The HBO Phil Spector Movie: A good idea at the time

It must have seemed like a good idea at the time, and on paper it sounds alright: starring Al Pacino (who I just can't take seriously any longer) as Spector, and Helen Mirren as his defense lawyer, and written by David Mamet. But watching this trailer it sure made me laugh. If you've been waiting for Pacino to revisit his roll in Scarface, this may be for you. The film premieres March 24 on HBO. At least you know the soundtrack will be good.

This Sunday in Brooklyn

If you're looking for something to do this weekend, this looks extremely promising. Plus, its free!

After two sold out summer soul revue-style shows in 2007, Chicago-based southern music label The Rabbit Factory, Inc. returns with a bigger and better line-up. Not since Atlantic Records foray into the American south or the golden age of soul music at the Apollo Theatre and Chicago’s Regal Theatre has the gritty sound of southern soul appeared up north with such force as with the Rabbit Factory Soul Revue. The vintage “chitlin circuit”-styled bill features classic southern soul artists performing with an eight-piece dance band, Wiley & the Checkmates, from Oxford, MS.

The July 6th show will feature the core Rabbit Factory Soul Revue of The Checkmates performing with Herbert Wiley, the legendary Roscoe Robinson (Blind Boys of Alabama), Ralph ‘Soul’ Jackson (Spooner Oldham/Muscle Shoals) and Hermon Hitson (Jimi Hendrix/Isley Brothers/Joe Tex). This line-up has been receiving rave reviews from its high profile performances at SXSW and the Ponderosa Stomp. The show itself is part of the popular JellyNYC McCarren Park Pool Party series, opening for Ronnie Spector.

Sunday, July 6th... Doors at 2PM.