I’ve been listening to a lot of music during this Stay-at-Home lifestyle. Just by accident, I found some Women & Music CDs and I’m both in the process of listening to them and buying the CDs in the series that I lack (only two more to go!).

I thought I’d start with a 2-CD set, Women & Music: Beginnings. One of the usual aspects of this set is that singers from different musical eras rub shoulders with one another. I remember the first time I heard Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” (featuring Mick Jagger) in 1972 and immediately headed to the local record store to buy No Secrets with the daring (for that time) braless photo album cover. On Disc 1, it follows Mary Wells’s “My Guy” which expresses a completely different attitude toward guys.

Marie Muldaur is represented by “Midnight at the Oasis” and Melissa Manchester’s “Midnight Blue” sounds great. I’m a big fan of Doris Troy’s “Just One Look” and Nicolette Larson’s “Lotta Love” which sounds like a faux-Fleetwood Mac song to me.

How many of these songs do you remember? Any favorites here? GRADE: B+

TRACK LIST:

Disc 1

1. God Bless the Child [4:00]
   • (performed by Billie Holiday)
2. What a Diff’rence a Day Made [2:31]
   • (performed by Dinah Washington)
3. Fever [3:22]
   • (performed by Peggy Lee)
4. Son of a Preacher Man [2:27]
   • (performed by Dusty Springfield)
5. Respect [2:26]
   • (performed by Aretha Franklin)
6. Downtown [3:11]
   • (performed by Petula Clark)
7. Walkin’ After Midnight [2:01]
   • (performed by Patsy Cline)
8. Ode to Billie Joe [4:16]
   • (performed by Bobbie Gentry)
9. Put a Little Love in Your Heart [2:35]
   • (performed by Jackie DeShannon)
10. Midnight Train to Georgia [4:40]
    • (performed by Gladys Knight & The Pips)
11. Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off [4:30]
    • (performed by Ella Fitzgerald)
12. My Guy [2:53]
    • (performed by Mary Wells)
13. You’re So Vain [4:20]
    • (performed by Carly Simon)
14. The Rose [3:33]
    • (performed by Bette Midler)
15. Me and Bobby McGee [4:30]
    • (performed by Janis Joplin)

Disc 2

1. I Feel the Earth Move [3:00]
   • (performed by Carole King)
2. Lotta Love [3:09]
   • (performed by Nicolette Larson)
3. At Last [3:02]
   • (performed by Etta James)
4. Chuck E’s in Love [3:31]
   • (performed by Rickie Lee Jones)
5. Just One Look [2:32]
   • (performed by Doris Troy)
6. So Long [2:39]
   • (performed by Ruth Brown)
7. Baby I’m Yours [2:32]
   • (performed by Barbara Lewis)
8. I’ll Never Fall in Love Again [3:03]
   • (performed by Dionne Warwick)
9. Midnight at the Oasis [3:47]
   • (performed by Maria Muldaur)
10. Reflections [2:53]
    • (performed by The Supremes)
11. Misty [3:02]
    • (performed by Sarah Vaughan)
12. Midnight Blue [3:55]
    • (performed by Melissa Manchester)
13. Blue Bayou [3:55]
    • (performed by Linda Ronstadt)
14. Both Sides Now [3:16]
    • (performed by Judy Collins)
15. I Will Always Love You [3:07]
    • (performed by Dolly Parton)
16. Over the Rainbow [3:30]
    • (performed by Judy Garland)

Diane and I saw Jerry Seinfeld at a local venue, Melody Fair (which has since been leveled and turned into a Super War-Mart) back in 1990. Seinfeld was clever and funny and not a four-letter word passed his lips (which is rare for stand-up comedians). The sell-out crowd left the performance delighted.

Now in the Age of Coronavirus, we need to watch our stand-up comedians on a streaming service like Netflix. In an interview with NPR, Seinfeld admitted that he needs to do stand-up occasionally. We’re looking forward to this Netflix performance today. If you have Netflix, you’ll probably enjoy it, too. Were you a fan of Seinfeld? Do you have a favorite episode?

Bone Silence concludes the trilogy about the Ness sisters who ran away from home and became space pirates…and a lot more. I’m a fan of Alastair Reynolds’s space operas, but this Young Adult trilogy fell flat with me. I thought the first book, Revenger (you can read my review here), was the strongest book of the three. It introduced the reader to the feisty Ness sisters, Arafura and Adrana, and their AI, Paladin. The second novel, Shadow Captain, ratcheted up the violence with some bloody battles in space (you can read my review here). This third volume, at 603 pages, pretty much ties up all the loose ends of a story that encompasses millions of years.

