✨👨🏻Happy Burt-Day👨🏻✨

The story of my birth is very closely tied into Burt Reynolds.  As ambiguously exciting as this may sound, I’ll clarify that the night before I made my entrance, Burt was guest hosting for Johnny on The Tonight Show.  While my first-time Mom waited to go to the hospital as labor started, she watched Burt Reynolds joined by (according to Google), his loyal partner in comedy, Dom DeLuise, Kareem Abdul-Jabar, and Connie Stevens.  Oh yeah, and Norman Fell. Mr. Stanley Roper.  How much more late ‘70’s/early ‘80’s can you get than that?  Throw in a Mel Brooks or a Don Knotts, coupled with a rubber chicken, and you could cast another Cannonball Run sequel.

    Burt must have been one heckuva guest host, because every time my parents retell the story of my very first birthday, he always figures prominently in the narration.  And as I realized today, Burt Reynolds’ iconic presence in pop culture has been a comfortably ubiquitous constant in many facets of my life since.  

     As a self proclaimed “indoor child,” my 1980’s summer afternoon HBO schedule was peppered with many a zany flick featuring the “Burt posse,” in ensemble comedies such as Smokey and the Bandit, Stroker Ace, and one of my personal favorites, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.  (The puckish charm of the Burt/Dolly duet, “Sneakin’ Around” speaks for itself.) I vividly recall the hype surrounding the highly anticipated Burt/Loni wedding, and the corresponding People Magazine that served as car time reading on a family vacation to King’s Island.  Cable syndication reminds me that Evening Shade remains a subtly memorable highlight of his filmography.  Blanche, Rose, Dorothy and Sophia have gushed over many a cheesecake about “Mr. Burt Reynolds.”  And was it at all surprising that with a signature ‘70’s ‘pornstache’ he played a character named Jack Horner in Boogie Nights?  Amongst all of this, “Mr. Burt Reynolds” starred in “All Dogs Go To Heaven.”  Anyone who knows me well can vouch that this credit alone holds more clout to me than the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.  I even have flip-flops sporting his silhouette, complete with a mustache icon on the strap.

    Unapologetically suave and unabashedly macho in an impish sort of way, the unbuttoning of his shirt would have the aphrodisiac power of a Julio Iglesias LP - but never in a threatening or arrogant manner.  Good ole Smokey could flash his broad smile as if he was letting you in on a mischievous secret, causing schoolgirls and grandmas alike to swoon.  I had always speculated that perhaps Will Ferrell’s iconic Anchorman borrowed from Burt’s masculine charm.  Therefore, imagine my hilarious delight to find Ron Burgundy recreating on a TV Guide cover the infamous Burt Reynolds centerfold pose from 1972.  Well, of course I bought it.  And took a photo.

    From children’s animation to The Golden Girls’ titillation, Burt Reynolds has been an omnipresent icon of the past half century.  Even if not always actively visible, the mere mention of his first name brings to mind a kind of leading man and an era to go with it.  A time when no one knew Ellen, but everyone tuned into Dinah.  Jimmy Carter didn’t tweet, but birds did.  And Hollywood had a panache that seemed so much more accessible and warm than anything seen through the lens of Instagram.  It’s a Hollywood that I, like so many other ‘80’s kids, always fantasized about being a part of, and I feel so fortunate to have experienced it as part of my pop culture development.  To all you Generation Catalano kids out there (Google it if you don’t know,) Happy Burt-day, and here’s to many more!

💫🤼‍♀️Let it Glow, Let it Glow: Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling Rev Up For Round Two 💫🤼‍♀️

