It’s 90 degrees in Western NY–Real Feel temp is 98. We rarely get this warm in June. Gee, I wonder what’s causing this unusual hot weather…

Cool Rock, a 2-CD set from 1995, presents a variety of musical styles from Naked Eyes’ “Always Something There to Remind Me” and Taylor Dayne’s “Love Will Lead You Back.”

I could do without Wilson Phillips’s “Hold On” which shows up on a number of compilation CDs from this era. Do you remember these songs? Any favorites here? GRADE: B-

TRACK LIST:

1-1	Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes–	Up Where We Belong	3:55
1-2	Naked Eyes–	Always Something There To Remind Me	3:41
1-3	Club Nouveau–	Lean On Me	3:58
1-4	Thompson Twins–	Hold Me Now	4:42
1-5	Glass Tiger–	Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)	4:05
1-6	Teddy Pendergrass–	Love T.K.O.	5:00
1-7	Kool And The Gang*–	Joanna	4:22
1-8	Christopher Cross–	Think Of Laura	3:22
1-9	Tiffany–	I Think We’re Alone Now	3:47
1-10	Joey Scarbury–	Believe It Or Not (Theme From Greatest American Hero)	3:11
1-11	Roxette–	It Must Have Been Love	3:51
1-12	Culture Club–	Time (Clock Of The Heart)	3:42
1-13	The Motels–	Suddenly Last Summer	3:38
1-14	The Tubes–	She’s A Beauty	3:58
1-15	Ashford & Simpson–	Solid	5:07
1-16	Sergio Mendes*–	Never Gonna Let You Go	4:15
1-17	Wilson Phillips–	Hold On	4:24
1-18	Ambrosia (2)–	Biggest Part Of Me	4:09
2-1	Toto–	Africa	5:01
2-2	REO Speedwagon–	Can’t Fight This Feeling	4:10
2-3	Chris DeBurgh*–	Lady In Red	4:16
2-4	Tina Turner–	Private Dancer	4:00
2-5	Cutting Crew–	(I Just) Died In Your Arms	4:34
2-6	John Waite–	Missing You	4:27
2-7	Little River Band–	Cool Change	5:14
2-8	Corey Hart–	Never Surrender	4:55
2-9	Blondie–	Call Me	3:32
2-10	Spandau Ballet–	True	5:35
2-11	Marty Balin–	Atlanta Lady (Something About You)	3:27
2-12	Mr. Mister–	Broken Wings	4:45
2-13	Vangelis–	Chariots Of Fire	3:29
2-14	Dan Hartman–	I Can Dream About You	4:09
2-15	Taylor Dayne–	Love Will Lead You Back	4:37
2-16	James Ingram & Patti Austin–	Baby, Come To Me	3:35
2-17	Al Green–	Let’s Stay Together	3:18

Valancourt Books has reprinted several of Gerald Kersh’s works. His noir classic, Night and the City (1938) and Fowlers End (1957)–Anthony Burgess called it “one of the great comic novels of the century”–deserve more readers. But Kersh was also a brilliant short story writer. His best collections are Nightshade and Damnations, On an Odd Note, and Clock Without Hands (all available from Valancourt Books).

Neither Man Nor Dog (1946) has been out of print for years before Valancourt reprinted it. There are 37 short stories in Neither Man Nor Dog–some of these stories are extremely brief. But, if you’re in the mood for a short story that’s really short–just a couple of pages–then Neither Man Nor Dog is the book for you!

Harlan Ellison declared that Gerald Kersh was his favorite writer. Ellison said: “you will find yourself in the presence of a talent so immense and compelling, that you will understand how grateful and humble I felt merely to have been permitted to associate myself with his name as editor.”

If you haven’t read any of Gerald Kersh’s work, Neither Man Nor Dog would be a good place to start! GRADE: A

