Greetings,
Someone once said that you'd have to dislike music to dislike The Carpenters. Agree! Okay, fine. I know that they weren't everyone's cup of tea, perhaps, due to their being a tad lightweight, according to some people. But they were a much loved act in their day. And why not? They were, and still are, a soothing escape from the craziness of the world.
I've been a fan of theirs for a huge part of my life, and their music had a wonderful effect on me. So did their story. Richard and Karen Carpenter created something very unique together. While there has always been a nice, massive bunch of the easy-listening type of pop music available to us, they were able to add a spark to it that no one else could. Yet to this day, as remembered as they are, I think that, at times, they are quite underrated. And that's a shame.
So, I thought I would do my part, to spread the word to a new generation, and tell them about The Carpenters. What better way for me to do it than through sharing my favorite of their songs. Okay, let's do this.
#10. "Yesterday Once More" - Yes, I know that the chorus of this one may be considered lyrically cringe-inducing by certain people. I get it, okay? It's hard not to make a face when you hear the words "Shing-a-ling"! But I happen to like the way it talks about music, and how all of it can affect you and bring back memories. Perhaps, almost to the point where it's all the same. Like sad songs are all the same to a broken heart.
#9. "Top of the World" - The Carpenters go country! How many groups go through that phase? Well, that's what happens when you visit Nashville, which is apparently where this song was inspired. This gets put on the list because of that great vocal arrangement near the end of the song. It's my favorite part!
#8. "(They Long To Be) Close To You" - This is probably the first song I ever heard from The Carpenters. It might be that for quite a few people, since I'd say it's one of their signature songs. It's just a sweet, almost sappy, love song, but in the best way. And let's be honest. We need songs like that. We knew songs that remind us of the sweet side of being in love with someone.
#7. "We've Only Just Begun" - As an artist, I can confirm 100% that we can get inspired by anything. Richard Carpenter heard this song on a commercial of all things, and he loved it so much that he wanted to record a full version. Turns out, he was able to get in touch with the writers, one of whom was the legendary Paul Williams, and got a full version. The rest is history and all that.
#6. "For All We Know" - Well, this would make a good wedding song...for an arranged marriage. No, for real. Listen to those lyrics! Either way, though, this is a beautifully written song, and maybe it's actually about how, when you make a full on commitment to someone, you get to know them in a whole new way.
#5. "Rainy Days and Mondays" - So...I may or may not have sung this song in the talent show back in my high school days. I may have. Look, I'm ashamed of myself for thinking that I could dare to sing anything that Karen sang first. I mean, as a singer, I'm not bad, but I'm not her. What a fool I was! Still, I do love this song. Strange, because I also love rainy days, so they never get me down. Mondays? It depends.
#4. "Goodbye To Love" - And here we have another interesting story of inspiration. There's a movie called Rhythm on the River, and in it, they keep talking about this masterpiece song called "Goodbye to Love", but the song is never in the movie. So, Richard decided to write that unheard song. Best writing prompt ever. And it is often said of writers that we need to write the story we want to read. Same goes for songs, it would seem. We write the ones we want to hear.
#3. "A Song For You" - So, this one was never released as a single for the group, but it was actually the title track for an album. Why they didn't release this, I'll never know. I mean, Karen's vocal is amazing on this song. How unusual, right? But it is kind of a testament to how incredible this song is when both the writer, Leon Russell, with his gravelly voice, and Karen with her smooth as silk voice, can both make the song sound like magic.
#2. "Superstar" - And yet another song that has Leon Russell's fingerprints on it. Of course. Anyway, I heard that the original title of this was..."Groupie". Oh, my, indeed. I mean, let's be honest. With or without that title, we all know what this song is about. I guess it just sounds more innocent with this newer title. And that certainly fit the persona of The Carpenters better. Also, I don't care that they say the word "Baby" like 100 times. I still love this song.
#1. "Hurting Each Other" - I didn't know this little fact until I started researching for this list, but, apparently, one of my other favorite singers did a version of this song - Rosemary Clooney! What I wouldn't give to have been able to hear her and Karen sing this song together. Can you even imagine the spectacularness of such a thing? Anyway, there's just something about this one that makes me love it the best. Everything just came together so perfectly. The music, the arrangement, the vocals, of course. Seriously, I always get chills when Karen hits that "Tearing each other apart" line. Just unbelievably wonderful. All of that makes it my absolute favorite song by The Carpenters.
As I said at the start of this post, I know that The Carpenters may not be for everyone, stylistically. But I don't think anyone can deny that they had something special. Richard was a master arranger, and what more can I say about Karen's voice. Even though, we have tons of new music acts coming out all the time, not all of them have a spark that could make them classic and memorable and very much loved for a very long time. The Carpenters were exactly that kind of artists. And while we sadly lost Karen far too soon, I know that Richard has always does his best to preserve their legacy. I think it's our job, as admirers of their work, to do the same.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Saturday, July 22, 2017
Shark Night - Movie Review
Greetings,
It's a day before the best week of the year. Oh, yes. I am talking about Shark Week! Squee, indeed! So, I thought, to kick things off a day early, I'd do a review of a shark related movie. No, not that one. Not that one either. Listen, I'll give you a minute to sift through the oeuvre of SyFy movies. Done? Good, but I'm sorry to say that today's discussion will not be centered around any of those. We're gonna talk about Shark Night. Not the best of this genre, but definitely not the worst.
