“Frenchette” (live) – David Johansen

Posted on October 6, 2012 by Dave's Strange World

One of the most underrated singer-songwriters of the late 1970s is David Johansen, former lead singer of the New York Dolls. Here’s my favorite Johansen solo track, this time in a stelllar live version from the promotion-only “The David Johansen Group Live” album recorded at New York City’s Bottom Line club in 1978. Whether with the Dolls, solo, or in his Buster Poindexter alter-ego persona (sadly, where Johansen found his biggest commercial success), the man knows how to put on a show.

“I Am the Cosmos” – This Mortal Coil

Posted on October 6, 2012 by Dave's Strange World

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p5Q_c_9zmg

One of the things I love discovering music-wise are unique and cool covers of great songs. Today’s model: a cover of Chris Bell’s mopey, but brilliant mid-1970s pre-emo classic “I Am the Cosmos” by the 4AD masters of mope (not meant to be an insult, by the way), This Mortal Coil. I never thought I’d say this about This Mortal Coil, but this kind of rocks a little. Not so much you’d put a lighter and fist in the air, but it’s a bit peppier than “Song to the Siren” or “Holocaust.” And I really like the double-tracked vocals that reminded me of Grand Funk Railroad’s cover of “Locomotion.” (Yes, I know, I’m making this sound dreadful, but trust me, it’s really very very cool). It’s better than Scarlett Johannson’s decent, but pedestrian Fiona Apple-esque take with Pete Yorn. Color me impressed.

“Wake in Fright” (1971) dir. Ted Kotcheff

Posted on October 6, 2012 by Dave's Strange World

One of the best, most brutal, and weirdest Australian films ever made is getting a major American reissue via Alamo Drafthouse Films. “Wake in Fright” was thought to be a lost film, but a negative in great shape was found a few years ago and the film was restored. This is the Australian “Deliverance”. Director Ted Kotcheff later went on to direct “North Dallas Forty” (arguably, the best American football film ever made) and the original “First Blood” (a great film, especially when you forget the moronic blockbuster “Rambo” sequel).

As Martin Scorsese said, “WAKE IN FRIGHT is a deeply – and I mean deeply – unsettling and disturbing movie. I saw it when it premiered at Cannes in 1971, and it left me speechless. Visually, dramatically, atmospherically and psychologically, it’s beautifully calibrated and it gets under your skin one encounter at a time. I’m excited that WAKE IN FRIGHT has been preserved and restored and that it is finally getting the exposure it deserves.”

“The Hollywood Knights” (1980) dir. Floyd Mutrux

Posted on October 6, 2012 by Dave's Strange World

Of all the raunchy nostalgia comedies to ride the wave of success of “National Lampoon’s Animal House,” “The Hollywood Knights” is probably the best. Featuring Michelle Pfeiffer, Tony Danza, Fran Drescher, and last, but certainly not least, Robert Wuhl as the immortal Newbomb Turk when they were young and unknown, “The Hollywood Knights” is one of those rare movies that may not be particularly good in the traditional sense, but every time it’s on, damn if I’m not watching it beginning to end. Which, of course, means it’s totally f–king great. Someone posted the entire movie on YouTube, so watch it before the copyright holders get wise to it. And because of nudity, language, and severely raunchy R-rated humor, not safe for work.