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Neither man nor dog — 7

Uncle Kuzma — 11

In a room without walls — 16

The last battle –19

An undistinguished boy –28

Hero-worship — 33

Wolf! Wolf! — 38

Reflections in a tablespoon — 43

A bang on the head for Dutoit — 56

Macagony’s fist — 60

Grey old she-wolf — 63

The Frenchman who understood women — 67

Fantasy of a hunted man — 71

The gentleman all in black — 74

Strong Greek wine — 78

The old burying place — 82

A small and dirty dog — 85

Doctor Ox will die at midnight — 89

The earwig — 95

Who wants a liver-coloured cat? — 102

The House of Relish — 106

Dustin, the broken man — 132

Let lying dogs sleep — 135

Red gentleman of Staffardshire — 146

Reflection in a brown eye — 153

Maria’s Christ — 157

Destiny and the bullet — 162

The conqueror worm — 165

The woman and the fire — 171

The fortunes of the Pryskys — 174

The sailor’s farewell to his horse — 178

Envy — 182

Tread lightly. — 188

The naked man — 191

Gomez — 195

The ruined wall — 199

The dungeon — 203

Jim Henson was a genius. Patrick and Katie loved Sesame Street as little kids. We all loved The Muppet Show. Ron Howard directed this documentary. Howard mixes interviews, show clips, bloopers, artist sketches, and behind-the-scenes videos to produce a chronological story of Henson’s early life in Mississippi to educational TV to his failure with Labyrinth.

Jim Henson died at 53 from toxic shock syndrome caused by Streptococcus pyogenes.  Henson was in negotiations to sell his company to Disney when he died.

If you want a deep understanding of a complex, innovative, ground-breaking talent, Jim Henson Idea Man reveals the essence of creativity behind this American icon. Are you a fan of Jim Henson and The Muppets? GRADE: A

“What we mean when we say we die is that we stop functioning as a coherent whole. The collection of cells that forms our tissues and organs all communicate with one another to make us the sentient individuals we are. When they no longer work together as a unit, we die.” (p. 12)

Venki Ramakrishnan provides a guided tour through the explosion of anti-aging technology in the past decade and its implications for the future. Ramakrishnan explores the implications of cryopreservation (freezing your body until aging has been solved in the Future), taking metformin (the diabetes drug), getting blood transfusions from younger people, the promise of rapamycin, drinking red wine with resveratrol, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Sadly none of these approaches have panned out so far in slowing the aging process or reversing it. What does work in dealing with aging?

“Exercise and sleep…affect a large number of factors in aging, including our insulin sensitivity, muscle mass, mitochondrial function, blood pressure, stress, and risk of dementia. These remedies currently work better than any anti-aging medicine on the market, cost nothing, and have no side-effects.” (p. 240)

How are you dealing with the aging process? GRADE: A

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Introduction

The immortal gene and the disposable body

Live fast and die young

Destroying the master controller

The problem with ends

Resetting the biological clock

Recycling the garbage

Less is more

Lessons from a lowly worm

The stowaway within us

Aches, pains, and vampire blood

Crackpots or prophets?

Should we live forever?

Father’s Day weekend with Patrick and Katie!

In the early 1960s, The Beach Boys were one of my favorite groups. I bought their albums, listened to their songs, and even though I had no interest in surfing or hot cars, The Beach Boys unique sound thrilled me.

This documentary of the rise and fall of The Beach Boys brought many of the positives and negatives of the group to light. I had no idea that Murray Wilson, father of Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, sold The Beach Boys song catalogue for only $700,000 without consulting his sons. The Beach Boys song catalogue today is worth over $100 million. There was a close bond between the brothers, but Brian Wilson’s drug use and mental problems caused rifts in the group.

My favorite part of this documentary was the scenes of Brian Wilson working with The Wrecking Crew–the best studio band ever–and directing them to produce the classic sound of “Good Vibrations.” Amazing!

The soundtrack to this documentary is also available now. If you’re a fan of The Beach Boys, don’t miss this! GRADE: A

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SOUNDTRACK:

