Stu’s Reviews – Page 12

Stu’s Reviews- #729- Book – “Cuckoo Cloud Land”- Anthony Doerr

Genre: Book

Grade: B-

Notable People: Anthony Doerr

Title: Cuckoo Cloud Land

Review: got this book as a birthday gift a year ago from my daughter-lost it-searched everywhere and found it while unpacking on mountain return a year later. Thus, was pretty excited to get at it, especially after reading Doerr’s extraordinary Pulitzer-prize winning first novel, “All the Light We Cannot See”. Well, bummer. Firstly, it is over 600 pages, and although I do believe Doerr is quality writer, I was pretty sure I was done after 50 pages. But, being a glutton and stubborn, I pushed through the whole thing-never feign any better really about it. From what I can make of it, it is a takeoff on an ancient Greek novel that was rediscovered in partial form 1500 years ago, and is a fantastical and sci-fi-ish account of a Homeric journey. So, Doerr takes this metaphor or parable or whatever the hell it is, and spins about a half dozen story-lines on differing characters in alternating chapters, in ancient Greece, in 1400s Constantinople, in modern day Idaho and on a spaceship from earth on a 100 plus year journey to another solar system. All of it is somehow related to this Greek text and to Libraries…don’t ask. Give it a try if you are a better reader than i. Dazed and confused-on to simpler things

Stu’s Reviews- #726- Album – “All Roads Led Home “- Molina, Talbot, Lofgren & Young

Genre: Album

Grade: B+

Notable People: Ralph Molina, Billy Talbot, Nils Lofgren, Neil Young, Produced by: M,T, L &Y

Title: All Roads Lead Home

Review: Three of the four surviving members of The Horse, Neil’s forever backup band, got together over this past winter and laid down these tracks. Molina and Talbot have been the rhythm section and and hearts of Crazy Horse since the late 60s and a teen age Lofgren replaced the deceased genius Danny Whitten after the latter overdosed (The Needle and the Damage Done). Of course, Lofgren went on to be not only Neil’s second fiddle but then Bruce’s. They enticed Neil to contribute a song to the album, and he reputedly plays back ground a on a number of other cuts. The lead vocals are split between the three and are mostly kind of quiet Horse dreamy types- not the blast of what might be world’s greatest garage band of all time. Neil’s one song offering is classic- close your eyes and it is 1973. I was delighted to see these guys still upright and putting out a record after so many years, though, in fairness, you probably have to be a longtime fan to really appreciate this music; a bit dated and minimally produced. But, these guys are top notch musical muse warriors. Viva The Horse.

Stu’s Reviews- #727- TV Series – “Rough Diamonds”- Netflix -1 Season (French, Hebrew, Yiddish- with sub-titles)

Genre: TV Series

Grade: B+

Notable People: Kevin Janssens, Ini Massez, Robbie Cleiren, Created by Rotem Shamir

Title: Rough Diamonds

Grade: Very well written drama about the orthodox Jewish community running the diamond trade in Antwerp, Belgium. An Israeli and Belgium co-production the plot follows Noah Wolfson, long lost from his family and living a secular life in London, who travels home to Antwerp after the suicide of his younger brother. Upon his return, Noah reconnects with the community he abandoned, while also trying to rescue his family’s diamond trading business from the pressures of organized crime and a zealous local prosecutor. Intense and fast paced, the show is an interesting look at a culture very few of us understand. Probably a one and done season show.

Stu’s Reviews- #726- TV Series – “Marie Antoinette”- PBS -1 Season

Genre: TV Series

Grade: B+/B

Notable People: Emilia Schule, James Purefoy, Louis Cunningham, Jack archer, Created by Deborah Davis

Title: Marie Antoinette

Grade: a historical drama produced by the BBC and based on the life of the last queen of France before the French Revolution who was 14 years old when she became the Dauphine of France upon her marriage to the heir Louis Auguste- Louis the 16^th– who was the last king of France before the fall of the monarchy with the Revolution. Louis was the grandson of the venerable Louis the 14^th who is featured prominently in the show. The acting is good, the setting, mostly in Versailles, magnificent and costumes to die for- though there is some question of its historical accuracy. Nice period piece if you like the period. Commissioned for a second season, so, obviously, she has not yet lost her head .

Stu’s Reviews- #725- Book – “Serpentine”- Johnathan Kellerman

Genre: Book

Grade: B+

Notable People: Johnathan Kellerman

Title: Serpentine

Review: Kellerman is one of the most published authors of our time with a number of series (some with wife, Faye) and standalones. This was my first experience though I’ve known of him for years. The Alex Delaware series is about a low key, very likeable consulting shrink in LA whose best friend and crime partner is a big, tough, and enigmatic LAPD lieutenant, who defies all stereotypes by being happily same sex married. Mile Sturgis is a great character and the book is tautly written with a wild underbelly of a story involving a 30-year-old cold case going back to the 60s glory of swinging Hollywood. Shrouded in LA hot spots and highlighting the insanity of driving from one place to the next, the book was a gift, and a pleasant surprise. Lots more to choose from, if you are so inclined.

