Inspired
by the majesty of the Pacific Ocean, Peter Jack Rainbird took his
electric guitar, a couple of small amplifiers, and a small suitcase
full of sound effects gear and set up shop at various civic spaces
along the West Coast, performing a series of day-long live
improvisations.
The
result is a spontaneous and eclectic kaleidoscope of sounds, tones,
and textures generated by Rainbird's guitar and layered through live
looping, with a bit of grand piano added to the mix.
This
is a unique listening experience that is not only refreshing and
invigorating, but musically insightful and enlightening as well.
--Raj
Manoharan
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Sunday, September 27, 2015
CD Review – Saraswati Dreams, by Jaya Lakshmi & Ananda
Warm
acoustic guitar combines with exotic Indian instruments and singing
for a delightfully pleasing and hypnotically entrancing world music
sound.
The album is beautifully and richly layered thanks to the talents of Jason Bailey on hammer dulcimer; Hans Christian on bass, cello, and keyboards; Krsna Dev on vocals; Dasi Karnamrita on vocals; Jaya Lakshmi on guitar, harmonium, kartals, piano, shaker, and vocals; Prema Mayi on vocals; Rasa Priya on sarod; Deepak Ramapriyan on violin and vocals; Ankush Vimawala on tabla; and Ananda Yogiji on bansuri, bass, guitar, harmonium, shaker, and vocals.
This is a worthwhile entry in the growing trend of Eastern-Western musical hybrids.
--Raj Manoharan
The album is beautifully and richly layered thanks to the talents of Jason Bailey on hammer dulcimer; Hans Christian on bass, cello, and keyboards; Krsna Dev on vocals; Dasi Karnamrita on vocals; Jaya Lakshmi on guitar, harmonium, kartals, piano, shaker, and vocals; Prema Mayi on vocals; Rasa Priya on sarod; Deepak Ramapriyan on violin and vocals; Ankush Vimawala on tabla; and Ananda Yogiji on bansuri, bass, guitar, harmonium, shaker, and vocals.
This is a worthwhile entry in the growing trend of Eastern-Western musical hybrids.
--Raj Manoharan
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Jack Larson (1928-2015)
With
the passing of Adventures of Superman cast member Jack Larson,
only “Lois Lanes” Phyllis Coates and Noel Neill remain as the
last surviving stars from the iconic 1950s television series.
Larson was not the first actor to portray Daily Planet photographer and cub reporter Jimmy Olsen, but over the course of the show's six seasons, he set the standard for those who followed in his footsteps, most notably Mark McClure of the Superman and Supergirl films from the 1970s and 1980s.
Later a playwright, librettist, and movie producer, Larson will always be remembered as the plucky and affable Olsen. His memory lives on in reruns of Adventures of Superman every Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on Me TV.
The classic TV network paid tribute to Larson with a memorial black-and-white photograph preceding each of this past Saturday's two installments of Adventures of Superman. The unscheduled episodes focused on the late Larson's Jimmy Olsen character.
--Raj Manoharan
Larson was not the first actor to portray Daily Planet photographer and cub reporter Jimmy Olsen, but over the course of the show's six seasons, he set the standard for those who followed in his footsteps, most notably Mark McClure of the Superman and Supergirl films from the 1970s and 1980s.
Later a playwright, librettist, and movie producer, Larson will always be remembered as the plucky and affable Olsen. His memory lives on in reruns of Adventures of Superman every Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on Me TV.
The classic TV network paid tribute to Larson with a memorial black-and-white photograph preceding each of this past Saturday's two installments of Adventures of Superman. The unscheduled episodes focused on the late Larson's Jimmy Olsen character.
--Raj Manoharan
Sunday, September 20, 2015
CD Review – Moksha, by Ray Spiegel Ensemble
This
is “raga rock” if I've ever heard it.
