Movie of the Week: Trench Town, The Forgotten Land (2007)

Danny Sims RIP

Danny Sims - RIP

Movie of the Week: Countryman (1982)

Countryman tells the story of a Jamaican fisherman whose solitude is shattered when he rescues two Americans from the wreckage of a plane crash. The fisherman, called Countryman, is hurled into a political plot by the dangerous Colonel Sinclair. Countryman uses his knowledge of the terrain and his innate combat skills to survive.

The film was shot in Jamaica and featured a reggae soundtrack with music by Bob Marley & the Wailers, Rico, Aswad, Steel Pulse, Dennis Brown, Toots & The Maytals, Lee Perry, and others.




Buy the soundtrack here.
Buy the DVD here.

Shot by: Kate Simon

Friend of the blog, Kate Simon, has a very nice article & slideshow in this week's New Yorker, and at their website, on her working relationship with Bob Marley:

When we asked Kate Simon to delve into her archive to find a photo of Bob Marley for this week’s issue, we knew she would send us something special. In addition to being the official photographer for Marley’s European Exodus Tour, in 1977, Kate has been a friend of Bob’s since they first met, at a concert, in 1975. Not only did Kate supply us with some amazing photos of Bob, she also shared a few words about her time with him. Continued here.

Check out the recent Marley documentary here.

Movie crazy! Bad Brains! DC punk! Bob Marley!

The great films just keep on coming...The Bad Brains documentary, A Band In DC, was recently shown in Austin for SxSW. Keep up with future screenings at their official website. I still get goose bumps when I listen to them.



Salad Days: The DC Punk Revolution is a new film in progress, and is due out next year. Here are a couple of trailers to whet your appetite. Keep up with film news at their official Facebook page.And while we're at it, click over to the Capitol of Punk website for a cool history lesson on the city & many of the landmarks & folks who play a part in this film.

Also played at SxSW, is Marley...I don't think I need to mention which Marley its about, do I?! Anyway, here's the trailer. Keep up with news and screenings at the film's official website.

Bob Marley digs vinyl

This is a fantastic candid shot of Marley hanging out, and checking out some records. If you look closely, you'll notice that LP on top of the few he's holding is the first Ruts album, The Crack. I can't fault his taste. Thanks to Bob at Blue Note Records in South Florida - be sure to visit him when in Miami/Fort Lauderdale for all of your used vinyl needs.

Of note - Yr Heart Out, Paul Gorman blog, Kate Simon book

I just wanted to point out a couple of things worth investigating.

Friend Kevin, over at Your Heart Out, has a new issue of his free ezine ready for your perusal entitled Skimming Stones. You can download it here.

As he describes it: After some revealing romps in the archives of The Pop Group and the Mad Professor’s Ariwa label it’s time to explore some related roots and branches. So, if you’ve even a passing interest in, for example, On-U Sound, Jah Wobble, Disco Dub Band, Dennis Bovell, lovers rock, afro rock, pub rock, The Fabulous Stains and Snatch, you will have a lot of fun exploring this particular pop tract.

Paul Gorman on his couch with friend

 Also, Mr. Paul Gorman, that great gumshoe at the crossroads of fashion, music, art, and all cool culture, has yet another blog to add to his already impressive list of online business. This would include the must reads The Look, and Reasons To Be Cheerful at BarneyBubbles.com. Head on over to PaulGormanIs.com and hit the subscribe button.

Wailers having fun at the hotel on tour for Exodus, by Kate Simon

Lastly, Kate Simon, she of the amazing photographic eye, has one of those incredibly beautiful, luxurious, and expensive books available from Genesis Publications in the UK - Bob Marley: Rebel Music. There are a couple of different editions available, and it's obviously essential for any serious Marley fans out there. Check it out here.

Wailers at the Lyceum Theatre, London, by Kate Simon

Morrison Hotel Gallery opening at 313 Bowery

Last night I attended the opening of the Morrison Hotel Gallery's newest space at 313 Bowery, former home of CBGB's 313 Gallery.

Photographer Steve Joester had the honor of being the first artist displayed in the offspring space of the hallowed address, and with a quick look around the room, I'd have to say the opening was a huge success because it was packed. His work is a mixture of photography and mixed media (see Sex Pistols piece below) which, judging by the works on show, mainly revolves around 70's rock icons the Sex Pistols, Blondie, the Clash, and Bob Marley. Although some prints of Andy Warhol, Neil Young, and a young looking Pink Floyd were also included. Also shown were photos of AC/DC and Judas Priest. One of the more striking images was a Warhol-style print (silk screened?) of a very young Annie Lennox.

As for the space itself, it was empty of it's bar, stage, tables, and the platform that used to run along the right hand wall. The floors were left as is (painted grey), and the walls were given a new sheen of white. It looked great, and I'm happy the decision was made to basically keep it "as is." There is no sign up yet, but if the pictures from the MHG website are to be taken literally, there will be some slight changes to the streetside end of the shop.

While Joester's show is using perhaps 50%-75% of the space, I was told that the next show (by Bob Gruen, opening in late April) will be using the entire space. Get yourself down there & check out Joester's work, and keep going back. I'm encouraged & amazed to see a creative based business actually thriving in the current climate. If you're into music and the arts, places like Morrison Hotel Gallery and it's artists really need to be supported.

Visit Steve Joester's website.