THE MORNING BRIEF, Vol. IV, #35 (August 27, 2001) --- Shines on each of us.

CONTENTS

Ding Dong
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The Economy
Get Out of My Head
And Another Thing
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Condit Speaks (Sort of)
TV Masterworks
Once in a Lifetime
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Behind the Dufus
Great Moments in Lyrical History
TOONAGE: Radiohead @ The Hollywood Bowl
Bubbling Up
TOONAGE: Rev. Horton Heat @ Santa Monica Pier
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SIX DISK CHANGER
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Famous Last Words
TOON OF THE WEEK
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UPCOMING CONCERTS
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CONTRIBUTIONS

DING DONG >>> Ring them bells! North Carolina Senator Jessie Helms, one of the true dinosaurs of the modern age, finally ended his 30 year reign of terror on the people of America by announcing his retirement. Woo-hoo!!! The only thing more pathetic than this man's stands on freedom and equality (against them) was that the people of North Carolina continued to choose him again and again despite his appalling beliefs. The post-millenium equivalent of the freeing of Mandela. Let's hope it's the beginning of the post-Helmsian era of liberation and tolerance. Less power for more like him.

THE ECONOMY >>> The economy relies on inventiveness. People being clever, productive, creative. Do you have a cool idea? What are you waiting for? Do it. Make it so. Let's be our own Gods; take power from the demagogues. And spread it like chocolate frosting upon the cupcakes of the world.

GET OUT OF MY HEAD >>> It creeps me out when web sites like Amazon try to figure out what I like from my prior clicks and purchases. They're trying to get into my head, and that's not where I want them. I like my media to lie cold and lifeless on the shelf until I pick it up, play it, give it life. I am my own media puppetmaster. Don't try to figure me out.

AND ANOTHER THING >>> If it's not really "urgent" that I open something right away, even if you are my phone company, don't try to scare me into doing it with some official looking stamp on the outside of your direct mailer. Makes me think you're either fascist, or desperate, or both. Got that, Verizon?

CONDIT SPEAKS (SORT OF) >>> Innocent people don't obscure the obvious. He's either guilty as hell, or chatting with Connie was a big mistake. Either way, he blew it. Like "Checkers" gone bad.

TV MASTERWORKS >>> Gilligan's Island: The Mind-Reading Seeds.

Gilligan finds a plant that produces seeds which, when eaten, allow the eater to read others' minds. The Professor senses a scientific breakthrough. Thurston smells millions. Everyone wants some, and when they get them, they find it's not so much fun to know what everyone else is thinking. Even if you're on a desert island and there isn't a heckuva lot else to do.

A moving testimony to the power of things unsaid.

ONCE IN A LIFETIME >>> Although I've not yet gone, it seems that there's really no missing the duo of Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick in "The Producers." Once in a long while there's a show, and a cast for the ages. And the heavens have proclaimed that this one is it. Yes, the musical is dead. But not this one. You're gonna need to get it together on this one, folks. The show will not be the same with Tony Randall and Neal Patrick Harris (T.V.'s Doogie Howser).

BEHIND THE DUFUS: Michael Jackson >>> His incredible dance moves, sweet falsetto, and ever-changing skin made Michael Jackson the stuff of legend. A King of Pop in his own Never Never Land.

But too many toys, too young boys, and uncountable injections of bleach and estrogen followed up by the unfortunate use of the "K" word made MJ a prisoner in his own Statutory Kingdom. His story is next on: Behind the Dufus.

Michael Jackson was born a poor black child. He will not die one. After selling over 100 million records and several billion dollars in concert tickets, Michael can afford to have the entire universe carpeted. Diving headlong into the adage that the place to start changing the world is by changing yourself, Michael has reinvented his own biology, at times on a daily basis. The young Indianan evolved from an Afro-American youth and adolescent to a mulatto twentysomething, a caucasian thirtysomething and a fortysomething albino. Whether he'll have the pigment left to get through his 50s is anyone's guess.

