor had brought to life many memorable characters over the course of his two decade career on stage and screen (True Romance, The Man Who Wasn't There, Where the Wild Things Are, In the Loop), but he will forever be remembered and revered for his portrayal of mob boss Tony Soprano on the HBO series The Sopranos. There is very little that can be said about that now-legendary performance that has not been said before; Gandolfini brought nuance, gravitas, and complexity to the character; alternately gruff, charming, venal, well-intentioned, violent, and, to the viewers, frighteningly relatable. Tony Soprano is often cited as the definitive example of just how dark a television character can be; paving the way for Don Draper, Nucky Thompson, and others. The Sopranos was, arguably, the greatest television series of all time; a confluence of outstanding writing, inspired casting, gifted ensemble acting, and a strong overarching vision from series' creator David Chase. James Gandolfini's performance was the centerpiece of that monumental artistic achievement.

Jason Molina: 1973-2013

News outlets report that singer-songwriter Jason Molina passed away March 16, 2013, at the age of 39. He had been in poor health in recent years and a campaign was underway to help raise funds for his mounting medical bills. Molina is best known for the music he recorded under the names Songs: Ohia and Magnolia Electric Co. His music was noticeably influenced by American folk and country, and his unique voice was instantly recognizable. Molina's highly poetic lyrics often centered on the lives and concerns of working people, particularly in his home state of Ohio and the city of Chicago, which had become something of an adopted home for the musician. His protagonists were tired, anxious, uncertain about what their lives meant and where they might end up. But Molina expressed these pervasive anxieties with such tenderness that many of his songs have the comforting qualities of lullabies. I am reminded of a lyric from his song "Blue Factory Flame":

when i die put my bones in an empty street
to remind me of how it used to be
don’t write my name on a stone
bring a Coleman lantern and a radio
a Cleveland game and two fishing poles
and watch with me from the shore
ghostly steel and iron ore ships coming home
where i am paralyzed by the emptiness

Johnny Depp: Officially Single

As you are, no doubt, well aware, the fairest leading man in the land is now officially single. The rather optimistic subtext to the resultant press reports seems to be that Johnny Depp is not only single, but also on the market and almost certainly interested in settling down with you specifically. For those readers that are not currently en route to France to make good on that possibility, I invite you to take solace in the many fine performances this actor has given us. The following selected filmography may seem like cold comfort, but enjoying Johnny's company onscreen is probably as close to the real thing as any mere mortal is likely to get. I've taken the liberty of adding brief descriptors for each Johnny Depp role, should you wish to tailor your fantasy.

Cry-Baby (1990): If you like your Johnny young and rebellious, in a juvenile delinquent who is also the star of a musical kind of way.

Edward Scissorhands (1990): If you like your Johnny silent, soulful, and pallid. Warning: This Johnny is sharp and has been known to cause unwanted damage to hair, hedgerows, and water beds.

What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993): If you prefer a small-town Johnny who is sweet, sensitive, and misunderstood. Bonus: Johnny makes a great effort to be a responsible caretaker for his younger brother in this film, so you just know that he'll make a fantastic father once he stops hanging out with morticians and finally breaks free of his hometown.

Ed Wood (1994): A Johnny that is irrepressibly zany, artistically inept, and really, really fond of cashmere.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998): For those who like their Johnny balding, paranoid, chemically altered, and tersely literate.

Sleepy Hollow (1999): An adorably squeamish Johnny, saddled with profound mommy issues.

Chocolat (2000): Seductive accent? Check. Ponytail that only Johnny can get away with? Check. A deferential nature that guarantees he only shows up when you want him to and won't interfere with the important stuff in your life like raising your daughter and managing your small business? Check.

Blow (2001):  Consider this a two-for-one. If you want your Johnny to be the slim embodiment of '70s glamor and excess, the first half of this movie is your ideal. If you have a penchant for a bloated, midlife-crisis Johnny who is depressed and/or incarcerated a lot of the time, the second half of this film has got you covered.

The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise (2003, 2006, 2007): Should you favor an unintelligible, swashbuckling, kohl-eyed rogue who is more concerned with rum than he is with Keira Knightley.

Public Enemies (2009): Bad boy Johnny par excellence. Sure, he robs banks and brandishes a tommy gun, but he'd just as soon be holding you in his arms as you sway across the dance floor to a sultry ballad.