Shark Night is a 2011 horror film directed by David R. Ellis, who was also a stuntman and who also directed the cult classic Snakes on a Plane. Sadly, he passed away a few years ago and this was his last film. The plot follows a group of college students on a vacation where things get unfortunate. Maybe not the most original of stories thus far. But let's set that faux pas aside for now, because things in this film do make a turn with some never-before-seen ideas. As far as I know.
The group of friends head to the vacation home of Sarah, played by Sara Paxton, and since this is her home, we get introduced to some of her old friends, who she may or may not be on good terms with, including an old boyfriend, Dennis, played by Chris Carmack. Calm down, Nashville fans. He doesn't sing in this movie. Now, the aforementioned house just so happens to be on a lake. A private lake. Or is it? No, it is. But no one told the sharks that!! Yeah, as you may have guessed, sharks start showing up. And they're hungry. Because movie sharks are always hungry. ALWAYS!
As the story goes on, the friends, as expected, start getting picked off one by one, though some of these incidents happen in very UNexpected ways. Ways that are extremely entertaining and quite memorable in some cases. I'll just say "Jet Ski". If you've seen this movie, you'll know what I mean. But what I really like about this film is the twist. Yes, it has a twist, which explains why there are sharks in a place where sharks don't tend to be. Again, as far as I know. And I think it was a pretty decent twist. I mean, it was decent enough that when I heard it I said, "Wait, what?" And it was the part where we got some of the most entertaining acting. I may have even chuckled a bit, and for the right reasons. Because I think it was supposed to be a thing that is meant to be frightening for the characters in the film, but rather amusingly ridiculous for the audience.
Oh, and speaking of acting, how are the actors in this film? Not too bad. And we get some familiar faces, like Joel David Moore (that one guy from Avatar). Josh Leonard (that one guy from The Blair Witch Project), Katherine McPhee (that one girl from...OK, I'm done with this) and the awesome, awesome Donal Logue. I have loved him since I first saw him on an a rerun of The Commish! Good times. Yeah, he is definitely the best thing about this movie. He tends to be that.
All in all, I'm not gonna say this was a great movie, but it was definitely entertaining. It's no Jaws, of course. It's not even Jaws 2. But there are moments that you will remember, and like I said, I thought the twist was not a bad story element. Look, it's a shark movie. These days, we haven't exactly been trained to consider them synonymous with high art, but who says it has to be? Shark Night is a fun time with a movie, and I've never even seen it in 3D. So, if you get sad when Shark Week ends and you still want some teeth and fins, this isn't a bad way to get them. That sounded a bit menacing. Sorry.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
It's a day before the best week of the year. Oh, yes. I am talking about Shark Week! Squee, indeed! So, I thought, to kick things off a day early, I'd do a review of a shark related movie. No, not that one. Not that one either. Listen, I'll give you a minute to sift through the oeuvre of SyFy movies. Done? Good, but I'm sorry to say that today's discussion will not be centered around any of those. We're gonna talk about Shark Night. Not the best of this genre, but definitely not the worst.
Shark Night is a 2011 horror film directed by David R. Ellis, who was also a stuntman and who also directed the cult classic Snakes on a Plane. Sadly, he passed away a few years ago and this was his last film. The plot follows a group of college students on a vacation where things get unfortunate. Maybe not the most original of stories thus far. But let's set that faux pas aside for now, because things in this film do make a turn with some never-before-seen ideas. As far as I know.
The group of friends head to the vacation home of Sarah, played by Sara Paxton, and since this is her home, we get introduced to some of her old friends, who she may or may not be on good terms with, including an old boyfriend, Dennis, played by Chris Carmack. Calm down, Nashville fans. He doesn't sing in this movie. Now, the aforementioned house just so happens to be on a lake. A private lake. Or is it? No, it is. But no one told the sharks that!! Yeah, as you may have guessed, sharks start showing up. And they're hungry. Because movie sharks are always hungry. ALWAYS!
As the story goes on, the friends, as expected, start getting picked off one by one, though some of these incidents happen in very UNexpected ways. Ways that are extremely entertaining and quite memorable in some cases. I'll just say "Jet Ski". If you've seen this movie, you'll know what I mean. But what I really like about this film is the twist. Yes, it has a twist, which explains why there are sharks in a place where sharks don't tend to be. Again, as far as I know. And I think it was a pretty decent twist. I mean, it was decent enough that when I heard it I said, "Wait, what?" And it was the part where we got some of the most entertaining acting. I may have even chuckled a bit, and for the right reasons. Because I think it was supposed to be a thing that is meant to be frightening for the characters in the film, but rather amusingly ridiculous for the audience.
Oh, and speaking of acting, how are the actors in this film? Not too bad. And we get some familiar faces, like Joel David Moore (that one guy from Avatar). Josh Leonard (that one guy from The Blair Witch Project), Katherine McPhee (that one girl from...OK, I'm done with this) and the awesome, awesome Donal Logue. I have loved him since I first saw him on an a rerun of The Commish! Good times. Yeah, he is definitely the best thing about this movie. He tends to be that.
