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Long Live Rock 'n' Roll by Rainbow
Long Live Rock 'n' Roll by Rainbow
1978 | Rock
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"It was kind of weird because I had forgotten how much I listened to that album. I was introduced to Ronnie [James Dio] at an early stage, loved his voice and Ritchie [Blackmore], as a guitar player, was someone who was just beyond the grasp of my little mind at the time. He was so unique. When you go through all the different eras and songs, there's such variety. Songs like 'Kill The King' were interesting, but by far my favourite was 'Gates Of Babylon'. It has such a hypnotic, dancing gypsy riff. The singing and all the production is just tremendous and if you can copy Blackmore and master what he's doing, it'll take your playing to a whole new level. Not many people have done it either. Yngwie [Malmsteen] did it very well of course, but Yngwie is the master and was influenced by not just Ritchie."

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La2 - Single by Rami Salmi
La2 - Single by Rami Salmi
2019
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Rime Salmi is a Canada-raised singer-songwriter with Moroccan roots. Not too long ago, she released a celebratory afro-pop tune, entitled, “La2”, produced by Ghanaian super producer Willisbeat.

‘La2’ tells a liberating tale of a courageous young woman who decides to trust her own instincts, visions, and dreams—regardless of what people might say she should or shouldn’t do.

What she wants most in life is to surf in Agadir, have drinks in New York, and go on expensive trips that she can’t afford.

Later, she admits that nothing in life is guaranteed, only what we choose to be. Therefore, what she chooses is a life that she wants to live.

‘La2’ contains a relatable storyline, gorgeous vocals, and joyful instrumentation scented with an Afro-pop fragrance. Also, the likable tune possesses joyful melodies sprinkled with ethnic Arabic rhythms.

“‘La2’ (‘no’ in Arabic) is about saying ‘no’ to what was expected of us, what society says is acceptable or ‘normal’, especially as women. This song stems from my desire to pursue my passion and break free from boundaries set by a conservative Arabic background, especially what is expected of me as a woman. I’m choosing to pursue my goals. I’m choosing to say yes to my own gut feeling, my vision, my dreams, and the world I wanna create. I’m learning to say ‘no’ and live my life how I’m the happiest. ‘La2’ is a joyful anthem that I hope will inspire freedom and living out loud, and living now because it’s all we have.” – Rime Salmi

Rime Salmi was born to Moroccan parents and raised in Canada. She grew up a child of many cultures.

Her music became a way to channel her challenges in being torn between two cultures: her traditional Moroccan heritage and her western Canadian upbringing.

Also, her charisma shines through her high-energy stage performances, which combines belly dancing, afrobeat dancing, and powerful vocals.

https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/rime-salmi-la2/
  
Grease (1978)
Grease (1978)
1978 | Comedy, Musical, Romance
Good girl Sandy and greaser Danny fell in love over the summer. When they unexpectedly discover they're now in the same high school, will they be able to rekindle their romance?



If anyone asks me then I would always say that I've seen Grease... and I have. I can sing you all the songs, name you all the characters and relive some of the iconic clothing and scenery. But, as it turns out... I actually haven't. Not all the way through at least.

I sat there as the film started rolling and realised that, specifically, I've not seen the first half. I've seen the scenes with the songs in, probably on YouTube or the like, and I've definitely seen the end. I would imagine because I was flicking channels and seen it was on so I've watched it. I've never seen the cartoon opening, Danny and Sandy on the beach, or Sandy's appearance at Rydale High. Not from the original at least. I saw Grease Live, which while not quite the same was still enjoyable.

It would be almost impossible to sit through this one and not sing along, tap your toes, or have a smile creep onto your face. The screen was packed out, mainly with women, but it was nice to see quite a few guys along for the ride, some of their own accord and not dragged along by anyone. I could hear lots of low level singing, and out of the corner of my eye, some Grease Lightning arm dancing. Everyone truly enjoyed themselves.

One gentleman, who I know from Unlimited showings, told me how his mum brought him to see it when he was six and he's loved it ever since. It was such a lovely story. And I'm sure that many other people there had their own tales about seeing it when they were growing up.

I'm just always overjoyed by the dancing. But then you know me and a musical!
  
Book #2 in the WISE Enquiries Agency series

When Henry, a Welsh Duke, decides to be married, there are a myriad of traditions that he is expected to uphold. One such tradition involves Morris Dancers leading the happy couple through town from the church back to the family’s estate. After one of the dancers vanishes, the WISE Enquiry Agency is hired to look into the matter.

I really enjoyed the team of women doing the investigating in this story. Their distinct personalities work well together, as each has her own strengths to bring to the group. That and the Welsh countryside as the setting made this a very enjoyable read for me.

Visit <a href="https://booksthething.com/2016/11/02/the-case-of-the-missing-morris-dancer-guest-post-and-giveaway/">my blog</a> for a guest post from Cathy Ace explaining just what Morris Dancing is!

