"I went to a place to eat. It said 'breakfast at any time.' So I ordered french toast during the Renaissance". --Steven Wright ... If you are a devotee of time travel, check out this song...

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Treme 2.6: "Phil Ochs Said"

The depth of the musical acumen in Treme - in history as well as performance - continues to amaze and delight.  Davis is saying why he wants Lil Calliope (Altonio Jackson) as front man in his political music band.  "Phil Ochs said 'If there’s any hope for a revolution in America, it lies in getting Elvis Presley to become Che Guevara,'" Davis explains.  "Who's Phil Ochs?" Annie asks - a question that most people, including musicians, might well have, if they were anywhere near Annie's age.

But the people who make Treme know who Phil Ochs was - maybe were reminded by the superb There But Fortune documentary released early this year - and get big points for bringing Ochs and his keen analysis into this part of the Treme story.

As I've been saying about every episode of Treme I review, the music is sheer tour-de-force.  In addition to the Davis band, Treme 2.6 has a high-school band playing the Four Tops' "Reach Out, I'll Be There," The Soul Apostles doing "C. C.  Rider," John Hiatt performing "Feels Like Rain," Annie with Tom McDermott and Evan Christopher playing Scott Joplin, and much more.  Just about every scene blares forth with fine sound.  Treme has become required viewing and listening for any American music appreciation course.

Other good elements in last Sunday's story include Janette back in New Orleans to help her jailed sous-chef (I really like that guy), John Goodman making a brief return appearance as Creighton Bernette in Toni's dream, and Toni and Colson together in the Second Line (with Colson groovin'), and the colorful Original Pigeon Town Steppers struttin' their fabulous feathery stuff.

If there ever was a television show that feeds the soul, it would be Treme.

Here's a taste of one of my favorite Phil Ochs' songs ...   Love Me, I'm a Liberal

Review of There But for Fortune movie ...

See also Treme Is Back! ... Treme 2.2: Bounce and Jazz ... Treme 2.3: Crime and Music ... Treme 2.4: Angry Albert ... Treme 2.5: "Today I'm Gonna Write a Song"

And also Treme! ... Treme 1.2: "If you ain't been to heaven" ... Treme 1.3: Fine Sweet and Sour ... Treme 1.4: New Orleans, New York, Nashville ... Treme 1.5: Delicious! ... Treme 1.8: Passions and Dreams ... Treme 1.9: Creighton ... Treme Season One Finale: Happy Sad Life

And: My Favorite Moment in Treme (Season One)



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The Plot to Save Socrates

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