The Tourist (2010): For those of you who want to be Johnny's paramour and believe that the only suitable stand-in for yourself is Angelina Jolie.

Rango (2011): If you happen to prefer a scaly, endearingly cowardly Johnny, this is the one.

Warner Bros. delaying DVD releases to libraries

Warner Bros. announced last week that they will not distribute their theatrical DVD titles to libraries until 28 days after their release dates. Additionally, the copies sent to libraries will not have any extras or bonus features. Read more about these changes at Library Journal.

Here are upcoming DVDs that will be affected by this policy:

Crazy, Stupid, Love: November 1 DVD release date; available to libraries November 28.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2: November 11 DVD release date; available to libraries December 9.

The Hangover Part II: December 6 DVD release date; available to libraries January 3.

Angry? Upset? Confused? Contact Warner Home Video:
Phone: 888-383-9483
Online: Warner Customer Service

Gil Scott-Heron: 1949-2011

Gil Scott-Heron died Friday, May 27th, at the age of 62. He was a fiercely engaged vocalist and lyricist whose work incorporated blues, jazz, soul, and stream of consciousness poetry. Best known for his fiery spoken-word performances of the 1970s, Scott-Heron's lyrics consistently explored themes of social justice, poverty, urban violence, and race. He is frequently cited as a formative influence on the evolution of hip-hop, and his work has been sampled by such notable artists as Mos Def and De La Soul. Most recently, Kanye West built a track around Scott-Heron's voice on the chart-topping album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. He addressed his elder statesman status with both pride and chagrin on the 1994 album Spirits: "We got respect for you rappers and the way you be free-weighin', but if you're gon' be teachin' folks things, make sure you know what you're sayin' ." The compilation The Revolution Will Not Be Televised is an essential sampler of his work, but his is a legacy more varied and rewarding than a single disc can afford. (My personal favorite is the 1971 album Pieces of a Man.) Scott-Heron was experiencing something of a renaissance of late, with his 2010 album I'm New Here and its 2011 remix We're New Here garnering considerable critical acclaim. As engaging and insightful as both those records are, there isn't really a better introduction to this artist's work than the pointed media critique "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised":

Elizabeth Taylor: 1932 - 2011

Legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor passed away this morning at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. She was 79. Considered by many to be the last link to Hollywood's so-called Golden Age, the much-loved actress led a passionate life both on and off screen. Married eight times (twice to actor Richard Burton), Taylor's personal life was often as melodramatic as that of the movie heroines she portrayed.

Elizabeth Taylor was quite literally raised in public; from her child acting days in Lassie Come Home and National Velvet, to her acclaimed performance opposite Montgomery Clift in A Place in the Sun, to her mature, complex performance as "Maggie the Cat" in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. By the early 1960s, she was Hollywood royalty, commanding a cool $1 million dollars for her role as Cleopatra in the opulent 20th Century Fox biopic. Her gritty performance in the 1966 Edward Albee adaptation Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is, without question, one of the most fearless onscreen performances I have ever seen.

Taylor was twice awarded the Best Actress statuette by the Academy (for her performances in Butterfield 8 and Virginia Woolf). In 1992, she received the Jean Herscholt Humanitarian Academy Award for her HIV/AIDS advocacy. Taylor was a notable gay rights activist, consistently stressing the point that the struggle for gay rights is the struggle for human rights. More than a mere actress, or one of the "most beautiful" women in the world, she was also a fiercely loyal friend and an advocate for those that society at large was not yet ready to help.

Selected film highlights:

Under Milk Wood (1971)

The Taming of the Shrew (1967)

Reflections in a Golden Eye (1967)

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)

Cleopatra (1963)

Butterfield 8 (1960)

Suddenly, Last Summer (1959)

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)

Giant (1956)

A Place in the Sun (1951)

Father of the Bride (1950)

Little Women (1949)

National Velvet (1944)

Solomon Burke: The Bishop of Soul: 1940-2010

Legendary soul singer Solomon Burke passed away Sunday morning, at the age of 70. Known for his powerful, impassioned voice, Burke's 1960s recordings for Atlantic Records have become sacred texts for aficionados of soul music. More casual music fans may recognize his work from several mainstream Hollywood films, including The Blues Brothers and Dirty Dancing. Burke was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.

Home in Your Heart: The Best of Solomon Burke
Find it in the catalog!

Nothing's Impossible [2010]
Find it in the catalog!

