Tag Archives: movie

Led Zeppelin Takes Flight

Led Zeppelin Takes Flight: ‘Becoming Led Zeppelin’ in Theaters Now

I was lucky to win tickets to an advance screening of “Becoming Led Zeppelin” at the event center at 102.9 WMGK last week. Hosted by Tony Harris, it was the first event that the station presented in the intimate space.

The two-hour documentary, directed by Bernard MacMahon, chronicles the band’s origins and focuses primarily on the period from ’68 to’70.

Featuring old family photos of Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham; lots of groovy live performance footage, some of which has never been seen; new interviews with the remaining members; and a never-before-heard interview with Jon Bonham, the film provides a musical and cultural backstory on the period and re-counts the formation of one of rock ‘n’ roll’s most influential bands.

As the surviving band members tell it, each childhood memory and story became the building blocks of Led Zeppelin’s epic story.

You’ll hear first-hand accounts of the musical beginnings of session musicians Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, the influence of all the R&B coming out of the U.S. that inspired Robert Plant, and the unheard John Bonham audio that visibly touches Plant, Page, and Paul Jones.

I won’t get into the specific concert footage or what is revealed in the storytelling, but I’ll tell you that it was very difficult for me not to sing along and play air guitar. It was a quiet movie screening, after all.

The film is in theaters now.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and I recommend it.  It’s a must-see for Zep fans.

VINYL REVIVAL MOVIE NIGHT featuring “Heart of the Beat” with David Uosikkinen

Vinyl Revival is partnering with Jamey’s House of Music to bring a Movie Night to Lansdowne!

Curated by Andrea DiFabio, head over to Jamey’s, 32 S. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, Pa.,
on each fifth Thursday of the month to enjoy an independent film screening.

The inaugural event, on Thursday, January 30th, 2025, at 8 p.m. (doors at 6 p.m.) features the feature-length documentary “Heart of the Beat” by director Jill R. Frechie.

Produced by John Ricciutti, and in association with Main Line Television, “Heart of the Beat,” tells the story of Hooters’ drummer David Uosikkinen. David shares his life story, and the ups and downs and ins and outs of being a drummer with The Hooters and other projects for over 40 years. His upbeat and infectious personality resonates throughout the film as he tells the truth about his struggles of being an artist, an addict, and a musician. He reminds us that we are all human.

Frechie is a Telly Awards winner and Emmy nominated filmmaker. “Heart of the Beat” has won multiple awards including Best Shot in Philly Documentary at the 26th annual FirstGlance Film Festival Philadelphia in 2023.

Tickets for Movie Night with Vinyl Revival are $5 and can be purchased here and at the door.

Enjoy HAPPY HOUR from 6-7 p.m. (sponsored by the Lansdowne Business Professional Association), Asian inspired American dining delights by Chef Suyun Reilly, and drinks provided by Conshohocken Brewing Company for an additional fee before and during the event. There will be a $5 food/drink minimum per person.

The multi-award-winning Jamey’s features restaurant style seating in an intimate, acoustically first-rate listening room, with stage-front long communal tables and stage-side two-top tables.

They also feature the art and photography of musicians, or musically related art by artists who love music, in their “Little Gallery” with monthly exhibitions and artist openings.

Jamey’s is proud to be the official home venue of the Philadelphia Blues Society.

“Life Without Parole” Documentary

Life Without Parole Documentary Screening and Q & A

Saturday, October 8, 2022

4 – 5 p.m. Screening

5:15 – 6 p.m. Q & A with Filmmakers and Special Guest George Martorano

Directed by Jill Frechie and co-produced with John Ricciutti, “Life Without Parole,” delves deep into the reasoning behind George Martorano’s incarceration and how he turned his life around, not only for himself but for those who he met in prison.

The privately funded MainLineTV.org award-winning documentary film tells the story of Martorano, who was sentenced to life without parole in 1984 for marijuana-related offenses. He is the longest serving prisoner, first time, non-violent offender, in judicial history. Martorano also served almost 5 years in solitary confinement.

