Picture sleeve parade: The Shirelles

Early reviews of Brian Wilson's Gershwin album

I'm excited to hear this one.

Los Angeles Times:

Next is a four-song medley from “Porgy & Bess,” through which Wilson colorfully weds instruments rarely combined by the classic pop singers who usually take on this stuff: twangy electric guitars next to atmospheric vibraphones, bass harmonica, banjo, trombone and baritone sax along with those tapestry-like vocal harmonies of his.

...The most radical re-invention may be “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.” This ode to a classy and civil romantic farewell, once a sublime breakfast-table duet between Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald, in Wilson’s hands becomes a musical joy ride down PCH with the top down, all sunny enthusiasm for the gifts given and received in this relationship.

New York Magazine:

Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin, may be the summer’s most stunning mash-up, a marriage of two of popular music’s most influential and well-loved composers—New York sophistication meets SoCal rapture—that casts both in a new light. Tackling everything from standards (“It Ain’t Necessarily So,” “Someone to Watch Over Me”) to little-known rarities, Wilson has created gorgeous and unexpected arrangements that strip away decades of familiarity. “They’re unlike anything I’ve heard before,” says Adam Gershwin, George and Ira’s great-nephew, who helps manage George’s estate. “But I would expect nothing less from Brian.”

Discounted new comics releases Aug. 4, 2010

Click the pictures to order discounted items from Amazon:

DARK HORSE COMICS

JUN100039 BALTIMORE PLAGUE SHIPS #1 $3.50
MAY100025 CONAN LEGACY FRAZETTA COVER #5 (OF 8) $6.99
JUN100037 HELLBOY THE STORM #2 (OF 3) $2.99
JUN100015 MAGNUS ROBOT FIGHTER #1 (OF 4) RAYMOND SWANLAND CVR $3.50
JUN100054 STAR WARS OLD REPUBLIC #2 (OF 6) $2.99

MAR100041 TARZAN THE JESSE MARSH YEARS HC VOL 06 $31.49

DC COMICS

JUN100237 AUTHORITY #25 $2.99
MAY100185 BATMAN ARKHAM REBORN TP $12.99
JUN100170 BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #47 $2.99
JUN100160 BATMAN ODYSSEY #2 (OF 6) $3.99
JUN100128 BRIGHTEST DAY #7 $2.99

SEP090245 DC CHRONICLES BATMAN STATUE $95.00
JUN100192 DOOM PATROL #13 $2.99
JUN108006 FLASH #1 2ND PTG $3.99
JUN108004 GREEN ARROW #1 (BRIGHTEST DAY) 2ND PTG $3.99
JUN100190 JONAH HEX #58 $2.99
JUN100191 JSA ALL STARS #9 $3.99
JUN100234 LOONEY TUNES #189 $2.99
JUN100193 MAGOG #12 $2.99

MAY100188 MAGOG LETHAL FORCE TP $10.11
JUN100198 REBELS #19 $2.99
JUN100163 RED HOOD LOST DAYS #3 (OF 6) $2.99
JUN100166 RED ROBIN #15 $2.99
JUN100195 SECRET SIX #24 $2.99
JUN100248 SPARTA USA #6 (OF 6) $2.99
JUN100173 SUPERMAN THE LAST FAMILY OF KRYPTON #1 (OF 3) $4.99
JUN100245 TOM STRONG AND THE ROBOTS OF DOOM #3 (OF 6) $3.99

IDW PUBLISHING


JUN100348 ANGEL HOLE IN THE WORLD TP $13.49
MAR108117 DAVE STEVENS THE ROCKETEER ARTISTS ED HC PI
JUN100367 DOCTOR WHO CLASSICS SERIES 3 #6 $3.99
JUN100329 GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #157 $3.99
JUN100335 GI JOE ORIGINS TP VOL 03 $19.99
JUN100312 JAMES PATTERSONS MURDER OF KING TUT #3 $3.99
MAY100362 JURASSIC PARK REDEMPTION #2 $3.99
JUN100389 KILL SHAKESPEARE #4 $3.99
JUN100380 STARSTRUCK #12 $3.99
JUN100387 THIEF OF ALWAYS TP $12.99
JUN100318 TRANSFORMERS IRONHIDE #4 $3.99

