pop - Aug. 20 by The Norman Transcript

pop Sharing the

t h g i l t Spo

• friday • aug. 20 • 2010

also inside: We go together like wine and chocolate • Angry rock girls prove to be musically talented • Grascals one of best acts in bluegrass • Movies in the ‘Tearful Hall of Fame’

page two

pop

friday, aug. 20, 2010

pop Editor-in-Chief: Aaron Wright Phone: 366-3533 Fax: 366-3516 E-mail all press releases and all other inquiries to: pop@normantranscript.com Weekly deadline: 5 p.m. Monday All faxed or mailed information submitted must be typed. All letters to the editor must include address and phone number.

pop is published each Friday by

The Norman Transcript, P.O. Box 1058, Norman, OK 73070. To advertise in this section, call 366-3554. COVER ART: The Billy Hartlee Band performed Wedneday at the Hilltop Hideaway in Noble. The band hosts open mic night, welcoming others to share the stage. (cover photo by Aaron Wright Gray)

Movies in the ‘Tearful Hall of Fame’ I know the moment is coming. It might be when each member of the Notre Dame football team volunteers to be the one who doesn’t play in the final game of the season, so there will be room on the roster for determined walk-on Rudy Ruettiger (Sean Astin) to realize his dream in “Rudy.” It could be when Emma Thompson opens up the Christmas present from her husband in “Love, Actually” and realizes that he’s cheating on her. Or when Juliet Binoche says goodbye to Naveen Andrews in “The English Patient.” I swear I’m not going to cry and, of course, I always do. I love it, too. Whether they’re tears of joy or sorrow, there’s nothing like a great sob-inducing movie moment, especially those that lose none of their power after repeated viewings. In honor of all that fabulous emotion, we present our “Tearful Hall of Fame.” Best Tearful Family Reunion: Nathan Lee’s homecoming in “Sounder” (1972). Sentenced to a chain gang for stealing a ham to feed his starving family during the Depression, sharecropper Nathan Lee Morgan (Paul Winfield) is taken from his devoted wife (Cicely Tyson) and three kids, just when they need him the most. Somehow, the Morgans make it through the toughest of times, never

Mary Anne Hempe Forgotten Video losing hope that they’ll see Nathan Lee again. And they do, in one of the most memorable scenes in movie history. When Cicely realizes who’s at the gate and starts running toward her man, there won’t be a dry eye in the house. Runner-Up: When The Boy (Phillip Alford) returns to dad Jimmy Stewart at the end of “Shenandoah” (1965). Best Tearful Learning Moment: A tie, between Helen Keller (an Oscarwinning Patty Duke) finally figuring out what Annie Sullivan (fellow Oscar winner Anne Bancroft) has been trying to teach her in 1962’s “The Miracle Worker,” and a young and severely disabled Christy Brown (Hugh O’Conor) proving his mind is fine when he scrawls the word “MOTHER” on the floor with a piece of chalk held between his toes in “My Left Foot” (1989). Best Tearful Sports Event: The thrill of victory was never sweeter than The Cutters taking The Little 500 Bike Race in “Breaking Away” (1979). When Dennis Christopher crosses that finish line first, it’s a win for underdogs

Films playing at Warren Theatre New Releases: • Lottery Ticket: When neighbors find out that Kevin Carson has the winning lottery tickets, he struggles to hang onto the prize. PG-13. • Nanny McPhee Returns: A young mother struggles to run the family while her husband is away at war. Nanny McPhee steps in to help. PG. • Pirahna 3D: Lake Victoria is a hot spot for Spring Break. Visitors and residents face a new adventure when man-eating fish are set free in the lake. R. • The Switch: When an unmarried turns to artificial insemination, her best guy friend neglects to tell her he replaced the sperm sample with his own. PG13. • Vampires Suck: This movie takes aim at the vampire craze, mainly spoofing the “Twilight” series. PG-13.

Now Showing: • Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore: Canines and felines join forces when a rogue cat threatens world domination. PG. • Despicable Me: Steve Carell is the voice Gru, an evil world dominator with plans to steal the moon. His plans are foiled when he meets three orphaned girls. PG. • Dinner for Schmucks: Tim scores big in finding the biggest buffoon for his boss’ monthly “dinner for idiots” when he comes across Barry. PG-13. • Eat Pray Love: Liz Gilbert defines success in her own way, leaving the American Dream and seeking an adventure around the world. PG-13. • Inception: Dom Cobb is a thief of dreams. His job has cost him many precious things in his life. With one task, he could get it all back, if he can survive inception. PG-13.

