Thanks to Art Scott who recommended Contested Will I have a much better grasp of the identity issues that swirl around the greatest writer in history. But, like Homer and Jesus, the biographical facts about Shakespeare are pretty sketchy. James Shapiro does a masterly job sifting through the evidence about Shakespeare. Shapiro points out time and again where earnest proponents of Shakespeare as the sole writer of the plays forged documents and invented facts to strengthen their case. Most readers will come away from Contested Will with a belief that the plays of Shakespeare were written by a group of collaborating writers and actors rather than Francis Bacon or the Earl of Oxford. I’ve read about 100 books over the years on Shakespeare and his works. Contested Will is one of the best. GRADE: A

Ramona and Beezus blends several of Beverly Cleary’s wonderful books together into a funny and enjoyable movie. The key factor is the actress who plays Ramona: Joey King. She’s terrific as the nine-year-old girl who creates chaos wherever she goes. As you can see, I’m a fan of Selena Gomez who plays Ramona’s older sister, Beatrice (aka “Beezus). John Corbett plays Ramona’s amiable father who suddenly loses his job and creates a family crisis. And, Ginnifer Goodwin, who stole my heart in He’s Just Not That Into You, looks adorable as Ramona’s Aunt Bea. Diane and I read Beverly Cleary’s marvelous books to our kids. Diane read them to her students. I just read them for fun. The movie version captures some of the great moments in the Ramona books: the egg incident, Picture Day, Ramona selling lemonade, Ramona washing an SUV (you’ll laugh out loud!), and Ramona doing her Class Presentation. Cleary’s portrait of a struggling family with a precocious child will amuse and delight you. GRADE: B+

A spooky church and crypt, the mysterious deaths of three little girls, a family moving into their dream house (expect for that graveyard in the backyard), and a friendly new vicar who become embroiled in the sinister rituals of an isolated English town. These are the ingredients for S. J. Bolton’s third novel. Yes, there’s suspense, but this time out, Bolton eschews the female narrators she used so effectively in SACRIFICE and AWAKENING and switches to the third person with multiple narrators. Although a compelling novel, Blood Harvest didn’t move me the way Bolton’s two previous novels did. GRADE: B

Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin blew me away when I first listened to it. I love Gershwin, but to hear Brian Wilson reinterpreting this great music through Beach Boys melodies is incredible (think Pet Sounds)! Brian Wilson sings all five vocal parts and mixes them together into an amazing blend with strings and hand-picked band. Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin qualifies as the most surprising music CD I’ve heard in 2010. GRADE: A
TRACK LIST
1 Rhapsody In Blue (Intro) 1:07
2 The Like in I Love You 3:20
3 Summertime 3:13
4 I Loves You Porgy 3:37
5 I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’ 2:44
6 It Ain’t Necessarily So 3:57
7 ‘S Wonderful 2:48
8 They Can’t Take That Away From Me 2:50
9 Love is Here To Stay 2:58
10 I’ve Got a Crush On You 2:41
11 I Got Rhythm 2:42
12 Someone To Watch Over Me 3:06
13 Nothing But Love 3:24
14 Rhapsody In Blue (Reprise) 0:37

If you have never read any of R. A. Lafferty’s unique stories, you’re in for a treat. Lafferty is usually pigeon-holed as a “science fiction writer” but he’s as much a science fiction writer as Borges is. The man wrote dazzling stories that warped reality in humorous and disturbing ways. Think Kafka on crystal meth. Nine Hundred Grandmothers is R. A. Lafferty’s largest collection. Most of his best work can be found here: “The Six Fingers of Time,” “Name of the Snake,” “Narrow Valley,” “Through Other Eyes,” and, of course, the title story. Try these mind-bending short stories on for size. You’ll be glad you did!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Nine Hundred Grandmothers
Land of the Great Horses
Ginny Wrapped in the Sun
The Six Fingers of Time
Frog on the Mountain
All the People
Primary Education of the Camiroi
Slow Tuesday Night
Snuffles
Thus We Frustrate Charlemagne
Name of the Snake
Narrow Valley
Polity and Custom of the Camiroi
In Our Block
Hog-Belly Honey
Seven Day Terror
The Hole on the Corner
What’s the Name of that Town?
Through Other Eyes
One at a Time
Guesting Time

