The Girl With the Baadasssss!

The Girl with the Pearl Earring and Baadasss! (both now on DVD)... you couldn't think up two more dissimilar settings, but the themes are almost identical - the struggle between the artist and the powers that be. Girl With the Pearl Earring is a fictional story about the subject of a famous Vermeer painting. I discussed the book in several book groups. It was a favorite, had all the earmarks; female protagonist that was overlooked in regular history... but we modern women see how things looked through their oppressed eyes (in contrast to our own....) The girl, and Vermeer, himself were completely subject to the personal, corrupt whims of the one wealthy patron in town.

In Baadasssss!, Melvin Van Peoples had to go to extraordinary lengths to get a film made, including turning his social conscious-raising, groundbreaking (for example, music was far more integral and blacks had never been portrayed so militantly before, paving the way for Shaft etc.) film into a porno flick in '71, because as a black man, even one of the most powerful black men in Hollywood at the time.... it was what he had to do to get it made. So, as MVP, the son, who made the movie, in referring to the state of change that occurred between the making of his father's film and his own, said, "Plus ca change, plus ca res meme". The more things change, the more things remain the same.

But....not always. In the struggle between art and money, art sometimes wins. When? When the real power asserts itself, i.e., when the public demands it. The context of Melvin's original film is the perfect illustration. He got nothing from the studios, even though, at the time, they were selling themselves off for parts because they refused to make relevant films. The studio system was dying and in it's place independent young auteurs like Beatty, Spielberg, Peckinpaugh, Hill, Scorcese, Lucas & Coppolla were capturing the market. There is a great film about this called "Easy Riders and Raging Bulls". The studios tried to pump out musicals and bedroom farces while kids were being beaten in the streets and they just could not sell it anymore. Every time the infrastructure gets too big and arrogant, they sow the seeds of their own undoing. Yin/yang... eternal truth. Pride goeth before the fall. It happened to film in the 70's, it's happening to music now.

In addition to the above themes, the film sheds light on the extreme state of racism that existed in Hollywood at the time (not that it's much different today) and pervaded not only the town itself and the ability of non-whites to work, but the images portrayed and the attitudes which disseminate from Hollywood to the rest of the world. Melvin relied on something which existed at that time and then somehow fell apart... a somewhat organized underground. It provided him with a guerilla MO and an audience. He succeeded at getting the film made and it went on to become the top-grossing independent film made that year.

It grossed $15M at $1./ticket which translates into a $120M film today, a hit by any standards, particularly given the cost of the film, which Mario won't disclose, but was probably pretty low. Melvin had some major names work on his film, basically for free, out of respect for the project and its pedigree.