IMAGE COMICS

MAY100506 ARTIFACTS #1 (OF 13) COLLECTORS ED $10.00
JUN100503 ARTIFACTS #1 (OF 13) SDCC WRAP VAR CVR $10.00
MAY100507 ARTIFACTS JAM PIECE POSTER $7.99
APR100425 CREATURE TECH GN (IMAGE ED) $17.99
DEC090428 CYBERFORCE HUNTER KILLER TP VOL 01 $14.99
JUN100416 HELLSPAWN COMPLETE COLL HC $39.99
FEB100409 MAGDALENA SOOK POSTER $7.99
APR100498 MILO VENTIMIGLIA PRESENTS BERSERKER TP VOL 01 $14.99
JUN108078 SEA BEAR & GRIZZLY SHARK #1 2ND PTG $4.99

MARVEL COMICS

MAY100555 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #639 $3.99
JUN100689 AVENGERS INVADERS TP $34.99
JUN100565 AVENGERS ORIGIN #5 (OF 5) $3.99
JUN100564 AVENGERS PRIME #2 (OF 5) $3.99
JUN100569 AVENGERS THOR CAPTAIN AMERICA OFF INDEX MU #4 $3.99
MAY100581 CAPTAIN AMERICA #608 $3.99
JUN100574 CAPTAIN AMERICA FOREVER ALLIES #1 (OF 4) $3.99

MAY100693 CAPTAIN AMERICA THEATER OF WAR TP $11.46
JUN100585 DAREDEVIL BLACK AND WHITE #1 $3.99

MAY100674 DARK TOWER PREM HC BATTLE OF JERICHO HILL $16.49
JUN100583 DARKSTAR AND WINTER GUARD #3 (OF 3) $3.99
JUN100527 DEADPOOL #1000 $4.99
MAY100542 DEADPOOL WADE WILSONS WAR #3 (OF 4) $3.99
MAY108113 DEATH OF DRACULA #1 2ND PTG VAR (PP #927) $3.99
MAY100585 DOOMWAR #6 (OF 6) $3.99
JUN100697 ESSENTIAL CAPTAIN AMERICA TP NEW PTG VOL 01 $19.99
JUN100584 GORILLA MAN #2 (OF 3) $3.99
JUN100590 HAWKEYE & MOCKINGBIRD #3 $2.99
JUN100591 HERCULES TWILIGHT OF A GOD #3 (OF 4) $3.99
JUN100611 HIT-MONKEY #2 (OF 3) $2.99

JUN100676 HULK FALL OF HULKS TP SAVAGE SHE-HULKS $10.11
JUN100600 IRON MAN LEGACY #5 $2.99
MAY100688 LUKE CAGE NOIR TP GN $14.99
JUN100603 MARVEL UNIVERSE VS PUNISHER #1 (OF 4) $3.99
JUN100515 MARVELMAN FAMILYS FINEST #2 (OF 6) $3.99
JUN100635 NEW MUTANTS FOREVER #1 (OF 5) $3.99
JUN100525 ORSON SCOTT CARDS ENDER IN EXILE #3 (OF 5) $3.99
MAY100624 SECRET WARRIORS #18 $2.99
JUN100699 SECRET WARRIORS BY CHEUNG POSTER $8.99
JUN100575 SHADOWLAND #2 (OF 5) SL $3.99
JUN100578 SHADOWLAND BULLSEYE #1 SL $3.99
JUN100605 SHIELD #3 $2.99
JUN100549 SPIDER-MAN FANTASTIC FOUR #2 (OF 4) $3.99

MAY100680 SPIDER-MAN GAUNTLET PREM HC VOL 04 JUGGERNAUT $13.49
JUN100518 SPITFIRE #1 $3.99
JUN100520 STAND HARDCASES #3 (OF 5) $3.99
JUN100618 THOR RAGE OF THOR #1 $3.99
MAY108114 THUNDERBOLTS #145 2ND PTG MARTIN VAR (PP #927) $2.99
JUN100532 ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS 2 #6 (OF 6) $3.99
JUN100620 YOUNG ALLIES #3 $2.99