• Salt: After she is accused of being a Russian spy, CIA officer Evelyn Salt goes on the run to clear her name. PG-13. • Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: Scott Pilgrim is in love. But getting this delivery girl to date him will require defeating her seven evil ex-boyfriends. PG-13. • Step Up 2D/3D: A close group of New York City street dancers team up with a college freshman for a hip-hop showdown. PG-13. • The Expendables: A team of mercenaries prepare to overthrow a dictator of a South American country. Sylvester Stallone wrote and directed this film. R. • The Other Guys: Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg star in this film about two cops often overshadowed by the heroes of the New York City police department. They land a case that could put them in the spotlight. PG-13.

everywhere. Runner-up: Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) asking his dad if he wants “to have a catch” at the end of 1989’s “Field of Dreams.” Best Use of Music to Make You Cry: When Andy DuFresne (Tim Robbins) hijacks the warden’s office and broadcasts the Mozart opera over the PA system for the inmates to hear in “The Shawshank Redemption” (1994). The music itself is enough to make you choke up (and I don’t even like opera), but when Morgan Freeman’s gorgeous narration is added to the mix, it’s almost too beautiful to bear. Best Crying Actress: A tie, between Juliet Binoche in “The English Patient” (1996), who won an Oscar for bursting into tears better than anyone, and Juliette Stephenson in “Truly, Madly, Deeply” (1990), whose sobbing over the loss of boyfriend Alan Rickman will make you miss him as much as she does. Best Crying Actor: Denzel Washington in “Glory” (1989), of course, but let’s not forget that 1989 was also the year that Tom Hanks showed audiences that real men can cry in comedies, too, when he bawls like a baby (and breaks our hearts) after his canine partner is killed in “Turner & Hooch.” Stock up on the tissue and check ’em out!

Films playing at Robinson Crossing • Cyrus: After years of singleness following his divorce, John meets Molly. However, he must go to battle with her protective son to win her. R. • Iron Man 2: Robert Downey Jr. returns as the cocky billionaire Tony Stark, who faces pressure to share his technology. PG-13. • Knight and Day: Is he crazy or is he safe? That’s what June Havens must find out after her life gets tangled with that of a secret agent. PG-13. • Marmaduke: Everybody’s favorite Great Dane pushes his way to the big screen, wreaking havoc in Orange County. PG. • Predators: An alien race terrifies a group of elite warriors. R. • Prince of Persia: A prince and a princess must use the Dagger of Time to stop an angry ruler. PG-13. • Ramona and Beezus: Ramona and her older sister Beezus go to work trying to save the family’s home. PG. • Shrek Forever After: Shrek makes a deal with Rumpelskiltskin, which launches him into an alternate version of Far, Far Away. PG. • The Karate Kid: An updated karate kid learns how to stand up for himself after taking lessons from Mr. Han. PG.

Films playing at Hollywood Spotlight New Releases: • Lottery Ticket: When neighbors find out that Kevin Carson has the winning lottery tickets, he struggles to hang onto the prize. PG-13. • Nanny McPhee Returns: A young mother struggles to run the family while her husband is away at war. Nanny McPhee steps in to help, teaching the children new lessons about life. PG. • Pirahna 3D: Lake Victoria is a hot spot for Spring Break. Visitors and residents face a new adventure when man-eating fish are set free in the lake. R. • The Switch: When an unmarried turns to artificial insemination, her best guy friend neglects to tell her he replaced the sperm sample with his own. PG13. • Vampires Suck: This movie takes aim of the vampire craze, mainly spoofing the “Twilight” series. PG-13.

inception. PG-13. • Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: Scott Pilgrim is in love. But getting this delivery girl to date him will require defeating her seven evil ex-boyfriends. PG-13. • Step Up 3D: A close group of New York City street dancers team up with a college freshman for a hip hop showdown. PG-13. • The Expendables: A team of mercenaries prepare to overthrow a dictator of a South American country. Sylvester Stallone wrote and directed this film. R. • The Other Guys: Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg star in this film about two cops often overshadowed by the heroes of the New York City police department. They ladn a case that could put them in the spotlight. PG-13. • Toy Story 3: The toy box heroes are back, this time taking on a local daycare center where they are donated when Andy, their owner, heads to college. PG.