Shawn Fanning's Meltdown

Oh Shawn.... song seeding... how sad. Shawn's company Snocap is working with ex-Grokster CEO Wayne Rosso on a new P2P site called Mashboxx. A friend of mine with a similar technology (who knows, maybe it's the same one, you know how terrible copyright infringement is these days) is selling that, said Hummer turned him down (thanks!), though for a disturbing-sounding reason ("no music deals"?). Hopefully he won't have much luck poisoning his own offspring. My friend's seeds apparently had some type of polite (compared to Madonna, anyway) request to pay, but then the song blows up if you don't. You can now "rent" self-destructing DVDs. Apparently, Shawn's seed will automaticaly swap your song with a lower qyality version, before asking you to pay for a decent version. Next thing that seed is gonna do is go directly to Visa, or the copyright police and the thing that might blow up might be your ipod, or YOU. They can track you pretty easily now, the only real protection is that there are so many millions of people downloading, (according to Big Champagne, 10M at any given time) they just cannot, as a practical matter, prosecute them. So they make "examples", mostly uploaders, the twelve year old Harlem girl was a brilliant choice. Anyone who thinks the internet is the open road better get tuned because it works both ways... it's also Big Brother. It's "us and them, and after all we're only ordinary men" (PInk Floyd, who contributed much man vs. megalith message). If they win, and they might, it'll be technologically, not legally, and certainly not morally......Shawn, what are you thinking? It's bigger than just the music, you know.
Anyway, of course UMG's on board, it will still fail... youi're neither fish nor fowl. Those wanting to pay have better options and those who want to download will use the non-infiltrated, cleanest sites they can still find... while they still can. The P2Ps pass, move on. Those heroes of music have held pretty strong. God knows they must've had some tempting buy-out offers. They've been raided, in their homes, dogs & all, in Australia. Rather than work toward a good-faith, mutually beneficial solution, RIAA chooses to attack people on a very personal and inappropriate level.
RIAA hired ex-ATF (the folks who brought us Waco) head Bradley Buckles to scare the shit out of everyone, what they didn't quite realize was that his law enforcement background caused him to go for the crime rather than the money (yeah, those gov't. guys just don't get it, do they?), so he went after the bootleggers, not downloaders. They won't leave DC, not to mention Hummer, alone, with all this Induce Act. I don't even want to get into their lurid history, selling out the artists they supposedly represent to censorship in order to get a cassette tax. We are talking about very powerful forces here, lots of money is at stake. I mean, let's face it, we've never seen an industry just raped like this. But, they deserve it more than anyone, cause they fucked with rock 'n roll, and that's the one thing you leave alone. You want to own rock 'n roll? Be prepared to fight hard because the message is contained in what you seek to own and you are the ones not listening to the music.
Some day, when the story of rock 'n roll is told, there will be those who stood up for the music and what is says (and not just the rebellion, the positive messages of happiness, simplicity, sharing), and those who buckled, and those who got smashed, and those who smashed them.
All the world's a stage
And all the men and women merely players
They have their entrances and their exits
And one man in his time plays many parts
As You Like It II, 7

The Stamford/Stanford Wives

I knew it would be only a matter of time before I'd have to cough up some more personal perspective. This archetypal, modern classic was recently remade and just came out on DVD. Given that the housewife scene is something I'm very familiar with.. got to comment. Without even having finished watching the DVD, there are several flavors that taste familiar.
First off, I definitely identify with that feeling of the protagonist, like, "is this whole fuckin town nuts... or is it ...ME??" Hmm, I guess I'll have watch the rest to find out. Fortunately, I do still remember the older, darker version. In those days, we took our Feminism more seriously, not to mention proudly. Back then, I thought to myself, as we all did, "That will never happen to me!" So, seeing this new version, having just come out the other side of that scene, very interesting.
Anyway, the other thing that felt mucho familiar was this feeling of boys team/girl's team, each having it's own agenda. Though the movie really only addressed the male agenda. What a send up on the classic stereotype of what men want out of life and in their women, the insecure geek aspect... believe me, if there's anything I can relate to (or failed to). They want things that are mutually exclusive. For example, great sex and the whole Martha Stewart thing. Based on my experience, once the woman buys into the whole female encampment thing, that's the focus, the guy is, as my nine year old so tactfully put it, "the money man". Most women buy into it because they drift in and forget it's not the only game in town, they also become trapped economically. The saddest part is that their world gets so small. If anyone has an agenda, it's the women, because most of these women are above this level of banality and do feel some inner frustration... I hope. Maybe that is the question, and a very important one, the story seeks to address. Is this work divided model working?
In some ways, yes. You should see these kids. Many don't see the Dads much, the classic complaint of my own generation, and they may soon look on the housewife moms very unfavorably, all my friends and I did. But, they've got it damn good, maybe spoiled, but still good. The Dads also seem to have it pretty good. They mostly love their work, the structure generally works for them. They resent feeling second to the kids, resent the lack of love & sex. And many of them can't see straight for the pressures on them. But, they're men. Gifted by God with denseness and obliviousness. It's mild. I think it's the women who mostly take it on the chin, unless they very proactively address it when the kids get older and more independent. Cause, that's the rub. It changes. The kids do grow up and want independence. Can you really make your whole life just about doing service to everyone around you? What then is your own identity as a person? The guys, at least, have careers. No one really thinks mothering is a lifetime career. It's not. Check out Desperate Housewives, now #1 show. The term will now be an entrenched part of the lingo & the "problem" will hopefully get some attention. Who knows, maybe some day the focus will turn to the real problem. What's the real problem? Cowboy capitalism.
A better model, in terms of the health of the relationships themselves, and the culture (as in Europe) is two parents both working a human schedule AND having a good standard of living, not having huge pay differentials. I would imagine those couples are much better off, because the two are still equals who relate to each other not two people living in largely different worlds. That works for most people, but not for companies, who would rather pay for one worker, one training, one set of benefits, one set of individual needs - which are ever so pesky. My own scenario highlights the whole thing perfectly; high pressure job - two choices - job or kid - not both - not here.
As you will see again and again, if you look, in this country, it's the corporate interests that call the tune (remind me to discuss one of my favorite films - Network). The gov't. is really all we have to look to for mollification, and that's why it pains me so much to see those interests buy silver spoon sons and enough propaganda to convince every churchgoer in every little podunk, backwoods town from here to hicksville... successfully....that if you just wave your flag, and thump your bible long enough, everything's gonna be alright. It's the U.S. Blues, right here in Stepford, your own hometown.
What I think every person should consider is... is this working for me? Cause, if it's not, change it. We may not be able to make all the global, political changes we might like, but we can each live our own lives as fully as possible, whatever the larger context, and in so doing, bring awareness to those around us. Remember, the communities of hollow people we see in Stepford are lacking. It's structure and form, all the trimmings, but it's empty, as shown in the movie. We want a society of fulfilled, aware people... so we don't keep killing folks in wars all over the place or work our lives away, feeling empty and vaguely dissatisfied.

