M  i  l    M  a  n  i  a

       

        The Official Newsletter of WWW.ARTISTINSANE.COM

 

 

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All Content © Mil Scott                                                                                                         www.artistinsane.com

Welcome To The March Issue of Mil Mania!

 Volume 2, Issue 3, March 2006

 

Music Mayhem    

As noted in the December edition of Mil Mania, I will continue to include news in every issue to keep readers up to date on the latest happenings with the three acts most prominently featured on www.artistinsane.com.  In addition,  for each issue I will also choose one additional artist — in some cases a new discovery I’ve recently made, in others an individual or group whose work I’ve long appreciated — to make a one-time appearance here.  And, of course, as with all aspects of Mil Mania, feel free to offer suggestions.

 

This month’s featured
artist: 

 

Cyndi Lauper —

     Although images
of multi-colored hair
and the 80’s anthem,
“Girls Just Want to
 Have Fun” may yet remain the most common associations with this pop/rock icon, my own appreciation for her work began more despite than because of either.  Though not averse to her early expressions of individuality, I have little doubt these would have proved deservedly forgettable had they not merely served to crack the door on a much greater level of songwriting depth, genuine artistic passion — and a vocal range (not to mention control) that’s downright staggering.     
     It seems just desserts, therefore, that while many of her fellow 80’s idols have long since faded into obscurity, at age 52 Lauper not merely continues to perform, but also to collaborate, innovate and, in the process, earn some long overdue respect...as evidenced by Rolling Stone Magazine’s review of her latest work, The Body Acoustic.  “Many rockers lose their fire and much of their vocal range while journeying through middle age. But the ever-unusual Cyndi Lauper now sings with more power, more nuance and with more notes at her disposal than she had at her mid-Eighties popularity peak.” 

     Re-discover her for yourself and see if you don’t agree.

For more info visit www.cyndilauper.com.

……………………..

 

Third Eye Blind continues to move toward their latest album’s completion.  According to an entry (and photos ) posted at The Village Churchyard, the first songs (“Second Born” and “Red Star”) were recorded earlier this month, with the remaining tracks soon to follow. 

     On a somewhat sadder note, it must be reported that Jen G. has closed her website, StephanJenkins.com after more than 7 years.  Here’s what she had to say recently about the passing of this era…”As sj.com nears the 2 million visitor mark, I'd just like to have my site be remembered as the fun loving, save-the-world fundraiser, ever-purple place to find the latest and greatest about 3eb. “
     And so it shall. 

 

 

Brian Fitzpatrick makes a triumphant return to the stage this month, as part of the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration at The Underpass. So, if you’re in the Northeastern NJ area on that night, this is indeed the place to be!  Lest you need any additional incentive, however, here’s what Brian himself had to say about the event in a recent myspace blog, “So, Self-Promotion has never been my strong point, but if you come down to The Underpass on Saint Patrick’s Day I think you are sure to have a good time. I will be playing an acoustic set joined by Matty Z... It's on a Friday this year so no need to worry about work the next day.  Come on down and celebrate with your favorite Irish-American songwriter (I'm trying okay!!!). Hope to see you all!”

     On a side note to that post, I’d just like to mention that I’ve long been a huge fan of the proverb, “Let another praise you and not your own lips” — words I confess I fear violating every time I include a bit of “self-promotion” in Mil Mania...a publication I realize could be argued as entirely self-promotion by its very existence — though I sincerely hope it serves as much, much more.  My point, in any case, is that it’s long been my opinion there are far too many people out there “tooting their own horns” — all the more reason to spend an evening with a highly talented singer-songwriter who sticks to playing his guitar...which is in it“self” undeniably strong promotion.

 

 

Michael McDermott has completed work on his re-recorded 7th album, and announced the new release date as “early summer 2006”.  In the meantime, he’s playing his own St. Patrick Day shows in the Chicago area — and, it’s hoped more dates in other areas of the U.S. are soon to follow! 