Happy Birthday, Bill Murray!

"Tito Puente's gonna be dead, and you're gonna say, 'Oh, I've been listening to him for years, and I think he's fabulous.'"
- Bill Murray, Stripes (1981)

Tuesday, September 21st, beloved actor/comedian Bill Murray turned 60. The Chicago native has been redefining comedy in his own image since the late 1970s, from his work with the esteemed Second City improv troupe, his hugely popular tenure on Saturday Night Live, subsequent box-office success with Harold Ramis and other Second City alums, and critically acclaimed collaborations with directors Wes Anderson and Jim Jarmusch. His Oscar nominated performance in 2003's Lost in Translation is indicative of a progression toward more complex, nuanced performances. Murray's continued late-career renaissance is a wonderful thing to see, and I, for one, hope it never ends.

Patricia Neal: 1926-2010

Patricia Neal, an Oscar Winner Who Endured Tragedy, Dies at 84

If you have not seen the 1963 film Hud, I strongly encourage you to do so. What follows is a list of highlights from Neal's decades-long Hollywood career.

The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
Find it in the catalog!

A Face in the Crowd (1957)
Find it in the catalog!

Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
Find it in the catalog!

Hud (1963)
Find it in the catalog!

Cookie's Fortune (1999)
Find it in the catalog!

Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival

Looking for something cool to do this week? Why not attend a film festival? This is the inaugural year of the Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival, which will be held July 21-25 at the Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center in Palatine (150 E. Wood St.). Feature films, shorts, and music videos will be screened during the festival. Music video screenings and a live concert by Mount Prospect musician Chris Petlak kicks off the festival on Wednesday night at the Fred P. Hall Amphitheater (262 E. Palatine Rd., Palatine). The film screenings begin on Thursday night, and after-parties will be held at Emmett's (110 N. Brockway St., Palatine). Here are a few films included in the festival schedule that I think sound intriguing:

Successful Alcoholics, a 2010 Sundance Film Festival Official Selection directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts and starring T.J. Miller (She's Out of My League), Lizzy Caplan (Party Down), and Tony Hale (Arrested Development).

Driver's Ed Mutiny, directed by Schaumburg's Brad Hansen, which Daily Herald film critic Dann Gire calls "delightful" and "a surprisingly touching comedy/drama." Partially filmed in the Northwest suburbs, this John Hughes-ian film won first place in the Pro-Am category at the Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival in Marion, Iowa, back in April (see Daily Herald article here).

Educating Cooper, about a Chicago high school student, directed by Bryan Litt and filmed at several high schools in Chicago.

The Exploding Girl, directed by Bradley Rust Gray, which has its Illinois premiere at the festival.

That's just a small sample of what's screening at the festival. Visit the Blue Whiskey Film Festival website to view the complete festival schedule and buy festival passes.

Cinematographer, William A. Fraker: 1923 - 2010

William A. Fraker lensed some of the most critically and commercially successful films of the 1960s and '70s. Considered a giant of his profession, he was the man behind the camera on Rosemary's Baby (1968), Bullitt (1968), One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977), Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), and Heaven Can Wait (1978). MovieMaker magazine referred to him as "a kind of Yoda of cinema­tography" in a 2004 profile. Fraker was nominated five times for the Best Cinematography Oscar, and served as president of the American Society of Cinematographers (A.S.C.). In 2000, the A.S.C. honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award. His L.A. Times obituary states that he passed away Friday, at the age of 86. He is survived by his wife and step-son.

Fraker's work on Bullitt is a model of the cinematographer's dedication. While the film's climactic car chase is justifiably legendary, there's more to the story than what you see on screen. Steve McQueen and several accomplished stunt drivers maneuvered the vehicles through the streets of San Francisco, at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. William A. Fraker and his camera were strapped to one of those vehicles, suspended just six inches from the ground. Watch this clip, and I think you'll agree that it was worth the ride.



Bullitt (1968)
Find it in the catalog!