Apple/U2 Alliance

Most companies of any size these days pay some attention to strategic alliances, corporate partnering. Now we're seeing it with rock bands. Now, I'm sure you're all expecting me to rant on about the co-opting of the rock ethos etc., etc. Actually, I think this is a good match, supports branding & omnimedia type marketing approaches, and, best of all, elevates the status of rock acts to a good corporate level. Done thoughtfully and respectfully... carry on. I'd rather see Steve in bed with Bono than Eisner any day.
I will save my ire for the moron that used Ring of Fire for the hemorrhoid commercial, or I Feel Good for laxative. OK, yes, I'm hysterical just thinkin about the discussion that went through those brainstorming sessions. But, how can I ever listen to those terrific songs the same way again? It just fuckin ruins it, no matter how funny. But here's the one that really burns (pardon the pun) me. Years ago, during the darker days of music, McCartney (this'll teach ya to make shit like Ebony & Ivory) suggests to MJ that he invest in publishing rights. He later bought up most of Paul's best catalog & then allowed Nike to use Revolution for a sneaker commercial over Paul's objection. Putting the tot-tending aside here, it really shows what a complete shmuck that guy is. Absolutely no respect, not only for Paul, but for the song itself and what it says and represents. Paul is plenty pissed, to this day, and I don't blame him.

Big and Rich

Holy shit! Outkast meets country music... what a trip. Country rap?? This band kicks ass!!
Outkast will, deservedly, be viewed as a seminal band. We already see them afresh in the positive, eclectic Black Eyed Peas. Andre creatively reaches back to vaudville, the 20's & 30's for a lot. This amalgam of musical styles approach (rap, R&B, hip hop, plus, it has a very melodic rock/pop aspect) combined with a revue, a very theatrical feel, costume, dance, a million things going on is probably what it'll take from now on. It's crossing over into other genres beautifully (like Big and Rich, they also dressed up some of the new rock acts at the Billboards...I loved the go go dancers).
They are really upping the live production values on some of these acts. At the same time, the industry is talking about smaller venues, after this last sobering summer. I wonder how well these sets can travel, it may just be TV oriented, marketing, record-selling. Outkast was so hot last year, but I didn't see much of a national tour.
We definitely could use a top tier travelling tour level out there; arena oriented, they have no business charging over $100. unless it's a legend, with some visuals at least, or a real show, like Madonna does - and BTW, go ahead and lip synch while you're dancing your brains out - let's see Elton try that one.
Then have a theatre level, increase the venues and tours. They are very right to focus in on the 400-5,000 seat venues, keep them busier, keep ticket prices well under $50. Maybe if this level was more organized, it would be easier to attract acts, particularly the older ones. At the same time, you look at the very serious problems you have at the higher levels, with Clear Channel (I'll save that rant for later), Ticketmaster, collusion, price-fixing....tasty stuff huh? So, organization, by the right people. Good business opportunity there.
At the same time, it's important to keep the bar bands, club bands, restaurant, corporate, private party.... I think I've covered that.