All in all, I'm not gonna say this was a great movie, but it was definitely entertaining. It's no Jaws, of course. It's not even Jaws 2. But there are moments that you will remember, and like I said, I thought the twist was not a bad story element. Look, it's a shark movie. These days, we haven't exactly been trained to consider them synonymous with high art, but who says it has to be? Shark Night is a fun time with a movie, and I've never even seen it in 3D. So, if you get sad when Shark Week ends and you still want some teeth and fins, this isn't a bad way to get them. That sounded a bit menacing. Sorry.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
All Things Must Pass: The Rise and Fall of Tower Records - Documentary Review
Greetings,
I often tell people about how much I love going to bookstores, and how sad I am that there are no longer any bookstores in my area. The reason I love them so much, and why I'm willing to travel a bit to get to one, goes beyond just what you may think. I don't only go there to buy books. I go there for the atmosphere and the feeling of being surrounded by all those books. It's not unlike why I and many other people still enjoy going to stores that sell music as well. Yes, those still exist, believe it or not. But, as we all know, many have been forced to close down. Even ones that bore a name that is pretty much legendary. And they are the subject of the documentary I will discuss today, All Things Must Pass: The Rise and Fall of Tower Records.
All Things Must Pass is a 2015 documentary directed by Colin Hanks, and, from what I heard, it took him quite a few years to put this together. It tells the story, obviously, of Tower Records, from its very humble beginnings to being synonymous with music buying to its eventual demise, which did not happen exactly for the reasons you may think and isn't exactly complete as some stores still exist overseas. The journey through this tale is told much in the way of most documentaries with a lot of archival footage and talking heads. Of course, the stories that those talking heads are what make this really enjoyable.
The most amazing thing about this film is the way we find out how this store affected so many people's lives. Whether it was the employees who absolutely loved working there because they loved music, or the regular customers who could find the artists they were into that never got radio airplay, or even the artists themselves who often visited the store to find new music for themselves. It was just a special place that, whilst becoming a massive, worldwide corporation, still managed to keep the feel of a neighborhood record store. Again, I think the reason for that is because everyone who was connected to it had a true love of music. It was even something of a hangout spot in some areas, a place where people with a common interest could gather and discuss and have a lot of fun.
Now, I personally never went to a Tower Records, as far as I can remember, because we did not have a Tower Records in my where I lived. We were more of a Sam Goody and The Wall kind of a town. But I knew of the legend. So, I can't actually speak firsthand on it, but there are enough stories where anyone can feel like they know the place.
Hearing the story of Tower Records from start to finish is fascinating. It has its own arc as though it was a living breathing being, and in some ways, it was exactly that. It had a birth and a kind of death and a lot of living in between. It had friends, enemies, loved ones, highs, lows, but most importantly, it had a lot of heart. And I think that's what the message at the core of this film is.
How many people start businesses everyday? A lot. How many people start businesses concerning something that they are hardcore passionate about? Probably not as many. I know I keep saying this, but it should be said. Tower Records was started and nurtured by people who had a very real love of music and those who created it, and all kinds, not just what was popular at the moment. It was that passion that led to its success, and what makes the fact that these places aren't as plentiful anymore all the more tragic. Yes, the music is still out there and you can still get it, just like books. But there is something magical about going to one place, a journey to a destination, to seek it out and share it with others face to face. It's sad that this doesn't happen much anymore, but at least, films like All Things Must Pass can remind us of that time and help to ensure that we never forget it.
So, I do recommend this documentary. I'd say it's for music lovers most of all, but I bet there are a few history buffs out there that might find it intriguing. This story, this place, after all, are a very important part of history.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
I often tell people about how much I love going to bookstores, and how sad I am that there are no longer any bookstores in my area. The reason I love them so much, and why I'm willing to travel a bit to get to one, goes beyond just what you may think. I don't only go there to buy books. I go there for the atmosphere and the feeling of being surrounded by all those books. It's not unlike why I and many other people still enjoy going to stores that sell music as well. Yes, those still exist, believe it or not. But, as we all know, many have been forced to close down. Even ones that bore a name that is pretty much legendary. And they are the subject of the documentary I will discuss today, All Things Must Pass: The Rise and Fall of Tower Records.
All Things Must Pass is a 2015 documentary directed by Colin Hanks, and, from what I heard, it took him quite a few years to put this together. It tells the story, obviously, of Tower Records, from its very humble beginnings to being synonymous with music buying to its eventual demise, which did not happen exactly for the reasons you may think and isn't exactly complete as some stores still exist overseas. The journey through this tale is told much in the way of most documentaries with a lot of archival footage and talking heads. Of course, the stories that those talking heads are what make this really enjoyable.
The most amazing thing about this film is the way we find out how this store affected so many people's lives. Whether it was the employees who absolutely loved working there because they loved music, or the regular customers who could find the artists they were into that never got radio airplay, or even the artists themselves who often visited the store to find new music for themselves. It was just a special place that, whilst becoming a massive, worldwide corporation, still managed to keep the feel of a neighborhood record store. Again, I think the reason for that is because everyone who was connected to it had a true love of music. It was even something of a hangout spot in some areas, a place where people with a common interest could gather and discuss and have a lot of fun.
