VIDEO: I've Got The Music In Me (Music Artist Mashup)

'Grab ahold of my blues and just play them.' I began this project in December 2015. We lost two legends featured since I started, so this is now dedicated to David Bowie and Lemmy Kilmister. This video is a celebration of when musical artistry was all about the music––showcasing a great song by Kiki Dee, the first white, female, 'blue-eyed soul singer' from the UK accepted by a Motown label. 

Thank You For My Spine, David Bowie

David Bowie gave me strength of spirit when I set out to shape-shift/fix my back years ago. And again, years later, when we decided to move to Berlin.
A back issue I had as a kid solidified to something problematic by the time I graduated from college. In my early 20s, a recent grad, I was living in New York and realized I should fix my back before it managed to instruct (or obstruct) my life. I luckily had the foresight to know that I didn't want to wake up one day, middle-aged, and realize it was too late to adjust, so I figured I should work fast. I had enormous tension in my back which had gotten to the point where my nerves had grown numb, losing all feeling (a.k.a. I could not feel a chair––or even a cement bench––when I sat down, and it was starting to scare me.)

Turn And Face The Strange
Without guidance, I decided to start my own treatment. It would prove to be a challenge. After years of being extremely self-motivated and working hard in school, here I was––young and in New York––but instead of feeling carefree I had this new, most vital and troublesome responsibility. Nevertheless, I found that I was able to visualize my back in a relaxed state and breathe accordingly to physically achieve that vision. A lot of breathing, expanding my core (instinctually), to the point where I'd get extremely relaxed and all built-up tension would gradually release. But moments later––since I wasn't physically used to having the tension gone––my back would tighten up again and it was painful. This would often lead to a sort of anxiety attack which was physical, not emotional––understandably, since I was trying to expel years of tension trapped within my physical form. I listened to Bowie's 'Hunky Dory' album every day during that difficult stage. Bowies' songs and spirit helped and inspired me. It was a physically grueling process, but I kept at it.

It's The Freakiest Show
I had already seen that the release of tension was possible in an extreme and transformative way, and I knew it would just take time to adjust to the changes. It took three years of diligence in total until my relaxed back 'stuck' in a way I could maintain. A lengthened back also meant more length to adjust to, and I wanted the process to be gradual enough so that the difference wouldn't freak my friends and family out too much. I was lucky to have the support of my then-boyfriend. It felt like a science-fiction story. The resulting changes were indeed evident––in a good way. It was obvious that the changes in my form were healthy, and of course my quality of life would be so much better with a comfortable back. 
'Cause We Believe In You
To this day I have a comfortable, tension-free back. I've always been thankful for David Bowie for being a source of strength during that difficult time. He gave me courage to do something unusual, but highly necessary. Because of David Bowie, I had more gumption to go through something isolated, shape-shifting, unusual. A metamorphoses. He gave me the figurative spine to correct my physical one.

Just A Mortal With The Potential Of A Superman
I have always been glad I came out on the other side of that experience perfectly fine, in no small part thanks to Bowie and those daily Hunky Dory listenings. A few years later, also while living in New York (by then also free of back tension) I passed Iman pushing their daughter in a stroller in the street in Soho and it made me feel ridiculously happy. 
Will You Stay In Our Lovers' Story?

I often credit Francoise Hardy (who's also had a huge impact on my life) with my marrying a Capricorn, because I Ioved her calm, grounded demeanor. But before her, David Bowie was my favorite Capricorn and I was intrigued by the idea of being with one because of him. So I'm also indebted to him for my being so immediately drawn to the person who would become my husband. 
When we made our decision to move to Berlin a year and a half ago, I had one simple thought: David Bowie. Even at this stage of life, Bowie was an effective inspiration. His love for Berlin gave me courage when it came time to create a life in this city.

Every year in recent memory I have posted something to celebrate 'Elvis/Bowie day'. But for whatever reason, this year on his birthday I felt like being silent. I had no idea he was not well, I just know something made me take pause. While heartbroken at this loss, I thank him from the bottom of my heart––and my spine––for the quality of life I've been able to have since I fixed my back. On top of all that, there's the music, the films, his incredible legacy. Everything. I hope he is resting peacefully. 