Dennis Hopper: 1936 - 2010

Dennis Hopper began his career in the 1950s, alongside such Hollywood upstarts as Nick Adams, James Dean and Jack Nicholson. (He had bit parts in two of Dean's films: Rebel Without a Cause and Giant.) He was twice nominated for an Oscar: in 1970 for Best Screenplay (Easy Rider) and in 1987 for Best Supporting Actor (Hoosiers). Hopper has had memorable roles in mainstream entertainment, such as the villain in the 1994 action flick Speed, and in art-house cinema, notably his frightening performance as Frank Booth in the 1986 neo-noir Blue Velvet. Over the course of his long career, Hopper worked within every genre and collaborated with some of the more noteworthy American - and international - directors of his time: Francis Ford Coppola (Apocalypse Now, Rumble Fish), Wim Wenders (The American Friend). Hopper's long career in television ranged from Bonanza and The Twilight Zone to such currently running series as 24 and Crash. His quirky charisma made him a natural for small, scene-stealing roles, and he had many of them. Such as that of Babalugats in Cool Hand Luke.

Follow the link for a look at his selected filmography.

Hip-Hop Classics...Live!

According to Billboard, the acclaimed hip-hop crew Wu-Tang Clan will not only headline this summer's Rock the Bells Festival but will also perform their legendary 1993 debut album in its entirety. The hugely influential album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), is notable for its lyrical diversity, complex slang and allusion, and groundbreaking production by founding member RZA. The Wu-Tang Clan's sound has evolved considerably over the course of its five studio albums, but Enter the Wu-Tang is still considered a landmark in rap music and hip-hop culture. Several other seminal emcees are scheduled to perform live interpretations of their debut albums: KRS-One is set to perform the 1987 Boogie Down Productions album Criminal Minded, Rakim will perform his 1987 masterpiece Paid in Full, and consummate storyteller Slick Rick will perform 1988's The Great Adventures of Slick Rick. Other artists scheduled to perform at the festival include: Brother Ali, Clipse, DJ Muggs, Jedi Mind Tricks, and Murs. I'm hoping that a future headliner will be the Virginia Beach duo Clipse, performing their debut album Lord Willin'.

Paid in Full - Eric B. & Rakim
Find it in the catalog!

The Great Adventures of Slick Rick - Slick Rick
Find it in the catalog!

Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) - Wu-Tang Clan
Find it in the catalog!

Latin Jazz at Your Library

Last Sunday, pianist Samuel del Real and the Latin Jazz Trio performed for a sold-out audience at the Dundee Township Public Library. The event received considerable praise from patrons who attended. If you were not among that lucky bunch, here's an opportunity to hear the Latin American rhythms that wowed the crowd.

Piano Caliente
Find it in the catalog! 

Piano Navideño
Find it in the catalog!

Alex Chilton: 1950 - 2010

American musician Alex Chilton, founding member of the influential 1970s power-pop band Big Star, passed away yesterday at age 59. Chilton penned such now-classic pop songs as "September Gurls" and, with fellow song-writer Chris Bell, the tender ballad "Thirteen." Chilton began his career as leader of the late-60s rock band The Box Tops. For an introduction to this seminal musician, I highly recommend the career-spanning box-set Keep an Eye on the Sky.

Legendary '80s indie band The Replacements (perhaps Big Star's primary acolytes) paid tribute with their 1987 song "Alex Chilton.". The lyrics serve as a fitting epitaph for this gifted songwriter and performer.

Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round

They sing, "I'm in love. What's that song? I'm in love with that song."

Def Jux Record Label Announces Hiatus

The respected independent record label Definitive Jux is set to cease, or radically modify, its operations. Founded in New York City in 1999, Def Jux has been a mainstay of underground hip-hop, with an impressive roster of socially conscious artists. According to El-P, the label's co-founder and artistic director, Def Jux will not be releasing new records for the foreseeable future. El-P's announcement (which can be viewed on the label's website) is rambling, charming, and ultimately a little short on specifics. While this isn't exactly the end of an era, it's worth considering the significant contributions made by this trend-setting indie.

Here's a handful of outstanding records on the Def Jux label:

The Cold Vein - Cannibal Ox

Find it in the catalog!

Funcrusher Plus - Company Flow

Find it in the catalog!

I'll Sleep When You're Dead - El-P

Find it in the catalog!

See something new at the Chicago International Film Festival

The 45th annual Chicago International Film Festival is now in full swing. Motherhood, starring Uma Thurman, opened the festival yesterday. Running through October 22, the festival closes with The Young Victoria, starring Emily Blunt. Films screen at the AMC River East 21in Chicago (322 E. Illinois St.). A complete film schedule is available on the Chicago International Film Festival website; films are also indexed by country and category (very helpful!). You can also find information about tickets and festival passes on the official website.  Individual tickets cost $12 (reduced price of $9 for Cinema/Chicago members, students, and seniors). Japan, Chile, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, India, Romania and South Korea compose a fraction of the countries with submissions. Check out the diversity that the Chicago International Film Festival offers!

