In the Arena, 2/27

BY TODD HUNT

Mandatory event updates:  Monster Jam this weekend, Winter Jam March 8, Harlem Globetrotters March 16, Cats April 2 (on sale Monday at 10 a.m.), and Alan Jackson April 16.  Good seats are still available for all shows!

This week I have decided to focus on some of the most important albums to me over the years.  For those of you thinking “isn’t this a Facebook note?” the answer is yes.  Sometimes inspiration comes from the strangest places…

Ozzy Osbourne – Diary Of A Madman – Ozzy’s second solo album remains my favorite to this day.  The two opening songs (“Over The Mountain” and “Flying High Again”) are one of the best one-two punches ever.  I must have played side one of this album (how’s that for dating myself?) a million times as a teenager.

Van Halen – Fair Warning – Not their most commercially successful album but one of my all-time favorites.  Another great one-two sequencing example with “So This Is Love?” and “Unchained” closing side one and opening side two respectively.

Iron Maiden – Number Of The Beast – Can you tell that I was a metalhead in the early to mid-Eighties?  This is one of the records that I used to try to play along with as I was learning to play drums.  I should have picked something easier…

R.E.M. – Reckoning/Life’s Rich Pageant – OK, I’m cheating by putting two albums together but that’s how I made the cassette back in the day.  This was great jingle-jangle (how’s that for a technical term?) pop music.

The Replacements – Pleased To Meet Me – Recorded in Memphis and produced by the legendary Jim Dickinson this was the last great album made by the Minneapolis quartet.  It veered from pretty ballads like “Skyway” to rockers “The Ledge” and “Red Red Wine” (no, not the hideous UB40 song).

Led Zeppelin – Houses Of The Holy – It’s really hard to pick a favorite Zeppelin album but this is the one I have played the most.

Better Than Ezra – Surprise – Their cassette-only debut from 1990.  It’s even better than Deluxe in my opinion.  Great songwriting and performance from a young band.

Blind Melon – Blind Melon – It’s a shame that these guys didn’t get a chance at a longer career.  Their first album was phenomenal but I do admit that I can’t listen to “No Rain” anymore (thanks a lot commercial radio!).

Smashing Pumpkins – Gish – A great album from beginning to end.

The Beatles – Abbey Road – Like with Zeppelin it’s hard to pick a favorite Beatles album.  This is the one with the most spins in my life so it gets the nod.

I’m quite sure that I am leaving out some very important albums but I do have another job that needs my attention.  Feel free to comment on my picks or to add your own.  Now if only I could put together a concert featuring all of these acts on the same bill.  That would be something!

Until next time,

Todd

“American Idol,” 2/26

Allison Iraheta, Adam Lambert and Kris Allen are through to “Idol”‘s Top 12.

Columbus native Jasmine Murray was sent home tonight.

Besides the elimination, an “Idol” contestant from last year, Brooke White, performed her new single.

What do y’all think about the elimination?

Who are you looking forward to next week?

Scene Picks

What’s happening this weekend?

• Festival of Hope is this weekend, featuring the Spunk Monkees. See the story below.

• “All About Us” is being screened at The Link Centre in Tupelo at 6:30 tonight. Tickets are $5 and include popcorn and drink.
  From The Link Centre: “Beautifully told against the backdrop of Hollywood and the Mississippi Delta  with stellar performances by Boris Kodjoe, Academy Award nominee Rudy Dee, and special appearance by Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman, All About Us is an inspirational and heartwarming story that provides insightful commentary on the familial rifts that ambition often creates.”

• The 2009 Ebony Fashion Fair is Sunday at Tupelo Furniture Market Building V. It starts at 5 p.m. and tickets are $40 and $30.

• Monster Jam takes over the BancorpSouth Arena this weekend.

• “Slumdog Millionaire” won the hearts of M. Scott Morris and Kelli Karlson (hey, mine too!). It’s playing now.

