Michael Jackson Verdict!

It took just six hours and a request for some pens for the jury in the Conrad Murray case to reach a verdict. He was found guilty today and could be sentenced to up to four years in prison. What do you think? Was it deserved? (yes.)

Rawr!

Music Review: Journey ~ "Greatest Hits 2"

If there was an award given for "Greatest American Band" it would probably go to Journey!

From "The Sopranos," to "Glee," to concert halls and county fairs, the music of Journey can still be heard just about everywhere. So now, almost a quarter century after their 15 times platinum release "Greatest Hits," comes "Greatest Hits 2."

Under the meticulous direction of former Journey frontman and rock icon Steve Perry, "Greatest Hits 2" serves as a companion piece to the original disc. "Greatest Hits 2" contains 17 songs that weren't chart topping hits but were the deep album cuts and concert favorites that hardcore fans know and love.

"Greatest Hits 2" contains songs from every single "Perry Era" Journey album. From 1978's "Infinity" to 1996's "Trial By Fire." The remastering is perfect and these songs still pack a sonic punch that beg you to roll down the car windows.

Although Steve Perry has not been a member of the band since 1998, his presence is still felt in the classic tracks he helped create. Whether sung by former lead singer Steve Augeri or current frontman Arnel Pineda, fans continue to go see Journey perform in sold out arenas across the country and abroad.

Whether Steve Perry will ever reunite with the band that made him a household name remains to be seen. Until then, grab a copy of "Greatest Hits 2" throw it in your car and put the windows all the way down.

Drumroll please... 9 out of 10 drumsticks!!!

Rawr!

Tech: Marvel Comics same day to Digital

Among other things today in tech Marvel came outside from the shadowy comic dungeon to announce that they are renewing their commitment to digital platforms as conduits for Marvel comics.

Now they already had apps for both Android and iOS, but they were always the odd step child, receiving slow and delayed updates. Starting in March, Marvel will be release day and date in physical stores AND on digital platforms.

So any of you that want to forgo the cellophane and new comic smell can now do so a little easier. I'd say drop the digital price a little and you got a deal Marvel.

Rawr!

DVD Review: "4 Ed Sullivan Shows ~ The Rolling Stones"

From 1964 - 1969 The Rolling Stones appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show a total of 6 times. 4 of those historic performances can now be seen on the new DVD release "4 Ed Sullivan Shows: The Rolling Stones."

The performances on "4 Ed Sullivan Shows: The Rolling Stones" include the Stones 2nd appearance from May 2, 1965 through their censored 5th appearance in 1967. The 1967 appearance is notable because the band was asked to change the words to the song "Let's Spend The Night Together" to "Let's Spend Some Time Together." The band obliged but you could see the look of sarcasm on Jagger's face every time he sang the song's chorus.

Over the course of these 4 shows, the band performed 12 songs, totaling about 35 minutes of airtime. The great thing about the "4 Ed Sullivan Shows: The Rolling Stones" DVD is that you can watch only the Stones if you like and avoid the rest of the show. You will be missing out on some vintage commercials and comedy performances by Flip Wilson and Joan Rivers, but like the title of the DVD states ... this is all about The Rolling Stones.

So if The Rolling Stones appeared on the Sullivan show 6 times, where are the other 2 performances ... their 1st and their last? Those can be found on the deluxe 2 DVD Collector's Edition, "All 6 Ed Sullivan Shows: The Rolling Stones." For the consumer... that sucks! I have no idea why their are 2 different editions on the market but there, are and the one sent to me for review was the "standard" version.

The sound and picture are very good and it's cool to see Mick Jagger slowly becoming "Mick Jagger" with each performance. In the 60's the Ed Sullivan show was the place to be if you were a British Invasion band looking for mass exposure. It's great that young fans of today can finally see what their parents (and grandparents) have been talking about all these years.

Drumroll please...

4 Ed Sullivan Shows: 7 out of 10 tongues!!!

6 Ed Sullivan Shows: 10 out of 10 tongues!!!

Rawr!

Bond 23 Is Called...

Skyfall.

That and more was revealed at a press conference today.


Daniel Craig and Judy Dench are joined by Bond girls Berenice Marlohe and Naomie Harris plus Albert Finney, Ralph Fiennes and villain Javier Bardem. 

Director Sam Mendes was tight lipped on details but did reveal bond would be globetrotting to places like Scotland, Istanbul, London and Shanghai.


Synopsis:


Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

What do you think?   I'm already excited for this one.

Rawr!

Music Review: Billy Joel ~ "Piano Man: Legacy Edition"

"Piano Man," Billy Joel's 1st album for Columbia Records, was released in November of 1973. And now, almost 38 years to the day, we get "Piano Man: Legacy Edition."

After his first album, "Cold Spring Harbor" was released to little acclaim via an independent label, Billy Joel decided to take a break and immerse himself in the world of playing and singing at a piano bar. It is during this time that the songs which would become the "Piano Man" album were born.

Joel was asked to record a live radio concert for WMMR in Philadelphia. During this broadcast Joel played a few unreleased songs including "Captain Jack." This live version of "Captain Jack" went on to become a highly requested song at WMMR and became a minor underground hit. Because of this song Joel was invited to audition for Columbia Records and was signed to the label. His first effort was the aforementioned... "Piano Man."

"Piano Man" is a classic album from start to finish and without a doubt one of Joel's best recorded efforts. 10 songs and not a bad one in the bunch. Classic concert and radio standards such as the title track, "Captain Jack" and "the Ballad Of Billy The Kid" are interspersed with lesser known masterpieces like "You're My Home," "Ain't No Crime" & "If I Only Had The Words (To Tell You)."

"Piano Man" harkens back to a time when artists made albums (not just singles) and Joel has always been an "albums" artist. Sure the hits eventually came -- but Joel wasn't looking to write just hits. He wanted a full album that you could experience from start to finish. That's probably why there are very few (almost zero) unreleased Billy Joel songs. Joel would simply write 10 songs and then record them. That was it. That was the album.

Disc 2 of "Piano Man: Legacy Edition" contains the never before released on CD, vintage, radio concert recorded in 1972 for Philadelphia Radio Station WMMR. Of the 23 LIVE tracks on Disc 2, 12 are actual songs while the other 11 tracks are song intros and stage banter. The stage banter is sometimes cute, smug and down right nauseating as then 22 year-old Joel took great pleasure in slurping his beer on mic. We get it Billy... you're drinking a beer over the airwaves!! Aside from that, the songs are great -- as is once again hearing Joel sing in his upper register. The concert also includes three songs (Rosalinda, Josephine & Long, Long, Time) that were never includes on any Billy Joel album, plus the LIVE version of "Captain Jack" that got him his Columbia recording contract.

"Piano Man" Legacy Edition" is a must-have for any music fan and is the perfect historical introduction to one of rock's great singer songwriters.

Drumroll please... 10 out of 10 pianos!!!

Rawr!

Movie Trailer: Project X

Anyone remember Todd Phillips of The Hangover fame? Well a new project he's been shepherding has just seen the light of day. This Superbad meets Hangover hard R-rated comedy is set for March 2nd release and certain looks like a good time.

Rawr!

Video Game Trailer: Grand Theft Auto 5

Was it worth the wait?  Are you excited?  Come on, you know you are.

Rawr!

Movie Trailer: American Reunion

The gangs all here! 

What do you think?  Do you want to visit these characters again?

Rawr!