Been spending a lot of time watching television, here's what to look forward to in 2012:
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EVERYDAY SUNSHINE: THE STORY OF FISHBONE
fishbonedocumentary.com
I'll be completely honest here and will tell you that I've often mistaken these two bands: Phish and Fishbone. One is a jam band and the other is an alt-rock-ska fusion band.
You may or may not remember Fishbone's big hit song, "Everyday Sunshine", which obviously the title of the documentary is taken from. National (US) broadcast of the film will premiere on Monday, January 22, 2012 on American Public Television (APT).
"Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone" is part of a series of AfroPoP documentaries, produced by the National Black Programming Consortium. Can we expect a documentary on a similiar band, Living Colour, in the near future? Who knows.
Can't see it live or would rather own the film? It will be out February 1st on iTunes, and also DVD on February 22nd, 2012, just in time for Black History Month.
Also, check it out: Larry Fishburne (his screen name on Nightmare on Elm Street 3) narrates the film!
AMERICAN MASTERS
pbs.org
This PBS biography series, American Masters, is on its 26th season (hint: it beats The Simpsons) and to start things off will be its look at folk & protest singer/songwriter Phil Ochs and jazz legend Cab Calloway. Calloway was said to introduced/inspired Michael Jackson's "moonwalk" after Jackson saw Calloway performing a similiar backstep dance move. I hope the documentary mention and show this to let viewers decide on their own!
ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS
bbc.co.uk
Not exactly a documentary, but I couldn't pass this up.
Who can forget the wonderful Pet Shop Boys theme song or Eddy and Patsy's drinking misadventures? So the girls are getting back together in THREE BRAND NEW EPISODES to premiere on BBC America starting this month, January 2012.
Absolutely Fabulous 20th Anniversary Specials premieres Sunday, January 8, 10:00pm ET/PT on BBC America and Logo. Further details about the two subsequent specials will be announced at a later date.
Some extra details:
PS: Look for Grammy award-winner La Roux to make an appearance on the new Ab Fab 20th shows. In other La Roux news, Elly & Ben are currently in the studios recording their sophomore album, look for it in 2012.
>>>
EVERYDAY SUNSHINE: THE STORY OF FISHBONE
fishbonedocumentary.com
I'll be completely honest here and will tell you that I've often mistaken these two bands: Phish and Fishbone. One is a jam band and the other is an alt-rock-ska fusion band.
You may or may not remember Fishbone's big hit song, "Everyday Sunshine", which obviously the title of the documentary is taken from. National (US) broadcast of the film will premiere on Monday, January 22, 2012 on American Public Television (APT).
"Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone" is part of a series of AfroPoP documentaries, produced by the National Black Programming Consortium. Can we expect a documentary on a similiar band, Living Colour, in the near future? Who knows.
Can't see it live or would rather own the film? It will be out February 1st on iTunes, and also DVD on February 22nd, 2012, just in time for Black History Month.
Also, check it out: Larry Fishburne (his screen name on Nightmare on Elm Street 3) narrates the film!
EVERYDAY SUNSHINE is a documentary about the band Fishbone, musical pioneers who have been rocking on the margins of pop culture for the past 25 years. From the streets of South-Central Los Angeles and the competitive Hollywood music scene of the 1980's, the band rose to prominence, only to fall apart when on the verge of "making it."
Laurence Fishburne narrates EVERYDAY SUNSHINE, an entertaining cinematic journey into the personal lives of this unique Black rock band, an untold story of fiercely individual artists in their quest to reclaim their musical legacy while debunking the myths of young Black men from urban America. Highlighting the parallel journeys of a band and their city, EVERYDAY SUNSHINE explores the personal and cultural forces that gave rise to California's legendary Black punk sons that continue to defy categories and expectations.
At the heart of the film's story is lead singer Angelo Moore and bassist Norwood Fisher who show how they keep the band rolling, out of pride, desperation and love for their art. To overcome money woes, family strife, and the strain of being aging Punk rockers on the road, Norwood and Angelo are challenged to re-invent themselves in the face of dysfunction and ghosts from a painful past.
Laurence Fishburne narrates EVERYDAY SUNSHINE, an entertaining cinematic journey into the personal lives of this unique Black rock band, an untold story of fiercely individual artists in their quest to reclaim their musical legacy while debunking the myths of young Black men from urban America. Highlighting the parallel journeys of a band and their city, EVERYDAY SUNSHINE explores the personal and cultural forces that gave rise to California's legendary Black punk sons that continue to defy categories and expectations.
At the heart of the film's story is lead singer Angelo Moore and bassist Norwood Fisher who show how they keep the band rolling, out of pride, desperation and love for their art. To overcome money woes, family strife, and the strain of being aging Punk rockers on the road, Norwood and Angelo are challenged to re-invent themselves in the face of dysfunction and ghosts from a painful past.
AMERICAN MASTERS
pbs.org
This PBS biography series, American Masters, is on its 26th season (hint: it beats The Simpsons) and to start things off will be its look at folk & protest singer/songwriter Phil Ochs and jazz legend Cab Calloway. Calloway was said to introduced/inspired Michael Jackson's "moonwalk" after Jackson saw Calloway performing a similiar backstep dance move. I hope the documentary mention and show this to let viewers decide on their own!
