Arts
Kings & Queens and Everything in Between
Max P. Martini's Entertainment Shorts
Max P. Martini's Entertainment Shorts
by Max P. Martini
Martini’s Rating Scale
- “No need – it’s that good!”
- “What the hell – just one!”
- “Oh yeah – that’s better!”
- “You’ll need ’em!”
- “Wake me up when it’s over!”
Mad About Madonna?
Mad’House
Absolutely Mad
Radikal Records, enhanced CD. (www.radikal.com)
Mad’House’s new enhanced CD, Absolutely Mad, is being billed as “the ultimate” Madonna tribute album. Made in France by producers Bambi (yes, you read it right!) Mukendi and Stephane Durand, this CD hit the US market in November 2002 and has actually been getting some significant airtime on pop radio stations with the current single from the CD Like A Prayer, which also made the top 25 on the Billboard Dance Singles Sales Chart.
The CD contains 14 tracks of Madonna songs like “Vogue,” “Papa Don’t Preach,” and “Like A Virgin.” The true Madonna aficionado will no doubt also recognize “Frozen” and “Lady of the Dawn.” The CD also contains two videos (watch out – you’ll need a translator for the installation instructions as they aren’t in English) of Mad’House performing “Like A Prayer” and “Holiday,” as well as a photo gallery and wallpaper for your computer.
The opening 10 seconds of the CD has us “tuning in” on Madonna transmissions from outer space and then we are turbo-blasted to the club dance floor with a booming rendition of “Into The Groove.” Most of the tracks have enough pulsing bass to rock your world or at least rattle the windows! If you are a Madonna fan you’ll be absolutely mad about this CD. If you’re not, you’ll just be absolutely mad you bought it!
Max’s personal Martini Rating =
And Now For Something Completely Different!
Donald Currie
Sex & Mayhem – Part One (cdbaby.com/donaldcurrie)
It’s a movie on CD without the movie. It’s an audiobook without the book. It is... well... it’s... something completely different, and you really have to hear it to believe it. Donald Currie brings us on a sound-filled journey through his life as a gay kid growing up in San Francisco in the 1950s and early 60s. It’s a story about the quest for love, acceptance, and yes SEX!
From the lights-camera-action “Intro” track to the closing credits of the “Outro” track, the listener is treated to the funny and touching story of Currie’s first real love. Currie is clear right off, declaring, “This is my story, most of it true. It’s a tawdry tale... but then, whose isn’t?” Like any trip though, it’s not a “straight” (excuse the pun) line from point A to point B as we weave in and out of the main storyline.
We learn about playing Chicken Little in kindergarten, being dressed by mom, seeing The Wizard of Oz on the silver screen, muscle magazines, and being a star in grandma’s senile eye. Two of the most memorable excursions for this reviewer were Currie’s “big bay window” fantasy and his reenactment of Marilyn Monroe’s performance in The Seven Year Itch for his parents.
Currie wrote, directed, and performs the entire piece and does it all brilliantly. But don’t just take this reviewer’s word for it. East Bay Express listed Sex & Mayhem – Part One as one of the ten best CDs of 2002, and the Stonewall Society awarded Donald Currie the “Best Literary Performer” Award for 2002. Lucky for us, Currie is already working on Part Two.
Take it from me folks; this is the most entertainment I’ve had in my daily commute up Interstate 89 in months. My advice to you is to turn VPR off, turn Donald Currie’s Sex & Mayhem – Part One on, and strap yourself in for one wild ride.
Max’s personal Martini Rating =
Max Martini is willing to try anything once, does enjoy an occasional martini or two, but prefers Tab®, especially when negotiating his commute!