Now, I personally never went to a Tower Records, as far as I can remember, because we did not have a Tower Records in my where I lived. We were more of a Sam Goody and The Wall kind of a town. But I knew of the legend. So, I can't actually speak firsthand on it, but there are enough stories where anyone can feel like they know the place.
Hearing the story of Tower Records from start to finish is fascinating. It has its own arc as though it was a living breathing being, and in some ways, it was exactly that. It had a birth and a kind of death and a lot of living in between. It had friends, enemies, loved ones, highs, lows, but most importantly, it had a lot of heart. And I think that's what the message at the core of this film is.
How many people start businesses everyday? A lot. How many people start businesses concerning something that they are hardcore passionate about? Probably not as many. I know I keep saying this, but it should be said. Tower Records was started and nurtured by people who had a very real love of music and those who created it, and all kinds, not just what was popular at the moment. It was that passion that led to its success, and what makes the fact that these places aren't as plentiful anymore all the more tragic. Yes, the music is still out there and you can still get it, just like books. But there is something magical about going to one place, a journey to a destination, to seek it out and share it with others face to face. It's sad that this doesn't happen much anymore, but at least, films like All Things Must Pass can remind us of that time and help to ensure that we never forget it.
So, I do recommend this documentary. I'd say it's for music lovers most of all, but I bet there are a few history buffs out there that might find it intriguing. This story, this place, after all, are a very important part of history.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
Race For Your Life, Charlie Brown - Movie Review
Greetings,
So, it's summer, apparently. And what do people do in the summer? Well, don't the kids go to summer camp or something? At least, that's what I was told. I personally never did anything like that, as my summers were more...indoorsy. But I could live vicariously through the stories I heard from my friends, and also through the stories of a little round-headed boy and his friends. So, let's talk about one of my favorite animated movies, Race For Your Life, Charlie Brown. It's not as serious as it sounds. Or is it?
Race For Your Life, Charlie Brown was released in the summer of 1977. Hey, that makes this year its 40th anniversary. Congratulations. The plot is about our titular character and his group heading off to summer camp. It's entertaining from the start, with a pretty fun theme song, IMO, and an amusing ride on the bus. Or, lack thereof, for some of them. Once they arrive, the kids try to settle in and get used to the way the camp is run, like using what I believe is military time and all that. The boys and girls split up into their respective cabins, and we get some interesting voting strategies from Peppermint Patty, as well as an hilarious scene on a waterbed. Oh, 70's. You had weird things.
One issue that both the boys and girls must deal with, however, is a group of bullies, who have, of course, a cat. And as we all know, cats are evil. Okay, to be fair, we've got Snoopy and Woodstock, so what else would be part of the nemeses. Anyway, these kids are legit awful. I mean, they do some things that would make Eric Raymond and the Misfits say, "Whoa, kids. That's a bit much." Although, the bully group did wear matching outfits, if memory serves, so it's not like the kids had o ammunition to fight back. Oh, well. Maybe they didn't want to risk it, because like I said, those guys were vicious.
And nowhere is this more evident than in the main event of the summer and the film, the big river race. So, ya know how, in the Charlie Brown specials, we often ask the burning question "Where are the parents?" Well, in this movie, we are asking "Where are the camp counselors?" Of course, even if we could find them, I don't think I'd trust them. Who in the heck lets children take part in, what ends up being, a very dangerous river race, and in rafts that they made themselves, no less? I feel as though, come September, there may be some lawsuits.
Anyway, this is where the real adventure begins, because the kids face all kinds of interesting things whilst on this race, including, but not limited to, explosions and blizzards...in the middle of summer. Yeah, I know they're kind of in the mountains, but...no. And while we enjoy these ventures, we are also wondering who, indeed, will win the race. I mean, we do have more than one team that we can be rooting for, so the ending isn't totally easy to predict, certainly not for a child seeing it for the first time. But, even as an adult, I do find the ending rather satisfying. So, it fits the rest of the film quite nicely.
As it is probably evident, I have always been a fan of the Peanuts gang, and like I said, this is one my favorites of their productions. As usual it has some great writing with great comedy, but it also has many elements of an adventure movie. Even some moments that, dare I say it, may be a bit tense. At least for the kids. Either way, I still find this one extremely enjoyable, and not just because of the nostalgia goggles. I'd say that most of the Peanuts stuff holds up, and if you haven't seen it yet, or if you've some kids and want to give them something better than the crap movies they've been releasing lately, I say this one should be very high on your "To Watch" list. It might just be the perfect summer movie. It might be.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
So, it's summer, apparently. And what do people do in the summer? Well, don't the kids go to summer camp or something? At least, that's what I was told. I personally never did anything like that, as my summers were more...indoorsy. But I could live vicariously through the stories I heard from my friends, and also through the stories of a little round-headed boy and his friends. So, let's talk about one of my favorite animated movies, Race For Your Life, Charlie Brown. It's not as serious as it sounds. Or is it?
Race For Your Life, Charlie Brown was released in the summer of 1977. Hey, that makes this year its 40th anniversary. Congratulations. The plot is about our titular character and his group heading off to summer camp. It's entertaining from the start, with a pretty fun theme song, IMO, and an amusing ride on the bus. Or, lack thereof, for some of them. Once they arrive, the kids try to settle in and get used to the way the camp is run, like using what I believe is military time and all that. The boys and girls split up into their respective cabins, and we get some interesting voting strategies from Peppermint Patty, as well as an hilarious scene on a waterbed. Oh, 70's. You had weird things.