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page four

pop

friday, aug. 20, 2010

Band shares stage during open mic nights By Aaron Wright Gray pop editor

The Billy Hartless Band loves to perform. It covers popular country music, hit songs from past decades like “Johnny B. Goode” and Southern rock crowd favorites — standard bar band fare. Amid the gigs they play in various venues throughout the state, the group has secured a spot for themselves 7-11 p.m. every Wednesday at the Hilltop Hideaway, 1105 N. Main in Noble. It’s during this gig that the group gets really generous, opening up the stage and its instruments so the group can share its love of performance with the audience. That’s right, it’s an open mic performance. “We just figured it was the next progression,” Jason Eastwood, the band’s drummer, said while taking a break from his set a few Wednesdays ago. Audience members are welcome to pick a song and try to hold their own with the band members. Guest performers are welcome on a first-come, first-served basis. The drum set, PA system and amps are available for the public. Guest performers are asked to bring their own guitars and bass guitars, though, Eastwood said. The band has been

Photo by Aaron Wright Gray

The Billy Hartless Band performs at Hilltop Hideaway in Noble during their weekly open mic night Wednesday. hosting the open mic night for about a month and a half after seeing a similar successful event in Oklahoma City. Jimbo Humphries is one of the regular contributors. Humphries also freelances with the band on other gigs as a keyboard player, but he’s out nearly every Wednesday

The band • Billy Jack Hartless, acoustic guitar/lead vocals • Lee Redman, lead guitar/back-up vocals • Kenneth Seals, bass guitar • Jason Eastwood, drums/back-up vocals. Find out more about the band at www.myspace.com/billyhartlessband. See them perform Saturday at The Hilltop Hideaway or Sept. 3 at The Other Place, 3430 N. Porter Ave., Norman.

to tickle the ivories, as they say. Eastwood said he’s the go-to guy when a guest performer asks to sing a song from the 1980s. Humphries would like to see more performers take the initiative to join the band on stage. “We need singers, players and bands that want to play in this room,” he said. Eastwood agreed that bands have a lot to gain by taking advantage of the open mic performance. He said that, in the past, there have been times when entire

.com

See the band perform at www.normantranscript.com.

groups have come and tested out the stage at Hilltop Hideaway. Often, these bands are invited back by the bar management to perform on other nights. Eastwood also said he’d like to see more instrumentalists take the stage. “Singers are easier to find because of karaoke,” he

noted. Eastwood is in the process of trying to promote the open mic night, playing it up on social media sites. He’s hoping to draw in the student crowd, now that school is starting back. “Whatever I can do to try to draw bodies out,” he said. While the Billy Hartless

Band is working on developing this new project, they’re also in the works of furthering their individual band. A relatively new band, together a few months shy of a year, the band is currently working on some original songs and expanding the venues they play, Eastwood said.

page five

One of best acts in bluegrass By Andrew W. Griffin Pop writer

The Grascals — “The Famous Lefty Flynn’s” (Rounder) 2010 One of my all-time favorite pop songs ever, “Last Train to Clarksville,” made into a No. 1 hit in 1966 by The Monkees, was recently recorded as a bluegrass song by one of the best acts in the field of bluegrass music — The Grascals. An award-winning sixpiece Nashville-based group, The Grascals have just released their fourth studio album, “The Famous Lefty Flynn’s,” and included that aforementioned ’60s pop nugget as the opening track on the album. And what’s great about a song like “Last Train to Clarksville,” it lends itself to be interpreted as a countryflavored bluegrass song, with its melancholy lyrics about a man leaving his woman to go, assumedly, off to war. At least that is what inspired songwriters Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart back in the day. And, plus, train songs work well as bluegrass tunes, just as it does on the descriptive “Everytime.” That said, the rest of the album — 12 songs in all —

pop

friday, aug. 20, 2010

Angry rock girls prove to be musically talented By Doug Hill pop reviewer

CD review Doug Hill

Who Needs Johnny Self -Titled Direct Music Distribution

Photo Provided

The Grascals recently released the album “The Famous Lefty Flynn’s,” which includes a bluegrass version of “Last Train to Clarksville.” Andrew W. Griffin reddirtreporter@gmail.com

is a bluegrass delight. And to get a sense of who The Grascals are — Terry Eldredge and Jamie Johnson sing and play guitar, Terry Smith sings and plays upright bass, while Jeremy Abshire plays fiddle, Kristin Scott Benson plays banjo and Danny Roberts plays mandolin — just listen to the interplay between the different instruments. They work well as a musical unit. Those who like acoustic stompers will dig the