Mention David Foster to most people and you’ll get a blank look and a comment like, “Who’s David Foster? I never heard of him.” David Foster has won 15 Grammys, worked with Barbra Striesand, Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire, and dozens of other artists. He’s written Number One songs, wrote the soundtrack to St. Elmo’s Fire, produced and arranged dozens of hits. Now we have the best of David Foster on this great DVD in wonderful sound. Held in Las Vegas, Foster brought together a bevy of singers to present his best songs to an enthusiastic audience. Glance at the play list and you’ll find plenty of songs you’re familiar with. Foster’s 40-year career as the guy behind the scenes produced some great music. Not bad for a guy most people have never heard of. You might see this concert broadcast on PBS during some fund-raiser.
PLAY LIST
Introduction – Andre Agassi
2 St. Elmo’s Love Theme – Kenny G
3 Can’t Help Falling In Love – David Foster
4 Beauty/Man In Motion – Michael Johns
5 Mornin’/After The Love Has Gone – Brian McKnight
6 Video – Barbra Streisand
7 Somewhere – Katharine McPhee
8 Through The Fire – Renee Olstead
9 Got To Be Real – Cheryl Lynn
10 Wildflower – Blake Shelton
11 Video: Urban Cowboy
12 Love Look What You’ve Done – Boz Scaggs
13 Jo Jo – Boz Scaggs
14 Chocolate Legs – Eric Benet
15 Hard To Say I’m Sorry/You’re The Inspiration/Glory Of Love – Peter Cetera
16 Amapola – Andrea Bocelli
17 Because We Believe – Andrea Bocelli
18 Prayer, The – Katharine McPhee/Andrea Bocelli
19 Asturias – William Joseph
20 Because You Loved Me – David Foaster/David Foster/Celine Dion
21 I Swear – Kevon/Babyface
22 Feeling Good – Michael Buble
23 Home – Michael Buble/Blake Shelton
24 Save The Last Dance – Michael Buble
25 Video: Bodyguard With Kevin Costner
26 I Have Nothing/I Will Always Love You – Charice
27 Alla Luce Del Sole – Josh Groban
28 Bridge Over Troubled Water – Josh Groban/Brian McKnight
29 You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban
30 Got To Be Real – All

Those of you who are fans of old radio programs will want to experience the hilarious spoof of those hard-boiled private eye series provided by the wacky Firesign Theatre company. This 4-CD box set includes for the first time such legendary performances such as “Cut ‘Em Off at the Past,” “The Case of the Missing Shoe,” “The Three Faces of Al,” plus rare and unreleased skits with take-offs on commercials, too. I’d like to say these CDs would be perfect for a long driving trip, but there’s a risk you might be laughing so hard you might drive off the road listening to this stuff. I’ve been a fan of the Firesign Theatre since the Sixties. Their clever, entertaining, and twisted homages to Old Time Radio programs will delight you. Take a listen to the sample below. GRADE: A

Snakes. Lots and lots of snakes. That’s what you’re going to encounter when reading S. J. Bolton’s second novel, Awakening. Clara Benning, a veterinary surgeon, is called in when a spooky plague of serpents invades her small English village. Like Sacrifice, Bolton’s first novel, Awakening generates plenty of suspense as the plot unfolds. The roots of the mystery stretch into the past and Clara’s investigations invite further violence. The pages flew by when I read this gripping novel. GRADE: B+

Despicable Me features a super-villain called Gru who wants to steal the moon. His nemesis, Vector the other super-villain, steals a shrinking-ray gun that’s essential to Gru’s masterplan. As part of his nefarious plot, Gru adopts three cute little girls. And that’s when his plans go off the rails. The girls change Gru…for the better. The graphics are amazing and the story is surprisingly touching. And you’ll love Gru’s little minions. GRADE: B

This concert was filmed in June, 2009 in High-Definition. The sound is sharp and clean, unlike some concert DVDs I’ve heard (U2 comes to mind). I didn’t notice any low points in this 3-hour concert. It’s all good. GRADE: A
TRACK LISTING:
1. London Calling
2. Badlands
3. Night
4. She’s The One
5. Outlaw Pete
6. Out In The Street
7. Working On A Dream
8. Seeds
9. Johnny 99
10. Youngstown
11. Good Lovin’
12. Bobby Jean
13. Trapped
14. No Surrender
15. Waitin’ On A Sunny Day
16. The Promised Land
17. Racing In The Street
18. Radio Nowhere
19. Lonesome Day
20. The Rising
21. Born To Run
22. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
23. Hard Times (Come Again No More)
24. Jungleland
25. American Land
26. Glory Days
27. Dancing In The Dark
28. Credits (Raise Your Hand)Raise Your Hand (Instrumental)
29. The River (Glastonbury)
30. Wrecking Ball (Live at Giants Stadium)

The river – bruce springsteen live 2009 glastonbury
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