     In other news, Michael made a Feb. appearance on Chicago’s Improv  Olympic’s Late Night Light Show (2/11), which you can listen to via the online podcast archive by clicking here.   Just scroll down to Feb. 11 link and click on “Play Now” to hear two brand new McDermott compositions.  (His performance begins at approx. the 47 minute mark of the show so you may want to fast forward to that point). 
     Check the tour page of Michael’s website, www.michael-mcdermott.com for more info on the St. Pat’s gigs.  And, of course, don’t forget to keep checking out Michael’s page at MySpaceMusic for the ongoing treat of Monday Morning Musical Madness.

         Ravings of a    
                Mad Woman

This column corresponds with the Mad Ravings On section of www.artistinsane.com, and is dedicated to selected reviews of movies, television and books… most of which are unlikely to represent “the latest” in any of these categories, but rather a  random selection that represents a new and/or noteworthy discovery to me.

 

And, again, this being the St. Pat’s issue,  I thought it might be appropriate to offer a few short paragraphs on several Irish–related films rather than a longer review about any one work in particular.  Here goes...

            ………………………..

 

Waking Ned Devine — a delightful comedy dealing with the complications of claiming a deceased lottery winner’s fortune — by preventing the lottery commission from discerning this one small “past-tense” detail about his life.  A gem chock-full of Irish charm, wit...even a bit of romance — and one which offers a few lessons in friendship, generosity and cooperation.  Most importantly, it gently illustrates the value of love and belonging, and how little even the greatest fortune can compare with such treasures.

 

Rory O’Shea Was Here — a deeply touching drama offering insights into the lives of two young quadriplegic men and their struggle for “normalcy” and independence. Intelligently written and superbly acted, this is a film that unflinchingly documents these individuals’ ever-present challenges, including the confused emotions that surround attaining what they’ve longed for.  It’s also a timeless and classic tale of how one’s life can be forever changed by a true friend, and how the strength of such a bond can continue to warm and inspire us through good times, bad times, and well beyond “the end”.

    

She’s The One — not an Irish film, per se, but like all of Ed Burns forays into writing and directing it’s nonetheless one  wherein his rich Irish heritage is fully present and plays a wonderfully central role.  And, as Burns remains a perennial favorite of mine as a writer, director and actor, I couldn’t possibly pass up the opportunity to include a sample of his work herein.  A tale of two brothers, their tumultuous love-lives and their crusty dad’s no-nonsense observations and advice, this was the first Ed Burns creation I encountered, and still ranks very high among my favorites.  As noted on my website, if it boasted no other attributes whatsoever (and it boasts many) I would love it nonetheless for that one great line… “Let me get this straight.  You don't want to cheat on your girlfriend with your wife.”
     Need I say more?

 

State of Grace —  I’ve referenced this film so many times in Mil Mania since its inception that you surely knew this all-time fave whose action culminates on St. Patrick’s Day had to be coming in this column.  What I haven’t mentioned previously, however, is the most concise description of  (for me) its ultimate appeal...because, of course, to do so means to spoil the ending — which is hardly the way to recommend it to new viewers.   That said, I’m warning you to stop reading now if you’re one of those.  For the rest of you, the inescapable truth of the film is that Terry Noonan needn’t have put himself in harm’s way to achieve the goal we learn midway through he’d been pursuing all along — a fact that didn’t even occur to me until days after seeing it for the first time.  He had everything he needed to arrest Frank and walk away.  But, his friendship with Jackie was too important to him… Jackie's life, and death, were too important. And, the verse "Greater love hath no man than he lay down his life for his friend" subsequently went through my mind as the best characterization of the film's ultimate meaning —and  speaks volumes for the conflicted feelings one experiences while watching the movie, and developing such a caring for Jackie -- as so amazingly played by Gary Oldman.  For, it makes one feel one isn't completely crazy to see him as someone somehow lovable when one realizes Terry, too, loved him/valued his friendship that completely.  Simply put, it’s beautiful, ultimately, to me -- heartbreaking, tragic and just plain difficult as well, but beautiful — “terribly” beautiful, indeed,  nevertheless.