Stu’s Reviews
Genre: Album
Grade A-
Notable People: Margo Price
Title: Midwest Farmer’s Daughter
Review: this is a keeper! First album by this new Nashville darling that my daughter got of me as a birthday gift. Echoes of stylistic Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and early Dolly with crack band which I’m guessing are Nashville pros. sweet songs of love, loss and drinking…classic, classic, classic! Go get this one. First song is humdinger.
Genre: Album
Grade B+
Notable People: Graham Nash
Title: This Path Tonight
Review: I guess it’s old home week-first Santana with a new album and now the folk rock legend. Nash has always been underrated song writer- both for his time in The Hollies and with CSN&Y. This album is a return to his late 70s melodic, sweet songs of refection and struggle. Not surprising, after leaving his wife of 38 years and totally distancing himself from longtime partner David Crosby. Definitely closer to the end then the beginning. Produced and supported musically by Shane Fontayne (Springsteen, Sting)- this fine album of classic Nash music. Nice tribute song to the late, great Levon Helm. Nothing earth shattering, but quite comforting if you are of a certain era.
Stu’s Reviews
Genre: Album
Grade A-
Notable People: Santana
Title: Santana
Review: WOW…Amazing…43 years after they released Santana III in 1973, the original Woodstock ere band is back together, including the return of Neil Schon and Greg Rolle from their offshoot band Journey. To say, it’s like they never left is an understatement. This IS Santana as they were and should always be. Great rhythms, good tunes, classic organ, very recognizable vocals and off course the great Carlos set lose to do what he does best, after years of sharing the space with “featured vocalists”. The band is joined on several numbers by Ronald Isley (of the Isley brothers) on vocals, but it is the Latin infused rock and the twin guitars that make it memorable. Clearly they quite before their time to. It’s pure Black Magic.
Genre: Novel
Grade A-
Notable People: Philip Kerr
Title: Field Gray
Review: Continuing saga of Berlin detective Bernie Gunther as we follow him into the Cold War. When last seen, he was hiding out with all the other Nazis in Argentina. This book picks up in 1954 with Bernie living the life in Cuba and then captured by the Americans, the Russians and the French in succession. Complicated book about a complicated time- Bernie is a tortured German policeman who was forced into the SS and lives with his demons. I have not yet read the original pre-war Berlin trilogy that Kerr has constructed, but it’s on my list. The picture of post war chaos and suspicion is done to the highest standard and Kerr is a fine writer. Unique for the genre.
Genre: Novel
Grade B+
Notable People: Donna Tartt
Title: Goldfinch
Review: compelling third novel from Tartt, this is mammoth book- scanning decades in the life of young man who loses his mother in a terrorist attack at a major NY art museum. Cast adrift through a variety of life circumstances- his ultimate bedrock is the infamous 16th century Dutch Master painting he inadvertently took away from the rubble and then has it become his grounded touchstone to his beloved mother. Set alternately in the antiques world of New York and the dream-to-get- rich environs of Las Vegas it is a fascinating study of hope and despair. A worthwhile, but VERY long and sometimes difficult read.
Genre: Film
Grade A-
Notable People: Mark Ruffalo, Micheal Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Live Schreiber, John Slattery, Stanley Tucci, Directed by: Tom McCarthy
Title: Spotlight
Review: Brilliant and disturbing film about the Boston sexual abuse scandal in the catholic church and the news team that broke it. Probably everyone has seen it by now- but it is must see. Ruffalo and McAdams play against every type they have done (McAdams is unrecognizable from her turn in True Detective). Keaton is his usual brilliance though a bit toned down. Schreiber cannot be the am guy who does Ray Donovan and Tucci…is just Tucci- too good. Well filed, well written, great film.
Genre: Novel
Grade A-
Notable People: Philip Kerr
Title: A Quiet Flame
Review: another in a long line of quality books I’ve read in last year that takes place in Berlin in the dark days of the Nazi emergence. This is part of as series by this gifted writer about Bernie Gunther, a Berlin detective genius trying to survive despite his anti-Nazi sentiment. The book moves flawlessly back and forth between his experiences in the late 30s in Berlin and in 1950 after his escape to Argentina- hunted as a war criminal despite being forced into SS duty during the war. The man is a walking ball of guilt and regret and determined to tie the atrocities of the very corrupt Peron regime with unsolved pre-war Berlin atrocities. The portrayals of some of the most heinous war criminals hiding out in Buenos Aires along with the ruthless Peron government are chilling. Gunther remains a man for all seasons despite it all, and no happy endings likely in sight-paying the price for his time and place. A bunch more of these to look forward to. A very quick and quality read.
Genre: Novel
Grade A
Notable People: Martin Walker
Title: Bruno- Chief of Police
Review: C’est Magnifique!!!! Absolutely loved this first in a series of “Bruno” novels set in the south of France. Bruno is the chief in the tiny hamlet of St. Denis in the Perigord-Dordogne region in the southwest of France. His classic small town life is disrupted by a heinous murder which leads to all kinds of strange twists and curves. We have French characters of the finest resort, meals we all dream of, Nazis, Arab emigrants, chateaus. the famous Lascaux caves and of course, les romances…all too good to be true….a wonderful read for the sun and sand (happened to read on sojourn in the Keys). Wonderful, wonderful! I
Genre: Novel
Grade A
Notable People: Mitch Albom
Title: The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto
Review: I absolutely loved this beautiful book. Albom has become quite the writer since he wrote Tuesdays with Morrie. An amazing story of a young orphaned musician in Spain who goes on to become a Rock music legend and leads a mega- mysterious life- all told through the narrative of the ethereal voice of music itself. Frankie is the Forrest Gump of the music genre- interacting with musical legends from the 50s until now- Django Reinhardt, Duke Ellington, Jimi Hendrix, Tony Bennett, The Stones, Roger McGuinn…on and on (did I mention the extraordinary story involving Hank Williams?). What a magnificent and touching story-everyone should read this book- one I read in short intervals; the more to savor all its glory. Just beautiful!
Genre: Film
Grade: A- to C+…this is a tough one…..
Notable People: Geza Rohrig, Directed by Laszlo Nemes
Title: Son of Saul
Review: Whoa- this is as serious film. Hits the ground running at Auschwitz in 1944 and never lets up. Probably safe to say this may be the most hit you-over-the-head concentration camp experience yet portrayed on film. Despicable, hopeless , grim, overwhelming. I barely took a breath for the entire two hours. There is no single uplifting moment in the film, nor much of a redeeming character. The main character, played with amazing grace by newcomer (and non-actor) Rohrig almost becomes sympathetic but is so driven and despairing it is hard to like him much. The striped and numbered people treat each other almost as badly as the filthy Nazis. It’s all unimaginably horrific- which is why we need to think about it. If you are a film buff, this is a must see A level film. If you are a more casual movie-goer and mostly seek entertainment- stay home…you’ll probably hate it.