Elton

You can not have a bad day when you've turned on the TV in the morning and seen Elton John. God, I love that guy. Has he given us some great songs or what? He's deep, insightful... so bright and on target. He's fought his demons, and the guy is still standing. Still alive, making great music. It's unreal. I'm watchin the CMA's tonight, just for you, I hope Ryan Adams will be on.

Too cute, talkin bout makin Vegas better. It's a good effort but a losing battle... why not B'way like Billy & John (a big budget show on Lennon is in the works)...your best buds? More bio...so you could get in more of your catalog, I mean, Lion King....could not even get in NY, but was fantastic in SF. It's enough of a laurel, but a legacy truer to your contribution and story, which is very interesting, would be better. You said, "the worst thing in life is to be boring", and you haven't been, so please, don't make people watch any more of this Abba shit...for two hours... that is inhuman.

I understand he has just signed a deal with ABC to make a sitcom about a flambouyant rock star, based on him.

Aside from making the charts every year for like 30 yrs., he's engaged every medium successfully, he is pervasive. He's part of the culture, beyond music, like Lennon, Elvis. But, Elvis burned out. John was ready to rip again just before he died... to think what we've missed. Elton survived. The only comparable I could think of would be McCartney, who mostly hangs around his estate for the past 30 yrs. Dylan has not really kept up the good output. Elton works hard and often and nurtures younger artists.

Man vs. Machine

Robert Zemeckis (Contact, Cast Away.. next up, Polar Express, looks good) made an interesting comment today. He noted that, although we are very close to replacing actors with photo-real CG, it is unlikely to eliminate live actors. He pointed to the fact that while we can eliminate live musicians using digital...no live musicians have been harmed. There's a human factor that can not be replaced. Remember, music has heart. Film does too, you can never take humans out of the equation.
This reminded me of conversations I've had with my son. As a young flimmaker, when he was 8 or so, he had trouble finding actors and tried many ways, including CG, to replace them. There are many directors who will, and do, like the control.
Remember Sugar Sugar, by the Archies? Don Kirschner, asshole that he was, could not deal with live musicians and actually had a #1 hit with a cartoon ( in 1969 no less) ... kept all the record royalties himself (well, he paid the studio musicians & singers a few bucks, and composer royalties are separate). Nitty got him in the end... check out Nasty Girl. He samples right out of the song and hopefully doesn't pay him a cent... and you should hear the very, very nasty lyrics on that song.
One of my favorite films is 2001: A Space Odyssey. Kubrick is a perfectionist, does everything himself, with almost no $, takes forever, very auteur, the effects were ahead of their time, certainly a progenitor of Star Wars & AI. The book, by Clarke, pits astronauts against HAL - really IBM - the letters after HA & L. They are off in the stars looking for the source of creation, Satori. Problem is, computers are now so human-like, they have emotions, including self-preservation. So, when HAL runs amok and needs to be shut down, he fights back and locks the humans out of the spaceship.
Humans are obviously not running scared (just overscheduled), robotics (along with nanotech) is poised to be the next internet. Hey, even though Roomba, the robot vacuum, was a joke, when the compu-slave comes along, sign me up. I'll keep that special turn-off wrench handy though, in case it comes to blows. We like our technological servants. We're in control....right? Just because the machines aren't mowing us down, doesn't mean we haven't been compromised. God help me if I ever lost this ibook, or even my ipod, or cell phone. I'm a tech-junkie like all the rest of us, souped-up, it's hard to turn it all off.
When we can replicate humans, we will be gods. Just as it is the fact of our existence that proves God's existence.
I love living with technoids here in the Valley. Each new advance is so exciting. It's living on the crest of the Third Wave Alvin Toffler wrote about. It's a bit sad though that this sort of North/South, Tech/"Content" divide seems to be emerging (due to fucking RIAA, don't get me started). Let's work together people, I'd hate to pick sides in that one. We all have the same goal, giving people entertaining, uplifting (or at least profitable and non-harmful) stuff to watch and listen to...make it easy for us to find what we will like (I can not emphasize this enough), make it big (but light) and visual and easy to control and transport. Give us some content we can use to build on, for our own creativity, and a good interface and forum for all that. Let's keep the big goals in mind.