• Boondocks in Tupelo offers Scott Chism & the Better Half Friday night and and Thomas Jackson Orchestra Saturday.

• Soul Gravy is at Rick’s Cafe in Starkville Friday night.

• This week’s Thacker Mountain Radio is all about the Blues Symposium this weekend in Oxford. Cedric Burnside & Lightnin’ Malcolm and Kenny Brown are the musical guests for this week’s show.

• Stone Lizard rocks Bogart’s in Tupelo Friday and Saturday.

• If you’re in the mood for blues, check out Rooster’s in Oxford, who will feature DuWayne Burnside Friday and Big Jack Johnson Saturday.

• Jeff Cummings has a gig at Bin 612 in Starkville tonight.

Show & Tell – ‘Slumdog’ music

What pop culture-y goodness are you in love with this week? What book, movie, TV show, song, commercial, whatever, made your week?

I’ve already written this week that I saw “Slumdog Millionaire,” and that, like just about everyone else who’s seen it, I loved it.

I saw the movie with a group of friends, and after it was over, a friend said she hated the music in the film.

She asked me what I thought, and I said I loved it. She’s made fun of me since. Every time I’ve seen her, she’s asked me, “You really liked that music?” lol.

What’s Going On – Wilco, ‘Iron Man 2,’ 50 Cent

Happy Thursday, dears!

Hope things are going well in your corner of the world.

Don’t forget to check back tonight to see who’s voted off “Idol.”

• R.I.P., Pylon guitarist Randy Bewley.

• Wilco will have a new album out in June.

• Samuel L. Jackson has joined the cast of “Iron Man 2.” Pretty rad, eh?

• Jerry Seinfeld is returning to NBC as creator/producer of a new reality show.

• Def Leppard is going on the road this summer.

• Here’s scoop on the new Beastie Boys CD.

• 50 Cent’s new album has been pushed back again.

• “NeverEnding Story” is getting a remake, as is “Total Recall.”

• Don’t call it a remake (I guess?), but Russell Crowe and Kate Blanchett will star in a new “Robin Hood” flick.

• Barenaked Ladies plan a new album despite losing a singer.

“American Idol,” 2/25

The second group of the Top 36 performed tonight, and again the theme was Billboard hits.

Columbus’ own Jasmine Murray started the night off, singing Sara Bareilles’ “Love Song.” I think she’s a better singer than the song really allowed her to show off.
Randy said: She had good moments, but he expected her to sing something from the likes of Rihanna. It was pitchy.
Kara said: She’s very commercial but her performance was “very all over the place.” It wasn’t her best performance.
Paula said: She gave it her all, and her confidence was great.
Simon said: He was “disappointed,”  and she may be too young for the show. He said she’d be someone to count on in a few years’ time.

Spunk Monkees headline Festival of Hope

Spunk Monkees by C. Todd Sherman

From the Festival of Hope organizers:

FESTIVAL OFFERS HOPE TO LOCAL CANCER,
DIABETES AND HEART DISEASE PATIENTS

TUPELO – Project Hope invites area families to come out Friday, Feb. 27, and make a difference in the lives of local cancer, diabetes and heart disease patients.

The 10th annual Festival of Hope is planned for 6-10 p.m. at Tupelo Furniture Market Mississippi Complex, Building 5. With the theme, “There’s No Place Like Hope” centered around the classic movie, “The Wizard of Oz,” organizers promise good food, entertainment and fun for all ages. Mabel Murphree is honorary chairperson of this year’s event.

Survivors of heart disease, cancer and diabetes will be honored during the opening ceremonies, and a time of remembrance is planned for those who lost their battle against these diseases.

Back by popular demand, local rock band Spunk Monkees will provide the evening’s entertainment. More than just a band of musicians, the Spunk Monkees are a total experience. With the look, the attitude, and sheer energy, every performance is memorable.

What’s Going On – ‘Harry Potter,’ ‘Green Hornet,’ ‘Smallville’

Merry Wednesday, loves!

