Stones for Ibarra

Stones for Ibarra by Harriet Doerr
Stones for Ibarra tells the story of Sara and Richard Everton, who have moved from California to the remote and small village of Ibarra, Mexico to reopen Richard's grandfather's copper mine. They have been lured there by photographs and the tales of older relatives: "They have experienced the terrible persuasion of a great-aunt's recollections and adopted them as their own. They have not considered that memories are like corks left out of bottles. They swell. They no longer fit." Instead of the beautiful grounds and tennis courts, they come to a house which no longer has shingles and a mine that has been flooded. They persevere, and get the mine up and running, having a large affect on the village and villagers. We learn of Sara's experience with the villagers, although they always remain slightly apart, and her experience of her husband's illness.
One of the most remarkable things about this book is that it was published when the author was 73 and won the National Book Award, which means I still have time to publish my own novel!

Walk Away Walk Away Renée/ Pretty Ballerina [CD]

Walk Away Walk Away Renée/ Pretty Ballerina by The Left Banke

Fans of The Zombies, The Free Design or The Hollies will most likely enjoy the soft, baroque sounds of The Left Banke.  Though the two hits that divide up the album's title are the obvious stand outs, the entire recording is a strong set of 1960's magic. The arrangements throughout are harmonically sophisticated and borrow heavily from classical music.

This New York quintet sounds decidedly British and I'd liken Steve Martin Caro's voice to The Zombies frontman, Colin Blunstone.  Both singers have a perfect, gentle tenor with unbelievable range.  Martin Caro and many members of the group share songwriting and lead vocal duties.  Michael Brown, then a teenager, is responsible for the hits on the record.  He managed to compose music that blends youthful angst and longing with haunting melodies. 

Other highlights include "I've Got Something On My Mind" and "Shadows Breaking Over My Head", which come close to rivaling the title tracks.

I give this Left Banke album an A+++, eighteen stars, two thumbs up and three golden tickets.

The Artist [DVD]

The Artist

I had heard great things about Michel Hazanavicius' award winning silent film The Artist. How could I not have? The film won five Oscars, three Golden Globes, and a host of other awards and critical praise. And yet, I was nervous about seeing the film. A silent film made in 2011? Was it just a gimmick? Just a superficial imitation of an earlier error?

There is no doubt that the film is intended as an homage to older films. The film is presented in black and white and everything from the acting, to the intertitles, the score, and even the aspect ratio of the screen is designed to resemble the films of the silent era. And yet, the film feels quite modern, in part, because of the self-awareness it brings to its imitation, but also because the film looks at Hollywood in the late twenties in a manner which could only be done in hindsight. In many ways The Artist has more in common with Singing in the Rain, another great film about Hollywood's transition to talkies, than it does with any silent film.

And, much as with Singing in the Rain, you don't actually have to be familiar with films of the silent era to appreciate The Artist. The film is well made, the acting is great, the period costumes are a joy. The characters are larger than life, but sympathetic and likable. They are caricatures, but this is so well done as to be an asset.

I really enjoyed The Artist. It's funny, stylish, and clever. Recommended for film lovers or anyone looking for something a little different.

Living In The Material World

Living In The Material World by Olivia Harrison

The gorgeous and painstakingly assembled Living in the Material World book is a companion to the Martin Scorsese documentary of the same name.  It's a thoughtful collection photographs and essays with the subject being the late George Harrison.

Not only do we have large color and black and white photographs of George from childhood up until his last years, the book features the musician's handwritten letters and lyrics, personal photographs and collected ephemera.  His career as a musician, childhood, family life, friendships and spiritual life are recollected.  Scorsese, Paul Theroux, Eric Clapton and Dhani Harrison are among the many contributors.  Living in the Material World works both as a engrossing read and/or a picture flipper.