1. Don’t Go Near the Water (A Cappella) (2:36)
2. Fun, Fun, Fun (Live/Remastered 2000) (3:13)
3. Their Hearts Were Full of Spring (Demo / Mono / Remastered 2013) (2:37)
4. Surfin’ (With Session Intro/Mono/Remastered 2013) (2:26)
5. Surfin’ Safari (Original Long Version / Mono / Remastered 2013) (2:17)
6. Surfin’ U.S.A. (2021 Stereo Mix) (2:27)
7. Little Deuce Coupe (1:40)
8. Surfer Girl (2021 Stereo Mix) (2:28)
9. In My Room (2021 Stereo Mix) (2:17)
10. Please Let Me Wonder (2007 Stereo Mix/Remastered 2012) (2:48)
11. Don’t Worry Baby (2021 Stereo Mix) (2:51)
12. Girl Don’t Tell Me (Remastered 2012) (2:20)
13. Do You Wanna Dance? (2021 Stereo Mix) (2:34)
14. I Get Around (2021 Stereo Mix) (2:13)
15. Help Me, Rhonda (2021 Stereo Mix) (2:48)
16. California Girls (Mono / Remastered 2001) (2:46)
17. Wouldn’t It Be Nice (Remastered 2012) (2:33)
18. God Only Knows (Remastered 1996) (2:55)
19. Good Vibrations (2021 Stereo Mix) (3:43)
20. You’re Welcome (2011 Smile Version) (1:07)
21. Vegetables (Remastered 2012) (2:10)
22. I Can Hear Music (2:36)
23. Forever (2:44)
24. Long Promised Road (3:32)
25. Don’t Go Near the Water (Remastered 2009) (2:40)
26. Here She Comes (2022 Mix) (5:10)
27. Wild Honey (Live at Carnegie Hall) (5:38)
28. California Saga (Big Sur) (Remastered 2000) (2:56)
29. Surfin’ U.S.A. (Live) (2:48)
30. Don’t Worry Baby (Live) (3:12)
31. Good Vibrations (Live) (4:48)
32. Wouldn’t It Be Nice (Live) (2:43)
33. A Day in the Life of a Tree (Track & Backing Vocals) (2:56)
34. Darlin’ (2021 Stereo Mix) (2:14)
35. Baby Blue Bathing Suit (Bonus Track) – Stephen Sanchez (3:15)

I’ve read dozens of Carter Brown’s Al Wheeler mysteries featuring a randy but clever police investigator. Carter Brown had several other series including the Rick Holman series. Rick Holman is a Hollywood “fixer.” When movie studios have “problems” they call Rick Holman. Of course Holman’s rates are extremely high…but he gets results!

In The Jade-Eyed Jungle, a sexy redhead from Italy is cheating on her lover. Shots are fired. But, were the shots aimed at the starlet…or her lover. The head of the studio hires Rick Holman to find out.

The normal Carter Brown shenanigans show up: sexy suspects, thugs, a tricky mystery, and Rick Holman’s life threatened. If you enjoyed All Wheeler novels, you’ll also find the Rick Holman series a lot of fun, too! And don’t forget the marvelous Robert McGinnis covers! GRADE: B+

THE RICK HOLMAN SERIES:

Zelda	(1961)
Murderer Among Us	(1962)
Murder in the Key Club / Harem Club	(1962)
Jade Eyed Jungle	(1963)
The Jade-Eyed Jungle	(1963)
Never Was Girl	(1964)
Who Killed Dr. Sex?	(1964)
Murder Is a Package Deal	(1964)
Girl from Outerspace	(1965)
Nude with a View	(1965)
The Girl from Outer Space	(1965)
Wind-up Doll	(1965)
Blonde on a Broomstick	(1966)
Play Now… Kill Later	(1966)
Long Time No Leola	(1967)
Deadly Kitten	(1967)
Die Anytime after Tuesday	(1969)
The Flagellator	(1969)
Streaked Blond Slave	(1969)
A Good Year for Dwarfs?	(1970)
The Hang-up Kid	(1970)
The Coven	(1971)
The Invisible Flamini	(1971)
Phreak Out	(1973)
Negative in Blue	(1974)
Ride the Roller Coaster	(1975)
See It Again, Sam	(1979)
The Phantom Lady	(1980)
The Swingers	(1980)

There were at latest 7 volumes in this TIME-LIFE series. I like Volume Two because I like most of the songs. Yes, there are some head-scratchers like “Don’t Let The Green Grass Fool You” by Wilson Pickett–he sang much better songs than this one like “In The Midnight Hour” which is also included in this set.

Although he’s not considered a “Soul” singer, I remember listening to albums of Lou Rawls music in the 1960s. “Love Is A Hurtin’ Thing” is one of my favorites. Later, Rawls morphed into a mainstream singer and achieved success, but it’s these early songs I remember and love.

