Month: September 2022

Categories
Music & Radio Shows Records/LP's Rock, R&B, Pop, Soul, & Metal/Symphonic

THE LOVER IN ME (by Sheena Easton)

SUMMARY:                  RUNNING TIME: 48:00 Min.

In late 1988, MCA Records released Sheena Easton’s ninth studio album, with producing firepower from L.A. & Babyface (Tracks 1-3), Angela Winbush (Tracks 4 & 10), Jellybean (Tracks 5-7), and Prince (Tracks 8-9).  Among the promotional efforts for the album was Easton’s sex-driven MTV video for the title song. 

Courtesy of her recurring guest stint late in Season 4 of Miami Vice, Easton’s presence as ‘Caitlin Davies-Crockett’ further hyped the album.  Notably, she performed Track 3: “Follow My Rainbow” in her last Vice appearance.  

The ten tracks are:

                                                                Running Time:

SIDE ONE

  1. “No Deposit, No Return”                              5:55
  2. “The Lover in Me”                                        5:00
  3. “Follow My Rainbow”                                   4:57
  4. “Without You”                                             5:38
  5. “If It’s Meant to Last”                                   4:09

SIDE TWO

6. “Days Like This”                                         5:09

7. “One Love”                                                 4:55

8. “101”                                                         4:06

9. “Cool Love”                                                4:04

10. “Fire and Rain”                                         5:58

REVIEW:

Evidently desperate for a Late 80’s makeover courting the MTV Generation, Sheena Easton trades her pop elegance for a sultry R&B sound that comes off, at best, as lukewarm.  The inherent weakness affecting The Lover in Me is Easton’s reliance upon far too many unremarkable tunes lacking any sense of artistic versatility.  More so, there is a credibility gap where her vocal classiness exceeds and doesn’t really mesh with the overt sex appeal/dance-pop material she is selling to listeners. 

Though Easton’s title track is enjoyable (as is “Days Like This”), the project’s standout is her soaring, gospel-like ballad, “Follow My Rainbow.”  Suffice to say, its poignancy is a welcome contrast, in terms of both depth and style, to the edgy, one-dimensional tracks trying too hard to be steamy (okay, even semi-trashy). 

As The Lover in Me is often a superficial and even monotonous album, Sheena Easton’s talents are squandered.  Still, at times, she makes a game effort trying to diversify her pop arsenal.  

PACKAGING:

The record cover lists the tracks, as well as acknowledging  the album’s high-profile producers.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:              4½ Stars

Note: Easton’s serene duet with Prince entitled “The Arms of Orion” (appearing on 1989’s Batman movie soundtrack) is recommended.

Categories
Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Pop, R&B, Soul, & Dance Soundtracks (Digital)

BEND TIME BACK ‘ROUND (by Paula Abdul: Greatest Hits)

SUMMARY:                  RUNNING TIME: 3:56 Min.

First released in 1992 on the Beverly Hills 90210 TV soundtrack, this dance-pop tune was not a track on any original Paula Abdul album.  However, it has been subsequently included on at least two Abdul retrospective compilations: 2000’s Greatest Hits and 2007’s Greatest Hits: Straight Up!   

REVIEW:

It’s vintage Abdul, as far as this tune sounding like some lost relic from 1988’s Forever Your Girl album.  Both Abdul’s endearing vocal performance and a catchy Late 80’s dance melody make the most of the song’s unremarkable lyrics.  For Paula Abdul fans, the energetic “Turn Time Back ‘Round” is a nostalgic pop treat, in large part due to its relative obscurity.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   5 Stars

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Categories
CD's Country, Folk, & Bluegrass Music & Radio Shows

WIDE OPEN SPACES (by The Chicks aka Dixie Chicks)

SUMMARY:                             RUNNING TIME: 43:00 Min.

In early 1998, Monument Records released The Chicks’ (then Dixie Chicks) first album with new lead vocalist/guitarist Natalie Maines.  Collaborating with Maines are sisters Martie Maguire (vocalist/fiddle/mandolin/guitar) and Emily Strayer (vocalist/guitar/banjo/Dobro). 

This album subsequently achieved 1999 Grammys for Best Country Album and, for Track 4: “There’s Your Trouble,” the Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal, among other accolades.  

The twelve tracks are:

                                                         Running Time:

  1. “I Can Love You Better”                       3:54
  2. “Wide Open Spaces”                             3:43
  3. “Loving Arms”                                    3:37
  4. “There’s Your Trouble”                         3:12
  5. “You Were Mine”                                 3:37
  6. “Never Say Die”                                  3:56
  7. “Tonight’s the Heartache on Me”         3:26
  8. “Let ‘Er Rip”                                      2:50
  9. “Once You’ve Loved Somebody”          3:28
  10. “I’ll Take Care of You”                         3:40
  11. “Am I the Only One (Who’s Ever Felt This Way)”  3:25
  12. “Give It Up or Let It Go”                      4:56

 Notes: Track 5 was written by The Chicks.  Bonnie Raitt wrote Track 12. 

