Pizened!

Hey all,
just checking in here on the blog. It's been a long hot Summer for the first two weeks of it. I've been really out of sorts. Got a nasty case of food poisoning on Tuesday that has lingered up to the present. No fun at all. Nothing like several hours in the ER getting an IV. And a return visit might be in store.

Interest seems to be building in my upcoming gigs which helps lighten the mood. But seriously, watch what you order when you're dining out.

Hope your 4th of July was safe and fun. I did get to see a dozen fireworks last night.

Peace & Health

Happy Sunday & The Most Important American Movie of 2008

Hey All,
today was a wonderful (although very warm) day. Our charity variety show at the Noho First United Methodist Church was a grand success. Literally. We raised our goal in donations for the Red Bird Mission in Kentucky.

The program itself was a success and showcased all kinds of talent. I personally, performed I'm In The Mood For Love. It was the first time I'd played a song by myself on piano for an audience since a 4th grade talent show at Berwick El. in Columbus, OH. It went over well; everyone who remembered the song as a contemporary hit made sure to tell me so. Ain't they sweet? Playing the song was a lot of fun. There are plenty of standards from that era that I'm going to learn. Nothing like having a new party piece.

I also did a bit with the MC Hart Bakely (played by comic/writer Phil Mottaz). I certainly enjoyed the entire fake radio show. Thanks to everybody who attended and donated.

After all the Sunday activities at church, several of us went to the movies. We saw WALL-E and it is flat out brilliant. I won't give much away. But, I think it's the most important American movie of 2008. And the Pixar team have done an amazing job at depicting a version of Earth in the year 2815. Try to see it before anyone tells you about the plot or the themes. It references great sci-fi watersheds like 2001, Star Wars and Alien and even Disney's previous fantasy attempts the Black Hole & Tron. And frankly, WALL-E is rated G, which is wonderful, because this cautionary tale should be seen by every soul living on this planet right now. It's easily Disney's boldest cinematic statement in my memory... if they've ever had an agenda in the past. Don't leave early, the end credits are a history of human visual artistic styles and features Peter Gabriel's inspiring Down To The Earth. So, see the movie, then we'll discuss it.

You heard it hear first: Do NOT be surprised when WALL-E is nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture next year. In fact, the opening act is as powerful and wordless as the opening of my favorite film of 2007, There Will Be Blood. It will win best animated feature. The score by Thomas Newman was evocative. The one human actor that shows up is pitch perfect, too. And that's all I'm going to write.

Hope your week is filled with blessing, sunshine and the usual: Peace & Disco Beats!