Books - Movies

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Book Review: The Wonder of Koh Samui

(Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and Ang Thong Marine National Park)
by Lang Reid

This photo-book comes from Mark Standen Publishing and was initially published two years ago. In the ranks of travel publications, this actually makes it a fairly current one, as many of these types of travelogues seem to have a shelf life which exceeds the life of some of the attractions that are featured in these books. Caveat emptor, as usual!
This one, The Wonder of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and Ang Thong Marine National Park (ISBN 974-253-0068) is one of the “Wonders Of” series, with publisher and chief photographer Mark Standen doing the majority of the contribution.

While photographer Standen has brought home some spectacular images (though it is sometimes hard not to, in exotic locations such as these), the book, from my point of view, is bolstered by the words from John Hoskin, one of the more erudite writers in Thailand. I always find that there is something new that he has managed to bring to the reader’s attention, no matter how well you thought you knew the subject, even including “X” rated rock formations (which get its own photo as well).

Hoskin notes the history of travel to the islands and how the increasing access has changed the whole concept of the islands and the inhabitants. Koh Samui was originally largely a coconut plantation (in fact the largest plantation in the world, it is claimed), and this has not been forgotten by Standen or Hoskin, with some photographs that immediately bring to mind the smoky atmosphere of the burning husks. Unfortunately, tourism has its drawbacks, and if you are looking for unspoiled natural beauty, this is becoming more rare as the tourist numbers increase.

Publication of the book was done with sponsorship from some commercial interests on the islands, as well as through the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The adverts are placed in the last dozen or so pages at the back of the book, and do not jar, as was the case with a book reviewed recently that had adverts seemingly every second or third page. The editorial content has also not been compromised by the advertisers.

The review copy came from Bookazine and had an RRP of B.395. From the point of view of a record of one’s trip to such places, this book, The Wonder of Koh Samui (etc, etc, etc) is worthwhile, but for me, its value is more in educating the folks overseas as to the wonders of life in Thailand. It was good to see that Koh Phangan was presented as the beautiful tropical island that it is, rather than just the site of doubtful monthly parties for the youthful ‘fringe’. This book would make a good Xmas present, small enough to be cheap to post, and spectacular enough to be interesting to people overseas. I liked the photographs, and I enjoyed the accompanying text. The title is probably a trifle too grand, as the other islands are not explored to the same extent as Koh Samui, but it is still a good book.

Movie Review: Freaky Friday

By Poppy
The story line is a well used theme but this movie like the others of its kind is easy and fun to watch, even possibly the best of them.
Psychiatrist Tess Coleman (Jamie Lee Curtis) may be able to write inspirational books and give the correct advice to her patients, but she can’t seem to get through to her smart, musically talented (she’s a guitar player), and moody teenage daughter, Annabelle (Lindsay Lohan) who constantly repeats those well known words, “Why do you always want to ruin my life and make me miserable?”

Tess is getting married to Ryan (Mark Harmon), a very nice man, but Annabelle is still mourning the death of her father and resents her mother’s impending marriage so tries to be as obstructive as possible. This comes to a head in a Chinese restaurant when Annabelle wants to play with her garage band in an important tryout rather than assist her mother. An old woman in the restaurant gives them some fortune cookies that cast a spell, and the next morning Tess wakes up to find herself in Annabelle’s body and Annabelle finds herself in her mother’s body.

It’s hilarious because Jamie and Lindsay are such good actors; for example when Annabelle has to appear on a television talk show to promote her mother’s newest book, which she hasn’t even read, or when Tess has to play a guitar in Annabell’s rock band.

Directed by Mark S. Waters
Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis ... Tess Coleman
Lindsay Lohan ... Annabell Coleman
Mark Harmon ... Ryan
Harold Gould (I) ... Grandpa
Chad Murray ... Jake (as Chad Michael Murray)
Stephen Tobolowsky ... Mr. Bates
Christina Vidal ... Maddie
Ryan Malgarini ... Harry Coleman
Haley Hudson ... Peg
Rosalind Chao ... Pei-Pei
Lucille Soong ... Pei-Pei’s Mom
Willie Garson ... Evan
Dina Spybey ... Dottie Robertson (as Dina Waters)
Julie Gonzalo ... Stacey Hinkhouse
Christina Marie Walter ... Same Shirt Girl

Mott’s CD review: Chicago Transit Authority

by Mott the Dog
re-mastered By Ella Crew

5 Stars *****
Chicago (they were only called ‘Chicago Transit Authority’ for this, their debut album, before dropping the Transit Authority bit to be the more manageable ‘Chicago’. I mean imagine putting all that on the back of your T-shirt! It would go from paw to paw) are probably the only band in history to start out with a classic ground breaking debut album and then never reaching that peak again, but slowly spiraling their way down on the helter skelter of rock ‘n’ roll. Certainly in terms of creativity if not commercial success.