REVIEW:

This album’s artistic pendulum favorably tilts towards being consistently entertaining vs. an abundance of genre versatility.  Listeners, in that sense, receive several poignant tunes (i.e. Track 5) after starting with a few up-tempo tracks. 

Enhanced by The Chicks’ first-class instrumentals, “Wide Open Spaces” ages remarkably well nearly a quarter-century later.      

PACKAGING:

The packaging delivers all the credits and necessary technical info.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                7½ Stars

Categories
Digital Movies & TV Movies & Television (Videos) Online Videos STAR TREK-Related TV Episodes & Movies TV Series TV Series (Specific Episodes)

STAR TREK – THE ORIGINAL SERIES: THE ULTIMATE COMPUTER (Season 2: Episode 24)

SUMMARY:              RUNNING TIME: 50:00 Min.

First airing on NBC-TV on March 8, 1968, second season writer/producer  John Meredyth Lucas directed this episode off a script  devised by Laurence N. Wolfe & D.C. Fontana.  The U.S.S. Enterprise is mysteriously summoned off its current assignment by Starfleet to be fitted with the experimental M-5 computer. 

Designed by Dr. Richard Daystrom, this revolutionary A.I. computer system is the first step towards Starfleet potentially utilizing mostly automated starships for future galactic exploration.  For initial testing, the Enterprise‘s crew is reduced to a mere handful, leaving Captain Kirk, Spock, and Dr. McCoy aboard as glorified on-hand observers. 

First up is a round of simulated ‘war games’ pitting the M-5-automated Enterprise against a trio of fellow Federation starships without live firepower.  Under Daystrom’s gloating supervision, the M-5 achieves easy victory until the elite computer’s self-defined superiority then accelerates with deadly results.  A stunned Daystrom is reduced to a nervous breakdown having lost an emotional battle to salvage what should have been his greatest career achievement. 

Meanwhile, without Daystrom’s help, Captain Kirk & Spock try to improvise a means of regaining control of an Enterprise gone amok once Starfleet determines the M-5 system must be immediately destroyed – even if that means the Enterprise goes with it.

Captain James T. Kirk: William Shatner

Commander Spock: Leonard Nimoy

Dr. Leonard H. McCoy: DeForest Kelley

Lt. Commander Montgomery “Scotty” Scott: James Doohan

Lt. Uhura: Nichelle Nichols

Lt. Sulu: George Takei

Ensign Chekov: Walter Koenig

Dr. Richard Daystrom: William Marshall

Commodore Bob Wesley: Barry Russo

Lt. Leslie: Eddie Paskey

Lt. Brent: Frank da Vinci

Lt. Lemli: Roger Holloway

Harper: Sean Morgan

REVIEW:

No matter how predictable this episode’s plotting really is, “The Ultimate Computer” remains very watchable.  The reliable chemistry between Shatner, Nimoy, and Kelley, is a treat, as is their well-played teamwork with guest William Marshall.  The story itself is heavy-handed, in spite of its good intentions spelling out the fallacy why technology shouldn’t supersede humanity. 

In the end, though, “The Ultimate Computer” is a kid-friendly Trek that merits a chance to be seen by younger generations.     

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        6 Stars

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Categories
Digital Movies & TV Movies & Television (Videos) Online Videos STAR TREK-Related TV Episodes & Movies TV Series TV Series (Specific Episodes)

STAR TREK – THE ORIGINAL SERIES: THE GALILEO SEVEN (Season 1: Episode 16)

SUMMARY:                  RUNNING TIME: 51:00 Min.

First airing on NBC-TV, on January 5, 1967, Robert Gist directed this mid-season episode off Oliver Crawford & Shimon Wincelberg’s (aka S. Bar David) script.  During the U.S.S. Enterprise’s journey to Markus III to deliver much-needed supplies to its New Paris colony, a quasar-like phenomenon, Murasaki 312, necessitates scientific investigation.  Aboard the shuttlecraft, Galileo, Spock commands an exploratory team consisting of Scotty, Dr. McCoy, and four others. 

Yet, an emergency situation strands the Galileo on the primitive world known as Taurus II.  Amidst makeshift repairs, the shuttle’s crew defends itself from multiple attacks by the planet’s barbaric and increasingly aggressive natives.  Pressured by Commissioner Ferris, Captain Kirk is rapidly running out of allotted time to find his missing crew members.  Essentially, the lost Galileo is a needle in a galactic haystack. 