Partnerlook: Couples Who Dress Alike

English speakers are often impressed/amused/overwhelmed by how the German language may offer one long-ish word (or awkward word combo) to represent what's described with a phrase in English. One such amusement can come from a German term for couples (or any two individuals) who dress alike. That word-combo is 'partnerlook'. 

Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg in matching corduroy suits

The word is silly, but it works. The idea of partnerlook can never seem entirely romantic. It can even be creepy to spot a couple dressed alike. But the term typically describes couples who wear matching rain gear. Or as a German native described it: 'Boring jackets.' 

But on the right couple, partnerlook can be adorable. Even tasteful. Partnerlook can mean the couple feels like a union of equals, that they don't necessarily have traditional roles –– or that they simply like each other so much they want to dress alike. Whatever lies behind partnerlook-ing (if it can be used as a verb), I thought it would be fun to share some great examples of 'partnerlook' for Valentine's Day. 

Behold: the partnerlook.

Sonny and Cher partnerlook-ing

Jean Shrimpton and Terence Stamp

Matching sweaters

The Shrimp and The Stamp in sweaters

Dick is not ashamed of his partnerlook
with Paula. Why should he be?

David Bowie and Angie took parterlook-ing so far 
they came out the other side

The full-on partnerlook

They've perfected their partnerlook

One couple truly mastered the partnerlook: Paul and Linda McCartney. Often times with the same hairdo, which is a far more committed and powerful statement than wearing similar threads. P and L understood PL like nobody's business. Happy Valentine's Day :-)

Orange overalls and tees

Floppy hats

Matching mullets, expressions, coats

There can be exuberance in partnerlooking

Sweaters: entire families can participate in partnerlook

Very clean, streamlined togetherness

Two mullets and a baby

Stage mullets

His and hers

The yellow and the pose makes for the best wedding photo ever.

The United States of Capricorn

My husband as a baby showing solidarity with the movement.

In honor of my husband's birthday on January 15th, the same day Martin Luther King, Jr. was born –– and because there are many Capricorn individuals I appreciate daily (entertainers or otherwise) –– here's a dedication to those who represent the most grounded, and grounding, of Zodiac signs. 

Capricorns are achievers. They do not back down from a challenge. On that note, take Martin Luther King, Jr. who fought tirelessly for civil rights. What MLK managed to accomplish in the span of his life, one sadly cut short, was certainly a challenge. Look at everything he was able to achieve; we celebrate him each year because of the magnificence of those efforts. My husband gets to feel a bit of honor in sharing his birthday with the civil rights leader and I love that.

We will march.

I'll bring up Francoise Hardy (Jan. 17th) again, whose birthday is coming up, in relation to my husband's birthday. As I've mentioned in a post about her, she was instrumental in defining, perhaps even determining, who I'd marry. [An excerpt from that post: "Because I loved her energy, I decided I might want to become romantically involved with a Capricorn. Sure enough, the next person I became involved with was my now husband, a Capricorn. In fact, their birthdays are only two days apart! My being incredibly interested and influenced by astrology is itself yet another connection to Francoise Hardy, [who] happens to be an avid astrologer."]

Francoise Hardy

What strikes me about Capricorns is how they tend to be consistent, not only in their behavior, but even as a group; they are united in their state of being. Being around a Capricorn can be a relatively uncomplicated situation, as long as one can handle their sometimes dour approach. There are times when I'd prefer a little sugar-coating. But more than anything, I like it when people make sense. Capricorns are sensible even in their craziest moments. There is a method to their madness.

Take Elvis Presley (Jan. 8th), that other King, for example. His brand of 'crazy' and self-abuse famously consisted of a mixture of drugs and food. His indulgence in heavy foods was his comfort place. The drugs were used so that he could have enough energy (after all the food was weighing him down) to keep on performing on stage. 

It was a cycle that worked for him –– at least for a while. So for Elvis, that all made sense. It wasn't that he wanted to self-destruct. It's just too bad that Elvis Presley was feeding his lonely heart in whatever way he could, and his heart finally couldn't keep up the pace. Elvis' body just wasn't able to muster enough energy and strength to go along with his hard-living, hard-driving, challenge-loving Capricorn spirit.