**********

COMICS

MAY101029 ADVENTURES IN CARTOONING ACTIVITY BOOK $7.99
MAY101100 ALADDIN LEGACY OF THE LOST TP $14.95
APR101040 AMY DEVLIN MYSTERY HC VOL 01 PAST LIES $19.99
MAY101131 ANIMAL ACADEMY GN VOL 05 (OF 7) HAKOBUNE HAKUSHO $10.99
MAY100755 ARCHIE DIGEST #266 $2.69
MAY100756 BETTY #187 (NOTE PRICE) $2.99
MAY100758 BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #183 $3.99
JUN101215 BLACK GOD TP VOL 09 $11.99
MAR100870 BLACK TERROR #11 $3.50
JUN100890 BONE COLOR ED HC VOL 06 OLD MANS CAVE $21.99
MAY101030 BRAIN CAMP GN $16.99
MAY100869 CARS ADVENTURES OF TOW MATER #1 $2.99
MAY101166 COLOR BLEACH + OFFICIAL BOOTLEG SC $14.99
JUN100964 COMPLETE DRACULA TP $19.99
MAY101003 DF LA BANKS VAMPIRE HUNTRESS #1 BOOTH NEG CVR $10.00
APR100818 DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP #13 (OF 24) $3.99
MAY100990 EDEN GN $16.95
MAY101129 GAKUEN ALICE GN VOL 12 (OF 19) $10.99
MAR101131 GERRY ANDERSON TV 21 ADV IN 21ST CENTURY TP VOL 03 $24.95
APR101175 GFT INFERNO #2 (OF 5) A CVR BENITEZ $2.99
APR101176 GFT INFERNO #2 (OF 5) B CVR NORBERTO $2.99
DEC090639 GIRL GENIUS HC VOL 01 AGATHA & BEETLEBURG CLANK COLOR ED $48.95
DEC090638 GIRL GENIUS TP VOL 01 AGATHA & BEETLEBURG CLANK COLOR ED $22.95
MAY100938 GREEN HORNET GOLDEN AGE REMASTERED #1 $3.99
JUN100935 GREEN HORNET PARALLEL LIVES #2 $3.99
MAY100882 INCREDIBLES #12 $2.99
MAY101170 INU YASHA TP VOL 51 $9.99
MAY101172 INU YASHA VIZBIG ED GN VOL 04 $17.99
JUN100851 IRREDEEMABLE #16 $3.99
MAR100913 JOHN STANLEY LIBRARY NANCY HC VOL 02 $29.95
MAY100759 JUGHEAD #202 (NOTE PRICE) $2.99
MAY100923 LA BANKS VAMPIRE HUNTRESS #1 THE HIDDEN DARKNESS $3.99
MAY101127 LEGENDS OF THE DARK CRYSTAL GN VOL 02 (OF 2) $12.99
MAY101173 MAOH JUVENILE REMIX TP VOL 02 $9.99
APR100992 METABARONS TP VOL 01 OTHON & HONORATA (NEW PTG) $19.95
JUN101152 MIDDLEMAN DOOMSDAY ARMAGEDDON APOCALYPSE GN (O/A) $7.95
APR100922 PENNY ARCADE TP VOL 06 HALLS BELOW $15.00
MAY101126 RETURN TO LABYRINTH GN VOL 04 (OF 4) $12.99
JUN100962 ROBOCOP TP VOL 01 REVOLUTION $14.99
MAY101169 SHONEN JUMP SEPTEMBER 2010 $4.99
MAY100764 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #215 $2.99
MAY100781 SOULFIRE VOL TWO #7 CVR A MARCUS TO $2.99
MAY100782 SOULFIRE VOL TWO #7 CVR B ALEX KONAT $2.99
MAY100766 TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #39 $2.69
APR101179 TFW RED ROSE ONESHOT A CVR QUALANO $3.99
APR101180 TFW RED ROSE ONESHOT B CVR KNAEBEL $3.99
FEB100778 TOY STORY #5 $2.99