One issue that both the boys and girls must deal with, however, is a group of bullies, who have, of course, a cat. And as we all know, cats are evil. Okay, to be fair, we've got Snoopy and Woodstock, so what else would be part of the nemeses. Anyway, these kids are legit awful. I mean, they do some things that would make Eric Raymond and the Misfits say, "Whoa, kids. That's a bit much." Although, the bully group did wear matching outfits, if memory serves, so it's not like the kids had o ammunition to fight back. Oh, well. Maybe they didn't want to risk it, because like I said, those guys were vicious.
And nowhere is this more evident than in the main event of the summer and the film, the big river race. So, ya know how, in the Charlie Brown specials, we often ask the burning question "Where are the parents?" Well, in this movie, we are asking "Where are the camp counselors?" Of course, even if we could find them, I don't think I'd trust them. Who in the heck lets children take part in, what ends up being, a very dangerous river race, and in rafts that they made themselves, no less? I feel as though, come September, there may be some lawsuits.
Anyway, this is where the real adventure begins, because the kids face all kinds of interesting things whilst on this race, including, but not limited to, explosions and blizzards...in the middle of summer. Yeah, I know they're kind of in the mountains, but...no. And while we enjoy these ventures, we are also wondering who, indeed, will win the race. I mean, we do have more than one team that we can be rooting for, so the ending isn't totally easy to predict, certainly not for a child seeing it for the first time. But, even as an adult, I do find the ending rather satisfying. So, it fits the rest of the film quite nicely.
As it is probably evident, I have always been a fan of the Peanuts gang, and like I said, this is one my favorites of their productions. As usual it has some great writing with great comedy, but it also has many elements of an adventure movie. Even some moments that, dare I say it, may be a bit tense. At least for the kids. Either way, I still find this one extremely enjoyable, and not just because of the nostalgia goggles. I'd say that most of the Peanuts stuff holds up, and if you haven't seen it yet, or if you've some kids and want to give them something better than the crap movies they've been releasing lately, I say this one should be very high on your "To Watch" list. It might just be the perfect summer movie. It might be.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Friday, June 30, 2017
Hey, Look, It's the Piano Girl! - YouTube Channel Review
Greetings,
About a week and a half ago, I did something I had never done before, which was review a podcast. May as well keep this thing going by, once again, venturing into new territory by reviewing a YouTube channel. I don't know why I never did it before, as I am a fan of so many, but I guess it took a very special one to get me to do this. So, let's discuss one of my most favorite of all the YouTube channels out there - Hey, Look, It's the Piano Girl.
The titular "Piano Girl" is Jen Msumba and she started her channel almost five years ago. In case you can't figure it out, the main premise is that she plays the piano. Good times. Now I know what you may be thinking - 'Aren't there a million YouTube channels with piano players covering popular songs?' Yeah, technically, that's true. But, because there are so many, it takes, as I said, a special person to stand out in the crowd. Jen Msumba is definitely a special person.
Let's get the obvious out of the way. She is a fantastic musician. In addition to playing the piano, she occasionally picks up the guitar and I believe she even uses a ukulele at times, just to shake things up a bit. While she does mainly do covers, and a wide array of such when it comes to genre, she also shares a lot of original music as well. Either way, each performance just has a unique touch and somehow, she manages to make every one her own. It's just a personal spark she adds that not everyone can achieve. That is something that makes her different from all the rest.
And while we are still discussing the music, I must say that Jen has been quite helpful to me as a writer. Because I am a writer who gets easily distracted from my work, and I need something to keep me focused. Enter one of her long playlists or videos with an seemingly endless amount of beautiful, instrumental music. I let it play in the background as I write, and it helps me to keep going with my work and calms me enough to do it well at the same time. Now THAT is something for which I am very grateful.
Oh, and I should probably mention that she did do a cover of my favorite son, I Started A Joke, as I requested. It made me very happy.
However, music aside, Jen has done a few vlogs on the channel as well, so we can get to know her as a person. And as a person, she is an absolute delight. She really can brighten up anyone's day just by sharing herself with us, but she also has discussed some more serious issues she has had in life. Whether being silly or somber, though, there is a sincerity to everything she says. That's another thing I appreciate. Now, I have to let you know that the few vlogs and non-music videos she put up on this main channel have led to a second channel, Jen Adventures TV, which you should also check out. Again, it is an absolute joy. Plus, you get to see more of her dog, Yerby!
In closing, I would like to say that finding people who are really...real in this world, and especially on the internet, is a bit of a challenge these days. So, when you CAN find one, you hang on and you spread the word about them. That was my purpose in writing this review today. Jen Msumba is one of those people who brings such positivity into the world, both through her music and her upbeat outlook on life. I'm glad I found her videos, and I hope you all check her out, too. Links below. You will NOT be sorry.
P.S. I may just have to add her to my list of people I'd love to write a song with. Just kidding. She's already on it!