 Puberty initiated one of the most macabre horror flicks of all time.  Yes, as unsettling as it sounds, Carrie's entrance into womanhood kickstarted the chilling Stephen King tale of unbridled female rage and bloody revenge.  However unpleasant to consider, this curious piece of trivia begs the question:  Is there a mocking negativity associated with the coupling of femininity and the release of power?   Princess Elsa unleashed the "Frozen" powers she had been forced to harness with terrifying results - and we have the song running through our heads to prove it.  Hmmm....Carrie, Elsa....probable arch enemies in wrestling, the one sports spectacle where stereotypes are not only permitted, but fuel the game?  "GLOW," the summer's deliciously entertaining new Netflix watch, not only proudly rides this wave, but also laughingly takes these stereotypes in a playful headlock before promptly flipping them over on their backs, all before they know what hits them.  With the official announcement of a Season Two, fans can bask in the "glow" of anticipation for the riotous fun yet to come.
  GLOW.  A word that brings to mind a plethora of generally unintentional yet somewhat archaically sexist connotations..... a new bride....an expectant mother....a brand of dish soap.  The most prophetic "GLOW" for the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling is the blissfully eighties neon fest that's the opening sequence to the series pilot.  A fluorescent comic strip for children of the decade of excess, this animated intro rather foreshadows the pageantry which "GLOW" simultaneously lampoons and celebrates.  Electric cartoon figures applying lipstick and hairspray in the anticipation of an acrobatic body slam....trash-talk banter between opponents acted out with broad gesture.....caricatures of characters playing out the showdown the panting audience demands.  Wouldn't this be enough voyeuristic fodder to cause a die-hard feminist to gag on her granola, you ask?  Well, before Gloria Steinham has a chance to get her sports bra in a twist, consider what may be an unspoken preconception about wrestling: Expect the unexpected.
   Let's be candid. If Trevor from Homeroom revs up "GLOW" on his Netflix queue, there's a healthy chance it's not for the dramatic denouement - at least not initially.  "GLOW" serves up a generous helping of eye candy.  With enough spandex to wardrobe a Jane Fonda Workout video and enough Aqua-Net to sponsor the 1962 Miss America Pageant, glitz and gloss are abundant, while clothing can be sparse. What sets apart this window dressing, however, is the heartfelt substance behind the glitter.  Each Gorgeous Lady of Wrestling struggles with a hindrance, keeping them pinned down, out of control.  The very crux of the pilot storyline revolves around an industry which renders the artist completely powerless, at the mercy of casting directors and agents.  Throw into the mix being a woman, its accompanying double standards, and enough pent up resentment to rival the Tasmanian Devil.  Wrestling brings a sense of power, control, catharsis, and camaraderie for each of the GLOW ladies respectively.  One unlikely character confides that wrestling is the first activity that makes her feel comfortable in her body, a sentiment that manifests itself in some way or another through each gal.  
  While all audiences may not feel as warm and fuzzy to tune in and celebrate "I am woman, watch me wrestle," a genius aspect of "GLOW" shines through.   Like the predator draws in its prey before she pounces, viewers of all types are lured in to watch the glossy extravaganza before finding themselves sucked into the social aspects addressed.   Don't tell Trevor, but compare the technique to putting some sugar on the spoon with the medicine.  He may not be aware of it, but he's supporting a celebration of the power of femininity, and probably having a grand old time doing it.  Yes, the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, adorned in spangles and sequins for the spectacle in the ring, may be the fantasy of every 7th grade boy, but also the secret wish of every 30-something woman.
  Jesse Ventura has said that "wrestling is ballet with violence."  A representation of the sport as an art form is indeed apt and relevant.  After all, as Chris Jericho articulates reflectively, "if Shakespeare was alive today he would be writing wrestling shows."  The struggling actress protagonist of "GLOW" rigorously explores this notion with relish and pride, joyously embracing control, as the scene becomes set for the series to take off flying.  Now this "glowing" review could spill all those juicy secrets of Season One, but shall stop here as not to spoil all the fun and twisty turns, which are plenty.  In the meantime, enjoy watching the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling give the proverbial middle finger to all who have wronged the underdog.  No need to feel guilty about it.  Just be thankful that the Incredible Hulk never gets PMS.

⛵🍎When You Get Caught Between a Lagoon and New York City: Yacht Rock in the Big Apple ⛵🍎

1980....the year that seamlessly transitioned Americans from the Disco Era to the Decade of Decadence, and what some perhaps pinpoint as Yacht Rock's prime.  In 1980, Vinnie Barbarino morphed into an Urban Cowboy, but one might ponder....what of the Urban Sailor?  Does the soft amber glow of a SoCal sunset necessarily have to be the hallmark of what Generation Y has coined to be "Yacht Rock"?  Must the nirvana of an ultimate mellow vibe only be achieved on the deck of a luxury liner docked at the marina?  Apparently not, as some of Yacht Rock's most beloved anthems sprang from the chaotic cacophony of the concrete jungle.  Blame it on an East Coast breeze of the late 70's/early 80's, if you will, but there was a definite urge to set some New York stories to the music of the mellow waters.  What better way to kick off regatta season than to steal away with a few of the most popular ones.  Let's sail the streets of the concrete jungle.....If you'll be the Captain, I'll be Tennille......

