Toy Story 3 - not just for kids

It was very hot today to say the least. We ate breakfast out and went to Cunningham Park very early before the mercury hit its peak for the day. We ventured out in the heat to walk over to the local multiplex to see Toy Story 3. We took Lee to take see the first two in 1995 and 1999. A few people told me that this movie was not just for kids and they were right.

As a child we all form attachments to pets and toys and can find it hard to let go of them. Lee had his teddy bear and Winnie the Pooh for many years. He eventually let go of them. In this film Andy who was a small child in the original two movies is going off to college. He has ignored his favorite toys (Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Mr. Potato Head, Rex and others) for years, but his mother wants him to make a decision. He can discard the toys, bring them to college, or donate them to a day care center. I won't discuss what happens. I'll leave it up to you to decide if you want to see this animated film.

Some famous actors and actresses did voiceovers:

• Tom Hanks
• Don Rickles
• Joan Cusak
• Ned Betty
  

40th Anniversary of American Top 40

Today marks the 40th anniversary of American Top 40 originally hosted by Casey Kasem. I am not a "chart guy" but I always enjoyed listening to his countdown in the 1970s. I heard part of this originally show this morning on wogl.com from Philadelphia. I have a book in my personal collection about this show.

Durkee, Rob. American Top 40: The Countdown of the Century. New York: Schirmer Books, 1999


Originally Aired – July 4, 1970 (First AT40 Broadcast)


#40 “END OF OUR ROAD” – Marvin Gaye
#39 “SILVER BIRD” – Mark Lindsay
#38 “SPILL THE WINE” – Eric Burdon & War
#37 “GO BACK” – Crabby Appleton
#36 “I JUST CAN’T HELP BELIEVING” – B.J. Thomas
#35 “SPIRIT IN THE DARK” – Aretha Franklin
#34 “MISSISSIPPI” – John Phillips
#33 “WESTBOUND #9” – Flaming Ember
#32 “IT’S ALL IN THE GAME” – The Four Tops
#31 “SAVE THE COUNTRY” – The 5th Dimension
#30 “OHIO” – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
#29 “EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL” – Ray Stevens
#28 “CHECK OUT YOUR MIND” – The Impressions
#27 “QUESTION” – The Moody Blues
#26 “SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED (I’M YOURS)” – Stevie Wonder
#25 “SUGAR SUGAR” – Wilson Pickett
#24 “TEACH YOUR CHILDREN” – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
#23 “WHICH WAY YOU GOING BILLY?” – The Poppy Family
#22 “LOVE ON A TWO WAY STREET” – The Moments
#21 “MISSISSIPPI QUEEN” – Mountain
#20 “MAKE IT WITH YOU” – Bread
#19 “ARE YOU READY?” – Pacific Gas & Electric
#18 “LOVE LAND” – Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band
#17 “TIGHTER, TIGHTER” – Alive & Kicking
#16 “MY BABY LOVES LOVIN’” – White Plains
#15 “A SONG OF JOY” – Miguel Rios
#14 “UNITED WE STAND” – The Brotherhood Of Man
#13 “GET READY” – Rare Earth
#12 “O-O-H CHILD” – The 5 Stairsteps
#11 “GIMME DAT DING” – Pipkins
#10 “HITCHIN’ A RIDE” – Vanity Fare
#9 “THE WONDER OF YOU” – Elvis Presley
#8 “THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD” – The Beatles
#7 “(THEY LONG TO BE) CLOSE TO YOU” – The Carpenters
#6 “LAY DOWN (CANDLES IN THE RAIN)” – Melanie w/the Edwin Hawkins Singers
#5 “BAND OF GOLD” – Freda Payne
#4 “RIDE CAPTAIN RIDE” – Blues Image
#3 “BALL OF CONFUSION (THAT’S WHAT THE WORLD IS TODAY)” – The Temptations
#2 “THE LOVE YOU SAVE” – The Jackson 5
#1 “MAMA TOLD ME (NOT TO COME)” – Three Dog Night

Bill Dillane - Superman fan and Facebook Friend of the Day

For the umpteenth time an article in the Sunday New York Times inspired me to write a journal entry. The article stated that a show, It's a Bird......It's a Plane......It's Superman which was seen on Broadway in 1966 is attempting a comeback. It is currently playing in Dallas, but the producers are aiming for a Broadway revival.

Yours truly has been a big Superman fan since the 1950s when I was the TV series featuring George Reeves on TV. Radio friend Bill Dillane is a much bigger fan of the Man of Steel than I. He recently attended a Superman celebration in Metropolis, Illinois. Noel Neill who played Lois Lane in the TV series was honored there.

Bill, you are my Facebook friend of the day.

My Comments on the Agony and Ecstacy of Phil Spector

We took the subway to Greenwich Village to see the Agony and Ecstacy of Phil Spector at the Film Forum after I read the article in last Sunday's New York Times. I highly recommend it to my friends who are oldies enthusiasts. It is actually 3 films in one:

1. Director Vikram Jayanti interviews Spector at the time of his first trial in the murder of actress Lana Clarkson.


2. Footage of the trial in 2007


3. Clips of Spector's productions by the Crystals, Righteous Brothers, Ike and Tina Turner and others.

I didn't know that Spector produced many of John Lennon's solo recordings in the 1970s. He also did some work with George Harrison, but he didn't see eye to eye with Paul McCartney. In 2003 McCartney remixed and remastered (de-Spectorized) Let it Be.

One of his biggest hits was You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling by the Righteous Brothers. When I saw the clip in the film I went back in time to 1965 when I heard it for the first time. That wall of sound is really powerful. The hit has lost its impact since radio stations have played it to death over the years. I saw it performed at the Westbury Music Fair in 2003 a few months before the untimely passing of Bobby Hatfield. You can see the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8hjtFq3vE0

River Deep Mountain High by Ike and Tina Turner, my favorite Spector recording, was played in the film. During the interview Spector remarked that although it was a big hit in the UK, it didn't chart in the USA. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KkMSkmx7sM



It is a shame that Spector was so reclusive and such a "head case" through the years. We never know how he could have influenced the music business.

We took a little walk around Greenwich Village after the film. We passed by the House of Oldies on Carmine Street. I mentioned to the owned that back in 1966 they had the Beatles Butcher Cover album on sale for $20. Now they are sold for $20,000. We walked to Bleeker Street Records where we bought a CD of hits by the Crystals produced by Phil Spector.

Blasted Summer Cold

The common cold is always a nuisance, but they are really pain during the summer. I was able to get out and do my walk and my reading. This too shall pass. I'll feel better tomorrow.

Pete Freckleton - Facebook friend of the Day

Anybody who is a fan of the Mets and Bob Dylan has to be a friend of mine. Pete runs http://dylanradio.com which is a must for Dylan enthusiasts. I am saluting him on Canada Day since he is from eastern Canada. Today he is breaking format by playing only Canadian artists. I just heard Just Like Tom Blues by Neil Young. On other days Pete plays rare studio and concert recordings. He also features Theme Time Radio Hour and covers of Dylan songs. Try listening to it sometime.

Spotlight on Neil Young on Canada Day

Since today is Canada Day I have decided to feature one of my favorite Canadian artists, Neil Young. Below is a video of his singing Just Like Tom Thumb Blues at the Bobfest on October 16, 1992 at Madison Square Garden. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44a_R-AOyPM