SINGER JO LAWRY RELEASES HER LATEST CD, TAKING PICTURES

Singer/Backup Vocalist Jo Lawry has released her latest CD,Taking Pictures. She was a little busy with a Sting tour and participating in the Oscar winning music documentary 20 Feet From Stardom. But the wait is over! After the delays, it has finally been released worldwide on March 30. Sting joins her on the song, Impossible. In her own words, "I couldn't be happier to finally be sharing this music with the world." Available on Amazon and iTunes.

YOU'LL HAVE A ROARING GOOD TIME AT FOR THE RECORD: BAZ LUHRMANN

Last Friday, I had the good fortune of seeing For The Record: Baz Luhrmann 2.0! Rockwell on Vermont has been remodeled into one large cohesive restaurant/bar/nightclub. While dining on fine food and drinks, you relive the classic movie soundtracks of Australian director Baz Luhrmann. What I like most about this revamped musical is how the different movies are intertwined by theme: LOVE! They are Strictly Ballroom, Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge, and recently The Great Gatsby. The scenes are acted out in between the musical numbers by a group of wonderful talent. These ladies and gentlemen have extensive resumes Broadway-worthy! A new addition to the FTR family caught my eye. First it was the long red hair, then the voice and acting. Then I thought she looked like Rumer Willis. After checking the credits, turns out it WAS her! Kudos to everyone involved!! Please check out fortherecordlive.com for details on upcoming shows. If you miss this one, there are plenty of other director shows to check out! http://fortherecordlive.com/ UPDATE: The Baz Luhrmann show has been extended! Check their website for details.

AUSTENTATIOUSLY FUNNY AUSTENLAND OPENS IN LA AND NY TODAY!!!

The austentatiously funny Austenland comes out today in limited release. If you are in or near LA or NYC, please make the effort to see this movie. It is a play on the Austen movies which have been on television primarily, here on PBS or in the UK. Austenland stars Keri Russell as Jane Hayes, a woman utterly obsessed with the 1995 production of Pride & Prejudice. (It starred Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy.) Jane spends her savings to attend a castle resort right out of a production of P&P. Jennifer Coolidge is the hysterically funny scene stealer, Miss Elizabeth Charming. The cast of "actors" within the setting are: JJ Feild as Mr. Knobley, Bret McKenzie as Martin, Georgia King as Lady Amelia Heartwright, and the irrespresible Jane Seymour as the mistress of ceremony, Mrs. Wattlesbrook. Amelia seems to hop a bit in the movie which the Austen-ites will understand. It is refreshing to see Jane Seymour poke fun at her past period piece productions. And she does it with such ease. I sincerely hope this movie gets a wide release because it is this year's Moonrise Kingdom, IMHO. A second viewing is in order! Enjoy with some tea and crumpets;}

THE WOLVERINE SLASHES THE COMPETITION AND IS #1 AT THE BOX OFFICE

THE WOLVERINE was #1 in domestic box office coming in at...

THE POLICE'S ANDY SUMMERS' DEBUTS NEW BAND CIRCA ZERO AT THE EL REY

Last Thursday, not only did I win tickets to see CIRCA ZERO, I met Andy Summers!!!

THE POLICE EXPERIENCE IS AN EXPERIENCE I WILL REMEMBER

Last Monday night, AXS TV continued with THE POLICE EXPERIENCE.  tbc

HOLLYWOOD U2 HAS SO MUCH TO BE DESIRE-D AT THE ROXY!

Hollywood U2 Show at The Roxy June 2013

Earlier this month, I saw the fantastic U2 tribute band HOLLYWOOD U2.  As you may or may not know, The Police, U2 and The Who are my top favorite bands.  So, I have a critical eye when it comes to these men.  Well, I was gobsmacked by how close to U2 they really are!  They played longer than any other tribute night... a full hour and 20 minutes.  If they kept on going, I wouldn't have minded!

Joe Heir is lead singer/guitarist (Hollywood) Bono.  He's got the moves down, the vocals, hair and clothes.  Even Bono's charm.  For example, he pulled up a young woman from the audience to dance with her.  Classic Bono!  (Side note: Joe reminds me of John Corbett who reminds me of Bono.  All are handsome.)

CJ. Macchia is lead guitarist/keys (Hollywood) Edge.  When he first struck his guitar, I had to pick my jaw up off the floor!  CJ is crazy good!  Seeing him up close took me back to when I saw U2 for the first
time.  Too bad U2 perform in such large venues.  But lucky for us locals, Hollywood U2 are based out of well, Hollywood/LA.  Now now, don't fret... Hollywood U2 perform all over the world.  What a life they have! Check out their resume at www.hollywoodU2.com and on Facebook.

Steve Judd as (Hollywood) Larry and Mikhail Davies (Hollywood ) Adam round out the rhythm section and do resemble the men.  Just like the originals, Larry and Adam play their instruments very well.  However,
I couldn't quite figure out Adam's shirt.  Guess real Adam did that back in the day?  I do remember, it was Larry Mullen Jr. who was looking to start a band that finally transformed into U2. 

Seeing this tribute band live is a drug that I've missed out on!  The band have been together for 10 years!!  Where have I been?  My friend Deborah saw them a few years back and raved about their performance.  Guess I was nervous to see how they would compare to U2.  Well, nerves be gone.  I am hooked! 

Hollywood U2 can be, dare I say... Even better than the real thing!  They are up for any challenging song.  Bullet The Blue Sky was just electric!!  The audience went nuts!!!  A nice surprise was to hear B-side single, The Sweetest Thing. Great news is Hollywood U2 are LA based so seeing them more is possible.  (Last time I saw U2 was 2 years ago which feels like ages.)

Thank you AXS TV for putting on this tribute band festival.  Now, on to Season 2 where I plan to catch more tribute bands including The Police.  Word on the street is they have Stewart Copeland's blessing.
This outta to be good...

Setlist:
Even Better Than The Real Thing
Desire
Until The End Of The World
Bullet The Blue Sky
New Year's Day
One
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Vertigo
Beautiful Day
The Sweetest Thing
With Or Without You
Pride
Elevation
All I Want Is You
Where The Streets Have No Name