No, not a post extolling the virtues of Kula Shaker.
As I’ve mentioned before, I spent a couple of years working in a video rental store back in the mid-90s, one of the most best, if poorly paid, jobs I ever had, second only in terms of enjoyment to a brief spell working in a record store a couple of year earlier.
Watching “T2: Trainspotting” the other week seems to have reawoken the movie buff in me. I’ve spent many evenings of late finally making good use of my Netflix subscription and seeking out some of the movies that I’ve added to my playlist there but never got round to watching (Yes, that’s what I’ve been doing). I’ve also signed up to one of those monthly, see-as-many-films-as-you-like subscriptions at my local multiplex.
King amongst those I’ve watched so far has undoubtedly been “Whiplash”; starring Miles Teller as an ambitious jazz drummer and J.K. Simmons (an actor whose name you may not recognise, but whose face you will) as his abusive tutor, the movie tells of Andrew Neiman (Teller), who aspires to become the new Buddy Rich.
The film was directed by Damien Chazelle, who has become better known recently as the director of “La La Land”, which definitely didn’t win the Oscar for Best Picture this year, despite what the company of accountants currently overseeing a restructure of my workplace might have inadvertently announced. “Whiplash” did pick up the three Oscars, however, most notably Simmons for Best Supporting Actor.
As usual when I mention films or TV shows here, I’ll not include any spoilers, but if you have chance to watch “Whiplash”, I’d heartily recommend you do. You don’t need to be a jazz fan to enjoy it; in fact, I’ll wager that you’ll probably come away from it wanting to learn more.
Here’s a tune which plays a central part in the movie, I’ll say no more than that. It’s a little unclear who actually performs this version on the soundtrack; what I can say is that it was written by Juan Tizol and Duke Ellington, first performed by Ellington in 1936, and arranged here by John Wasson. The other thing I can say is that I can’t think of a finer way to kick off my weekend than listen to this. And maybe watch the movie again.
More soon.
A History of Dubious Taste 