Drummer and percussionist Ray Spiegel leads an energetic and vibrant world music ensemble that includes himself additionally on dohl, manjeera, marimba, and tabla; Ira Coleman (Billy Cobham, Herbie Hancock, Sting) on bass; Robert Levin on percussion and talking drum; Ramesh Mishra on sarangi; Melanie Richeson on harp and tanpura; Stan Scott on harmonium; Tani Tabbal on cajon and drums; Frank Velardi on drums; and Junior “Gabu” Wedderburn on bongos, congas, and djembe.
The real standout is the late Stephen James, who, in addition to playing violin, plays the sarod with the invigorating fire and fury of an electric lead guitarist.
This is an engaging sonic blend of East and West.
--Raj Manoharan
Drummer and percussionist Ray Spiegel leads an energetic and vibrant world music ensemble that includes himself additionally on dohl, manjeera, marimba, and tabla; Ira Coleman (Billy Cobham, Herbie Hancock, Sting) on bass; Robert Levin on percussion and talking drum; Ramesh Mishra on sarangi; Melanie Richeson on harp and tanpura; Stan Scott on harmonium; Tani Tabbal on cajon and drums; Frank Velardi on drums; and Junior “Gabu” Wedderburn on bongos, congas, and djembe.
The real standout is the late Stephen James, who, in addition to playing violin, plays the sarod with the invigorating fire and fury of an electric lead guitarist.
This is an engaging sonic blend of East and West.
--Raj Manoharan
Monday, September 7, 2015
TV – CHiPs Back on the Beat on Me TV
Despite
removing Adam-12 and Hawaii Five-O from
its schedule, Me TV does earn some kudos for bringing back my
guys Larry Wilcox and Erik Estrada with the return of CHiPs
– or CHmePs, as Me TV likes to call it – to the lineup.
Once again, you can relive the good old days as motorcycle cops Ponch (Estrada) and Jon (Wilcox) patrol the freeways of Los Angeles weeknights at 6 p.m. on Me TV.
--Raj Manoharan
Once again, you can relive the good old days as motorcycle cops Ponch (Estrada) and Jon (Wilcox) patrol the freeways of Los Angeles weeknights at 6 p.m. on Me TV.
--Raj Manoharan
TV – Me TV Gives Hawaii Five-O the Heave-Ho
Boo
on you, Me TV, for disrespecting my man James MacArthur.
You wouldn't want to be the topic of discussion when Jack Lord's Steve McGarrett tells MacArthur's Dan Williams to “Book 'em, Danno!”
Bring back Danno!
--Raj Manoharan
You wouldn't want to be the topic of discussion when Jack Lord's Steve McGarrett tells MacArthur's Dan Williams to “Book 'em, Danno!”
Bring back Danno!
--Raj Manoharan
Martin Milner (1931-2015)
Martin
Milner was one of America's great TV cops, having played Officer Pete
Malloy alongside
Kent McCord's
Officer Jim Reed and William Boyett's Sergeant
MacDonald on Adam-12
from 1968 to 1975.
Malloy was the confident, take-charge veteran officer, showing the younger Reed the ropes while patrolling Los Angeles in their squad car, designated Adam-12, under the supervision of their tough but fair commander, Mac. Together, the trio proved a very formidable team.
The normally excellent Me TV network gets a demerit for taking Adam-12 off the schedule earlier this year. Perhaps in memory of Milner, Me TV should bring the show back so fans both old and new can continue to enjoy one of the all-time classic police dramas.
--Raj Manoharan
Malloy was the confident, take-charge veteran officer, showing the younger Reed the ropes while patrolling Los Angeles in their squad car, designated Adam-12, under the supervision of their tough but fair commander, Mac. Together, the trio proved a very formidable team.
The normally excellent Me TV network gets a demerit for taking Adam-12 off the schedule earlier this year. Perhaps in memory of Milner, Me TV should bring the show back so fans both old and new can continue to enjoy one of the all-time classic police dramas.
--Raj Manoharan
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