From the ship’s bridge, Kirk fears the worst once his search parties encounter the same lethal brutes that have previously attacked the Galileo.  Pursuing one desperate shot at an escape and saving his team, Spock’s cool-headed logic and command abilities are increasingly doubted by his skeptical subordinates.  Ultimately, it’s up to Spock and Scotty to devise a means of overcoming the team’s slim odds of rescue.  

Captain James T. Kirk: William Shatner

Commander Spock: Leonard Nimoy

Dr. Leonard H. McCoy: DeForest Kelley

Lt. Commander Montgomery “Scotty” Scott: James Doohan

Lt. Uhura: Nichelle Nichols

Lt. Sulu: George Takei

Lt. Boma: Don Marshall

Lt. Gaetano: Peter Marko

Yeoman Mears: Phyllis Douglas

Commissioner Ferris: John Crawford

Lt. Kelowitz: Grant Woods

Lt. Latimer: Rees Vaughn

Transporter Technician: David Ross

Taurus II Brute: Buck Maffei

REVIEW:

Though its outcome is never really in doubt, Nimoy & Kelley’s reliable chemistry as Spock & McCoy ensures that “The Galileo Seven” is a dynamite Trek.  In a welcome change, especially reciprocating against Kelley and guest Don Marshall, Nimoy overshadows Shatner as this episode’s true dramatic star. 

No matter its familiar TV plot contrivances, “The Galileo Seven” is well-played (particularly, with the welcome insertion of modern F/X).     

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 7 Stars

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Categories
Individual Tracks (CD's) Jazz & Blues Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (CD's)

SOMETHING FOR SELLERS (by Henry Mancini: 1963’s The Pink Panther movie soundtrack)

SUMMARY:                           RUNNING TIME: 2:47 Min.

For 1963’s The Pink Panther film soundtrack, composer Henry Mancini devised and conducted this instrumental track, which serves as low-key background music during the film.  Per its title, the track is named for actor Peter Sellers (as the movie’s hapless Inspector Jacques Clouseau).    

REVIEW:

In spite of its semi-generic title, this easygoing slice of 60’s party jazz is delightful.  Very much evoking the period from which it originated, “Something for Sellers” is by no means distinctive, but such up-tempo classiness is unmistakable.  This track ought to be considered for any favorite jazz or soundtrack playlist.    

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     6½ Stars

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DVD Movies & Television (Videos) TV Episodes & Movies TV Series TV Series (Specific Episodes)

MURDER, SHE WROTE: JUST ANOTHER FISH STORY (Season 4: Episode 19)

SUMMARY:             APPROX. RUNNING TIME: 47:00 Min.

First broadcast by CBS-TV, on March 27, 1988, Walter Grauman directed this episode off Philip Gerson’s script. 

Urged by her recently engaged nephew, Grady (Horton), new investor Jessica Fletcher (Lansbury) visits the trendy Alice’s Farm restaurant in downtown New York City where Grady now works.  Yet, the corpse of the restaurant’s brusque host (Gautier) is discovered the next morning in the freezer.  Jessica & Grady (as the restaurant’s lead accountant) soon realize there was financial skullduggery lurking in the kitchen. 

Among the homicide suspects are the restaurant’s namesake (Landsburg); an unscrupulous rival entrepreneur (Bono); a snarky food critic (Vacarro); and even Grady’s meek fiancée/assistant accountant, Donna (Zipp).  Meanwhile, Jessica lovingly tries to play mediator to save Grady’s jeopardized engagement to her potential niece-in-law.  

Jessica Fletcher: Angela Lansbury

Grady Fletcher: Michael Horton

Donna Mayberry: Debbie Zipp

NYPD Lt. Ralph Rupp: Norman Fell

Chaz Crewe: Dick Gautier

Valentino Reggiore: Sonny Bono

Harry Finlay: Jack Carter

Mimi Harcourt: Brenda Vaccaro

Alice Brooke: Valerie Landsburg

Doug Brooke: James Carroll Jordan

Nerissa: Dallas Cole

Cook: Zane Kessler

Waiter: Duane Edwards

Cabbie: Richard Molinare

Medical Examiner: Elkanah Burns

NYC Yuppie: Jack Tate

Football Player: Clint Carmichael

Miscellaneous Cops: Uncredited

Miscellaneous Restaurant Customers: Uncredited

Note: Horton & Zipp are a real-life married couple. 