CD review Osborne Brothers-styled “Son Of a Sawmill Man,” while those who prefer thoughtful, religiousoriented folk-country songs will particularly enjoy “Satan and Grandma.” Bringing to mind the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, the title track, “The Famous Lefty Flynn’s,” written by Johnson, is a tale about a jailed robber who meets a young fan who comes to find out that Flynn isn’t as big as he’d been told. Hank Williams, Jr., joins The Grascals on “I’m Blue, I’m Lonesome,” a classic country song written by

Hank Sr. and bluegrass legend Bill Monroe. The results are amazing. Roberts’ mandolin work here is mighty fine. The same can be said of their cover of Steve Earle’s “My Old Friend the Blues,” which features a beautiful fiddle solo by Abshire and some pedal steel added for good measure. “The Famous Lefty Flynn’s” is a great album for bluegrass fans and folks who simply like good, American-styled folk and country music with a subtly modern feel. Grade — A

In-your-face rock music performed by women is some of the best the genre has to offer. Wanda Jackson, Joan Jett, Sleater-Kinney and The Donnas immediately come to mind. Who Needs Johnny follows that sassy tradition with its sound tilted toward the punk side of the gallery. Who Needs Johnny is Samantha Haedrich (vocals, guitar and bass), Alyssa Clotfelter (lead guitar, back-up vocals) and J. Colson (drums). The band’s name is just the start of its contempt for dog-face boys. Most of the 10 tracks’ lyrics on this debut CD are about the tricky illusion of “happily ever after.” Why make a happy

hillreviews@ hotmail.com

face when you can shred the jerk in a song? The only tears these gals will shed are that they didn’t kick Johnny’s butt harder as he rockets out the door. Haedrich and Clotfelter came out of Colorado’s scene, which makes you wonder how such a great state could be home to so many loser guys. “Without You” is a gentle departure from mostly brash rock anthems that would be welcome in all-ages VFW and union halls anywhere in America. Relentless power chords and unpretentious vocal ferocity are like thunder and lightning in “Over” and “Poison.” If you need an antidote for too much lame indie rock by pale weepy boys, this girl power potion is just what the doctor ordered.

ROBOTMAN & MONTY® by Jim Meddick

We go together ... By Linda Coldwell special to pop

Find out how to get the most out of wine and chocolate pairings at a flavorful seminar offered 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, at the Sam Noble Museum in Norman. “Pairing Wine and Chocolate: A Tasting Seminar” is sponsored by the 42nd Street Candy Company and The Spirit Shop. Participants will discover the ultimate combination of wine and chocolate and explore the ways different wines can enhance the flavor of a variety of chocolates and vice-versa. Experts will introduce different flavors of wine and chocolate and discuss how taste elements of each can be enhanced through artful combinations. Only adults 21 and up are allowed. Pre-registration is required. The cost is $25 per individual or $40 per couple. To register, call (405) 3251008. Seminar participants also will have an opportunity to explore the special exhibition “Chocolate,” currently on view at the Sam Noble Museum. The exhibit will be open 6:30 to 7 p.m. prior to the beginning of the seminar and for an additional half hour after the seminar concludes. The Sam Noble Museum is at Timberdell Road and

FYI To pre-register, call 3251008. The cost is $25 per individual or $40 per couple. Only adults 21 and up are allowed to attend “Pairing Wine and Chocolate: A Tasting Seminar.”

Chautauqua Avenue in Norman. MICHAEL D MONROE (405) 360 9500 1100 Rambling Oaks Dr. Norman, OK 73072 MichaelMonroe@AllState.com

Ramona and Beezus G 12:25 2:40 4:50 7:05 9:10 The Karate Kid PG 1:00 4:00 6:55 9:30 Prince of Persia PG13 12:15 2:35 7:15 Knight and Day PG13 5:00 9:35

Cyrus R 12:55 2:55 4:55 7:20 9:25 Shrek Forever After PG 12:30 2:30 4:30 7:00 9:15 Marmaduke PG 12:20 2:20 7:10 Iron Man 2 PG13 4:20 9:20

$7.00 Bargain Matinees - All Shows Before 6PM $7.50 Student Admission With Valid I.D. • $3 Surcharge applies to all 3-D Tickets

VAMPIRES SUCK • (PG13) 12:40 3:50 6:55 9:35 NANNY MCPHEE RETURNS (PG) 12:30 3:40 6:45 9:25 PIRANHA 3-D (R) 1:10 4:20 7:25 10:15 THE SWITCH (PG13) 12:50 4:00 7:05 9:45 LOTTERY TICKET (PG13) 1:00 4:10 7:15 9:55 THE EXPENDABLES (R) 12:55 3:55 7:00 10:00 EAT PRAY LOVE • (PG13) 12:15 3:20 6:25 9:30 J

