Well, dear readers, apparently whilst I was taking a shower the power went out for but a moment. Yes, you heard it here, dear readers, whilst I was taking a shower the power went out. I suppose that’s what they call shower power. I only knew the power went out for but a moment because the computer was OFF when I came back to it and there is only one way that can happen and that is if the power goes off. However, it must have been only for a second or two because only one of the clocks in the kitchen went haywire – the other remained fine. So, I fired up the computer, but it always takes a bit to get everything back to where it was. It’s really baffling sometimes, but hopefully we will have no further problems because these here notes must have power, always.
I must say, I had a busier than busy day yesterday. I hadn’t really expected to have a busier than busy day, but I had two very long telephonic calls, one lasting two hours and one lasting one hour (with the delightful composer of Lady in a Cage, Paul Glass), and then I just began writing the liner notes for our next release and that took over two hours to finish the draft. That was almost six hours of the day right there. There were no packages to pick up, so I actually didn’t even leave the home environment until almost four-thirty. But at least the liner notes got done and finessed and sent off, so that’s one less thing to worry about. I also spent some time beginning the song choices for the next Kritzerland show, devoted to the music and lyrics of Randy Newman. Not an especially easy show to put together – I’ve got about nine songs that we’re doing for sure.
Then Pogue and I went to have a meal. Since he was visiting his business manager in Van Nuys, I had the bright idea that we should stay in the San Fernando Valley and go to Dr. Hoggly Woggley’s Tyler Texas Barbecue up on Sepulveda near Roscoe. I first discovered the jernt way back in the early 1970s when I lived only a few blocks away, and it’s been going strong ever since. I hadn’t been there in at least seven or eight years. I was going to be good and just have a barbecue brisket sandwich and two ribs, but they don’t do that sort of combo, so instead I had the barbecue brisket platter with three ribs. It was way too much food and I’m here to tell you I ate every bit of it and it was most yummilicious. They also have GREAT baked beans. Pogue had what I had but instead of the three ribs he had two hot links. We had a fun time, with good chatter, but I was REALLY uncomfortably full. Thankfully, I had done a two-mile jog earlier. After that, I came home and sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I finished the first of the Kenneth Branagh Wallander movies, Sidetracked. I really liked the story, but I’m afraid I don’t care for the Wallander of Mr. Branagh. Unlike Mr. Krister Henricksson’s performance, Mr. Branagh is all actorish and overly emotional – one of the things I loved about the Swedish series was its low-key approach. Henricksson was so subtle and wonderful so that when he had an occasional outburst it actually meant something. Or when he had a moment of sadness or tragedy, he never overplayed the hand – he just did it, simply. So, that’s going to be my biggest problem with the Branagh version. I also have the same kind of problem that I had with Michael Gambon’s Inspector Maigret series – which is actors playing people of another country speaking perfect Queen’s English with no attempt at any kind of accent – so I just find it weird that Branagh and company are playing Swedes in films shot in a Sweden where no one speaks with a hint of a Swedish accent. Also, the supporting cast of the Branagh version are not nearly as interesting or good as the Swedish counterparts. The Swedish series didn’t include Wallander’s papa, but the Branagh version does, played by David Warner. But again, those scenes, for me, almost verge on bathos. And the relationship between Wallander and his daughter is much more interesting in the Swedish series. The production values of the Branagh are very good and while the direction is a little too fussy for my taste, at least in the first film, at least there’s no washed out visuals and jerky cam, which is a big plus. Transfers are nice.
After that, I had a telephonic conversation with our very own Mr. Barry Pearl, and then took a shower, at which point the power apparently went out for but a brief moment. Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I must be up early and therefore need as much beauty sleep as I can get.
Today, I shall be up early and must go to storage to find a few charts. Then I go directly to a breakfast meeting with Juliana Hansen, to have further discussion about her club act. After that, I’ll hopefully pick up some packages, and then I have errands and whatnot to do. Pogue and I talked about a meal, but I’m thinking that tomorrow might work better and be easier for me.
Tomorrow, the New York Singer arrives and we’ll rehearse all afternoon. Then I’m seeing a benefit reading of Come Back, Little Sheba with Faith Prince and Tony Plana in the evening. Sunday will be an all rehearsal day and a meal afterwards. Monday will be the same, with a potential Skip E. Lowe taping in the late afternoon, although he’s already pushed the date three times in four days, so I’m thinking it will probably not happen on Monday. The rest of next week will be getting the new Kritzerland release ready, a few meetings, meals, seeing several shows, and casting the Kritzerland show and getting everyone their music as soon as possible.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, go to storage, have a meeting, hopefully pick up packages, try to jog, and then we’ll see what happens from there. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your all-time favorite Randy Newman songs – pop songs and songs from the films he’s written. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland after wrapping and posting these power notes.