How’s your week going?

Last night I finally saw “Slumdog Millionaire” last night. I really, really enjoyed it. It was everything you’ve heard it is – beautiful, uplifting, inspiriting. More than anything I thought it was beautifully filmed – it looked amazing. Naturally, I’m listening to the soundtrack now. I’m a sucker for Indian sounds, and I love that M.I.A. is on it.

Don’t forget, Starkville teen Jasmine Murray competes tonight on “American Idol.” Check back here tonight to see how she does.

News!

• “Harry Potter and the the Deathly Hallows: Part II” will be released July 2011.

• Seth Rogen’s “The Green Hornet” is a go, with Michael Gondry directing.

• Also happening is that “Arrested Development” movie.

• “Smallville” returns for a ninth season, and “90210” and “Supernatural” are also renewed. No word yet on “Reaper” or “Privileged.”

• Here’s a story on Nick “Norman Gentle” Mitchell, who’s got everyone talking on “American Idol.”

• Bono and The Edge are behind a Spider-Man musical that’s coming to Broadway.

• Speaking of musicals, a “Star Wars” musical is heading for America.

• Tinted Windows – you know, that totally random supergroup made up of members of Smashing Pumpkins, Hanson, Cheap Trick and Foundtains of Wayne – talks about its debut album.

• Toby Keith is filming a movie with Hilary Duff.

• The Barenaked Ladies singer Steven Page has quit the band following a drug bust.

• JUST IN: Here are the tour dates for the No Doubt/Paramore tour. Closest date is Atlanta.

The 00s – What does this decade sound like?

Riddle me this, Scenesters – what do you think this decade, the 2000s, sounds like?

If someone says, “an old 50s rock tune,” “an 80s dance number” or a “throwback to 90s rock,” chances are you know exactly what they mean. Each decade, especially since the 50s, has had its own style of music that defined the era. Doo-wop ruled the 50s, synths took over the 80s, jangly-guitar grunge dominated the 90s…and so on. Even though there were more than just one genre of music going on, one certain style generally defined the years.

“Cats” coming to BancorpSouth Arena

From the BancorpSouth Arena:

CATS IS COMING TO BANCORPSOUTH ARENA IN TUPELO!
Tickets On Sale This Monday, March 2nd at 10am!

The show that revolutionized musical theatre is coming to the BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo, MS for 1 performance, April 2, 2009.

Tickets go on sale on Monday, March 2nd at 10AM at the Arena Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online a http://www.bcsarena.com or call 662-841-6528 for more details.

Produced by CATS-Eye, LLC, the national tour of CATS is the only production in North America sanctioned by Andrew Lloyd Webber. With original direction by Trevor Nunn and choreography by Gillian Lynne this is the CATS credited with the British invasion of Broadway. The national tour of CATS recently celebrated its 26th anniversary season, holding its place as the longest continuously touring Broadway musical in history.

On May 11, 1981, CATS opened at the New London Theatre in the West End. Eight years later it celebrated its first important milestone: after 3,358 performances CATS became the longest running musical in the history of British theatre. CATS played its final performance on its 21st birthday, May 11, 2002.

CATS opened on Broadway October 7, 1982 at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City and continued to live up to its motto “Now and Forever.”  On June 19, 1997, CATS became the longest running musical on Broadway.  It ended its 18 year run on September 10, 2000.

Based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, and with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, CATS won seven 1983 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Lighting and Best Costumes.

In October of 1991 CATS became the longest continuously touring show in American theatre history. Five continents, 26 countries, over eight and a half million audience members and 26 years later, CATS is still America’s most loved family musical. Celebrating not only 26 years but the birth of the musical spectacular, CATS is still revolutionary and awe inspiring.  Now that it was been seen by millions of audience members worldwide, it is time to celebrate with the whole family the magic, the mystery, the wonder of CATS.

Prices:  $59, $49, $39 and $29 + applicable fees.