Elvis Presley

And of course there's my special dedication to one of Elvis' costars (the only one who remained entirely professional with him, despite his having a crush on her) Mary Tyler Moore (Dec. 29th). She would be the first to tell anyone that she actually has a much darker side to her than people assume, much of which revolves around a driving ambition and professionalism. 

She depended for quite some time on alcohol, to calm her nerves. Her career dedication has involved some terrible (even tragic) personal setbacks, and decisions. So there it is again... whatever MTM's flaws and shortcomings or brand of 'crazy' might have been, there has always been an innate sensibility and grounded-ness in the core of her being.

Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore 

Ever the pioneer, Mary Tyler Moore insisted to producers of 'The Dick Van Dyke Show' that Laura Petrie would/should wear pants at home amidst great controversy. She wanted her version of a 1960's TV mom to be more realistic. So she famously wore those capri pants. And after that, Mary Tyler Moore pioneered the greatest female-ccentric TV show of all time, and many other notable shows, through her MTM production company. For someone who started out as a dancer, she certainly managed to accomplish more than any woman, and even most men, who have made their career in television.

Mary Tyler Moore

And there's David Bowie (Jan. 8th), born on the same day as Elvis. When people think about and refer to his 'crazier' days of glam –– Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, Thin White Duke and numerous other stagey shenanigans –– they often think about his being an alien-like, gender obscure, bisexual sort of guy (his lengthy, happy and solid marriage to Iman easily disproving that) and an impression of his being 'out there'. I think of David Bowie as a hard-working, ambitious musician who was game to take on the challenge of making it big in his particular era. He was writing incredible lyrics and songs... and for a little while, people weren't even listening. Once he decided to make everyone pay attention by putting on the striking costumes and being far-fetched, the wheels began to turn. It was a way for him to ensure he could work in his chosen profession and be monumentally successful, and it was a very sensible move. 

I remember distinctly when this first occurred to me. I was 21 and living in NY right after I graduated. I was watching an old clip of David Bowie in the 70's performing in a glittery body suit –– looking sort of shocking, even decades later –– and it struck me just how serious he looked. There was nothing silly or goofy or even attention-seeking in the expression on his face. In fact, even in that de-masculinating getup, he looked very masculine. There was a certain resolve in his manner, no dancing or prancing. He just looked like he sincerely wanted you to listen to what he was trying to say. And the lyrics weren't flowery either. This was his song and he wanted you to hear it. He was simply doing what he felt he had to do to make that happen. He made himself a formidable career out of being a respected songsmith rather than a shameless exhibitionist. His is another case of that determined little goat climbing up the big hill. 

David Bowie

Or take the king of debonair, Cary Grant (Jan. 18th), who was a passionate advocate for LSD. He not only used LSD, he championed its use and tried for decades to get others on board (he attempted for quite some time to make his wife, Dyan Cannon, a believer in the wonders of the drug.) Maybe that's a little bit crazy. Certainly for most people it is considered very careless behavior. And today, we know the dangers of using psychedelic drugs. But in Cary Grant's case, he was highly functional individual, despite being a frequent LSD user for decades, and he was able to reap (what he thought were) enough benefits in using the drug that it was worth the potentially scrutiny he faced from others over it –– since he was certainly open about it. Again, there was a great deal of method to his madness. His assertions about why he believe in it made using LSD seem like a sensible thing to do. Doctors who heard about or reviewed his case were amazed he wasn't negatively (or dangerously) affected by his long term use of the drug in the way people ought to be. 

Cary Grant

So... he was right in saying that it worked for him. He believed using psychedelic drugs was a way to go on a healing and spiritual personal journey with oneself, in order to fully understand oneself (and this was years before the hippie movement surrounding psychedelics.) And somehow, amazingly –– as even those who knew him best would attest –– despite using an unheard of amount of LSD over the course of many, many years, Cary Grant always remained perfectly composed. Don't try this at home, of course. Many people have lost their minds entirely after only one attempt. For the record, he had plenty of good reasons to seek whatever type of 'therapy' he deemed helpful. Lest you judge him too harshly, keep in mind that young Archibald Leach had an alcoholic louse of a father who had, for no good reason, put his mother away in a mental institution. As if that isn't bad enough –– little Archie was told she had died. So for most of his youth, and then most of his adult life, Cary Grant believed his mother was dead. Many years later, his so-called father contacted him (by that time, Cary Grant was already middle-aged and the biggest movie star in the world) and finally confessed that his mother was very much alive, withering away for no apparent reason in a notoriously scary looney bin. After saving her from that horrible place, Cary Grant was ridden with a guilt that could never be justified (as her terrible fate was in no way his fault) and he struggled for the rest of her living days to make her feel just a little bit better –– even though the woman who was once his mother was a lost cause, emotionally. Somehow, I think we can all dismiss Cary Grant's love of LSD.