In the mid-seventies Chicago was one of the most successful bands in the world. By the time of their last album, cleverly titled “Chicago 26” after yes, you guessed it, “Chicago 2”,”Chicago 3", “Chicago 4”, etc., they had sold over 120,000,000 albums worldwide with nineteen gold albums, thirteen of which went platinum in America alone. “Chicago 5” was top of the Billboard Charts for nine weeks. Twenty top ten singles and five number ones. Not bad for a band that was slowly going down the drain! Today the band is still going with four of the original seven still in their ranks. (They could have been five, but stunning guitarist Terry Kath was tragically killed in a shooting accident at a party.)

But when this album came out in 1969, incredibly it was a double album, unheard of in those days for a debut album. Most established bands found it difficult to fill up both sides of a single vinyl record without adding some filler to take up the slack in the required forty minutes. Seems remarkable in these days of seventy-two minute CDs.

The Chicago Transit Authority was the top ticket. Groundbreaking in every aspect, they had a conventional four-piece line-up with bass, drums, keyboards and lead guitar; the vocals shared between the three that weren’t drumming. However, they also had three other full time members of the road and studio band playing a combination of trombone, trumpet, and woodwind instruments. That gave them a unique sound combining jazz/pop/rock/funk/soul with glorious musical skills.

Before they had even signed a recording contract they had been invited out on the road with both Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. Jimi Hendrix famously being quoted as saying that Terry Kath was the best guitarist in the world. One listen to this album and you have to admit that Jimi might not have been wrong.

The music kicks off with the aptly titled “Introduction” singing of how they are looking forward to playing for you. In the space of its six and a half minutes each section of the band gets space to stretch their musical abilities, especially mid-song when they slip away into a Samba direction reminiscent of today’s Santana sound. A stunning start.

This is quickly followed by the first single from the album. Although the single was not a hit until after their breakthrough single the following year, the hard driving “25 or 6 to 4'’ from “Chicago 2”, “Does Anybody Know What Time It Is” with it’s simple piano refrain and driving brass backing is music to tap your feet to.

“Beginnings” is easily good enough to have been the opener. It is similar in vain to “Introduction’’, but slightly more laid back with a nice groove that has you swaying along. “Questions 67 and 68” is the second single taken from the album with soaring vocals and fluid runs from Terry Kath, instantly laying the template for the ‘Chicago’ sound. “Listen” is a nice little number for the rhythm and horn sections to show off their wears.

The next three workouts belong primarily to the guitar playing skills of Terry Kath. This boy could shred the wallpaper off your walls at one hundred yards. “Poem 58” slowly grinds its way up to a shattering climax that leaves you wanting more, so Terry Kath delivers a solo - “Free Form Guitar”, all six and a half minutes of it. What it says is what you get performed on a Fender Stratocaster guitar through a Showman amplifier equipped with a twin 15 bottom utilizing a Bogan PA amplifier as a pre-amp. No electronic gimmicks or effects were used in the recording of this section. The intent being to capture as faithfully as possible Kath’s solo spot from their live show as it sounded on stage.

“South California Purples” starts off with a classic rock guitar riff allowing all the band members to come in on its back before breaking into snatches of Beatles lyrics and chords, almost like sampling from the present day. Then we get “I’m a Man”, a cover of the Spencer Davis classic written by Steve Winwood. Chicago turns it into their own including a short sharp sweet drum solo from Danny Seraphine. “Prologue” is an actual recording of a Democratic Convention in Chicago, 29 August 1968, with militants exhorting demonstrators with ‘’God Give Us The Blood To Keep Going”. Then when the march begins and the police attempt to disperse the marchers, they chant “The Whole World Is Watching”, a dramatic beginning to “Someday”, Chicago’s song in support of these demonstrators.

The last song, “Liberation”, is the crowning jewel in Chicago’s locker. A fast paced dance track that is driven along by pounding bass and drums with all the soloists given space during its fourteen and a half minute stretch. If “Chicago’’ never sounded so good again over the next thirty three years, it’s no wonder. This album was simply impossible to follow.

Musicians

Robert Lamm - Keyboards and Vocals; still with the band
Terry Kath - Guitar and Vocals; left us in 1978
Peter Cetera - Bass and Vocals; retired
Daniel Seraphine - Drums; retired
Walter Parazaider - Woodwind Instruments; still blowing with the band
Lee Loughane - Trumpet; still blowing with the band
James Pankow - Trombone; still blowing with the band

Songs

Introduction, Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? Beginnings, Questions 67 and 68, Listen, Poem 58, Free Form Guitar, South California Purples, I’m A Man, Prologue, Someday, Liberation

To contact Mott the Dog email: [email protected]