American Masters Phil Ochs: There But for Fortune
NY metro area premiere Sunday, January 22, 2012 from 7:30-9pm on THIRTEEN
Premieres nationally Monday, January 23, 2012 from 10-11:30pm on PBS (check local listings)
Explore the iconic 1960s folk-protest music hero's troubled life through his songs and interviews with Joan Baez, Tom Hayden, Sean Penn, Pete Seeger, Christopher Hitchens, Michael Ochs, and others. Inspired by both Woody Guthrie and Elvis Presley, Phil Ochs was one of the most politically active singer-songwriter's of his generation and his music is as relevant today as it was then - "I Ain't Marching Anymore," "Power and the Glory," "The War Is Over," and "There But for Fortune." Unyielding in his political principles and unbending in his artistic vision, Ochs tirelessly fought for peace and justice throughout his short life, which ended in suicide at the age of 35. His music continues to influence and inspire topical songwriters around the world, including Pearl Jam, Ani DiFranco, Billy Bragg, and They Might Be Giants, who have all covered Ochs songs.
American Masters Cab Calloway: Sketches
Premieres Monday, February 27, 2012 from 10-11pm on PBS (check local listings) in honor of Black History Month
A singer, dancer and band leader, Cab Calloway was an exceptional figure in the history of jazz, charming audiences with his bravado and showmanship."Minnie the Moocher," with its popular refrain "Hi de hi de hi de ho," was his signature song and Harlem's famous Cotton Club was his home stage. His back-glide dance step inspired Michael Jackson's moonwalk, and his scatting lyrics find their legacy in today's hip-hop and rap. At the top of his game in the jazz and swing eras of the 30s and 40s, Calloway was one of the first black musicians to tour the segregationist South (as early as 1932), and he forever put his personal stamp on "It Ain't Necessarily So" as Sportin' Life in Porgy and Bess. His career flagged in the late 40s, but he was rediscovered in 1980's The Blues Brothers and on Sesame Street, becoming a new cult hero of sorts.
NY metro area premiere Sunday, January 22, 2012 from 7:30-9pm on THIRTEEN
Premieres nationally Monday, January 23, 2012 from 10-11:30pm on PBS (check local listings)
Explore the iconic 1960s folk-protest music hero's troubled life through his songs and interviews with Joan Baez, Tom Hayden, Sean Penn, Pete Seeger, Christopher Hitchens, Michael Ochs, and others. Inspired by both Woody Guthrie and Elvis Presley, Phil Ochs was one of the most politically active singer-songwriter's of his generation and his music is as relevant today as it was then - "I Ain't Marching Anymore," "Power and the Glory," "The War Is Over," and "There But for Fortune." Unyielding in his political principles and unbending in his artistic vision, Ochs tirelessly fought for peace and justice throughout his short life, which ended in suicide at the age of 35. His music continues to influence and inspire topical songwriters around the world, including Pearl Jam, Ani DiFranco, Billy Bragg, and They Might Be Giants, who have all covered Ochs songs.
American Masters Cab Calloway: Sketches
Premieres Monday, February 27, 2012 from 10-11pm on PBS (check local listings) in honor of Black History Month
A singer, dancer and band leader, Cab Calloway was an exceptional figure in the history of jazz, charming audiences with his bravado and showmanship."Minnie the Moocher," with its popular refrain "Hi de hi de hi de ho," was his signature song and Harlem's famous Cotton Club was his home stage. His back-glide dance step inspired Michael Jackson's moonwalk, and his scatting lyrics find their legacy in today's hip-hop and rap. At the top of his game in the jazz and swing eras of the 30s and 40s, Calloway was one of the first black musicians to tour the segregationist South (as early as 1932), and he forever put his personal stamp on "It Ain't Necessarily So" as Sportin' Life in Porgy and Bess. His career flagged in the late 40s, but he was rediscovered in 1980's The Blues Brothers and on Sesame Street, becoming a new cult hero of sorts.
ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS
bbc.co.uk
Not exactly a documentary, but I couldn't pass this up.
Who can forget the wonderful Pet Shop Boys theme song or Eddy and Patsy's drinking misadventures? So the girls are getting back together in THREE BRAND NEW EPISODES to premiere on BBC America starting this month, January 2012.
Absolutely Fabulous 20th Anniversary Specials premieres Sunday, January 8, 10:00pm ET/PT on BBC America and Logo. Further details about the two subsequent specials will be announced at a later date.
Some extra details:
Twenty years ago the world was introduced to Edina (aka Eddy), Patsy (aka Pats) and Saffron (aka Saffy). It has never been quite the same. Eddy PR'd things. She was into every new fad and fashion imaginable and was often to be found at the bottom of a champagne glass, actually more likely a bottle. Not much has changed. Her best friend Patsy worked in magazines and lived the high life. She still does. Eddy’s daughter Saffy was hard-working, all but ignored by her mother and hated by Patsy. Eddy’s mother was and is, well, her mother.
In the first of three episodes, there’s a homecoming for one of them who’s been ‘away’ for quite some time. She arrives at the Edina Monsoon’s household with a new - slightly scary - best friend. Her presence could be either a blessing or a disaster, raising questions of identity that could even involve a certain person owning up to her real age... if she can remember it. Warning: A Royal Wedding is re-enacted by Bubble.
In the first of three episodes, there’s a homecoming for one of them who’s been ‘away’ for quite some time. She arrives at the Edina Monsoon’s household with a new - slightly scary - best friend. Her presence could be either a blessing or a disaster, raising questions of identity that could even involve a certain person owning up to her real age... if she can remember it. Warning: A Royal Wedding is re-enacted by Bubble.
PS: Look for Grammy award-winner La Roux to make an appearance on the new Ab Fab 20th shows. In other La Roux news, Elly & Ben are currently in the studios recording their sophomore album, look for it in 2012.