APR100853 UNCLE SCROOGE AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 BUCKS TP $9.99
MAY101130 VB ROSE GN VOL 09 (OF 14) $10.99
MAY100901 WALT DISNEYS COMICS & STORIES #709 $2.99
APR100996 WHISPERS IN WALLS #1 (OF 6) $3.50
MAY101132 YOUR AND MY SECRET GN VOL 06 (OF 6) $10.99
JUN101060 ZOMBIES VS CHEERLEADERS GEEKTACULAR $3.99

Picture sleeve parade: Bob Dylan

Vintage Spider-Man vitamins ad

Discounted new CD releases Aug. 3, 2010: Los Lobos, Squeeze, Psych Pop on Capitol Records,

Click the pics to order new CDs from Amazon:

Discounted new DVD releases Aug. 3, 2010: Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Heroes, Hawaii Five-O, Elvis on Tour, Errol Flynn, Kim Novac, Roger Corman Cult Classics, Jim Henson

Click the pics to order discounted DVDs from Amazon:

BBC Radio 6 re-running Beatles at the Beeb

Years before the Beatles released the double-disk collection of highlights from it's BBC performances, the radio network ran this show, which features not only music by dialogue from the Fabs' many radio appearances. Stream the first episode here.

Movie poster: Raquel Welch in 100 Rifles

Shame on DC for abandoning kids comics

I was surprised and sad to see, via the publisher's solicitations for upcoming comics, that DC is phasing out its superhero comics for young readers: Batman: Brave and the Bold, Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam and DC Super Friends. It looks as if, after a team-up mini-series with characters from the Archie Comics universe, that Tiny Titans may no long run as a regular title either.

I'm sad because these titles provided a way for younger kids to enjoy characters they see on TV and in ads for PG-13 movies they're too young to see but get excited about anyway because of all the ads and fast food toys. And I'm especially sad because my own children enjoyed these titles. My 12-year-old son, a big fan of cartooning, enjoyed the manic, imaginatively illustrated Billy Batson title. And my 6-year-old daughter loved DC Super Friends. Not only that, the title has been a big boost in helping her learn how to read.

Sure, there are other -- and even better --- comics out there for kids. My son has become a fan of Bone, Asterix, Calvin & Hobbes, Amulet, Tintin and other titles far afield of the mainstream superhero world. My daughter loves Owly and Dark Horse's reprints of Little Lulu. But she also loves Wonder Woman. And now it looks as if there won't be any age-appropriate way for her to enjoy the amazon's exploits.

When I was 9 or 10, I had a whole spinner rack of stuff I could pick up an enjoy. But the mainstream Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, etc., titles are no longer really geared or appropriate to that age group. I'd be ok with my daughter reading 1970s-era Wonder Woman tales, and maybe I'll pick up some DC Showcase volumes for her to enjoy. But I think it's a little sad that we live in the world where most comics featuring characters that were created for children are no longer appropriate for children.

Valerie D'Orazio, over at Occasional Superheroine, nicely sums up this pitiful paradigm:

Having comics be essentially "taken over" by hardcore male fans -- blocking out women, and eventually children -- is ultimately the worst thing that ever happened to this industry. I'm not talking "worst" in terms of the ethical reasons -- but just from a simple business standpoint alone. The "fanboy revolution" killed not only the female market, but also the children's market. Alienating 1/2 of the population is one thing -- but then to knowingly cut off the future generation of readers as well! Remarkably short-sighted and selfish.

I'm glad my children share my love of comics, that they there are titles out there for them to enjoy. But it's too bad they'll be losing out on these DC titles they enjoyed so much. I don't know that my son -- now that he's getting into his teens and the demographic Marvel and DC gear most of their books to (well, actually, I think the demo may be more 30s and 40s and getting rapidly older) -- will develop an interest in mainstream superhero titles or not. Given the dearth of female-friendly and kid-friendly super-titles, I'm pretty doubtful my daughter ever will.

Sucker Punch banner poster

Tangled teaser poster

Yogi Bear movie trailer