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Record Producer Pete Anderson Explains It All for You

Record Producer Pete Anderson Explains It All for You

Last Night: Tom Jones at the Smart Financial Centre

Last Night: Tom Jones at the Smart Financial Centre

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John Ford Coley's Tales of Texas, "England Dan" & the Torah

By Bob Ruggiero
May 5, 2023

Analyzing misheard lyrics in rock have provided music nerds endless hours of fun (and even been the subject of a series of books by Gavin Edwards.). Needless to say, the actual words to some famous tunes were not “Hold me closer, Tony Danza” (Elton John, “Tiny Dancer”); “Scuse me while...
A Celebration of the Jewish Deli at the Holocaust Museum

By Lorretta Ruggiero
May 3, 2023

Houston has the fourth largest Holocaust museum in the United States, dedicated to educating the public about the horrors of genocide while showcasing the resilience of the human spirit. While a tour of the museum can be an emotional experience, there are also happy moments in Jewish history and also...
Houston Concert Watch 5/3: Tedeschi Trucks, Carlos Santana and More

By Tom Richards
May 3, 2023

As it happens, both the coronation of King Charles III and the Kentucky Derby are scheduled for this weekend. No surprise, but the Derby is offering the best bet for a fun party. After a few mint juleps, how can you not have a good time? Across the Pond, King...
Houston Concert Watch 4/19: Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift and More

By Tom Richards
Apr 19, 2023

There has been talk over the past few months about an upcoming album from the Rolling Stones, which would be their first collection of new material since A Bigger Bang in 2005. Consequently, the faithful were hoping for a tour to support the record, maybe this fall. While the album’s...
Reassessing Police Officer Judy From Zootopia as Zootopia 2 is Announced

By Jef Rouner
Apr 18, 2023

Zootopia 2 was recently announced, which gave me an excuse to go back and rewatch the first film. I never realized how insanely corrupt officer Judy Hopps is in the movie. She’s actively worse than characters in movies specifically about corrupt cops. We first get a look at Judy’s, let’s...
The Third Time's Still Charming for CMCH's Philly Soul Tribute Show

By Bob Ruggiero
Apr 3, 2023

In the realm of movies, the third installment in a series usually doesn’t live up to the previous entries. Think Godfather III, Superman III, and, um, Jaws 3-D. But sometimes, that third go-round can introduce something new to shake things up. Think Mr. T’s Clubber Lang in Rocky III (good!)...
Neil Young Revisits Harvest, Generating Plenty of Wheat and Little Chaff

By Tom Richards
Mar 23, 2023

Many years ago, I read a review of a Neil Young album that began with the writer saying something like, “If Neil Young were to take a crap in a paper bag and sell it, I would be first in line at the store.” Such was the devotion that many...
Opinion: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Looks Like a Story About Being Queer With Abusive Parents

By Jef Rouner
Mar 1, 2023

I can’t get the latest trailer for Guardian of the Galaxy Vol. 3 out of my head because, when you subtract the talking trees and space lasers, it looks like the story of a queer or trans person who has to confront the abusive parent who tried to destroy them...
Jeremy Jordan Brings Broadway's Best To Houston Symphony

By Sam Byrd
Feb 24, 2023

The Tony and Grammy-nominated Broadway star Jeremy Jordan teams up with the Houston Symphony for a concert full of musical theatre’s best hits Friday through Sunday at Jones Hall.
The Beatles, James Bond and Britain Share Top Billing in New Book

By Tom Richards
Feb 14, 2023

There was a British gentleman in an online music group that I belong to who signed his posts, “Nothing is Beatleproof.” That is to say, whatever it is, you can always connect it to the Beatles, kind of like the Kevin Bacon parlor game. This is the (partial) premise of...
JD Souther Brings His Many Hits (and Memories) to Tomball

By Bob Ruggiero
Feb 9, 2023

In 1979, JD Souther released the lush, plaintive ballad “You’re Only Lonely,” which hit #7 on the Billboard Top 100 and #1 on the Adult Contemporary charts. But it wasn’t on these shores that he first realized he had a giant hit on his hands. “It had already peaked in...
Cirque Du Soleil's Kooza Offers Edge-Of-The-Seat Thrills

By Sam Byrd
Jan 26, 2023

Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza has returned to showcase new and improved death-defying acts and comedic entertainment for which the group is so well known. It is running now through March 5 at Sam Houston Race Park, 7575 N. Sam Houston Pkwy W.
Reviews For The Easily Distracted:
Plane

By Pete Vonder Haar
Jan 13, 2023

Title: uh... Describe This Movie In One Airplane! Quote: STEVE MCCROSKEY: Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue. Brief Plot Synopsis: Airplane crash lands in Philippines, but Manny Pacquiao isn't around to save them. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 3 Sullys out of 5. Tagline: "Survive together...
Reviews For The Easily Distracted:
M3GAN

By Pete Vonder Haar
Jan 6, 2023

Title: M3GAN Describe This Movie In One Simpsons Quote: EVIL KRUSTY: I'm Krusty the Clown and I don't like you very much. HOMER: Heh heh. EVIL KRUSTY: I'm Krusty the Clown and I'm going to kill you. HOMER: Didn't even pull the string that time. Brief Plot Synopsis: (Attachment theory) +...
Reviews For The Easily Distracted:
Women Talking

By Pete Vonder Haar
Jan 6, 2023

Title: Women Talking Describe This Movie In One Once Were Warriors Quote: BETH HEKE: If my spirit can survive living with you for eighteen years, then I can survive anything. Brief Plot Synopsis: The women of an isolated religious community grapple with the revelation of years of sexual abuse. Rating Using...
Book Digs Deep into Iconic Pink Floyd Album for 50th Anniversary

By Bob Ruggiero
Dec 29, 2022

It is one of the most famous and enduring albums in the Classic Rock Canon. Listening to it for the first time whether it be on vinyl, CD, or Bluetooth speaker, is almost a teenage rite of passage. And who knows how many joint-and-bong smoking sessions it has soundtracked over...
Best TV and Streaming Shows of 2022

By Jamil David
Dec 27, 2022

The year 2022 has been a ridiculously stacked time in television. The medium continues to pump more and more series out through cable and streamers who are constantly expanding and reshuffling in what is definitely a sustainable business model. The result of the avalanche of shows this year was a...
Reviews For The Easily Distracted:
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

By Pete Vonder Haar
Dec 23, 2022

Title: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish Describe This Movie In One "Black Cat" Lyric: JANET JACKSON: Black cat, nine lives / Short days, long nights Livin' on the edge / Not afraid to die Brief Plot Synopsis: BAFTA and Oscar winners/nominees once again lend their voices to public domain fairy tale characters...
'Ho-Ho-Holiday' Brings Joy To The Holiday Season

By Sam Byrd
Dec 16, 2022

Houston Symphony is invigorating the yuletide spirit with Ho-Ho-Holiday at Jones Hall on Saturday. The orchestra will celebrate the season with songs from Disney’s Frozen, music from The Polar Express, “Sleigh Ride,” a holiday sing-along and more.
Alice Cooper: Booking the Birthday Boy

By Bob Ruggiero
Dec 12, 2022

He’s long been lauded (or, depending on your point of view, condemned) for being “The Father of Shock Rock.” But this upcoming February 4 when he turns 75 years of age, he could up that title to “Grandfather.” Still, as recently as this year, Alice Cooper is out there many...

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