The Steve Reynolds Program - Issue #13
Hey! Is this late? I think it is, even though there is no promised schedule. Sorry about that.
We just saw Guided by Voices in Dallas at the same venue we saw them 14 years ago. And they were better this time. Bob looks old af, but his singing soars and this band plays every song like they're the anthems they are. Inspiration for all of us getting older. Go out and do it. (it being the thing that you should do)
Four Things I'm Loving
Captains Courageous - This old movie is one of my favorites. Spencer Tracy won a best supporting actor award for it and his is not in the top four performances in it. He sounds like Chico Marx and acts like Harpo. But the action on the ocean is thrilling and Freddie Bartholomew getting boxed on the ear by Lionel Barrymore made me howl with delight when I watched this with my kid (who thought it was "ok").
The American Ruse - MC5's Back In The USA is a great summer album. Lots of big, dumb and catchy rock tunes, one pleading soul song I can't believe hasn't been covered by an r&b singer, and a couple of radical tunes. This one is as catchy as Tonight and High School, but calls out the propaganda and lies of the U.S. government. And you can sing along to it!
What Up With That - I somehow watched six sketches of this recurring character bit from Saturday Night Live in a row and I have forgotten momentarily what a terrible world this is. Kenan Thompson is my antidepressant. "Looks like we're out of time" never stops being funny.
James Nghiem - Batman - I was listening to a discussion on politics in comedy and it hit me that one of my favorite political bits is by my buddy James. It's a sly commentary on the vain pleasures of the wealthy. Plus it's just really funny.
Me Plugs
June 21st I'll be doing a set at the Paramount Comedy Project at the Paramount Room in OKC. There'll be a roundtable discussion after as well which will make this night more interesting than your average showcase. If you are in Oklahoma City, please come!