Burden of Dreams (1982)

The films of Werner Herzog have always impressed me and several are among my top favorites, most notably 1972s Aquirre: The Wrath of God. In the documentary Burden of Dreams director Les Blank followed the painstaking and chaotic production of Fitzcarraldo, which would eventually earn Herzog the Best Director award at the 1982 Cannes Film Festival.

Director Herzog had once earlier tackled filming in primeval wilderness with Aguirre, but Fitzcarraldo presented him with a new galaxy of challenges. Numerous delays were caused by several changes in the actor portraying Brian Sweeney Fitzgerald, aka Fitzcarraldo. A Herculean effort was also involved with the moving of an actual steamship first across thick rain forest jungles, then over a mountain and finally through waterways and white water rapids. No CGI was used, making many scenes breath taking in their intensity and realism.


the trailer

the feature

Funkadelic "Cosmic Slop" video

Funkadelic's Cosmic Slop was released in 1973 on the Westbound label. Not a particularly big seller for the band upon its initial release, the record has aged well and stands out as a classic album from a prolific period in the bands history.

Cosmic Slop was the first Funkadelic record to feature Pedro Bell's unique style of artwork. He would continue to design record covers and liner notes for all subsequent releases until the early 80s.

The video below is a promotional clip for the album's title track, shot in New York City.




"Nappy Dugout" (George Clinton, Cordell Mosson, Garry Shider)

"You Can't Miss What You Can't Measure" (Clinton, Sidney Barnes)

"March to the Witch's Castle" (Clinton)

"Let's Make It Last" (Clinton, Eddie Hazel)

"Cosmic Slop" (Clinton, Bernie Worrell)

"This Broken Heart" (W. Franklin)

"Trash A-Go-Go" (Clinton)

"Can't Stand the Strain" (Clinton, Hazel)

The Cure - 1980 - Boston

The Cure made one of their first U.S. appearances on 20 April 1980 at the Underground in Boston (specifically located in the massively student populated neighborhood of Allston) with Mission of Burma opening the show. Had to re-visit this early footage.

The Underground was a tiny subterranean club without any proper stage that didn't exist for very long before Boston University bought the building for dorm rooms, closed it down and turned the basement space into laundry facilities for their eager scholars. I've heard from folks who were making the scene back then that it was a happening little spot that featured shows from bands like The Jam and was scheduled to be one of Joy Division's stops on what would have been their first U.S. tour.

The footage was captured by some M.I.T. folks with access to then cutting edge video cameras and equipment who had initially planned on filming only the Mission of Burma portion of the evening festivities.

Grinding Halt


In Your House


Subwaysong - Accuracy


Killing an Arab


Secrets

A Forest (Album Version)


Mainset:
Seventeen Seconds
Play for Today
Three Imaginary Boys
Fire in Cairo
Grinding Halt
In Your House
Subway Song
M
10:15 Saturday Night
Accuracy
At Night
Boys Don't Cry
Jumping Someone Else's Train
Another Journey by Train
A Forest

Encore 1:
Plastic Passion
Killing an Arab

Encore 2:
Secrets
Seventeen Seconds

Harvey Milk - 2008 - Olympia, Washington

Harvey Milk
1 August 2008
at Old School Pizzeria
Olympia, Washington

"Barn Burner"


"Death Goes to the Winner"


"Motown"

Torche - 2010 - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Here's Torche at the Middle East Downstairs in Cambridge, Massachusetts on 23 October 2010. Also on the bill that night were Kylesa and High on Fire. I was present at this show and thought all bands brought top shelf musical entertainment for the appreciative Saturday night crowd.

From Miami, Florida; Torche issues forth a powerful and heavy style to their sound and contained former members of Floor and Cavity.

UFO + Arrowhead

Shine On My Old Ways + In Return

Piraña + Sandstorm


Hideaway, Rockit + Out Again


Thanks to 80taul for posting on YouTube.

"Bring Me Home"
from the 2007 ep In Return

Baroness - 2010 - Metropolis, The Netherlands

The hugely rocking Baroness are based in Savannah, Georgia (same as Kylesa) and combine influences such as classic rock, HEAVY metal and basement hardcore. The intricate and frame worthy artwork for their releases is handled by John Baizley (also providing guitar + vocals). His art has also been featured on output from Kylesa, Torche and Pig Destroyer - among others.

Along with John Baizley the line up includes: Summer Welch - bass, Allen Blickle - drums and Peter Adams - guitar, vocals.

The Baroness footage below comes an appearance at Metropolis - Rotterdam during 2010. Thanks to Rachel (rrijsdijk ) for posting on YouTube.

Bullhead's Psalm & The Sweetest Curse


Jake Leg


Grad