Michael's hits include "Ben," "Thriller," and "Got Me Working Day and Night." There's also "Rock with You," "Billie Jean," "Off the Wall," "Beat It," "Bad" and a couple dozen more. Some think if he'd just kept to making music and clothes with buckles he would never have become pop music's version of The Elephant Man. But some prefer to suffer for their art.

We've suffered through oxygen tents, pet monkeys, hair flambe, his marriage to The King's daughter, weird press conferences, and countless nose jobs while waiting for him to moonwalk again. Maybe he'll do it in New York next month. Michael's upcoming concerts at the Garden (9/7, 9/10) will cost ticket buyers $2500. Brother Jermaine was offered $500 to perform. He said no at first, but now he's back on board. Evidently Tito will be there, too.

Michael will likely make more than $500 for his efforts. The box office could be $75 million for two nights. There's also a television special planned. So even people without $2500 can see the circus.

From singer to freak show. Dancer to youth romancer. Black to white then back again. Michael Jackon has been making more money, music, and illicit love than most emperor-type kings. Soon he'll be dancing and singing his way back into the hearts of a new generation. Maybe we should be the ones wearing the gloves.

GREAT MOMENTS IN LYRICAL HISTORY >>> Janet Jackson expanding the pop lexicon by one:

"He's got a nice package, ah-ite, guess I'm gonna have to ride tonight."

-- "All for You." Ah-ite?!! (difficult to say without moving your shoulders)

RADIOHEAD @ The Hollywood Bowl >>> Sounds promising, doesn't it? Well, this show MAJORLY KICKED ASS!!! Thom Yorke and the Band ROCKED. The music is melodic, rich, complex. The material is deep enough to support a two-plus hour show with no filler. And Mr. Yorke's voice is in top form. A great band, in its prime, lighting up the Bowl. Brilliant.

TOTAL SCOREAGE >>> Radiohead sidebar: Rikksta bags the tickets on Monday...SIXTH ROW, DUDE!!!

Parking was a cinch. Pre-concert warning that you could not park without a pre-paid pass was not real. Beta Band, who were two hours late for their gig at El Rey last year, went on before the 7:30 ticket time. Nic Harcourt said it would be so Monday morning on MBE (89.9 fm). Transcendental.

BUBBLING UP >>> The Wise Guys, "Start the Commotion." That song from the Mitsubishi commercial. Also the video for Ben Stiller's "Zoolander." It's like "Dazz" crossed with Fatboy Slim. Cool. Coming. Cow.

TOONAGE: Reverend Horton Heat @ Santa Monica Pier >>> On the one hand, genuine, rockabilly surf punk swing can get kind of repetitive. On the other hand, it can sometimes be repetitive.

Luckily Horton Heat has a few tricks up his sleeve, including a handful of memorable songs (he could use more), and a great drummer to go with an amicable stage presence. Another crowd-pleasing night at the Pier.

Next week: Ozomatli in the summer finale.

@ @ @

SIX DISK CHANGER >>> One week left to wear white.

1. Disco Kandi Vol. 3, Disk 1
2. Yoshiesque II, "Eastcoast"
3. Turin Brakes, "Optimist"
4. Zero 7, "Simple Things"
5. Crystal Method, "Tweekend"
6. Elvis Costello, "Spike" (re-released)

7. Tweaker, "Linoleum EP"

@ @ @

FAMOUS LAST WORDS >>> Francis Ford Coppola's response to Actors' Butt-Smooch James Lipton's somber query: "What is your favorite word?"

COPPOLA: Hope.

TOON OF THE WEEK >>> It's a short clip from Single Gun Theory: "Closest To My Heart." Thirty seconds. Hopeful. Haunting. Out of print. :)

E-mailed as an MP3 upon request.

@ @ @

Amazing changes going on throughout this entire millenium. Always adjusting the speed at which we live. Or adjusting to the speed of things around us. When the world slows down, as it has this last year, the intensity of each moment increases. The spot light. We respond to pressure in each our own ways. Some rise to the occasion. Some fall apart. Others duck. What will you do when the spot light shines on you?