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
HeyLookItsThePianoGirl
JenAdventuresTV
About a week and a half ago, I did something I had never done before, which was review a podcast. May as well keep this thing going by, once again, venturing into new territory by reviewing a YouTube channel. I don't know why I never did it before, as I am a fan of so many, but I guess it took a very special one to get me to do this. So, let's discuss one of my most favorite of all the YouTube channels out there - Hey, Look, It's the Piano Girl.
The titular "Piano Girl" is Jen Msumba and she started her channel almost five years ago. In case you can't figure it out, the main premise is that she plays the piano. Good times. Now I know what you may be thinking - 'Aren't there a million YouTube channels with piano players covering popular songs?' Yeah, technically, that's true. But, because there are so many, it takes, as I said, a special person to stand out in the crowd. Jen Msumba is definitely a special person.
Let's get the obvious out of the way. She is a fantastic musician. In addition to playing the piano, she occasionally picks up the guitar and I believe she even uses a ukulele at times, just to shake things up a bit. While she does mainly do covers, and a wide array of such when it comes to genre, she also shares a lot of original music as well. Either way, each performance just has a unique touch and somehow, she manages to make every one her own. It's just a personal spark she adds that not everyone can achieve. That is something that makes her different from all the rest.
And while we are still discussing the music, I must say that Jen has been quite helpful to me as a writer. Because I am a writer who gets easily distracted from my work, and I need something to keep me focused. Enter one of her long playlists or videos with an seemingly endless amount of beautiful, instrumental music. I let it play in the background as I write, and it helps me to keep going with my work and calms me enough to do it well at the same time. Now THAT is something for which I am very grateful.
Oh, and I should probably mention that she did do a cover of my favorite son, I Started A Joke, as I requested. It made me very happy.
However, music aside, Jen has done a few vlogs on the channel as well, so we can get to know her as a person. And as a person, she is an absolute delight. She really can brighten up anyone's day just by sharing herself with us, but she also has discussed some more serious issues she has had in life. Whether being silly or somber, though, there is a sincerity to everything she says. That's another thing I appreciate. Now, I have to let you know that the few vlogs and non-music videos she put up on this main channel have led to a second channel, Jen Adventures TV, which you should also check out. Again, it is an absolute joy. Plus, you get to see more of her dog, Yerby!
In closing, I would like to say that finding people who are really...real in this world, and especially on the internet, is a bit of a challenge these days. So, when you CAN find one, you hang on and you spread the word about them. That was my purpose in writing this review today. Jen Msumba is one of those people who brings such positivity into the world, both through her music and her upbeat outlook on life. I'm glad I found her videos, and I hope you all check her out, too. Links below. You will NOT be sorry.
P.S. I may just have to add her to my list of people I'd love to write a song with. Just kidding. She's already on it!
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
HeyLookItsThePianoGirl
JenAdventuresTV
Monday, June 19, 2017
Rewrites - Podcast Review
Greetings,
I don't think I've ever done this before, reviewing a podcast. I have mentioned a few in the past, but never a full on review. But I like doing new things and when I find something great, I get excited to share it. Such is the case with this new scripted podcast called Rewrites. And most of you who have read this blog before are probably asking the same question: "This is about writers, isn't it?" Yes, it is. It's common knowledge that I love stories, movies, books, so on and so on, about writers. Sue me.
Anyway, Rewrites is a recently released podcast written by bestselling author, Tawni O'Dell, whom you may have heard of when her book, Back Roads, was one of Oprah's picks several years ago. Now, disclaimer. I actually met Tawni O'Dell last year at a book festival. She was very nice, signed my old copy of Back Roads and even bought one of my books, but as always, I will be completely honest. Lucky for her, and all of us, this is very good. Actually, Rewrites was originally written as a screenplay for a film, but Tawni decided to switch it up and make it a "podplay". I find that quite interesting and fitting for what the story is about. Movies are a visual medium, but this is about books, which are not. At least, not on their own. You have to create your own visuals from the words you read. And with something like this, a scripted podcast, you have to create the visuals from the words you hear. So, this method ended up being quite perfect.
Anyway, the seven episode series is about a guy named Theo, who absolutely loves books, and he feels that people just don't read enough. Gee, I can't imagine why I was drawn to this. Ironically, he gets an idea wherein he will use something that distracts people from reading to get them to read more - television. Specifically, a reality TV show that just so happens to be about writers. They will compete to win a chance to have their novels published, dealing with weekly challenges, each other and possibly even the effects of notoriety. After much resistance, struggles to be funded and trying to find the writers to participate, Theo manages to assemble a unique cast of characters for a unique show. We get to learn so much about Theo, his family, his friends, his past and through him, we get to learn much more about the people who go on this journey with him, the writers. In the end, everyone who listens to this will probably have their favorite characters, but they will also, most likely, find themselves rooting for all of them to land on the path that is meant for them. And I really don't want to go into too much detail on what unfolds over the course of this series, because I want everyone to experience all of it as they would a book. New surprises with every turned page and all that. Although, I will link their website below, so you can learn more if you like, particularly about the people involved.
