Archive for October, 2004

Black Sabbath - Black Box

Published
by
JR
on October 31, 2004
in Album of the Week and Music
. 0 Comments

Black Sabbath - Black Box

Whilst perusing the music section of Borders last night, my attention was immediately drawn to this black box that looked both menacing and ominous in between the usual pap that music stores stock these days.

Let me start from the outset and say - this is one of the most beautifully packaged box-sets I have ever seen. Granted the entire packaging is as black as black can be, visually, it is as gloomy and sinister as the band’s true legacy… its music!

Featuring the first eight Sabbath albums (Black Sabbath, Paranoid, Master of Reality, Vol. 4, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Sabotage, Technical Ecstacy, Never Say Die) - the set also includes a four track DVD of Sabbath performing ‘Iron Man’ and ‘Paranoid’, a live cover of Carl Perkins’ ‘Blues Suede Shoes’, and a rare promotional clip for the song ‘Black Sabbath’ live at The Beat Club).

An 80-page gorgeous hardback book is also included and features rare archival photos, two-part liner notes, complete lyrics, and an extensive timeline. The book also features two new historical essays by writers Chris Welch (”1970-1972: Lords of This World”) and Brian Ives (”1973-1978: A Hard Road”) and snippets from current stars who have been influenced by the Sabbath legacy. (Henry Rollins, Metallica, Rob Zombie, Nirvana, Rob Halford, Beck, Zakk Wylde, Melissa Auf Der Maur, Slash among many others).

Each classic album features newly remastered sound - which has to be heard to be believed! Never has the Sabbath catalogue sounded so dynamic and if you have ever considered yourself a fan - the Black Box editions are an essential purchase. Each CD comes packaged in an individual digipak recreating the original album art from the Seventies.

The original Sabbath lineup (along with executive producer Sharon Osbourne) supervised the box set with bassist Geezer Butler personally labouring over the lyrics of each album to ensure they were correct.

Simply mind-blowing and if that wasn’t enough… a spokesperson at the management company of Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has confirmed that the remaining Black Sabbath catalog is slated for similar treatment in 2005.

Black Sabbath - Black Box

Henry’s Film Corner

Published
by
JR
on October 23, 2004
in Television
. 0 Comments

Henry's Film Corner

Rollins will talk movies, showbiz and film culture with special guests and ordinary people (including his mailman), with clips of upcoming films, DVD releases and rediscovered classics providing fodder for their spirited discussions.

Regular features will include: “Typecast”, which will examine how various social and ethnic groups are portrayed in film; “What to Watch”, a compilation of films organized by mood; and “Henry’s Picks”, in which Rollins recommends what viewers should see.

According to Rollins, “‘Henry’s Film Corner’ will not be some sanitized ‘talk show’ with polite commentary and everyone trying to be politcally correct. I have very strong opinions on many subjects and I look forward to many high-spirited, in-your-face debates on many different issues, including things that piss me off. At the same time, I will be offering our audience thorough reviews of upcoming films to help provide some guidance on what to see and what to avoid.”

Debbie DeMontreux, IFC’s Vice President of Development and Production, described “Henry’s Film Corner” as “‘Ebert & Roeper’ meet ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’” and called Rollins “one of the entertainment world’s most intriguing personalities, at times ferocious, facetious, intolerable, brutal, hysterical, angry and jaded.” She said, “This series will combine Henry’s love of film and his thoughtful reviews with his and his guests’ frank and brutally honest opinions on everything from the world of film to more complex and serious social and political issues.”

The 10-part series joins IFC’s 2005 original programming slate, which will include “Ultimate Film Fanatic Season 2″, “Dinner for Five” and “Wanderlust”, a new documentary from the directors of “American Splendor”.

“Henry’s Film Corner” will premiere on Saturday, December 4 at midnight (EST)/9 p.m. (PST). Each new 30-minute episode will air on the first Saturday of the month. (SOURCE: Andrea Meyer IFC NEWS)