The Goodbye Girl (1977)
Neil Simon may not be the first name that comes to mind with the mention of smooth rock, but his award winning film "The Goodbye Girl" spawned a little gem of the genre - David Gates' sentimental love anthem of the same name.  The Manhattan rom-com about a Broadway dancer, a precocious daughter, and Richard Dreyfuss being well.....very......Richard Dreyfuss-like, reminds us in an achingly heartfelt way that "goodbye doesn't mean forever."  With almost as much quick repartee as a sweeps episode of "The Golden Girls," and enough 70's attire to help wardrobe a Richard Linklater film, this 1977 favorite is a real...... slice-of-life-of-an-actor/dancer-in-NYC-in-the-70's.....think "A Chorus Line," but replace Marvin Hamlisch with David Gates.  The vote is unanimous that the chemistry between Marsha Mason and Richard Dreyfuss is as charming as it is comical, culminating in the obligatory yet indispensable "scene in the rain," but this is not the key ingredient in the magical formula.  The sweet optimism of "The Goodbye Girl" - film and song respectively - somehow manages to dig up the warm and fuzzies amidst all of the polyester and bellbottoms, creating a genuine warmth of the sun on a blustery Manhattan day.  No, goodbye certainly doesn't mean forever.....😊🌻🌼

Arthur's Theme (1981)
The fact that a nighttime plane ride into JFK International inspired the idea behind "Arthur's Theme," is not simply a potential story from Yacht Rock: Behind the Music, but the truth about perhaps one of the most famous easy listening lyrics of the early 80's.  This explanation, while interesting fodder for a Jeopardy Daily Double, does not destroy the enigma of this smooth rock staple.  The amusingly ambiguous meaning of "Arthur's Theme" has been shrouded in mystery for an entire generation of 80's kids.  The song possesses the kind of reassuring familiarity of the soundtrack to a childhood dream: you may not be able to articulate the title or artist, but immediately recognize the melody and it's place on your memory hard drive....dentist's waiting room, hotel elevator, Aunt Linda's minivan radio?  Before the days of Shazam and Siri, inquiring minds would have to guess song titles based on chorus lyrics - a definite problem with "Arthur's Theme."  Still however, we all managed to figure out this one - most likely scrolling up and down the screen on a Time Life compilation commercial. Co-penned and performed by easy listening maven Christopher Cross specifically for the 1981 film, the hit song was apparently once actually performed by Cross and "Arthur" himself, Dudley Moore, at a London concert.  Even if we're still a little unsure about how one can get caught between a celestial satellite and Manhattan, what it has to do with a carefree billionaire, and how Liza Minnelli fits into all of this, "Arthur's Theme" certainly deserves its place in Yacht Rock history.  Just don't ask me if it's closer to the moon or New York City, because I'm still trying to figure that one out.

It Might Be You (1982)
This brings us to perhaps my personal favorite of the mix - the tune that makes us all a little verklempt while thinking of Dustin Hoffman in drag.  How could a film named after Hoffman's mother's doggie not be too cute for words?  The delightful cinematic namesake is certainly not the only endearing aspect of "Tootsie".......there is a special feel to the 1982 comedy that deserves a theme like tunesmith Stephen Bishop can provide.  While the song can definitely be classified as smooth, I'll be so bold as to say that it sails even beyond the parameters of Yacht Rock classification.  Call it the same bittersweet wave that Dan Fogelberg's "Same Old Lang Syne" rides, but "It Might Be You" instantly cradles our senses into a lull of warm nostalgia, whatever that may mean to the listener.  This is perfectly illustrated during a 2016 performance of the song on "The Tonight Show."   Singing in front of a moving puppet display of hearts and unicorns, Bishop takes what could be the ingredients of a Lisa Frank Pinterest board and creates a performance that is whimsical with an extra cushiony layer of tenderness and heart.  While I don't believe that the actual word "Tootsie" is uttered in the film's dialogue, I can't think of a more appropriate title for this cute mixture of sentiment and sass.  Just like the upstate New York cozy montage in which the song is featured, "It Might Be You" is a warm and comfortable musical companion to one of the most beloved and critically acclaimed films of the 80's.

One may ask, where does all of this discussion land a scholar of the easy-listening music genre?  The blustery winds and charcoal hues of a New York City street scene....the curious thrill of the New York theatre world......the exhilarating romance of everyday life in the Big Apple itself.  Is the charm found in any one ingredient or all of them mixed together?  We could ride on the sails of speculation until the castaways get rescued from Gilligan's Island, but ultimately the magic sprinkles that rained down from the gods of smooth rock to create these little ditties are - like music itself - intangible and difficult to describe with words.  Christopher Cross knew what he was talking about.  You know it's crazy, but it's true.