Stu’s Reviews- #724- Album – “Accomplice Two “- Tommy Emmanuel

Genre: Album

Grade: A+++

Notable People: Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, Jamey Johnson, Billy Payne and Little Feat, Sam Bush, David Grisman, Jorma Kaukonen, Michael McDonald, Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams, Jerry Douglas, The Del McCoury Band, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Produced by: Tommy Emmanuel

Title: Accomplice Two

Review: ok- I am embarrassed to say it has taken me this long to discover this guy-and it has changed my life. The 68-year-old Australian Chet Atkins disciple, guitar master has been spoken about in hushed toms, by all the greats for decades- but it took me this long, an AARP (no shit) write-up, and a birthday gift from my daughter, to finally tune him in. WOW…WOW…WOW- this is all I can say. Look at the list of people who he “features” on each cut on the album………are you kidding me?… he is like a cross between Django Reinhardt and Bill Frisell, and everybody, I mean everybody loves him…I mean loves him……. I am ashamed, ashamed, ashamed, to be this illiterate musically, but have seen the light……was blind and now I see. The album is a literal masterpiece and from what I’ve learned, when Tommy calls, these folks come a running…the man is a guitar genius and plays every instrument known to man…check out the duets with Sam Bush and David Grisman, the rebirth of Little Feat and The Dirt Band and Doobie Bro- Macdonald. The connections with Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle and save for last the country blues wet dream with Jorma. OMG…. can’t get enough- running out to get Accomplice (One- the predecessor) am shaking with anticipation to see who shows up to play on that one. Run out and get this puppy –today…NOW.

Stu’s Reviews- #723- TV Series – “The Diplomat”- Netflix -1 Season

Genre: TV Series

Grade: A-

Notable People: Kerry Russell, Rufus Sewell, Ato Essandoh, Rory Kinnear, Ali Ahn, David Gyasi, Created by Debora Icahn

Title: The Diplomat

Grade: A heady dramedy about a rising diplomacy corps star and her infamous former ambassador husband- thrown into an explosive situation creating the potential of nuclear disaster- on what seemed like a lightweight pro-forma temporary assignment as Ambassador to Britain. The dialog snaps, the cast is well tuned, the insider knowledge of the workings of the state dept. will give you double takes. Russell and Sewell- its’ like The Americans meets the Man in the Hightower- and the result is sparks flying everywhere- incredible chemistry and with Sewell channeling a kind of debonair reminiscent of Cary Grant and his ilk. Loved this show- already renewed for season two.

Stu’s Reviews- #722- Book – “Quietly in Their sleep”- Donna Leon

Genre: Book

Grade: A-

Notable People: Donna Leon

Title: Quietly in Their Sleep

Review: Number six in the wonderful Commisario Brunetti series, is a 1997 entry in the fabled Venice world of gutter politics, rampant corruption and endless humanity. Brunetti takes on the mother church and nursing home abuse in this one, which provides a primer on the unusual life of Venice. Filled with historical, social and economic contexts along with a bizarre murder mystery, Brunetti, as always, plow through the chaos with dignity, élan and aplomb. Great series.

Stu’s Reviews- #721- TV Series – “Shrinking -Apple TV -1 Season

Genre: TV Series

Grade: A-

Notable People: Jason Segal, Jessica Williams, Harrison Ford, Christa Miller, Heidi Gardner, Luke Tennie, Created by Jason Segal and Bill Lawrence

Title: Shrinking

Review: Brilliantly written and executed show about grief and loss- set in the form of masterful comedy about three wacky, boundary-less psychologists in private practice –and their extended families. Segal is outstanding, the ensemble cast is wonderful, the writing is crisp. The show is both touching and really, really funny. Harrison Ford? Who knew? A cast -against –type role for the ages. Love, love, love this show. Renewed for second season.

Stu’s Reviews- #721- Book – “Blood Money”- Thomas Perry

Genre: Book

Grade: A-

Notable People: Thomas Perry

Title: Blood Money

Review: The Jane Whitefield series is THE BOMB. What a fascinating character- a Native American woman whose sees spirits and helps people disappear from the world rather than be obliterated by the clutches of very bad guys. Every installment is a treasure with Perry’s wonderful prose style and captivating stories. This one wreaks havoc on the entire family structure of the modern Mafia as Jane reluctantly leaves retirement and marital bliss with her long suffering and beloved husband, to help a young girl inadvertently caught up in their murderous sights. Rich, rich reading-hard to put down-transcends he genre. This 1999 publication is the fifth of nine in the series- but still going as of 2021. Perry also writes several other series I will be pursuing. Many thanks to my old friend and literary mentor, Berms, for the turn-on.