My point in bringing up the crazier side of these Capricorns is to point out the consistent sensibility in all of them. Of course astrological signs are not entirely emblematic of whomever they represent and plenty of people place very little importance on what they mean. I'm a Libra, and as it happens, Libra's are often especially interested in knowing about zodiac signs. The reason for this, I believe, ties directly to our sign. Libras are the only inanimate sign. We are represented by the scales. Every other sign is represented by some kind of living creature, whether that being based in reality (a crab, a goat, a lion, a ram) or fantasy (like a centaur, a.k.a. the archer –– and the 'twins'). So in a way, we are the non-creatures observing those around us. Libras love nothing better than harmonious relationships, justice and diplomacy; we like to be relaxed and we don't like conflicts. So in order to ensure we're fair with others, and well-prepared (we like to understand and empathize with people in whatever way we can) and in our manner of weighing and balancing and being constructive about it, knowing a person's Zodiac sign provides a sort of 'cheat-sheet' to allow some level of understanding to begin with. That's my conclusion.

Donald Fagen (Jan. 10th)

And why was I drawn to Capricorns, in particular, enough to want to marry one? Why did I submit the thought of becoming romantically involved with a Capricorn prior to meeting him, only to have that notion become a reality just two weeks later? It was a very defined sort of decision on my part, based on knowing myself and the sort of energy that would work well with me. And right before I met my husband, I was going through my first unexpectedly harsh heartbreak, caused by someone who turned out to be unreliable and insincere. I decided I ought to be with someone very honest and dependable. I thought about the various Zodiac signs and realized I had never had a relationship with a Capricorn –– and was immediately convinced that a Capricorn would be the right fit for me. Sure enough, I met him on Christmas Eve that year at a small party. I walked in and saw him, and he seemed illuminated. We both remember that moment vividly. We both knew right away. The fact that he turned out to be a Capricorn, as I'd hoped he might be, didn't phase me. It felt like a deliberate eventuality. As awful and cliched as it might sound to say one person completes another person, it can be true.

Rod Stewart (Jan. 10th)

So what does our relationship mean for me? As a Libra, I can be as airy as can be. Despite seemingly limitless bursts of energy, I prefer being relaxed. My husband brings me back to earth when I'd rather just use my imagination. Sometimes I'm alarmed by the amount of pushing I get by him –– I push myself a lot already. Capricorns are tirelessly responsible. The great thing is, I can also help my husband too. Whenever we're all caught up with our respective to-do lists, I'm the one to insist we take it easy –– which is also useful for him. 

Happy Birthday: The King & The (Thin White) Duke

January 8th gave us two of the greatest. These two formidable Capricorns, always up for a good challenge, reached the highest levels of success at everything they set out to do. Not surprisingly, there are parallels in their journeys. 

Still moving us from the great beyond

Both powerful solo artists made certain to exceed anyone's expectations on stage. Both handsome, talented men made smooth transitions into films. Neither would thwart controversy, opting to court criticism in favor of being interesting. Both continue to enjoy equally passionate fandom, from either gender, which can be rare. Men and women unconditionally admire, emulate, respect and adore both Elvis Aaron Presley and David (Jones) Bowie. 

David Bowie in Nicolas Roeg's 'The Man Who Fell To Earth'

The King still manages to rule us from beyond. We're lucky to have the otherworldly Duke in our midst. 

Happy  birthday to The King, who continues his reign. And to The Thin White Duke, who fell to Earth–––and here remains.

Early MTV - Sound & Vision

Here's a blast from the past... an homage to early MTV videos I created several weeks ago. Hope you enjoy the 80's nostalgia as much as I do!

