Redemption scene from “The Mission” (1986) dir. Roland Joffe

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At one point during the mid-1980s, Roland Joffe was considered one of the world’s best film directors. His first two films: “The Killing Fields” (1984) and “The Mission” were nominated for multiple Academy Awards, with a “work-in-progress” version of “The Mission” winning the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1986.

Nowadays, Ennio Morricone’s stellar soundtrack for “The Mission” is better remembered than the film itself. Mainly because Joffe’s post “Mission” film career has not lived up to the promise of his first two films. I have mixed feelings about “The Mission,” but this scene never ceases to bring me to tears.

Robert DeNiro’s character is a South American slave-trader who kills his brother in a duel after he catches him in bed with his fiance. While DeNiro’s character is acquitted of legal wrong-doing, his guilt overwhelms him. A priest, played by Jeremy Irons, challenges him to undertake a suitable penance. The penance is to carry a heavy bundle, including his armor and sword, across many miles into the territory where he captured slaves. The people who he used to enslave recognize him, are ready to kill him, but under the guidance of Irons’ priest, cut him loose. DeNiro’s character’s acknowledgement of the grace of a people who were ready to slit his throat is heartbreaking.

You may recognize a young Liam Neeson in the background … approximately 20 years before he became our generation’s version of Charles Bronson.

“The Origin of Love” – Jonathan Richman

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From the tribute compilation “Wig in a Box: Songs From & Inspired By Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” comes Jonathan Richman’s cover of “The Origin of Love” from “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” I like Richman’s more upbeat arrangement here, but his earnest vocals indicate an appreciation for the power and beauty of the lyrics.

“Turmoil” – Frigidettes

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One of the highlights from the legendary double-LP hardcore punk compilation put out by Jello Biafra’s Alternative Tentacles label in 1982. Yes, this song embodies several cliches about punk … especially U.S. hardcore punk circa 1982 … but I would argue that’s what makes it so charming. The earnestness may make you giggle … or roll your eyes … but I don’t doubt the band’s sincerity, which makes this fascinating 30+ years on.

“Try Me” – James Brown and the Famous Flames

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James Brown is the undisputed Godfather of Soul. However, Brown’s quieter ballads tend to get lost in the thunder of his hard-edged R&B and funk. This is a shame, because Brown has an incredible voice and his ballads are among the best ever recorded. “Try Me” is a beautiful song and conveys so much in just 2 minutes and 30 seconds. An amazing performance that was James Brown’s first hit single (it allegedly saved Brown from being dropped by his label).

“Harlem Shuffle” – The 5.6.7.8’s

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F–k yeah! Japan’s garage punk femme fatales make absolute mincemeat out of Bob & Earl’s classic R&B song from 1963. The Rolling Stones may have scored the highest chart placement with their version from 1986, but the 5.6.7.8’s eat the Stones for breakfast on this one.

Trivia note: you may recognize the 5.6.7.8’s as the all-female Japanese rock band performing near the end of Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill Vol. 1” before Uma Thurman kills about 500 or so Yakuza members with her sword.

“Meat Man” – Jerry Lee Lewis

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Here is Jerry Lee Lewis declaring his role as a carnivore very loud and clear. Doubt me? As Jerry Lee declares: “I been down to Macon, Georgia … I ate the fuzz off a Georgia peach … Plucked me a chicken in Memphis … Mama, I still got feathers in my teeth.” Ladies, you’ve been warned. I’m not sure if this was the inspiration for Tesco Vee’s notorious punk rock band The Meatmen, but I’d love to think so.

“The Velvet Underground and Nico: A Symphony of Sound” (1966) dir. Andy Warhol / Paul Morrissey

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Here is some classic footage of the Velvet Underground jamming out circa 1966, courtesy of Andy Warhol and Paul Morrissey. Considering that very little footage exists of this seminal band … and the fact that both Warhol and Morrissey thought enough to film this … makes this essential viewing. Put your shades on and groove, baby!

“So Early in the Morning” – Trouble Funk

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Trouble Funk was one of the best of the go-go bands back in the 1980s. The only thing most people remember about go-go was that song “Da Butt” by EU from Spike Lee’s “School Daze.” If you think music from Washington DC begins with Minor Threat and ends with Fugazi, you need to check this out. Get ready to shake your a–!

“Better Man” – Pearl Jam

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Pearl Jam is one of those bands that I liked a lot 20 years ago, but don’t really do much for me these days. It’s not their fault … I’m just in a different space. But they do have some songs that I still love dearly and “Better Man,” from 1994’s album “Vitalogy,” is my all-time favorite of theirs. Many people interpret the lyrics as about a woman in an abusive relationship who is too afraid to leave. But I don’t think this is necessarily the case. I think the song is broader and more universal than that. The lyrics don’t spell out any kind of abuse going on. They don’t even indicate the guy the woman is with is cheating on her. He’s just no longer right for her for whatever reason and I think this is more about the mental struggles someone goes through when that person in a relationship that’s not working, but they’re afraid to end it because the fear of being alone overrides all else. I love the way the song starts quietly and then builds in emotion and intensity and then explodes with Eddie Vedder’s anguished vocals. Vedder has always had a great rock voice and this is, in my opinion, Vedder at his best.

While many people could hear this and say some trite s–t like “Drop that zero, yadda yadda …,” I think the song gives proper respect to how difficult it is for the protagonist to leave a person who is clearly not right for them without condescension. If you have ever been in a relationship and felt intensely about someone for a long time, but realize it’s not working, it’s not so easy to cut the chord because of what’s been invested emotionally. There’s a part that of you that wants to make it work because you’re afraid of admitting that you bet too much on the wrong horse. Granted, it’s not a healthy way to be. But it’s not as easy as someone who is not invested in the relationship may think. Key lyrics: “Memories back when she was bold and strong … And waiting for the world to come along…” “Better Man” is a great exploration of very complex and mixed emotions.