Luminously,
David.
_____________

Don't aim. Just throw.

_____________

The Morning Brief can be read every wwweek @ www.smmirror.com -- in the Web Stuff section.

You can also find prior Briefs at www.morningbrief.net if you've got the time. Or load it up from www.avantgo.com and get your Briefs to go.

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DISCLAIMAGE >>> Please feel free to forward The Morning Brief to whomever you like. If you do, in part or in segments, or if you'd like to re-publish, please copy me or just let me know. Thanks for reading!

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Notable shows in and around Southern California.
Highly recommended shows this color.
Red alert; must see!

8.30.01 - Ozomatli @ Santa Monica Pier
8.30.01 - Folk Implosion @ Universal City Walk
8.30.01 - American Analog Set @ Spaceland
8.31.01 - Cheb I Sabbah @ Sugar
9.01.01 - Long Beach Blues Festival (Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Koko Taylor, Jimmie Vaughan)
9.01.01 - Nocturnal Wonderland (Rabbit in the Moon, DJ Tiesto, more) @ TBD
9.01.01 - Harry Dean Stanton @ The Mint
9.02.01 - Long Beach Blues Festival (Bobby "Blue" Bland, Little Milton, Shuggie Otis)
9.02.01 - LTJ Bukem @ El Rey Theatre
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9.04.01 - The Abyssinians, Andrew Tosh @ El Rey Theatre
9.04.01 - Pete Yorn @ The Viper Room
9.05.01 - Grant Lee Philips @ The Troubadour
9.05.01 - Pete Yorn @ El Rey Theatre
9.05.01 - Belle and Sebastian @ Wiltern Theatre
9.06.01 - Belle and Sebastian @ Wiltern Theatre
9.07.01 - King Sunny Ade @ House of Blues
9.07.01 - Gillian Welch & David Rawlings @ El Rey Theatre
9.07.01 - Latin Alternative Festival @ Universal Amphitheatre
9.08.01 - Taj Mahal & Funky Meters @ House of Blues
9.08.01 - Laurie Anderson @ El Rey Theatre
9.08.01 - Richard Buckner @ Cafe Largo
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9.09.01 - Laurie Anderson @ El Rey Theatre
9.12.01 - Nortec Collective @ El Rey Theatre
9.12.01 - Cake @ Mayan Theatre
9.13.01 - Third World @ House of Blues
9.14.01 - The Donnas @ The Palace
9.14.01 - DJ Krush @ Fais Do Do
9.14.01 - Cheryl Wheeler @ McCabe's Guitar Shop
9.14.01 - Melissa Etheridge (solo) @ Long Beach Terrace Theater
9.15.01 - K.D. Lang @ The Greek Theatre
9.15.01 - Melissa Etheridge (solo) @ Long Beach Terrace Theater
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9.16.01 - Crosby, Stills and Nash @ Greek Theatre
9.16.01 - Melissa Etheridge (solo) @ Long Beach Terrace Theater
9.18.01 - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds @ Wiltern Theatre
9.19.01 - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds @ Wiltern Theatre
9.20.01 - Sade w/India Arie @ Arrowhead Pond
9.21.01 - P.J. Harvey @ Hollywood Palladium
9.22.01 - They Might Be Giants @ Wiltern Theatre
9.22.01 - Skatallites @ House of Blues
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9.23.01 - X @ El Rey Theatre
9.25.01 - Brassy @ The Troubadour
9.25.01 - Cachiata (Buena Vista Social Club) @ Knitting Factory Hollywood
9.26.01 - Cachiata (Buena Vista Social Club) @ Knitting Factory Hollywood
9.27.01 - Southern Culture on the Skids @ The Troubadour
9.27.01 - Rebirth Brass Band @ Knitting Factory Hollywood
9.29.01 - Turin Brakes @ The Troubadour
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9.30.01 - Ivy @ The Troubadour
10.02.01 - Janet Jackson @ Staples Center
10.05.01 - Sigur Ros @ Wilshire Theatre
10.06.01 - Mercedes Sosa @ The Greek Theatre
10.06.01 - James Taylor @ Hollywood Bowl
10.06.01 - Sigur Ros @ Wilshire Theatre
10.09.01 - Midnight Oil @ House of Blues
10.10.01 - Midnight Oil @ House of Blues
10.11.01 - Cesaria Evora @ Wiltern Theatre
10.11.01 - The Apples in Stereo @ The Troubadour
10.12.01 - Etta James @ House of Blues
10.13.01 - Lloyd's Blues Music Fest (BB. King, Buddy Guy, John Hiatt) @ Universal Amphitheatre
10.15.01 - Ben Folds @ El Rey Theatre
10.19.01 - All Tomorrow's Parties (Sonic Youth, Stereolab, Melvins, Cat Power) @ UCLA
10.20.01 - St. Germain @ Hollywood Palladium
10.22.01 - Bjork @ Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
10.22.01 - Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros @ The Troubadour
10.23.01 - Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros @ The Troubadour
10.23.01 - Travis w/Remy Zero @ Universal Amphitheatre
10.25.01 - Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros @ The Troubadour
10.26.01 - Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros @ The Troubadour

