Before MTV and the age of television, there were Soundies. First appearing in 1941, these three minute black-and-white films featured artists of the Big Band, Jazz and Swing era, like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Louis Jordan, Louis Armstrong, Gene Krupa, The Mills Brothers, Les Paul, Cab Calloway, and Fats Waller. The Soundies helped launch the careers of Doris Day, Nat King Cole, Liberace, and Dorothy Dandridge, among others. Viewed for a dime through a special machine called a Panoram, a movie jukebox, these forerunners to the music video could be seen in nightclubs, roadhouses, restaurants and other public venues across the U.S. These classic films remain as glorious time capsules of music, social history, popular culture, and tell the story of a crossroads in our country, when the uncertainties of war, race relations, and emerging technologies combined to write one of the most influential chapters in our nation¹s history.
Jethro Tull's famous concept album "Thick As A Brick" was originally released in 1972 and featured one continuous track spread across two sides of an LP telling the story of a young boy called Gerald Bostock. 40 years later in 2012, Jethro Tull's founder and leader Ian Anderson created "Thick As A Brick 2: Whatever Happened To Gerald Bostock?". Following this release Ian Anderson took both albums on the road to perform the complete story of Gerald Bostock and this concert from the tour was filmed in Iceland. The show combines music, video screens and mime to bring Gerald s tale to life.
The Bushes and the Bin Ladens battle on national television with dueling series aimed at boosting their popularity with the masses in this animated musical satire with a cast of characters that includes Osama Bin Laden, Mullah Omar and Jenna Bush. While Bin Laden waffles on format, the Bushes come up with a surefire winner: "The George and Jenna Comedy Hour," where dancing crucifixes and patriotic hot pants are the order of the day.
After a run in the girl group LACEE, Karin decides to step out on her own as a solo artist. As she preps for her solo debut, a former lover brings out a new artist that will compete, for the reigning spot as the new R&B diva.
A musical rockumentary about subversive pop star Maya O'Malley and his journey towards spiritual redemption following his being dropped from Aspect Records in the Fall of 2012.
One of the composer's most beguiling scores, La Favorite is Gaetano Donizetti's La favorita in it's original French form; a tale of love and war that represents a glorious mix of Italian bel canto and 19th c. grand opera. Vincent Boussard's arresting Toulouse production does full justice to this newly renewed masterpiece. Three international principals take on the work's demanding roles: Chinese tenor Yijie Shi is a 'revelation' as Fernand, the rich-toned, authoritative French baritone Ludovic Tezier as King Alphonse XI and lauded American mezzo Kate Aldrich - 'the Carmen of this generation' - plumbing the emotional depths of Leonor's music. Conductor and bel canto specialist Antonello Allemandi adds to the passionate proceedings onstage. Maestro Allemandi demonstrated full authority over the stage for the musically complex scenes, and in the arias and duets demonstrated his confidence in the singers by establishing ample tempos to support their soaring vocal lines.
Attila, the King of the Huns, has conquered the strategically and economically significant Italian city of Aquileia during his campaign of conquest. Admiring the bravery of Odabella, a duke's daughter, Attila spares her life and presents her with his sword. But she swears bloody revenge for his conquest of her city. When she prevents an attempt on Attila's life by her former lover Foresto, which he has planned with the Roman general Ezio, she finally wins the Hun's trust. But has she abandoned her murderous plan?
I'm sure all the old time Overkill fans out there remember Lee "Rat Skates" Kundrat, the band's original drummer. He's gone into indie film and video production over the years, and he's just released a DVD called "BORN IN THE BASEMENT" about the early days of not only Overkill but the east coast metal/thrash scenes in general.
The pre-Beatles - The Quarrymen - Live in Dahme, baltic coast of Germany - detailed interviews - how the Beatles realy originated - the day John Lennon first met Paul McCartney - the first new Quarrymen-Single since 1958 - newly discovered fotos a.m.m...
Recorded three days after Live at Massey Hall during the Journey Through the Past Solo Tour, this rare concert film was filmed by a German television crew, but their footage sat in the vault for five decades. Until now.
Before Elvis and The Beatles - there was Mario Lanza. Trained for a career in opera, Lanza became the first true crossover artist when MGM made him a matinee idol during the 1950's with box office hits such as 'The Toast of New Orleans' and 'The Great Caruso'. With his unique blend of both classical and popular music, Lanza's recordings of 'The Loveliest Night of the Year', 'Beloved' and his signature ballad, 'Be My Love' sold in their millions. But within 10 years, the star that glowed so brightly burned itself out - and Lanza's sudden death in 1959 at the age of 38 was the first tragic death of the modern pop and rock era.
One part animal adventure, one part human musical, and all parts fun, Toby Goes to Camp is the heartwarming follow up to Toby's Big Adventure. In this latest adventure, Toby, and begrudgingly Lana, are off to have fun at summer camp.
In 1979, inmates at a maximum-security prison in Virginia came together to record an album of original music, rediscovered decades later and used in the Oscar-winning film “Moonlight,” attesting to the power of the creative spirit even within prison walls.
Bandleader Vince Giordano keeps the Jazz Age alive with his 11-member band The Nighthawks, vintage musical instruments, and a collection of more than 60,000 original arrangements from the 1920s and '30s.