Usually I attempt to write a cute little blurb and try to make it thematic or otherwise interesting as a tie-in, introduction, and tool to try and get you to keep on reading down below.
But do I really need to do that? Don't these pieces speak far louder than the words I'm typing right now as my rather large cranium lolls dangerously backward upon the ridge of my wooden chair?
I think they do. Read on, please, and find out for yourself.
Music
Music Editor Connie Phillips chose:
DVD/CD Review: Four Tet - Everything Ecstatic (Films & Part 2) by Stephen V Funk
Stephen pulls no punches and tells it like it is, with a voice that is his uniquely. Complete and detailed it's a comprehensive look at both the CD and the DVD.
Blogcritics.org Executive Producer Eric Berlin chose:
February's Featured Artist of the Month β Gretchen Lieberum by Connie Phillips
It's the start to a brand new monthly feature at the old Blogcritics.org and, as Connie tells us, "Gretchen Lieberum is breaking ground all over the jazz and soul communities with her innovative mix of old jazz and all things popular." Sounds good to me.
Books
Blogcritics.org Executive Producer Eric Berlin chose:
Book Review: Stephen King's Cell by Nik Dirga
Well, I was attracted to this one, being a big King guy. Nik calls King as he sees him here β churning out his best non-Dark Tower work of the decade in a tight, no bloat package β and his rationale is hard to fuss with. It's hard to come away from the review not haunted and fascinated by The Pulse!
TV/Film Editor Joan Hunt chose:
Oprah Rips James Frey a New One by Don Baiocchi
TV/Film
TV/Film Editor Joan Hunt chose:
DVD Review: Return of the Pink Panther by Bill Wallo
DVD Review: Other Voices, Other Rooms by gypsyman
UPN + The WB = The CW by Sterfish
Jim Gaffigan - Beyond the Pale by Lyz Baranowski
DVD Review: My Dinner With Andre by Brandon Valentine
Article comments
1 - Elvira Black
I had wanted to list Here's Gawking at You, Kid by Jumper Bailey also since I got picked last week. I thought you posted this Friday (tomorrow) so hope it's not too late to note. Thanks!
2 - gypsyman
Really I swear I don't pay them to pick me, see it's different people this week...Thank you Joan and Diana, ego boosts are never unwelcome, and coming from the editors who have to read my writing in the raw, these are truely compliments.
gypsyman
3 - Connie Phillips
Wow. . . Thanks for the nod, Eric.
4 - Dave Nalle
Hmmm. Where did my politics picks go?
Dave
5 - Eric Berlin
They were sent in two days late dude after I reminded you!
They're published now.
6 - Eric Berlin
Thanks for the pick, Lisa !
And congrats to all pickees !!
7 - Dave Nalle
Sorry for being so slow, Eric. I'll try to be more on the ball next time.
Dave
8 - Victor Lana
Thank you, Suss, for choosing my post. I appreciate being recognized and getting the metaphorical trophy too.
9 - Matt Largo
Lisa,
Thanks again for the pick.
-Matt L.
10 - Lyz
Thank you Dave Nalle and Joan Hunt. Ya'll are the coolest.
11 - Dave Nalle
My pleasure, Lyz.
Dave
12 - Sterfish
I almost couldn't believe I got picked for an Editor's Pick again. Thanks Joan! :)
And there are some excellent choices for the rest of the picks.
13 - Nik
Cool, man, thanks for the nod! For a nomination for myself, I was really impressed with Robert Lashley's review of John Updike's "Rabbit at Rest" that I read earlier this week -
Great stuff!
14 - A.L. Harper
Eric -
For my nomination I would like to choose Brokeback Mountain Blues
A review of Brokeback Mountain that shows one man's struggle with the conflict between his Chrisianity and his Homosexuality.
More of a raw and tragic snapshot of his own self image than a movie review.
15 - Chelsea Snyder
Well, after giving some time and consideration to the grave yet giddy task at hand, I'm going to have to praise and adore Sniff...Our Little Internet Is Growing Up by Murphy Horner. Nice little piece about the profound growth of BC and that irritating quality editors have. Until you begin dating your editor. Then they get more annoying by tenfold...
At any rate, a great heartfelt post, fun for the whole family says Ebert and Roper...
16 - Elvira Black
Connie Phillips:
Could you e-mail me? I had some questions about doing some music reviews.
Many thanks!
17 - gypsyman
I would like to put forward John Spivey's wonderful first installment of "On Writers and Self-Publishing" for my pick Feb.1-Feb.7. Unlike my comment which wandered all over the place, he captures the problems faced by new (and establishe authors) in trying to get their work out to the public.
Self publishing usually involves the choice of stopping writing and becoming a full time marketer, or don't market and nobody reads your book. Well written and nicely presented without the whining I usally include with such statements.
gypsyman
18 - Brandon Valentine
What an honor! As Foreigner sings, "It feels like the first time." Oh wait...it is the first time. Many thanks for giving me the opportunity to say that I am no longer an "Editors' picks" virgin.
19 - Don Baiocchi
Thanks, Joan! That's so cool. I'm honored.
20 - Stephen V Funk
Damn, I forgot to submit a nomination for picks of the week for Feb 1-7... sorry!
well, I was going to go with Timothy Jarrett's review of the new Hilliard Ensemble CD [Gombert: Missa Media vita in morte sumus]