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SHAKESPEARE: Hamlet & Othello (comp.productions by Royal Shakespeare Co.), Blu-ray (2016)

by Audiophile Audition | Feb 23, 2017 | DVD & Blu-ray Video Reviews

SHAKESPEARE: Hamlet & Othello (comp.productions by Royal Shakespeare Co.), Blu-ray (2016) SHAKESPEARE: Hamlet ‒ Paapa Essiedu, Hamlet / Natalie Simpson, Ophelia / Cyril Nri, Polonius / Clarence Smith, Claudius / Tanya Moodie, Gertrude / Hiran Abeysekera, Horatio / Marcus Griffiths, Laertes / Ewart James Walters, Ghost; Gravedigger / James Conney, Rosencrantz / Bethan Cullinane, Guildenstern / Kevin N Golding, Bernardo / Priest, Player King / Theo Ogundipe, Fortinbras; Marcellus; Lucianus / Doreene Blackstock, Player Queen / Marième Diouf, Cornelia; Player / Romayne Andrews, Osric / Eke Chukwu, Voltimand / Simon Godwin, Director / Royal Shakespeare Company ‒ Opus Arte Blu-ray OA 807172 D, 180 min., main features; 5 min., extras (10/28/16) ****: SHAKESPEARE: Othello ‒ David Ajao, Montano / Nadia Albina, Duke of Venice / Scarlett Brookes, Bianca / James Corrigan, Roderigo / Ayesha Dharker, Emilia / Eva Feiler, Citizen of Venice / Owen Findlay, Gentleman of Cyprus / Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Cassio / Guy Hughes, Soldier / Gwilym Lloyd, Gratiano / Rina Mahoney, Citizen of Venice; Messenger / Lucian Msamati, Iago / Ken Nwosu, Gentleman of Cyprus / Brian Protheroe, Brabantio / Hugh Quarshie, Othello / Herald, Jay Saighal, Gentleman of Cyprus / Tim Samuels, Lodovico / Joanna Vanderham, Desdemona […]

Last Of The Mississippi Jukes (2016)

by Audiophile Audition | Dec 31, 2016 | DVD & Blu-ray Video Reviews

Last Of The Mississippi Jukes (2016) An interesting historical blues documentary finally gets released on DVD. Performers: Alvin Youngblood Hart; Bobby Rush; Chris Thomas King; Vasti Jackson; Patrice Moncell; Eddie Cotton; George Jackson; The King Edward Blues Band; The House Rockers; Abdul Rasheed; J.T. Watkins & Levon Lindsey; Dennis Fountain & Pat Brown; Lucille; Greg “Fingers” Taylor; Sam Carr; Anthony Sherrod; Jesse Robinson; David Hughes & Virgil Brawley; Steve Cheseborough; Casey Phillips & The Hounds Studio: MVD Visual MVD7127D Director: Robert Mugge Audio: PCM Stereo 2.0, DTS 5.1 Video: for 16:9 screens, color and black & white Chapters: Saturday Night, Sunday Morning; Ground Zero For Blues; Subway Swing; Last Call; Subway Blues: End Of The Line Length: 86 minutes Rating: Audio: ***1/2 Video: **** Overall: **** Blues has been an integral part of the American culture since its inception. The legacy of racism and brutality can never be ignored or changed by revisionist history. But this deeply felt musical genre has permeated African America and the mainstream with significant impact. Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Led Zeppelin, Carl Perkins, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington and Count Basie all share this musical roots genesis. […]

Quincy Jones – Roots: The Saga of an American Family – A&M/ Varese Sarabande

by Audiophile Audition | Jul 23, 2016 | Jazz CD Reviews

A tiny taste of Roots… Quincy Jones – Roots: The Saga of an American Family – A&M/Varese Sarabande 3020674258 (1977), 27:41 ***: (Quincy Jones – composer; with full orchestra, twelve percussionists, choir, and vocalists) With the recent all-new Roots mini-series debuting on A&E, Lifetime, and History Channel, the original soundtrack recording from the 1977 ground breaking series has been reissued. At a paltry sub-28 minute length, this recording just whets the appetite for the mania that the original Roots brought to the American public viewing audience. It was one of the first mini series released on American TV, and its viewership was astounding. I remember being glued to the TV while in college. Written by Alex Haley, it recounted the journey of slaves to America from Africa. The fictional account was deeply moving and helped begin a modern time discussion of race relations. Broadcast on eight consecutive nights (Jan. 23-30, 1977) on ABC, it became an immediate sensation. Starring LeVar Burton as a young Kunta Kinte with strong performances from Lou Gossett Jr., Ben Vereen, Ed Asner, Leslie Uggams, Maya Angelou, Ralph Waite and many others, it won nine Emmy nominations after being nominated for 37 awards. Quincy Jones composed […]