What are your favorite songs of the 2000s?

We have just over four months left in this decade, so that means it must be time to look back and reminisce about the past ten years.  Pitchfork Media has released a list of the Top 500 Tracks of the 2000s, and the number one spot belongs to OutKast's "B.O.B."  Check the list out for yourself: Pitchfork's Top 500 Tracks of the 2000s  

I will admit that I have not heard of some of the artists or bands included in the list.  I'm going to look up the ones I don't know and maybe I'll discover some new music.  As for what I would include in my personal Best of the 2000s list, I just tried to think of songs released during the 2000s that have strong connections to different points in my life.  As a result my song picks may not be the "coolest" choices, and that's fine by me.

My best of the 2000s list includes (ordered by year):

2000: "Yellow" (Coldplay), "Bye Bye Bye" ('N Sync), "Faded" (Soul Decision)

2001: "Fill Me In" (Craig David), "What It Feels Like for a Girl" (Madonna), "I'm a Slave 4 U" (Britney Spears)

2002: "Cry Me a River" (Justin Timberlake), "Beautiful" (Christina Aguilera), "Gotta Get Thru This" (Daniel Bedingfield), "Love At First Sight" (Kylie Minogue), "Can't Get You Out of My Head" (Kylie Minogue)

2003: "Maybe Tomorrow" (Stereophonics), "The Scientist" (Coldplay), "Toxic" (Britney Spears), "Follow Through" (Gavin DeGraw), "Feel" (Robbie Williams), "Somnambulist" (BT featuring JC Chasez)

2004: "Take Your Mama" (Scissor Sisters), "Love Profusion" (Madonna), "Somewhere Only We Know" (Keane), "Trouble" (Ray LaMontagne), "Hey Ya" (OutKast), "Yeah" (Usher), "Let Me Love You" (Mario), "Take Me Out" (Franz Ferdinand), "The Force of Gravity" (BT featuring JC Chasez)

2005: "Dakota" (Stereophonics), "We Belong Together" (Mariah Carey), "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" (KT Tunstall), "The Way" (Daniel Bedingfield), "You're So Right for Me" (Rooster), "Chicago" (Sufjan Stevens)

2006: "Ain't No Other Man" (Christina Aguilera), "I Bet That You Look Good on the Dance Floor" (Arctic Monkeys), "Promiscuous" (Nelly Furtado featuring Timbaland), "SexyBack" (Justin Timberlake), "Chasing Cars" (Snow Patrol)

2007: "Rehab" (Amy Winehouse), "Falling Slowly" (Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova), "The Underdog" (Spoon), "She Moves in Her Own Way" (Kooks), "Ruby" (Kaiser Chiefs)

2008: "Cobrastyle" (Robyn), "Use Somebody" (Kings of Leon), "Electric Feel" (MGMT), "Burnin' Up" (Jonas Brothers), "Paper Planes" (M.I.A.)

2009: "Ulysses" (Franz Ferdinand)

Check out Pitchfork's list and let us know what you think.  Are there any songs you're surprised are not there?   Which ones would be included on your Best Songs of the 2000's list? 

Breaking News!!!

The Dundee Library will raise the roof with renovations July 27-September.
The Dundee Township Public Library will renew more than books this August when they jump start a $1.775 million renovation project that will completely re-create the library’s public spaces.
On June 8, the library’s Board of Trustees approved an ordinance to repair the building and adopt a financing plan. The total renovation will be funded by the library’s Special Reserve Fund. This is the first and only renovation to the building since it was built in 1973.
Board President, Lenore McDonald, explained, “Our goal is to make the library more comfortable, open and inviting to our patrons. Before voting to renovate our existing building, we considered three options: the construction of a new library facility, an expansion of the current library, or a renovation of the current building. Upon further evaluation, we discovered system inefficiencies sure to lead to increased maintenance costs. With the current economic climate not conducive to raising the needed funds for a new building or expansion project, the Trustees decided to immediately undertake delayed maintenance and renovation of the existing Dundee Township Library building,” said McDonald.
Take a look at the official press release on our website at http://www.dundeelibrary.info/.