Festival Express

This film spent a little time in theatres before coming out on DVD last week. I highly recommend it. The idea of Utopian communities has always fascinated me. On one of my first car trips from NY to CA, I read The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Tests. Ken Kesey was one of the first people to take acid, and, like Leary, was very adept at portraying it's benefits. He first recieved it from the US Gov't. who wanted to explore its potential as a weapon. When they realized the drug made people happy, insightful, fulfilled... of course they outlawed it and put out horror stories about it to scare the public.
Anyway, Kesey and his band of Merry Pranksters rolled across the US in a psychedelically painted bus called Fuurther (which, I believe is now in the Smithsonian) and freaked out every small town from here (literally) to Akron.
The Festival Express train rolled across Canada taking the Dead, Janis and many other musicians to a series of fesivals in 1970. But, whereas Kesey and his group were too tripped out to ever get their morass of footage together, this other guy had great footage. Why he sat on it for 35 years I can't tell ya, but I sure enjoyed seeing Jerry and Janis jamming. In some ways it seemed like any one of a hundred jams I've been to, people sittin around, coming up with songs, singing, guitarists riffing off each other.
Jerry was never changed by the success he achieved, nor Bob, any of them. Multimillionaires, but still the same basic loving, open-minded, visionary, rebel-free-thinkers they always were. They epitomize, to me, everything a musician should be. When a bunch of fans couldn't get into the concert, they went to a local park and played for free, the Dead gave more free concerts than anyone, also made more money than anyone. They were a one hit wonder, never sold albums because they allowed their fans to tape their shows, there was always a sea of mikes at every show. Their archive will probably never be surpassed.
The unique type of dedication of the fans has never been duplicated. The band's relationship with its fans was open, organic and natural... very unusual for entertainers at that level. Actually, it was the Deadheads that most made the band extraordinary, it was a whole lifestyle, a community. The most loving scene you could imagine.
The scene on the train, as in Fuurther, as in some of the communes I lived on, was very utopian. It stands in stark contrast to many other scenes that I see around me today, where people seem so competitive, so much attention to image, posturing, placement. At work, it at least made sense, there were some 30 incoming associates going for one or two partnership possibilities. But then I saw it among housewives and thought, get me a jam session...something, this is ridiculous.
Jerry always stayed closest to the music. For a man as adored as he was, the lack of ego was astounding. In his mind, he was a musician, he wanted to play music for people, he wanted them happy and safe. If you looked at him two seconds too long, he would call you on it. He died when I was pregnant with my daughter, this after losing Bill Graham while pregnant with my son four years earlier. Thanks to bands like Dave Matthews & Phish, some of their ideals live on.
So, if anyone finds my "Utopian Dreamer" button at Foothills Club, give it back. I lost it at Ladies Poker Night, though, I did come away with the trophy for biggest winner of the night. Jeez, you couldn't make this stuff up. Was somebody trying to tell me something or what? I still have my "Romantic Idealist" button (two, actually), not taking that anywhere, and my "Hardened Cynical Bastard" button. I think, for me, the two are worn in tandem.