A number of mysteries, disappearances, reappearances, and skullduggery swirl around the plot of Bone Silence. There are a couple of deus ex machina moments that might annoy some readers. But the scope of the 20,000 worlds of the Congregation lends itself to grand moments. If you’re looking for a diverting and mildly entertaining YA space opera trilogy, Alastair Reynolds provides one with these books. Just make sure you don’t set the bar too high. GRADE: B

World War II was never this soapy. World on Fire captures the essence of WWII in seven episodes with characters scattered in five countries as the Nazis begin their relentless movement to conquer Poland. Helen Hunt plays an American war correspondent who witnesses the German invasion of Warsaw and reports it in her radio commentary in Berlin. Sean Bean plays a pacifist in London whose daughter and son get involved in the War.

In Paris, a gay American doctor (Brian Jacob Smith) resists pleas to leave the city as the Germans move in…with dire consequences. Jonah Hauer-King as Harry Chase, creates most of the love interest in this series. Chase starts out as an interpreter for the British Government, but gets involved with a Polish girl named Kasia (played by Zofia Wichłacz). In a soap opera moment, Harry marries Kasia in hopes he can get her out of Poland before the Germans invade. But, of course, Something Else happens.

Harry Chase also has another girl friend, Lois (played by Julia Brown), who is a factory worker by day and a talented night club singer at night. Harry’s two love interests power much of the action in these episodes.

My favorite character is Robina Chase (played by Leslie Manville), Harry’s wealthy and imperious mother. But, World War II forces her to evolve as events upend her world.

Normally, I wouldn’t be watching something like World on Fire but the coronavirus, like WWII, changed everything. This ensemble series is mildly enlightening if you’re not allergic to soap. GRADE: B

Earlier this week, I featured Play It Again, Sam. Some of the commentators brought up Annie Hall so I dug out my copy and watched it for maybe the dozenth time. It’s still funny to me. Woody Allen plays Alvy Singer, a comedian whose approach to dating women is a little off. Alvy’s best friend, Rob (Tony Roberts), introduces Alvy to nightclub singer, Annie Hall (Diane Keaton). Of course, Alvy falls in love with the ditzy Annie in a heartbeat.

True love never runs smooth and soon Alvy’s quirks drive Annie Hall into the arms of Tony Lacy (Paul Simon). It’s the old Boy-Gets-Girl, Boy-Loses-Girl, Boy-Gets-Girl back again formula. But, this formula worked for Annie Hall: it won four Oscars including Best Picture.

Yes, the world of Annie Hall back in 1977 was much different from today. But, think of this movie as comfort food for your mind. GRADE: A

I’ve reviewed a number of Hank Davis anthologies and enjoyed them all. This latest book features Science Fiction stories that have a legal aspect to them. (Of course, my favorite legal SF novel is Pohl & Kornbluth’s Gladator-at-Law). But these short stories present an entertaining way to spend your time during the Stay-At-Home order.

My favorite story in this anthology is Clifford Simak’s “How-2” which is a twist on The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Things get out of hand quickly in this clever tale. “Skulking Permit” is one of my favorite Robert Sheckley comic SF stories. Arthur C. Clarke’s “Moving Spirit” is another comic romp from his Tales from the White Hart. I read Robert Silverberg’s “To See the Invisible Man” decades ago but the impact has stayed with me.

Overruled provides a variety of law stories–some serious, some funny–but you will have to be the judge of that! GRADE: B+

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

INTRODUCTION: COURT IS NOW IN SESSION… ALL OXYGEN-REDUCING BIPEDS PLEASE RISE! by Hank Davis 1
THE SKETCHER by Tom Kidd 5
JERRY WAS A MAN by Robert A. Heinlein 39
PARADOX & GREENBLATT: ATTORNEYS AT LAW by Kevin J. Anderson 65
THE JIGSAW MAN by Larry Niven 81
SKULKING PERMIT by Robert Sheckley 95
CHECKSUM, CHECKMATE by Tony Daniel 123
THE EXECUTIONER by Algis Budrys 149
LICENSE TO LIVE by Sarah A. Hoyt & Laura Montgomery 189
THE RIOT THAT WASN’T IN PORT NEEKS by Susan R. Matthews 205
LAWYER FIGHT by Larry Correia 225
THE PEOPLE V. CRAIG MORRISON by Alex Shvartsman & Alvaro Zinos-Amaro 237
HOW-2 by Clifford D. Simak 255
MOVING SPIRIT by Arthur C. Clarke 293
VICTIM OF CHANGES by Christopher Ruocchio 307
THE CYBER AND JUSTICE HOLMES by Frank Riley 323
TO SEE THE INVISIBLE MAN by Robert Silverberg 339
LICENSE TO STEAL by Louis Newman 353
WITH THE KNIGHT MALE by Charles Sheffield 363

