Wednesday, July 20, 2011

This Week on the Adventures of the Coffee Bar Kid - Who Killed Jesus ?

We talk with TV Presenter Bran Bruce and also the original Modfather him self, Mod Nodder Ray Columbus. See more at:

http://adventuresofthecoffeebarkid.blogspot.com/2011/07/who-killed-jesus-who-is-modfather.html

Only on Groove 107.7FM - 7.30 Thursday nights!

Who Killed Jesus? Who is the Modfather?

This week on the Adventures of the Coffeebar Kid we talk to Producer/Presented Bryan Bruce about his documentary "An Investigator Special: Jesus the Cold Case". Bruce goes to the Holy Land and investigates the facts behind the Passion and the Crusifixion of Jesus. He also makes a startling connection between the persecution ofjews in Europe and the role of early Jewish leaders in the Temple where Jesus over turned the tables of the money lenders. The Coffeebar Kid investigates the investigator and asks where the idea for the doco came from and why he chose this topic.

See for yourself "An Investigator Special: Jesus the Cold Case" plays on TV1 Sunday 29 July at 8.30PM. See more at: http://tvnz.co.nz/the-investigator/ta-ent-investigator-index-group-2776946

Join in the blog chat after the show: http://jesusthecoldcase.tv/

Also this week, the Kid talks to Ray Columbus, the original 'Modfather' about his life in Music and his new biography.

One of pioneers of modern music in New Zealand, Ray Columbus began his career in 1959 at the tender age of 17. After more than four decades at the top of the New Zealand entertainment industry as a singer, songwriter, bandleader and TV star, and having hits with such classics as 'She's a Mod' and 'Till We Kissed', Ray is well and truly a household name.
Surprisingly, Ray's story has never been told: not fully, not in book form, and certainly not by him. Until now. The Modfather is the first authorised account of his unique life in music – growing up in the 1950s, early days as a teenage bandleader, stardom at home and abroad, rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous (Roy Orbison, The Rolling Stones and Tom Jones, to name just a few), reflections on an ever-changing music industry – and his ongoing influence.
Illustrated with photographs/ephemera from Ray's personal collection, it is at once a disarmingly candid memoir, a snapshot of a bygone era, a behind-the-scenes exposé and, more simply, a great read.

Read an extract : http://www.penguin.co.nz/afa.asp?idWebPage=30233&ID=2037186&SID=1062783624idWebPage=30233&ID=2037186&SID=1062783624


It's a happening show so don't miss out! Tune in from 7.30 Thursdays only on Groove 107.7FM.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Featuring on The Adventures of the Coffeebar Kid Tonite!






Music from the album 'Group Hug' - Wellington's Damien Wilkins & some kind souls have put together an eccletic mix of tunes, a little Neil TYoung, a dose of McGlashan and plenty of Graeme Downes intelliagenca! This is music to treasure. My favourite for the year, next to my treasured Avalache City.




Also, tonite a bunch of ol' has beens from the Deep South the Chaps, lead by John Dodd. They're new album "Don't Worry Bout Your Age" is a real doozy! They specialise in a lighter touch of blues, jazz and honkytonk with an album of all new and originals.




Listen tonite from the Special Winter Time of 7.30PM only on Groove 107.7FM.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

The Groove Book Report: The Penguin Jazz Guide - Brian Morton and Richard Cook - Penguin rrp$50.00




Subtitled the "History of the Music in the 1001 Best Albums".


This is a transcript of a review to go to air on 7 July 2011


Now in it's 10th edition Brian Morton and the late Richard Cook have spent the best part of their post 1990's contributing to a volume that continuously changes and evolves every two to three years. Earlier versions focussed on the stars and ratings approach - Something you'll be more familiar with if you were a fan of Leonard Maltin or the Time Out Series. At one point the earlier editions sported comprehensive indexes to help the reader quickly find a reference - useful if you are standing over a table of sale items and you need to do a quick sanity check on a potential bargain.

Now, however, the stars and the special 'core collection' ratings are gone. As is the index. In place is a number of 'key' recordings laid out by decade and in the chronological order of their recording. An interesting concept but utterly frustrating, especially for a novice. When exactly did Sonny Rollins or Chick Corea record? Can you remember? Hang on I'll rifle through the massive contents at the beginning divided up into 5 year chapters . What? And by the way who decides what albums are worthy anyway? Who determines that the music is one of the "Best 1001 Albums"? At least on that I'd suggest these guys have some clout. Both based in the UK, Morton and Cook had the advantage or collecting both from the early days of America through to the European and more modern works from the Antipodes - I noted our own Alan Broadbent has earned him self an entry here. Sadly other Kiwis, like Kevin Smith or Caroline Moon are too small to demand attention from these writers. I was also saddened to discover such elitism in their choices. Elvis Costello, Diana Krall, Laura Fygi, Cassandra Wilson, or outfits like Germany's Re:Jazz, famous for reworking pop and techno into Jazz are absent. They are not good enough to make the shelves of Mortons Toolshed, the home of his holy grail collection.

So what does make the grade? Was Miles or Herbie too mainstream or 'un-jazz' sometimes to make it in here. Were Ella or Louis mainstream sellouts? What about the standards like Frankie or Mel - were they pioneers or well crafted charlatans. It's all a little random. And anyway why is George Benson's Elevator music Breezin' worthy of a mention when In the Wee Small Hours is not?
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