Category: Television

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Hall of Mirrors

As last night’s final episode of Mr. Robot ended, I cried aloud, “Wait, that can’t be it …”

Then the song, “Hall of Mirrors” by Kraftwerk played over the credits.

Hall of Mirror Lyrics

The young man stepped into the hall of mirrors
Where he discovered a reflection of himself
Even the greatest stars discover themselves in the looking glass
Even the greatest stars discover themselves in the looking glass

Sometimes he saw his real face
And sometimes a stranger at his place
Even the greatest stars find their face in the looking glass
Even the greatest stars find their face in the looking glass

He fell in love with the image of himself
And suddenly the picture was distorted
Even the greatest stars dislike themselves in the looking glass
Even the greatest stars dislike themselves in the looking glass

He made up the person he wanted to be
And changed into a new personality
Even the greatest stars change themselves in the looking glass
Even the greatest stars change themselves in the looking glass

The artist is living in the mirror
With the echoes of himself
Even the greatest stars live their lives in the looking glass
Even the greatest stars live their lives in the looking glass

Even the greatest stars fix their face in the looking glass
Even the greatest stars fix their face in the looking glass
Even the greatest stars live their lives in the looking glass
Even the greatest stars live their lives in the looking glass

Written by Emil Schult, Florian Schneider-Esleben, Ralf Huetter •
Copyright © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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Rooting for Mr. Robot!

I really hope Rami Malek, who plays Elliot Alderson on Mr. Robot wins the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series on Sunday night. He’s been amazing to watch and to identify with his unique hacker mind.

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USA Network

The show is a fascinating tour de force for us. We have worked hard to catch up with the Wednesday night airings thanks to Amazon and USA Network providing the video libraries for Season 1 and Season 2 respectfully.

I was happy to see that Mr. Robot composer Mac Quayle won the Emmy for Outstanding Music Composition For A Series (Original Dramatic Score) on 9/10. The music is riveting and compelling.

Hard to believe there is just one more show left this season…

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Angelo Badalamenti, Twin Peaks Soundtrack (180G, Colored Vinyl)

Here’s another cool collectible from one of my favorite stores in the East Village, The Turntable Lab.

I love this television show. One of these days I will own the Blu-ray series of Twin Peaks.

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One of the greatest scores ever recorded is finally back in print for the first time in 25 years!

Death Waltz Recordings went all out with this beautiful pressing of the original Twin Peaks Soundtrack giving it the super-deluxe reissue treatment featuring 180 gram “Damn Fine Coffee” vinyl, 425gsm die-cut sleeve with spot varnish text, lyric sheet + liner notes from the composer Angelo Badalamenti, top-loading obi strip, and David Lynch-approved artwork by Sam Smith.

I’m glad that after 25 years, Death Waltz Recording Company has re-released the original soundtrack for Twin Peaks for a new audience to enjoy. This is my defining work as a composer and I’m happy it will get a fresh listen” – Angelo Badalamenti, 2016.

 

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Rick Wakeman – Gastank

Rick Wakeman has another Pledge Music crowdfunding project, Gastank.

Originally the idea was for Jon Lord and Ian Paice to have their own music talkback program interviewing music personalities, but Jon had to pull out at the last moment.
In steps Rick Wakeman who filled his shoes beautifully.

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Gastank was an English television show that aired between 1982–1983 on Channel 4. Hosted by Rick Wakeman and Tony Ashton the show featured a mix of interviews with 1970s musicians and impromptu performances where the guest artist would join Rick and his house band in playing re-arranged versions of their classic songs, or entirely new pieces created for the show.

The format was very informal with the setting likened to a bar where Wakeman would interview the guest over a drink or two followed by their performance in front of a small studio audience sitting in groups at tables. Wakeman would frequently cite the show as an opportunity for musicians from different bands to get the opportunity to work together.

During its run, the show featured guests as diverse as: Rick Parfitt, Ian Paice, Steve Hackett, Maggie Bell, Roy Wood, Andy Fairweather Low, John Entwistle, Godley and Creme, Suzy Quatro, Donovan, The Strawbs, Eric Burdon, Chris Farlowe, Frankie Miller, Phil Lynott, Alvin Lee, and many others.

Now for the first time on DVD all the episodes of Gastank along with a CD of these now seminal music performances of Rick and his guests.

“For many years, many of you have been asking us to release this material from the show I presented with Tony Ashton back in the early 80’s. Gastank was an opportunity for iconic musicians from different bands to get the opportunity to perform live together.
I can now happily announce that much of Gastank is now available . I hope it brings back memories and for those not around when the programmes went out , enjoy some unique performances.” – Rick Wakeman

There will only be 750 of the Special Limited Edition Boxset.

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Mr. Robot

I took a new assignment to develop a training curriculum for cybersecurity professionals. I need to understand the psyche of successful threat hunters.  As luck would have it, I have a found a television show well suited to that task.

The show is called Mr. Robot. The series is in its second season on USA Network. The lead character ElliotAlderson, played by Rami Malek has become my study.

I am leveraging the extensive knowledge presented by Mr. Robot’s research team. Granted it’s a television show but I’ve been given a good look inside a security operations center along with the the tools of the trade on Elliot’s workstation.

The edgy music that underscores the production adds a powerful dimension to the experience. The Mac Quayle penetrating score is played entirely on electronic instruments. There is a strong allegiance to pioneering German groups like Can, Cluster and Tangerine Dream.

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American Epic Coming to PBS January, 2016

I have written about the documentary, American Epic in the past here on this blog. It is a series of music films focusing on the birth of modern music in the USA.

This film series kindled my interest in musicology. American Epic comprises a three-part historical music documentary, a feature-length performance film, and a set of companion album releases. The project is executive-produced by Jack White, T Bone Burnett, and Robert Redford, directed by Bernard MacMahon and written by Bernard MacMahon, Allison McGourty, and Duke Erikson of Lo-Max Films.

 

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Alabama Shakes Hits Their Groove on SNL

In the great tradition of SNL musical acts putting on some of their best performances “Live” Alabama Shakes adds their name to those hallowed ranks. They were superb this past Saturday night. They performed two songs from their second album, Sound & Color which drops on April  21, 2015. “Gimme All Your Love” and “Don’t Wanna Fight”.

Every time I witness Alabama Shakes they are tighter and more progressive with their sound. I love the energetic feeling I get from their act.

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Saturday Night Live. The Book

Saturday Night Live (season 1)
Saturday Night Live (season 1) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Wow has it been 40 years since Saturday Night Live premiered on late night NBC television. Amazing. We love SNL. It is a Saturday night tradition for us. We have been watching since the beginning show on October 11, 1975.

Taschen the art book publisher has published the ultimate tribute to the show, Saturday Night Live: The Book. Author Alison Castle was given not only full access to SNL’s archives, but also the rare opportunity to watch the cast and crew at work. She spent the better part of Season 39 in the trenches, learning how everything comes together in just six days for the live performance. Part encyclopedia and part behind-the-scenes tour, Saturday Night Live: The Book covers both the making of the show and its remarkable history.

Features include:

  • Over 2,300 images from SNL‘s archives, many previously unpublished
  • An illustrated breakdown of the 6-day week at SNL through the years, with an expanded section for the live show
  • Seasons reference guide with complete cast, host, and musical guest lists
  • Exclusive interview with founder and executive producer Lorne Michaels
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