Author Archives: graemelawrence

Chega de Saudade. Hailed as the first ever bossa nova record, the debut album of Brazilian musician João Gilberto, Chega de Saudade, is the epitome of easy-listening. The sound of Gilberto’s intimate vocals, gentle acoustic guitar and soft samba beat elicit an overwhelming sense of nostalgia and soothing calm, conjuring images of a tranquil bikeContinue reading “The Sound of 1959.”

Anatomy of a Murder. Respected small-town lawyer and former district attorney, Paul “Paulie” Biegler, returns from one his frequent fishing trips to find a message from the wife a potential client. His alcoholic friend and colleague, McCarthy, urges Paulie to take the case: a murder charge that became public knowledge while Paulie was out ofContinue reading “The Cinema of 1959.”

Another week of classic cinema and jazz. Can’t complain. Some Like It Hot. Nazarín. The Magician. Anatomy of a Murder. The 400 Blows. Mingus Ah Um – Charles Mingus. Newk’s Time – Sonny Rollins. Moanin’ in the Moonlight – Howlin’ Wolf. Chega de Saudade – João Gilberto. Little Girl Blue – Nina Simone.

January: Hamilton Watch Company introduces the first electric watch Russell Endean becomes the first batsman in test cricket to be dismissed for having handled the ball Prime Minister Anthony Eden resigns due to ill health and is replaced by Harold Macmillan American toy company Wham-O produces the first frisbee The Cavern Club opens Dwight DContinue reading “The News of 1957.”

‘Round About Midnight. Having formed his First Great Quintet of John Coltrane (replacing temporary tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins), Red Garland, Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones in 1955, Miles Davis went about recording his first album for new label, Columbia. These sessions would produce ‘Round About Midnight, released two years later in a hectic periodContinue reading “The Sound of 1957.”

Throne of Blood. Word arrives at Spider’s Web Castle of invading enemy forces to many of the lord of the castle’s fortresses. Washizu and Miki, two of the lord’s trusted commanders, admirably defend the fortresses under their control, defeating many enemies and turning the tide of war in the lord’s favour. As the heroes returnContinue reading “The Cinema of 1957.”

Throne of Blood. The Bridge on the River Kwai. Nights of Cabiria. Witness for the Prosecution. Letyat zhuravli (The Cranes are Flying). Brilliant Corners – Thelonious Monk. The Clown – Charles Mingus. Kenya – Machito. ‘Round About Midnight – Miles Davis. Saxophone Colossus – Sonny Rollins.

January: President of Georgia Zviad Gamsakhurdia flees the country as a result of a military coup A Yugoslav Air Force jet fighter attacks two Italian Army helicopters, one crashes killing five people on board while the other crash-lands but its occupants survive First confirmed detection of exoplanets by radio astronomers Paul Simon is the firstContinue reading “The News of 1992.”

Slanted and Enchanted. Pavement’s debut album is a sonic spectrum from all-out noise rock to traditional indie with each track uniquely placed somewhere along; elements of punk also sprinkled on-top for good measure. As I mentioned on the Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain review, an additional dimension of reality and humanity can be found in theContinue reading “The Sound of 1992.”

Glengarry Glen Ross. Pacino. Lemmon. Spacey. Harris. Arkin. Pryce. Baldwin; the good one, the one from Beetlejuice. A supreme cast of acting talent that deliver David Mamet’s superb screenplay, adapted from the stage production that garnered him a Pulitzer Prize, in a manner befitting their respective reputations. Glengarry Glen Ross tells of four salesman ofContinue reading “The Cinema of 1992.”