Not so abstract

Apparently, I don’t “seem” the type that listens to classic rock - Led Zep, Queen, Joplin, The Who, Hendrix, etc. But, looks can be deceiving - especially when it comes to music. Just ask the Wilson sisters from Heart, one of my all-time favourite bands blast-from-the-past bands. When they first started out as musicians, and then joining the band that eventually became Heart, women were not really considered to be rockers. But that would soon change.

I’m hoping that will be one of the topics talked about in the book by Jake Brown, Heart: In the Studio. The book promises to offer fans a “backstage pass” to the writing and recording of Heart’s hit singles and albums, as well as interviews with the Wilson sisters and other band members. It will be added to my reading list, no doubt!

But, classic rock is not my sole indulgence. I’m mad about jazz too! The TD-Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival will ’straighten up and fly right’- I had to use it - from June 19-29, with a special event on July 1. ‘It don’t mean a thing, if it ain’t got that swing’ … okay, that’s the last of my cliché references to jazz! But, truly both great jazz tunes, sung by various artists over the years.

I am hoping to score tickets to the Al Green concert on June 19, but I may be a little late. If not, I’ll just pop into local venues around town over the festival and sample its offerings. I covered the festival for the Web last year, mainly a preview and then profiles of some artists during the festival - Chris Botti, Lina Allemano and Eliana Cuevas, to name three.

On a completely different note, I so wanted to watch the new CBC show, How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, which debuted Sunday night. It’s based on the BBC series by Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Ian - the same producers have teamed up with Mirvish Productions to bring The Sound of Music to the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto this fall. It’s about time that Canadian music reality shows venture beyond the now stale Canadian Idol.

Bathroom Divas on Bravo is another great series, featuring those opera star wannabes who have dreamed of performing with an orchestra, in front of a packed concert hall. The second season ended last year, so I am hoping another one is in the works. I think the show offered insight into the grueling and unappreciated form of music. Most people think that opera is boring or uptight, but it’s actually passionate and raw - especially the arias.

Last, but not least, I am looking forward to the release of Coldplay’s Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends on June 17. I haven’t really listen to any clips yet from CDUniverse or Amazon, since I want to be surprised. RollingStone magazine gave it 3.5 stars out of 5, which is quite good, so I’m optimistic.

Sadly, I didn’t get to do anything “luminato” this weekend as I had planned - too many errands and chores got in the way of my having fun! I hope you were able to though. There’s still a week left, in case you didn’t get around to it this weekend.

On another note, I got a comment from a reader last week asking my thoughts on the Sex and the City movie as a fan. I saw the movie on Friday, the day it opened. I can’t believe my friends and I got tickets, considering it was already sold out at other theatres the day before. Anyway, I was quiet for a week, since I was waiting for a co-worker to see the flick - she didn’t want to read or see any reviews of the movie, until she saw it. But, now that she’s seen it, all is fair in love and Sex.

For those Sex fans who still haven’t seen it, but plan to, I won’t be revealing much, in terms of spoilers, so not to worry. First off, I went into the movie as a Sex fan, but without the high expectations most people have when they see a highly anticipated movie. I also didn’t go to see the movie as a film buff or critic, waiting to dissect a movie’s flaws, such as character, script, production, direction, etc. - what would be the fun in that? I went into it simply as a fan of the TV show. And well, I loved it! As my co-worker put it, “I laughed and cried throughout.” As did I, as did I.

I went to see it at the Rainbow Cinemas in a theatre that only seated 100 people. It was an intimate gathering of Sex fans and their friends. You could hear bouts of laughter and silent sobs at various scenes. I know, you’re probably thinking, what’s there to cry about? Well, see it, and you’ll find out. You have to also think about this way: The six-year series ended much quicker than most shows do, so fans couldn’t wait to see what their favourite gals were up to after three years. The emotions were a catharsis of sorts, pent up after three years of waiting and hoping for the movie to be made. And, with the series, each half-hour episode led you wanting more and more Sex, so the prospect of two hours was so appealing!

The series ended on a high note - fans still wanted more Sex, and well, let’s just say that with this movie, they got it! While the movie stayed true to the heart of the series, I wasn’t fond of some differences. First, I didn’t like having the designer brand names thrown in my face during the movie. There was more of a subtlety with the series. The music was not as original and unique as with the series. I also saw less of New York City - its people, streets, cafes, restaurants, and architecture, etc., since the movie shifted to Los Angeles at times and to Mexico. There also seemed to be less of Carrie’s narration during the movie.

But, in all honestly, those differences didn’t phase my opinion of the movie. And while I heard some criticism of how old Carrie — a.k.a. Sarah Jessica Parker — seemed in the movie, or distaste for her outrageous outfits and wild hair, I thought see looked great, as usual. I’ve always admired Carrie’s signature carefree personality, funky wardrobe, wavy hair and big style.

So, if you go to see the movie, don’t view it from a film critic’s perspective - just go to the movie for the sake of having fun, for goodness sakes, and you’ll enjoy it. In the end, I got “carried” away with Sex.  Honest.

Luminato - the city’s festival of arts and creativity - is back! From June 6-15, the city will be illuminated with visual arts, theatre performances, music and dance. The city is literally transformed into beams of light, both in his appearance and vibrant event offerings. It all starts with a party at Yonge-Dundas Square on June 6.

This year, there’ll be more dance and theatrical exhibits, with a mix of art installations and interactive displays. I remember walking down the lakefront during Luminato’s wrap-up free festivities last year, after taking the L’Art boat cruise that roamed adrift of the Harbourfront area, and was intrigued by these cut-off trailers with arts installations inside. People had to walk into them, one or two at a time, and stare into the abyss, figuratively. Freaky cool. Propped in the middle of Harbourfront was a Mardi Gras party - part of Carnivalissima - I still have my purple beads from that night.

The people I went with, including me, all thought we were in “bizarro world” or something, at “the nexus of the universe” - to use some Superman and Seinfeld lingo - a riddle wrapped up around a mystery. It was a mysterious night for sure and we had a hoot, even though it was damp and rainy. There’s nothing like venturing around the city in the rain, everything seems to look so different. Just be sure to carry a sweater, since the cool lakefront air could leave you wanting to run inside for warmth, and what would be the point in that?

So, are you planning to check out Luminato this year? Did you last year? Feel free to share your Luminato stories here.

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I never had a chance to comment on last week’s Rolling Stonemagazine’s list of the best 100 guitar rock songs of all time. Chuck Berry’s Johnny B. Goode was ranked as number, with good reason. Do you agree with it? I do - it was one of those songs that just had the punch and rhythm to get you off your feel and practice some air guitar! It was one the first songs I listened to as a kid that got me hooked to rock ‘n’ roll.

Of course, the list wouldn’t be complete without some Beatles tunes, Led Zep, Jimi, Elvis, the Who, Queen, Clapton, Springsteen, U2, AC/DC, etc. I was surprised to see Prince’s Purple Rain on the list of guitar rock songs, but who doesn’t love Prince? He should be on every “best of” list! To check out the Rolling Stone article, click here.

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On Monday, I will have my take on the Sex and the City movie — I’ve just been waiting for a colleague (That’s me! And I’m seeing it tonight, pre-purchased tickets!!! — Ed.) to finish seeing it, who doesn’t want to read or hear anything about the movie until she’s seen it. She’s a Sex fan too — who can blame her? All I’ll say is that if you go to see the movie as a fan, without any pre-conceived expectations, then you’ll enjoy it for sure!