<i>I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy.</i>
  
Barry Lyndon (1975)
Barry Lyndon (1975)
1975 | Drama, History, War
Famously demanding costume drama/endurance challenge from Stanley Kubrick. Handsome but dimwitted Irish lad does his thinking with the wrong body parts, becomes fugitive from justice, soldier, duellist, deserter, gambler, and spy before marrying into money; his attempts to climb further up society's tree go badly wrong.

Sounds like a rollicking tale, but many will probably find the, erm, stately pace at which events unfold to be rather punishing; there's also the problem that Ryan O'Neal is basically just an absence of hiatus in the middle of the film - you never really care about Barry Lyndon himself. On the other hand, the film is stuffed with wonderful character cameos and subtly magical moments, and the appearance of the thing is utterly gorgeous. If you're prepared to treat the film essentially as a visual feast peppered with incidental pleasures such as Leonard Rossiter's dancing or the climactic duel, then you will probably find it rather mesmerising - as a conventional piece of entertainment, probably less so.
  
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
2017 | Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi
LITTLE GROOT (2 more)
the last few scenes (the funeral)
Silvester Stalone cameo - yes please
Little Groot is the real MVP
Here I am, only a day later, watching the second movie because I just couldn't sit down and relax, knowing that there is a second Guardians of the Galaxy movie and I haven't seen it yet.

The storyline was better than the first one, with more plot twists and unpredictable tangles and entanglements. I loved some of the new characters that appeared. I got to witness Silvester Stalone lead people in the galaxy.

Little Groot is my love. Does anyone know where I can get my own live dancing Groot. Although, worthy to mention, my boyfriend said no, only because he is afraid he might wake up one day with one toe less. I loved the ending, and I felt so emotional at the end, with the beautiful funeral.

Definitely loved it. Certainly one of my most treasured movies.
  
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Beth Orton recommended The Specials by Specials in Music (curated)

 
The Specials by Specials
The Specials by Specials
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"I chose this because it incorporated a period of my life where it was all about ska music and reggae and going out dancing and Studio One. I got this record from my brother, it would have been just played in our house and it was the sort of music that would come on and I'd be like "oh, I like that!" There was this club that we used to go to called The Black Angel in Norwich and it was far too old for me, and I snuck in there when I was 12. They used to play all this dance, reggae, Motown, but The Specials would sneak in there. I think my favourite song out of it is 'A Message To You, Rudy', 'Nightclub' and 'Does It Make It Alright?' It hasn't really influenced my music - as you can probably tell! - but it definitely encapsulated a time of my life."

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On the Town (1949)
On the Town (1949)
1949 | Comedy, Musical, Romance
9
9.3 (3 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Cheery MGM musical is possibly the only chance you will ever have to see Frank Sinatra belly dancing. Three sailors on leave in New York for a day have various misadventures and hook up with girls who are rather more clued-up about big city life than they are.

Made in 1949, and you can almost taste the buoyancy and optimism of post-war America: there are no social issues to be explored in this film, which is all about being young and carefree and enjoying yourself. Subverts expectations by having some of the girls be much more romantically pro-active than the boys they encounter; this is rather charming and funny. Still, one of those musicals where a lot of the songs are slightly forgettable, but Gene Kelly and Ann Miller dance up a storm every time they get the chance. It's almost pure froth, but rather touching and enormously likeable.
  
A Week Away (2021)
A Week Away (2021)
2021 | Drama, Family, Musical
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Fiercely innocuous Netflix family musical. Too cool for school (NB he's not actually that cool) bad-boy (NB nor is he that bad either) is given a choice between Juvie and going to church camp for a week. Cue lots of cute romance, gentle comedy, dancing and singing about the grace of God, and, wouldn't you know it, religious conversion.

A ruthlessly cynical grab at the juicy faith-based-movie market by Netflix. This one is better than most, I suppose: the songs aren't painful to listen to and everyone is clearly trying their hardest. But its determination to be completely non-threatening and wholesome renders it bland to the point of absurdity - the sentiments expressed are mostly inoffensive (although the subtext is inevitably authoritarian, as with most movies about finding God), but it's almost totally lacking in drama, grit, tension and any genuine sense of threat. Passable entertainment if you want to watch something totally unchallenging. But why would you?
  
ABCD: Any Body Can Dance (2013)
ABCD: Any Body Can Dance (2013)
2013 | Drama, Music
(0 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"I’m going to put in a strange one now, Any Body Can Dance. This is my favorite movie for the last two years. It’s a Bollywood musical dance movie, and I don’t watch enough Bollywood movies. I watch them on the plane sometime, and you know because I travel a lot from place to place, and this one has been my favorite Bollywood films. It’s nearly unpredictable, you know if you’re coming from a Western point of view, but I _____ the same way Bollywood has a different theater role. So for me it’s always surprising what happens in the story, at least it still is, and this is amazing music and dancing in it. It’s like 20 Indian Michael Jacksons. I’ve seen it twice, and parts of it I’ve seen three times. It’s crazy. It’s unusual for a recent movie for me. Yeah, it’s a weird one. It’s not going to be for everyone, I know."

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