To be honest, I don't think I've ever even listened to a scripted podcast like this before, so I didn't really know what to expect as far as production goes. But I must say, I was very impressed by the way this was put together. The direction, the sound effects, the wonderful cast of actors who brought it all to life, it's just so well done. But, of course, I do believe that the heart and soul of this is the writing. And, no, that is not my being biased, as I am a writer myself. I'm just being honest. Tawni O'Dell is absolutely brilliant with characters and that is what really drives this whole thing, not to mention how skilled she is at writing from a male perspective, as anyone who has read her books will know. As I mentioned before, each one of these characters is so distinct, yet they blend together so well and have great chemistry. That is actually a very fine line that, I think, many writers have to walk, between having characters who are so similar that the whole story seems monotonous and having ones that are overly different to the point where it's not believable in the least that they would ever associate with one another. Thankfully, Tawni has created a wonderful mix of personalities that come together, like puzzle pieces, making a fantastic work of art.
Now I know I said the whole series was seven episodes, but I truly hope it goes beyond that. I honestly wouldn't even mind if it did become a movie someday. Though, if not, I'm still glad that we got what we did because I highly recommend Rewrites for everyone. I especially recommend it if you're a writer. I personally found it very inspiring. It made me want to write more, which seems impossible, considering how much I already do that. Still, sometimes the things about which we are passionate can go through times of feeling mundane when we do it, day in and day out. Every now and then, we need something to remind us why we love what we do. We need something to be the spark to start the flame up again. Well, for me, Rewrites has become one of the things I turn to when I need exactly that.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
RewritesWebsite
I don't think I've ever done this before, reviewing a podcast. I have mentioned a few in the past, but never a full on review. But I like doing new things and when I find something great, I get excited to share it. Such is the case with this new scripted podcast called Rewrites. And most of you who have read this blog before are probably asking the same question: "This is about writers, isn't it?" Yes, it is. It's common knowledge that I love stories, movies, books, so on and so on, about writers. Sue me.
Anyway, Rewrites is a recently released podcast written by bestselling author, Tawni O'Dell, whom you may have heard of when her book, Back Roads, was one of Oprah's picks several years ago. Now, disclaimer. I actually met Tawni O'Dell last year at a book festival. She was very nice, signed my old copy of Back Roads and even bought one of my books, but as always, I will be completely honest. Lucky for her, and all of us, this is very good. Actually, Rewrites was originally written as a screenplay for a film, but Tawni decided to switch it up and make it a "podplay". I find that quite interesting and fitting for what the story is about. Movies are a visual medium, but this is about books, which are not. At least, not on their own. You have to create your own visuals from the words you read. And with something like this, a scripted podcast, you have to create the visuals from the words you hear. So, this method ended up being quite perfect.
Anyway, the seven episode series is about a guy named Theo, who absolutely loves books, and he feels that people just don't read enough. Gee, I can't imagine why I was drawn to this. Ironically, he gets an idea wherein he will use something that distracts people from reading to get them to read more - television. Specifically, a reality TV show that just so happens to be about writers. They will compete to win a chance to have their novels published, dealing with weekly challenges, each other and possibly even the effects of notoriety. After much resistance, struggles to be funded and trying to find the writers to participate, Theo manages to assemble a unique cast of characters for a unique show. We get to learn so much about Theo, his family, his friends, his past and through him, we get to learn much more about the people who go on this journey with him, the writers. In the end, everyone who listens to this will probably have their favorite characters, but they will also, most likely, find themselves rooting for all of them to land on the path that is meant for them. And I really don't want to go into too much detail on what unfolds over the course of this series, because I want everyone to experience all of it as they would a book. New surprises with every turned page and all that. Although, I will link their website below, so you can learn more if you like, particularly about the people involved.
To be honest, I don't think I've ever even listened to a scripted podcast like this before, so I didn't really know what to expect as far as production goes. But I must say, I was very impressed by the way this was put together. The direction, the sound effects, the wonderful cast of actors who brought it all to life, it's just so well done. But, of course, I do believe that the heart and soul of this is the writing. And, no, that is not my being biased, as I am a writer myself. I'm just being honest. Tawni O'Dell is absolutely brilliant with characters and that is what really drives this whole thing, not to mention how skilled she is at writing from a male perspective, as anyone who has read her books will know. As I mentioned before, each one of these characters is so distinct, yet they blend together so well and have great chemistry. That is actually a very fine line that, I think, many writers have to walk, between having characters who are so similar that the whole story seems monotonous and having ones that are overly different to the point where it's not believable in the least that they would ever associate with one another. Thankfully, Tawni has created a wonderful mix of personalities that come together, like puzzle pieces, making a fantastic work of art.
Now I know I said the whole series was seven episodes, but I truly hope it goes beyond that. I honestly wouldn't even mind if it did become a movie someday. Though, if not, I'm still glad that we got what we did because I highly recommend Rewrites for everyone. I especially recommend it if you're a writer. I personally found it very inspiring. It made me want to write more, which seems impossible, considering how much I already do that. Still, sometimes the things about which we are passionate can go through times of feeling mundane when we do it, day in and day out. Every now and then, we need something to remind us why we love what we do. We need something to be the spark to start the flame up again. Well, for me, Rewrites has become one of the things I turn to when I need exactly that.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
RewritesWebsite
Saturday, June 10, 2017
Small is Beautiful: A Tiny House Documentary - Documentary Review
Greetings,
A while back, I wrote about my love/hate relationship with the show House Hunters. It's complicated. Well, as it happens, that show has a spin-off called Tiny House Hunters, which I find even more interesting...and more infuriating. Seriously, the amount of times I hear people on that show walk into a TINY house and say "I don't know. This is kinda small" makes me want to punch a wall. No kidding, it's small! That's the point. But whatever. I still watch, because I find the concept of the Tiny House craze quite intriguing. And if you can do it? Well, God bless. You go right ahead. So, when I noticed this doc, I had to check it out.
