WONDERFUL THINGS I FORGOT TO MENTION
An profound movie, cool music and a satisfying concert experience in 2024
One of the reasons I hate year in round ups is that I always seem to forget some work of art that was important to me. Somehow a movie or music that defined a part of the year always eludes my December list making. Thankfully a few items popped up recently that I need to shout out. The first would be the film ‘Close Your Eyes,’ which I saw at that essential NYC cinema institution the Film Forum. Spanish director Victor Erice is often hailed as that nation’s greatest filmmaker but his output as been relatively meager. His debut, ‘The Spirit of the Beehive,’ was released in 1973, and his second, ‘El Sur,’ in ‘83. But at age eighty-four Erice confirmed his mastery with a fim about memory, friendship and the power of cinema. ‘Close Your Eyes’ is the tale of a failed director who, in middle age, finds himself searching for the long missing star of one of his features. The pacing of scenes, the humanity of the characters, and the quality of the direction are all superb. I urge you can find it on YouTube, Fandango or Amazon Prime.
Sault is a British musical collective that mixes R&B, gospel, reggae and house with a stunning power to support lyrics that puts issues of black power and identity front and center. Several of it’s studio albums are named after numbers (5,7, Nine, 11). Others are ‘Untitled’ with the sub-heads (Black Is), (Rise) and (God.) A couple have more elemental names like ‘Air,’ ‘Earth,’ and ‘Acts of Faith.’ Sault’s anchor is producer Inflo, who recruits a wide range of U.K. talent that’s created a varied catalog of music that invites a deep dive. The videos above give a history of the group and a taste of some recent music. Definitely one of the most intriguing bands around.
Salin is a Thai born, Canada based drummer and composer, who’s created a danceable blend of music from northeast Thailand with the rhythms of ‘70s West Africa. She’s funneled melodic elements from Asia within the percussive innovations and horn arrangements of Fela. I stumbled upon her music on line and have been rocking it all fall. You will too.
TV on the Radio were my favorite of the hipster bands out of Brooklyn in the early 2000s. It didn’t hurt that it was fronted by black nerd icon Tunde Adebimpe, who’s frantic singing was well matched to his gyrating, slightly spastic stage movements. Backed by Kyp Malone’s soaring vocals and the guitar buzz of David Sitek’s production, TV on the Radio created a couple of 21st century classics (“Staring at the Sun,” “DLZ”) that found their way onto television shows like ‘Girls’ and ‘Breaking Bad.’ They haven’t released an album of new material since 2014, but they hit the road recently. I saw them in New York and they recently played Los Angeles with London dates in the new year. The contrast of their tight harmonies and distorted guitars is a unique combination of sweetness and chaos that I was excited to revisit. I’m very much hoping they’ll make a new album soon.
Merry Christmas if I don’t post before the holiday!