TOM TOM CLUB ON THE ROAD

9.15.01 - Amagansett, N.Y. - Stephen Talkhouse
9.18.01 - New Haven, CT. - Toad's Place
9.20.01 - NYC- Roxy w/ Toots and The Maytals
9.21.01 - Providence, RI - Met Cafe
9.22.01 - Great Barrington, MA - Club Helsinki
9.25.01 - Ashville, NC - Stella Blue
9.26.01 - Athens, GA - Georgia Theater
9.28.01 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room
9.29.01 - St. Petersburg, FL - State Theater
9.30.01 - Orlando, FL - Sapphire Club
10.01.01 - Atlanta, GA - Cotton Club
10.04.01 - Baltimore, MD - Fletcher's
10.05.01 - Pittsburgh, PA - Benefit for The Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Haiti

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HAVE YOU ever reconsidered? HAVE YOU done something on the spur of a moment? HAVE YOU eaten anything extra yummy? HAVE YOU found a haven? HAVE YOU considered moving to a new climate? HAVE YOU got an axe to grind? HAVE YOU taken a deep breath lately?

RE: REBATE >>> Wanted to respond to the tax break $300 satire...

1. I don't support the rebate, fully aware that Bush intends to reward the wealthiest in the country with his tax policies.

2. Nevertheless, as a broke-ass pre-school teacher, I will get less than $300 back and that amount will reflect 1/3 of a months take-home pay for me! (I only work 60% so i can do things with activist groups in my community)

3. People who do not really need the money can always donate to a charitable organization or struggling family in their community...

Peace!

-- Uba in santa cruz, calif.

RE: COOL LINKS >>> Don't be disturbed by the messages you see, this is joke site all in good fun [the link was forwarded to me by a very trustworthy source], everything you see is happening in flash [not really to your computer].

http://128.241.244.96/portal/uploads/27000/27549_winrg.swf

-- forwarded by David Walske.

RE: OUR KELLY'S IN A PLAY! >>> "The Cover of Life" is a comic drama written by R.T. Robinson. It's 1943, and three brothers enlisted in three branches of the military, to serve their country at war. Their wives all go live with the boys' mamma in Sterlington, Louisiana. Life Magazine gets wind of the situation and sends a reporter from New York City to do a cover piece. I play one of the wives.

The shows are mainly matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. There is one evening show on Sunday, Sept. 9th. Dates and times are listed below:

Sept. 1, 2, 8, 9 & 15 - 2 p.m.
Sept. 9 - 7 p.m.

Conejo Players Theatre
351 South Moorpark Road
Thousand Oaks, CA

Tickets available at the door: $8.00 or call the box office to purchase with a CC (MC/VISA): 805-495-3715

Hope to see you there!

-- Kelly Dwyer.

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