Small is Beautiful is from 2014 and, keeping in the spirit of tiny things, it is barely over an hour long. That might be a good thing, because there is really only so much you can say about this whole phenomenon. This documentary chose a few people to tell their stories, and they just so happen to also be people who are into the tiny house movement. They talk about what led them to choosing this way of life, how they've dealt with the process and we even get to watch the process of building the houses, which is a task that many of them take on themselves. Now as much as I enjoy watching house building shows on HGTV, that was probably the most boring part of this film. Not that the rest of it fared much better.
Look, there were some moments that I found interesting, but not too much of it. I mean, I do like hearing stories of people who have lived different lives than I have, and especially with this, I was hoping for more about the actual experience. That does interest me. As much as I think that some people are just buying into a fad when they go the tiny house route or they just want to not spend as much money, I know that some of them are just natural vagabonds who never want to stay in one place for a long time. And I know that there are people who have occupations like photography or music, where they travel constantly and would do well to invest in a very small and mobile home. I guess I just wanted to hear more of their stories. I would have even liked it if they followed someone who was traveling across the country with their house. That would have been something. Then, it could have been a road trip movie, and I love those.
I suppose, if I could change anything else about this, it would be adding some of the history of people living like this, not just those who do it nowadays. We could have learned more about how it was done hundreds of years ago when it was the only choice to live with limited means. It may have been interesting. I also would have loved to hear more stories from people who tried it and regretted it. You know they're out there.
I guess that's all I can say about this documentary. Keeping my analysis tiny, as well, it would seem. Look, if you're someone who likes the Tiny House Hunters show, you might enjoy this. Like I said, it's not that long, so you wouldn't be spending too much time on it. But I certainly wouldn't call it a must-see. It does have a few stand out moments, but altogether, this just wasn't completely a film about what the title implies. The tiny house aspect was almost incidental. I wish they either would have delved deeper into the history of it, as I said, or have it be completely about the process of the experience, the cost, the labor and all that. The technical side of it, if you will. Rather, they had a mix of both of those things, but I'm not sure it was executed in the best way from those angles. So, I can't exactly highly recommend it, but if you do take a look, you might find something you like.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
A while back, I wrote about my love/hate relationship with the show House Hunters. It's complicated. Well, as it happens, that show has a spin-off called Tiny House Hunters, which I find even more interesting...and more infuriating. Seriously, the amount of times I hear people on that show walk into a TINY house and say "I don't know. This is kinda small" makes me want to punch a wall. No kidding, it's small! That's the point. But whatever. I still watch, because I find the concept of the Tiny House craze quite intriguing. And if you can do it? Well, God bless. You go right ahead. So, when I noticed this doc, I had to check it out.
Small is Beautiful is from 2014 and, keeping in the spirit of tiny things, it is barely over an hour long. That might be a good thing, because there is really only so much you can say about this whole phenomenon. This documentary chose a few people to tell their stories, and they just so happen to also be people who are into the tiny house movement. They talk about what led them to choosing this way of life, how they've dealt with the process and we even get to watch the process of building the houses, which is a task that many of them take on themselves. Now as much as I enjoy watching house building shows on HGTV, that was probably the most boring part of this film. Not that the rest of it fared much better.
Look, there were some moments that I found interesting, but not too much of it. I mean, I do like hearing stories of people who have lived different lives than I have, and especially with this, I was hoping for more about the actual experience. That does interest me. As much as I think that some people are just buying into a fad when they go the tiny house route or they just want to not spend as much money, I know that some of them are just natural vagabonds who never want to stay in one place for a long time. And I know that there are people who have occupations like photography or music, where they travel constantly and would do well to invest in a very small and mobile home. I guess I just wanted to hear more of their stories. I would have even liked it if they followed someone who was traveling across the country with their house. That would have been something. Then, it could have been a road trip movie, and I love those.
I suppose, if I could change anything else about this, it would be adding some of the history of people living like this, not just those who do it nowadays. We could have learned more about how it was done hundreds of years ago when it was the only choice to live with limited means. It may have been interesting. I also would have loved to hear more stories from people who tried it and regretted it. You know they're out there.
I guess that's all I can say about this documentary. Keeping my analysis tiny, as well, it would seem. Look, if you're someone who likes the Tiny House Hunters show, you might enjoy this. Like I said, it's not that long, so you wouldn't be spending too much time on it. But I certainly wouldn't call it a must-see. It does have a few stand out moments, but altogether, this just wasn't completely a film about what the title implies. The tiny house aspect was almost incidental. I wish they either would have delved deeper into the history of it, as I said, or have it be completely about the process of the experience, the cost, the labor and all that. The technical side of it, if you will. Rather, they had a mix of both of those things, but I'm not sure it was executed in the best way from those angles. So, I can't exactly highly recommend it, but if you do take a look, you might find something you like.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
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