THE OTHER GUYS (PG13) 12:45 3:45 6:40 9:40 SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD (PG13) 12:25 3:35 6:35 9:20 DESPICABLE ME 3-D (PG) 1:15 4:15 7:20 10:10 DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS (PG13) 12:20 3:30 6:30 9:15 TOY STORY 3 3-D (PG) 12:35 4:25 7:10 9:50 STEP UP 3-D (PG13) 1:05 4:05 6:50 10:05 CATS AND DOGS 3-D (PG) 1:20 4:30 INCEPTION (PG13) 7:30 J

POP’S

SOCIAL CALENDAR

FRIDAY

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

SATURDAY

Movie Night at the Musuem, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” Sam Noble Museum, 7 p.m.

Mama Sweet, The Deli, 10:30 p.m.

Back to School party, Recorder with Chrome Pony and Crystal Vision, 9 p.m., $7 day of show, The Opolis

Olivia Duhon, jazz 7:30 p.m., Othello’s

Third Friday Celtic Night, Sonder Music, 6:30 p.m., free Blackwatch Presents, Pretty Black Chains, The Deli, 10:30 p.m. Christian Pearson, 6:30 p.m./Ali Harter, 9 p.m., Othello’s Circe, indie rock, 9 p.m., $5 cover Brooks and Dunn concert with Miranda Lambert, 8 p.m., Ford Center Jokers Wild presents Mike Rayburn, Firelake Casino, 8 p.m., $10 Southern Exchange, The Hilltop Hideaway, 1105 N. Main in Noble

Osage, classic rock, 9 p.m., $5 cover

Wanderlust, travel and photography exhibit, Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave., $5. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WEDNESDAY 25 Whistle Pig, The Deli, 10:30 p.m.

Chocolate, the exhbit, Sam Noble Museum, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., $5

The Dashing Suns, 9 p.m., free show, The Brewhouse Open mic night with Billy Hartless, 7-11 p.m., The Hilltop Hideaway, 1105 N. Main in Noble

Drum clinic with Gregg Desonette (drummer for Ringo Starr), 5 p.m., $10, Norman Music Institute, 2795b Bruce Dr.

THURSDAY 26 Re-exploring the West, Auditorium Photographic Projects, lecture, 7 p.m., Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, Mark Kletts, regents professor, school of art Wine and chocolate pairing, Sam Noble Museum, 7 p.m., $25 single or $40 for couples, pre-registration required, call 325-1008 The Whiskey Trio, 8 p.m., Othello’s

Billy Hartless Band, The Hilltop Hideaway, 1105 N. Main in Noble

28 The Jonbear Fourtet with Luna Matto and Mix Tape, indie rock, 9 p.m., $5 cover, The Brewhouse

The Boom Band with Brother Gruesome and Skating Polly, 9 p.m., $8, The Opolis

Karaoke, 7 p.m., The Hilltop Hideaway, 1105 N. Main in Noble

TUESDAY

Charley Pride, Riverwind Casino, 8 p.m., $40-50

“Antonio Gaudi,” ﬁlm, 7 p.m., Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art

Ben Kweller concert, east law of Oklahoma Memorial Union on OU campus, free, 8 p.m.

Mike Hosty solo, The Deli, 10:30 p.m.

MONDAY

The Wooden Birds with Dan Mangan, 9 p.m., $12, The Opolis

27 Art after Hours, Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 6 p.m., John Singleton Copley’s “Portrait of Mrs. Jabez Bowen”

SUNDAY

Susan Herndon, singer/ songwriter, 8 p.m., Othello’s Dustbowl Arts Market, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., live music until 11 p.m., campus corner, Buchanan Street

29 Willis Allan Ramsey, Alison Rodgers, Santa Fe Depot, 200 S. Jones, 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Mike Hosty solo, The Deli, 10:30 p.m.

Free show, Travis Linville, 7-9 p.m., The Deli

Deli All-Star Jam, 10:30 p.m., The Deli Girl in a Coma, Gringo Star, Agent Ribbons, 9 p.m., all ages, $10, Opolis

Chocolate, the exhbit, Sam Noble Museum, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., $5

2 Electric City, rock, 9 p.m., $5 cover, The Brewhouse

Dylan Hammett, Summer Breeze concert, free, Lions Park, 7:30 p.m.

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