Back to the 1980s with this 2-CD set of “hits” from that decade. Unlike some of the 1980s compilations I’ve shared with you in the past, these two discs actually include songs most of us have heard by groups we recognize. Once again, I’m guessing the choices are guided by record sales from those years. Do you see any songs you like here? GRADE: B+

PURE 80’s TRACK LIST:
1. Video Killed The Radio Star – The Buggles
2. Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) – Eurythmics
3. Everybody Have Fun Tonight – Wang Chung
4. One Thing Leads To Another – The Fixx
5. Hungry Like The Wolf – Duran Duran
6. Karma Chameleon – Culture Club
7. Something About You – Level 42
8. Everybody Wants To Rule The World – Tears For Fears
9. Tainted Love – Soft Cell
10. Obsession – Animotion
11. Higher Love – Steve Winwood
12. Addicted To Love – Robert Palmer
13. Relax – Frankie Goes To Hollywood
14. Come On Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runners
15. Rock This Town – Stray Cats
16. Centerfold – J. Geils Band
17. Jessie’s Girl – Rick Springfield
18. Our House – Madness
19. Hold Me Now – Thompson Twins
20. Tempted – Squeeze

MORE PURE 80’s TRACK LIST:

 1. Would I Lie To You? – Eurythmics
  2. Walk Like An Egyptian – Bangles
  3. Walking On Sunshine – Katrina And The Waves
  4. Maneater – Hall & Oates
  5. The Power of Love – Huey Lewis And The News
  6. Jeopardy – Greg Kihn Band
  7. I’ve Done Everything For You – Rick Springfield
  8. I Know There’s Something Going On – Frida
  9. Love Is A Battlefield – Pat Benatar
  10. Heaven is A Place On Earth – Belinda Carlisle
  11. Rio – Duran Duran
  12. In A Big Country – Big Country
  13. The Look Of Love (Part One) – ABC
  14. Rock Me Amadeus – Falco
  15. The Safety Dance – Men Without Hats
  16. Shout – Tears For Fears
  17. Do You Really Want To Hurt Me – Culture Club
  18. Hands To Heaven – Breathe

Liz Williams is one of my favorite writers. Her first novel, a faux-Jack Vance pastiche called The Poison Master, thrilled me. Williams’ latest book, Comet Weather, features four sisters from Somerset, England who have “powers” to talk to trees and stars.

Each sister has her own talents and they come into play when their mother, Alys, disappears and the police claim she’s dead (although no body has been found). The sisters think their mother is still alive and they follow clues to see if they can locate her.

Along the way shapeshifters, ghosts, parallel worlds, and time travel come into play. If you’re looking for an involving novel with strong women characters and plenty of plot surprises, I recommend Comet Weather. A sequel, Blackthorne Winter, is planned. I love the cover by Ian Whates! GRADE: A-

After watching Casablanca last week, I thought it might be fun to watch Woody Allen’s homage to that classic film, Play It Again, Sam. The 1969 play version of Play It Again, Sam lasted over a year on Broadway. In 1972, the movie version hit the theaters. The movie was directed by Herbert Ross.

Play It Again, Sam was the first movie with Woody Allan and Diane Keaton acting together. Woody plays Allan Felix, a neurotic film critic, who’s been dumped by his wife. Felix is inept at dating and his best friend, Dick (Tony Roberts, and his wife, Linda (Diane Keaton), attempt to help Felix navigate the dating scene.

The reason I’m fond of Play It Again, Sam is Felix’s reoccurring hallucination of Humphrey Bogart (Jerry Lacy) who gives Felix advice.

Sure, it’s a silly movie, but Play It Again, Sam does honor Casablanca in its treatment of romance and love. Have you seen Play It Again, Sam? Are you a Wood Allen fan? GRADE: B+