🦋Younger Than Yesterday: "Finding Anissa Jones" Explores Her Back Pages🦋

   "Searching for Bobby Fischer."  "Waiting for Guffman."  Sometimes the individuals behind monikers that headline iconic titles can be absent from practically the entire film, yet represent an ideal that carries the integral vibe of the project.  Whether or not said namesake rolls off the tongue with familiarity, or is trapped in a foggy zone of obscurity is irrelevant, as long as it creates an anticipatory energy that carries the film, as does the name of one child actor in the curiously titled "Finding Anissa Jones."  Writer/actor Tara Langton's debut effort captures the melancholy longing for a time that is utopian if not for only being in the warm, amber-lensed view of the past, all while telling an unconventional buddy road trip story brimming with candor and heart.
    The aunt-nephew journey of the film serves well as the instrument to play a song of both reminiscence and rediscovery - for a sister, and for a mother respectively.  Langton's character is grasping at nostalgia that she is old enough to remember, yet young enough to find bewitching.  Brandon Richard's Austin serves as an interesting foil to Langton's Holly.  As a teenager, he is enamored with the romanticized rebellion of the past.  As a son, he is engrossed in a sentimental mystery to which his heart is drawn.  Strategically placed aspects throughout "Finding Anissa Jones" not only decidedly reinforce this theme, but also add to the authenticity of the piece.   Filmed in Playa Del Rey, a location that lends itself well to this atmospheric wistfulness, the film features scenes around the childhood stomping grounds of the Family Affair star, including her own backyard patio, and neighborhood sidewalk, complete with an authentic carving in the cement of the name "Anissa."  This perhaps holds the most poignancy as the tangible evidence of a moment in time gone by, and almost symbolizes the fleeting nature of these fuzzy recollections.
    At one point in the film, a time capsule is recovered and opened, revealing several trinkets of familiarity.  As a door into the past, the small capsule's contents are tiny flashes in time.  "Like sands through the hourglass," these could be the days of anyone's life.  They belong, however, to a child star who will always remain frozen in youth, much like the photographs and stories that belong to each person.  Everyone has their own Anissa Jones, and finding her is finally understanding that you can't try to catch something that can't be held.  
  During the filming of "Finding Anissa Jones," a butterfly fluttered onto the set of Jones' childhood patio.  Wandering about in flight for an unusually long period of time, the elusive creature gracefully danced off into the sunset....or did she?

🌻These Times are the Right Times🌻

I guess I just wasn't made for these times......a feeling that's washed over me more frequently than the waves at Surf City.  My Dad has always told me that this song perfectly describes the lens with which I see the world.  Always having felt a sentimental connection to the past, no other words have the same emotional impact.  Each time I hear them sung by my musical idol, it brings to mind a repertoire of music that I couldn't imagine the world without.

If there's a sound for what love feels like, it would be a Brian Wilson song.  No other artist has the ability to inexplicably make a heart ache with happiness while listening to a tune about surfing.  The songbook of Brian Wilson achieves something truly extraordinary - expressing what can be felt but not described.  The chords and melody somehow pique memories in your soul that you didn't know existed, knowing exactly what the heart would sound like if it could speak.  

The world needs to collectively thank the muse that whispered into the ear of Brian Wilson to create masterpieces like Smile and Pet Sounds, which holds a special place in my heart.  I would play it for someone who has never heard music before to show them why this truly magical art form exists.  While I'm not exactly sure where Pet Sounds got it's name, a possible explanation pops out in my mind.  I can't think of a better title to bring to mind the warm and fuzzy glow of unconditional love.  Pets wear their heart on their sleeve, or paw as the case may be ❤️🐾, and give this unconditional love, without ego or guile.  This cherishing comfort is what beats from the heart of every note of Pet Sounds, and speaks from the soul of Brian's music. 

Perhaps the only experience to rival listening to this music in the dark with headphones (as Brian suggests) would be seeing it performed live.  What becomes obvious is that the magic that lives in between the lines of music must be the love and gratitude that Brian, Al, and the rest of the band have for what they do.  Their willingness to share these talents in the celebration of music is humbling.  Witnessing a group of musicians so accomplished, gracious and appreciative of their audience and of one another makes the experience one of pure joy.  

"This is the best trip we've ever been on".........I'm almost certain that these slightly altered lyrics of Sloop John B are sung by Brian and Al in concert.  If this is my mind's ear playing a trick on me, then it must be simply a reflection of this celebration of love and mercy that radiates from the stage when they perform together........ whatever it is, thank you for it.   Thank you, Brian, for letting us hear the world through your ear.....and making us feel that yes, maybe we were made for these times 🎶🎶