Plug: The latest Oxford American
The third installment of the Oxford American's "Best of" series is on newsstands now. You can pick it up at Wordsworth, the Cox Center and Barnes and Noble.
I haven't had a chance to read much of the issue, though from the few things I've thumbed through, Paul Reyes' ode to a cat shelter, a cat-house, in Memphis, particularly stood out. But I can wholeheartedly recommend the companion DVD, assembled by Times contributor Derek Jenkins. It's a mixture of skewed takes on famous Southerners (rehearsal footage from Elvis' comeback special; young Johnny Cash playing a villain in scene from a B-movie), weird, old slapstick (an amazing Betty Boop cartoon and an early scene from a terrifically trippy Mary Pickford movie), Southern indies (the scenes from Kentucker Audler's mumblecore-ish "Team Picture" are incredibly promising). Plus, there's unseen Big Star footage, compiled here for a music video for "Thank You Friends." Even the familiar material, the Renaud brothers' "Off to War" and "The Rough South of Larry Brown" works incredibly well in the context of this DVD mix.
Other plugs: NY Times "Paper Cuts" blog and USA Today's "Pop Candy."
I haven't had a chance to read much of the issue, though from the few things I've thumbed through, Paul Reyes' ode to a cat shelter, a cat-house, in Memphis, particularly stood out. But I can wholeheartedly recommend the companion DVD, assembled by Times contributor Derek Jenkins. It's a mixture of skewed takes on famous Southerners (rehearsal footage from Elvis' comeback special; young Johnny Cash playing a villain in scene from a B-movie), weird, old slapstick (an amazing Betty Boop cartoon and an early scene from a terrifically trippy Mary Pickford movie), Southern indies (the scenes from Kentucker Audler's mumblecore-ish "Team Picture" are incredibly promising). Plus, there's unseen Big Star footage, compiled here for a music video for "Thank You Friends." Even the familiar material, the Renaud brothers' "Off to War" and "The Rough South of Larry Brown" works incredibly well in the context of this DVD mix.
Other plugs: NY Times "Paper Cuts" blog and USA Today's "Pop Candy."
Comments
the DVD sounds promising, but that magazine cover is just more proof that the OA is run by a bunch of carpetbaggers. Boo.
Posted by: spinsouth![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/rockcandy/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 19, 2008 09:50 AM
The Big Star video is cool but considering the footage was shot by Chris Bell and Andy Hummel, it seems strange that it's set to a song recorded after they both left the band.
Posted by: AppleThief![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/rockcandy/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 19, 2008 02:28 PM
What is wrong with the cover? Having loved a southern girl who was quite handy with livestock, I see nothing offensive there.
Hey, maybe the cover could look like the latest issue of Soiree Magazine. Would that be better?
Posted by: Scottie![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/rockcandy/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 21, 2008 11:37 AM
scottie--
i just get tired of the yankees telling us how southern we are. barefoot females with dirty faces seem to be popular with smirnoff et al.
Posted by: spinsouth![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/rockcandy/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 21, 2008 02:28 PM
Tis a bit cute.
Posted by: Lew![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/rockcandy/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 21, 2008 04:04 PM
Hey, I understand where you are coming from. The most 'redneck' places I have ever been were New Jersey and Michigan. It was quite shocking actually.
Posted by: Scottie![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/rockcandy/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 21, 2008 06:34 PM
why in the world would they couple that footage with that song? the only thing i can figure is that it's some sort of tribute to hummel (not involved with the song or the album by then) and bell (RIP), which just makes it a lame exercise in projection and sappiness. good lord. and the "aptly titled #1 record" business? put out there like there's no room for argument. it's only apt because it was the first record. thank you, DJ and OA, for not doing justice to this footage at all.
Posted by: ettiem![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/rockcandy/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 23, 2008 11:59 AM