Do you remember these songs? Any favorites here? GRADE: B+

TRACK LIST:

1	Sam & Dave–	Hold On, I’m Comin’
2	Wilson Pickett–	Don’t Let The Green Grass Fool You
3	Aretha Franklin–	Respect
4	Otis Redding–	I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)
5	Booker T & The MG’s–	Green Onions
6	Clarence Carter–	Slip Away
7	The Staple Singers–	I’ll Take You There
8	Arthur Conley–	Sweet Soul Music
9	Bill Withers–	Aint No Sunshine
10	J.J. Jackson–	But It’s Alright
11	Ben E. King–	Stand By Me
12	Betty Wright–	Clean Up Woman
13	Jerry Butler–	For Your Precious Love
14	Archie Bell & The Drells–	Tighten Up
15	Percy Sledge–	When A Man Loves A Woman
2-1	Wilson Pickett–	In The Midnight Hour
2-2	Ray Charles–	I’ve Got A Woman
2-3	Aretha Franklin–	I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)
2-4	Otis Redding–	These Arms Of Mine
2-5	Barbara Lewis–	Hello Stranger
2-6	Solomon Burke–	If You Need Me
2-7	Jackie Wilson–	Lonely Teardrops
2-8	The Delfonics–	La La Means I Love You
2-9	Lou Rawls–	Love Is A Hurtin’ Thing
2-10	William DeVaughn–	Be Thankful For What You Got
2-11	Gladys Knight And The Pips–	Every Beat Of My Heart
2-12	The Esquires–	Get On Up
2-13	Betty Harris–	Cry To Me
2-14	Sam Cooke–	I’ll Come Running Back To You
2-15	Sam & Dave–	When Something Is Wrong With My Baby

The Gist Hunter and Other Stories collects nine stories set in Matthew Hughes’s universe of The Archonate, plus four non-series stories. My favorite stories feature Henghis Hapthorn, Old Earth’s “foremost freelance discriminator” (aka, private eye).

The second set of three stories follows another popular Hughes character, Guth Bandar. Bandar is an adventurer inside the realms of the collective unconscious. I like the way Bandar is amusingly logical (think Spock) about breaking down what’s happening to him in terms of stories, metaphors, and archetypes. If you like analytical stories, you’ll enjoy these.

The Gist Hunter and Other Stories was Matthew Hughes’s first short story collection. It was published in 2005 and remains one of his best books. If you’re in the mood for stories that will entertain you and take you far, far away, The Gist Hunter and Other Stories is your ticket. GRADE: A

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

“Mastermindless” © 2004 by Matthew Hughes. First published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, March 2004.

  “Relics of the Thim” © 2004 by Matthew Hughes. First published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, August 2004.

  “Falberoth’s Ruin” © 2004 by Matthew Hughes. First published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, September 2004.

  “Finding Sajessarian” © 2005 by Matthew Hughes. First published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, April 2005.

  “The Gist Hunter” © 2005 by Matthew Hughes. First published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, June 2005.

  “Thwarting Jabbi Gloond” © 2005 by Matthew Hughes.

  “A Little Learning” © 2003 by Matthew Hughes. First published in Fantasy

  Readers Wanted—Apply Within, ed. Nick Aires and James Richey, Silver Lake Publishing, 2003.

  “Inner Huff ” © 2005 by Matthew Hughes. First published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, February 2005.

  “Help Wonted” © 2005 by Matthew Hughes.

  “Shadow Man” © 2005 by Matthew Hughes.

  “The Devil You Don’t” © 2005 by Matthew Hughes. First published in Asimov’s Science Fiction, March 2005.

  “Go Tell the Phoenicians” © 2005 by Matthew Hughes. First published in Interzone, May/June 2005.

  “Bearing Up” © 1996 by Matthew Hughes. First published in Takes, ed. R.P. MacIntyre, Thistledown Press, 1996.

Glen Powell plays college professor Gary Johnson who moonlights as “Hit Man” for the New Orleans police. Powell’s character helps the police by wearing wigs, applying makeup, using accents, sporting fake tattoos, and dressing for the role of Hit Man that the suspects who want to hire a Hit Man expect. Clearly Powell likes to play Dress Up.

Director Richard Linklater co-wrote the script for Hit Man with Glen Powell. The action picks up speed when a beautiful wife, Madison Masters (Adria Arjona), asks Powell to kill her husband. Powell talks her out of this extreme decision and later the two become romantically involved. But Madison still thinks Powell’s character is a Hit Man.

Things start to unravel when Madison’s husband dies in a “drug deal” gone wrong. The police immediately suspect Madison. One of the cops, Jasper (Austin Amelio), poses a threat to Madison and the Hit Man. The resolution might not sit well with some viewers. But if you’re in the mood for an entertaining action-comedy-romance movie, Hit Man hits the spot. GRADE: B