Moon (2009)

Retro Active Critique #11

I was wondering for some time if storytelling was dead (or dying.) And then I saw "Moon". What a refreshing throwback to a classic film making style. We get a story with a fascinating protagonist; there is a setting, a conflict, a resolution. Indeed, reminiscent of the films I cherish most from the 1960's and 70's. I find myself drawn to stories that capture that level of intrigue (or nostalgia) that has been lost for some time now in terms of space travel and exploration - and, I tend to have an existential sensibility in terms of isolation
and appreciation for one's self. It's also highly likely that my great enthusiasm for a film like this stems from the fact that my father was, literally, one of the rocket scientists who helped build the very first Apollo space shuttle for NASA.

Speaking of fathers, director Duncan Jones (who also wrote the story his film is based on) is David Bowie's son. He was called Zowie Bowie for a while after his birth. That the son of the Thin White Duke, Ziggy Stardust - and more specific to this, 'Space Odyssey'/Major Tom mastermind - should conceive a film like this doesn't surprise me in the least. But it is an infinitely delightful revelation. I like when things fit together so perfectly. And that is how "Moon" works, as well. Everything is in tact. It is neat, elegant and wonderful.

Its elegance begins with the credits. To actually relish in the visual pleasure of a film's credit sequence is itself a bonus. The credits and names seem projected against the stark scenes, and the music is charmingly appropriate audio for what we are seeing. I found myself already making checkpoints in my mind for how the film had excelled in those two initial features. I can even suggest that the simple, lovely and well-suited score ought to be considered for a nomination, come Oscar time. Such suggestions certainly wouldn't end with the credits. But from the first moments, I was thrilled to realize I actually felt like I was watching 'a real movie', the kind that makes you anticipate what's to come and what you are about to experience, in the purest sense of the entertainment medium.

The story itself was better than I'd expected. I thought I knew what I was in for: a lonely space adventure, and a bit of a thriller. But I was still surprised by what transpires. I recommend this film, and therefore wouldn't want to give away too many spoilers... but I can say that I hadn't expected to see the first clone 'buddy film' or clone 'love story' (in a sense). I was pleasantly surprised by the freshness of Jones' imagination in a genre that has shown us almost everything else. Even 'Gerty', (voiced by Kevin Spacey) develops into an atypical sidekick for this type of story.

Gerty is a robot and the sole companion for protagonist Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell), a lonely astronaut living on a moon base for years - as he is under contract with his employer, Lunar Industries, an energy provider for Earth in the near future. Gerty is as chilling and detached as you'd expect a robot to be, and only has computerized smiley, sad or perplexed faces on display to show his emotions. When Sam begins to suspect that his messages to Earth have been intercepted and that communication with him is blocked, it is indeed chilling when Gerty replies, "Sam, I can only account for what occurs on the base." And Gerty reminds Sam frequently that it is there to help him, and that he is always at his service. But guess what? Gerty is actually an honest and kind robot! I certainly hadn't expected that, and again, it is an amazingly refreshing twist in a seemingly typical sci-fi scenario. Leaving the theater, I kept smiling to myself thinking, "Gerty was actually nice! I can't believe it!"

Then of course there's Sam Rockwell as Sam Bell. In practically every moment he is on screen, and sometimes twice or three times (you must already know what I mean, since I did give it away - my apologies.) If the Academy has any sense at all going into the nominations for '09, Rockwell will certainly become a prominent nominee for his amusing and impressive execution of this unusual, challenging role. His work was pitch perfect, and utterly believable. And that says a lot, considering he plays Sam Bell at the end of his three-year contract and Sam Bell at the beginning of his three-year contract - and his Sam Bells team up to try and understand their predicament and perhaps help one another out in their seemingly hopeless situation. They even have a spirited but badly matched attempt at ping-pong. It is a beautiful, existential take on isolation and the befriending and love of oneself. Sam Rockwell gives a remarkable performance in a remarkably stylish film and one of the best of its genre in... decades.

Now to take us out, most appropriately, here's a promotional video for "Space Oddity" by Papa Bowie, who is sure to have been a 'Major' (haha, get it?) influence on Duncan Jones' first feature film. First of many, I hope...