SuperMensch - The Legend of Shep Gordon - A Documentary

"When I was signing an artist," Shep Gordon begins to explain in the documentary about his life as a famously successful manager (of mainly musicians), "I would sit him down, take my glasses off, look him in the eyes, and say 'you need to really listen to me and listen seriously, this is not a joke,' if I do my job perfectly, I will probably kill you." Shep went on to manage (and not maim) Alice Cooper, Blondie, Groucho Marx, and Luther Vandross, to name just a handful.

Such is the start to a documentary filled with twists and turns celebrating the life and times of the extraordinary mensch, Shep Gordon. A mensch is a Hebrew term defined as a person of integrity and honor; in spite of the massive quantities of cocaine, alcohol, and other substances that were left in the wake of Gordon's rock star lifestyle, it's clear from this documentary that people really loved him, mainly in part because he gave everything he had to others without expecting anything in return.

"It's never about what YOU want," was his quote regarding hosting legendary dinner parties with celebrities of his ilk. The celebrities interviewed included Michael Douglas, Sylvester Stallone, Steven Tyler, Emeril Lagasse, Mick Fleetwood, and Mike Myers (who directed the documentary).

Gordon graduated from college and wanted to be a probation officer. He got his certification, showed up to work with long hippie hair and promptly left after he was jumped by a bunch of juveniles. Beaten and battered, Gordon decided to try his luck in the land of angels and holed up at the Hollywood Landmark in Los Angeles.

Resting in his bed after taking a hit of acid, he hears a woman outside screaming in distress. Nobly, he runs to save her and sees a man on top of her. Gordon intervenes and then the girl punches him in the face. He promptly goes back to his room.

The next morning, he sees the girl - Janis Joplin - and the guy - Jimi Hendrix - and at this point the three of them are relatively sober and realize the mistakes that were made the evening before. And that's how Shep Gordon got into the music industry. This is one of many great stories Shep Gordon retells throughout the film.

For those who enjoy hearing wild and interesting stories about musicians and celebrities, stories of people forming bonds that were never to be broken (seeing Gordon and Alice Cooper as two old guys on a golf course is pretty hilarious), others that snapped in half, and the travails and triumphs of a man pure of heart (he cooked for the Dalai Lama for goodness sake!), this documentary is for you. It's also for people who are inspired by seeing amazingly successful people succeed not because of Machiavellian tactics but because of the goodwill and beauty of their heart.

The documentary is on Netflix and runs about 1:20. Check it out!

I Do

Dedicated to two of the best people I've met in a long while. Congrats Chris and Dev!

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 3

If Joywave's "Tongues" doesn't at least wake you up from your Monday stupor, then I suggest downing at least four more 5 hour energies. But seriously, don't do that. 

Now that Joywave has enlivened you, may I provide the White Denim fans out there with a track from lead singer James Petralli's solo project? (If you don't know White Denim and are into slightly southern rock with a dash of jammyness (NO idea how to spell that but I am certain it's not a word - or is it jamminess? That actually looks better), listen to their album D). The piano that starts "Dani's Blues" sounds straight from a dueling piano bar.

Now that you've woken up, it's time to get a little weird. I have no idea how to describe "Rain or Shine" by Young Fathers. Is it, like, sort of rap? Is it, like, sort of not? Whatever it is, it's totally their own, and I respect the hell out of that. The start SHOULD make you start bopping your head. If not, time for another 5 Hour Energy. 

Love the guitar work on "Sequence," especially at the 2:18 mark as the guitarist rides (what my amateur ears hears) six chords up the fretboard then back down one. 

Anytime Alex Turner (one of my favorite songwriters, lyricists, and lead singer/guitarist to one of my favorite bands, Arctic Monkeys - while we're here, check out my Best Of for them!) is a guest on a track, I will listen. Mini Mansions is actually another solo project, this time from the bassist of Queens of the Stone Age. I'm putting two and two together here: Josh Homme, also of Queens of the Stone Age, produced Arctic Monkey's third album, Suck It and See, so I'm guessing Alex Turner had a favor to return? Or they're just good buds, who knows. 

I hate to say it, but the recent Death Cab for Cutie album just isn't very good and feels pretty uninspired, which is crazy because Ben Gibbard and Zooey Deschanel got divorced before this record was made. Doesn't heartbreak bleed creativity? Though I should also point out that guitarist Chris Walla left the band too. Sometimes when an integral guitarist (Red Hot Chili Peppers' John Frusciante is the best example I can think of off the top of my head) leaves, the band is never the same. That being said, I still think "Ingenue" is a classic Death Cab song. Hope you agree.

Vancouver Skylines

I was able to spend a couple days in Vancouver recently, and I couldn't recommend it enough. It's bike friendly, the people were nice, and the city was accommodating and beautiful.

Snoop's "It Ain't No Fun" was remade into a love song???

Snoop Dogg's track "It Ain't No Fun" from his first album back in '93 is most definitely not a love song. It was pretty much the exact opposite. Although the production is catchy as hell and Nate Dogg provides the ever reliable hook, the message of the song is about what you'd expect from an album called Doggystyle.

So I was quite amazed when I heard the track "Number One" by Tuxedo, the funk/disco duo fronted by crooner Mayer Hawthorne, who just released their self-titled debut album. I don't know whether these guys have a sense of humor by turning Snoop's song into a sentimental love song whose title rhymes with the original, but either way, it's an interesting take for a cover and an even better song!

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 2

Monday is here, sorry about that. But it's not all bad, you have a little mix to get your morning started or daze off to at the end of the day.

I started adding a few tracks that I've been digging recently, and I realized a theme was coming together with these songs: they are all very ethereal and chill in their own way and sound. Each genre of music in this mix, whether it's rock (The Bright Light Social Hour), electro-pop (Miami Horror), pop (Soko and U.S. Girls), rap (Action Bronson feat Wiz Khalifa), or a singer/songwriter (Alice Boman), has ways of providing laid back versions of themselves. I love making chill mixes (which I'm surprised I haven't posted yet, but this is a swift kick in the ass to get that posted) because I feel like I can get so much work done with a mellow vibe rolling in the background. Hope you enjoy!

By the way, if you're a fan of My Morning Jacket (new album release date May 5, 2015!) and you like the track "Dreamlove" on this mix, you HAVE to check out The Bright Light Social Hour's album. It kicks ass.