REVIEW:

Though populated by reliable guest stars, this episode’s blah scripting is really as generic as its title implies.  Suffice to say, Lansbury’s Jessica Fletcher is stuck in a mediocre murder-mystery only worsened by its lame ‘big reveal’ flashback.  The nicely played scenes Lansbury shares with Horton and/or Zipp, unfortunately, won’t bolster viewer interest much. 

“Just Another Fish Story” serves up some watchable pap, but it’s instantly forgettable. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    3½ Stars

Categories
DVD Movies & Television (Videos) TV Episodes & Movies TV Series TV Series (Specific Episodes)

MURDER, SHE WROTE: CURSE OF THE DANAAV (Season 4, Episode 14)

SUMMARY:             APPROX. RUNNING TIME: 47:00 Min.

First broadcast by CBS-TV on February 7, 1988, Walter Grauman directed this episode off Chris Manheim’s script.  

While in Washington, D.C., Jessica Fletcher (Lansbury) and Dr. Seth Hazlitt (Windom) accept an invitation to a polo match and then a cocktail party hosted by a Maryland power couple (Bradford & Windsor).  As it turns out, the husband is Seth’s long-estranged brother, Richard. 

At the party, fellow guest Vikram Singh (Bedi) makes ominous allusions to reclaiming the infamous Danaav ruby that Richard had purchased for his wife, Alice.  Specifically, ownership of the priceless ruby allegedly leads to imminent death for those who aren’t pure of heart.  For instance, Alice survives a very close call that same evening. Having essentially reconciled, brothers Richard and Seth share a private drink before bedtime. 

Yet, Richard’s corpse is later found inside his locked study.  Skeptical of the missing ruby’s supernatural powers, Jessica must look to Richard’s belligerent adult children (Badler & Barr), his far younger widow, and her fellow guests, Singh and Richard’s father-in-law (Revill), among them, for a potential culprit. 

The question becomes: who is willing to kill to acquire the ruby by seemingly any means necessary?      

Jessica Fletcher: Angela Lansbury

Dr. Seth Hazlitt: William Windom

Richard Hazlitt: Richard Bradford

Alice Davies Hazlitt: Jane Windsor

Police Lt. Steven Ames: Larry Linville

Carolyn Hazlitt: Jane Badler

Mark Hazlitt: Doug Barr

Vikram Singh: Kabir Bedi

Bert Davies: Clive Revill

Cops: Kres Mersky & Michael McNab

Explorer (Flashback): Michael Blue

Party Guests: Larry Carr, Robert Buckingham, Cindy Cavallero, Ken Clayton, & Dotty Ertel

Miscellaneous Party Guests: Uncredited

REVIEW:

Deliberately exuding an Agatha Christie-style vibe, this episode is readily watchable.  Supporting Lansbury and Windom is a game assortment of guest stars, who pitch the plot’s formulaic twists well enough. 

The one significant weakness is that the culprit’s identity is practically telegraphed throughout the episode.  There isn’t any single element revealing this tip-off, but the killer unmasked in the mystery’s climatic ‘big reveal’ shouldn’t surprise anyone.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   5½ Stars

Categories
Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Rock, R&B, Pop, Soul, & Metal/Symphonic Soundtracks (CD's)

RED LIGHT (by Linda Clifford: 1980 Fame movie soundtrack)

SUMMARY:                    RUNNING TIME: 6:10 Min.

From 1980’s Fame film soundtrack, singer Linda Clifford performs this disco-funk tune.  Album composers Michael Gore & Dean Pitchford concocted the song.  Clifford’s track also appears on her own album, “I’m Yours,” released that same year.   

REVIEW:

Upon a first listening, one might assume it is Donna Summer singing.  Utilizing a similar pop playbook as Summer, vocalist Linda Clifford delivers an entertaining 1970’s disco-funk track.  Though this dance tune sounds awfully dated (case in point: the term “dyno-mite” is regularly used), “Red Light” is still a nostalgia treat to hear. Still, one might also conclude that the the song overstays its welcome. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      6 Stars

Categories
Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (CD's)

IS IT OKAY IF I CALL YOU MINE? (by Paul McCrane: 1980 Fame movie soundtrack)

SUMMARY:                        RUNNING TIME: 2:40 Min.

From 1980’s Fame film soundtrack, actor-singer Paul McCrane (as drama student Montgomery MacNeil) performs an acoustic folk tune that McCrane himself composed. 

REVIEW:

Reminiscent in pop style to Paul Simon and James Taylor,  Paul McCrane delivers an endearingly soft-spoken ballad.  Still, “Is Is Okay If I Call You Mine?” sounds more poignant than it is remarkable.  Like co-star Irene Cara’s own ballad, “Out Here on My Own,” McCrane’s effort, at a minimum, adds some welcome depth and introspective to the Fame soundtrack.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:         5½ Stars