[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBMJ79ly3B4]

Finally saw this film last week and one scene in particular struck me as unique: the screen splits in two and you see a Scott Walker record spinning in one boxed screen, and then in the other screen you see a musician [who has been talking about Scott's music and influence throughout the documentary] listen in real time to that record. Not only does it look great on screen, but it’s a cool insight into seeing how these musicians listen to music. Do they sing along? Bop their head in time to the song? Facial expression? Neat stuff.

I absolutely love NBC’s Parks & Recreation, I think its brilliant and Questlove agrees. He recently called the show “the Wu-Tang of comedy.” Quest got together with the cast and his friend RZA to created a little spoof, the result is hilarious. You have to check it out here:

http://player.ordienetworks.com/flash/fodplayer.swf

It’s been a really tough week for music deaths. I’ll miss you Jay and Teddy. I’ll miss you too, Yabby You. But I think I’ll miss Bobby Charles most of all.

Bobby had a fascinating career that spanned over 50 years. In the 50s he wrote monster hits like “See You Later, Alligator” and “Walking to New Orleans” that helped form the bedrock of swamp pop and early rock and roll. Honestly, I’m not sure what he did for most of the ’60s, but by 1972 he was hanging with The Band, at which point he recorded his legendary self-titled album – his first long-player and a bona fide stone classic. It’s the best Band album you’ve never heard. Or one of the best Louisiana rock and roll albums ever made. Seek it out immediately if you haven’t heard it. (Bobby makes a brief appearance in The Last Waltz too, on “Down South in New Orleans.”)

Bobby was a lifelong Louisianan and a bit of a recluse. The Oxford American ran a nice story on him a couple years ago, but it doesn’t appear to be online. Still, although Bobby preferred to keep to himself, his influence was vast. One recent example is the track “Paper Cup” from the new Swell Season album ‘Strict Joy.’ Glen Hansard has cited Charles as the inspiriation for that song in interviews. Watch him talking about Bobby and performing the song here:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYbHuso_auw]

Last night the Shore Fire gang marked the new decade by convening some of our Brooklyn friends for an impromptu 2010 kick-off cocktail party at the Brooklyner. It’s an impressive new residential building — in fact the tallest building in the entire borough — we’ve been watching grow from our office windows for some time now.

Needless to say we were thrilled at the chance for a sneak peek at the building and its very hip hang out lounge, and thanks to the gracious hosting of our brilliant friend Karen Auster and her firm Auster Agency, and the Brooklyner’s management, friends new and old joined for music, snacks, and drinks. Here’s a sampling of the evening’s festivities.

Here’s Shore Fire’s Matt Hanks with musician Josh Charles.

Blue Note publicist Cem Kurosman doing his best to channel Minnesota Fats:

Shore Fire’s own Diana D’Angelo and Marilyn Laverty flanked by label legend Tommy Silverman (on right) and manager Bruce Garfield (left):

Rob Krauser catching up with ICM’s Alex Joffe and Jessica Rosenberg of Harlequin Books.

Want to see more pictures? Check out Shore Fire’s Facebook page for the full gallery.

UK siren Gemma Ray came to NYC over the holidays to do some recording for a new covers album with Matt Verta-Ray (Heavy Trash), and ended up staying into the new year to play a show and sit down with the Wall Street Journal and Vanity Fair.

Gemma played a solo show at Mercury Lounge on Monday the 4th, my first concert of 2010. The Village Voice was in the house and mightily impressed, saying Gemma is “truly talented.”

The next day Gemma sat down with John Jurgensen of the Wall Street Journal and Frank DiGiacomo of Vanity Fair to talk about her latest album ‘Lights Out Zoltar!’, working on the covers record and oh so much more. Keep your eyes peeled for both upcoming pieces.

(Gemma and Frank DiGiacomo from Vanity Fair)

(Gemma and John Jurgensen from the WSJ)