After serving 32 years in prison, and filing dozens of appeals, Martorano, 71, was finally released on Oct. 5, 2015 from Coleman Federal Prison Complex in Florida, the last of a string of federal prisons where he was incarcerated.

“Life Without Parole” is a FirstGlance Film Festival Audience Choice Winner for both Best of the Fest and Best Documentary and a Telly Bronze Award Winner.

Admission is free but donations to the non-profit Lower Merion and Narberth PA TV are welcome.

Seats are limited, so please reserve your space by emailing info@vinylrevivalrecords.com.

All attendees will be entered in a raffle to win a pair of All Access Passes to the 25th annual FirstGlance Film Festival, October 14-16, 2022, at the Colonial Theatre, Phoenixville, PA.

The “Life Without Parole” screening will be held during Delco Arts Week.

Official Trailer

https://vimeo.com/601254413

Official Film of Record Store Day, “The Smart Studios Story,” Screens at Vinyl Revival

The Smart Studios Story, November 16th

The Smart Studios Story, November 16th

The Smart Studios Story,” a documentary about Midwest indie rock that is the official film of Record Store Day, is coming to Vinyl Revival, 35-37 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, on Wednesday, November 16th at 7:30 p.m. Director Wendy Schneider will attend the screening. Tickets are $10 and are available online at vinylrevivalrecords.com or at the door. This is a limited seating event so advance ticket purchase is recommended.

Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Garbage, L7, Death Cab For Cutie (among many others), have created music at Smart Studios, the legendary recording facility founded by Butch Vig and Steve Marker. Drawing on in-depth-interviews with musicians and producers, never-before-seen archival footage and a powerful soundtrack, “The Smart Studios Story” tells the story of the pivotal Midwest link to the global rise of Alternative Rock in the 1990’s and the unassuming Madison, Wisconsin recording studio at its center. The post-70’s explosion of independent music in America has many traceable roots, each with a compelling story. This is one of the most significant stories that has never been told until now.  Visit www.thesmartstudiosstory.com for more information.

Wages of Spin II Soundtrack Songs Available

About a month ago, I had the pleasure of attending the Philadelphia premiere of the documentary film, “Wages of Spin II,” by Shawn Swords, at Bryn Mawr Film Institute.  The film continues the payola story from “The Wages of Spin” but also chronicles the corruption in the music industry in the 80’s and uncovers some of the players involved. You won’t believe some of the people who are implicated!

In addition to the great buzz the film is receiving, the soundtrack has been getting positive feedback from the music industry too. There are lots of great Philly talent and friends of Vinyl Revival on the soundtrack so check out some of the songs in the links below.

“Never Be Forgiven” Performed by Effusion 35 Written by Randy S. Robbins and Pat Manley © 2014 Great Blasket Music, ASCAP/What is This Crap Music, ASCAP https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/borrowed-time-reluctant-rhymes/id867812991

Several songs by Mitch Schecter of The Rip Chords: www.homeroomrecords.com www.ripchords.com

“No Sad Song” is the new single from Skip Denenberg.  Composed and performed by Skip. Produced, engineered and mixed by George Manney at Geo Sound Studio in Philadelphia. Download here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/skipdenenberg2

Several songs by Dan Brown: http://www.reverbnation.com/danieljohnbrown

Several songs by Frank Caravella: https://soundcloud.com/frank-caravella

The instrumental version of “It’s a Gas That Makes You Laugh Before it Kills You” is available all over (iTunes Amazon etc.) or at www.johnbyrneband.com “It’s a Gas That Makes You Laugh Before it Kills You” – The John Byrne Band Written by John Byrne Various Verses BMI Character Driven Productions

I hope to screen this documentary at The Vault at Vinyl Revival in the fall but if you’d like to purchase the DVD now, it is available at www.characterdrivenfilms.com.  Here’s a trailer for a sneak peek.

 

 

 

 

 

The Orlon’s Stephen Caldwell & DJ Steve Kurtz to Make Appearance at March’s Double Feature

 The Orlons' Stephen Caldwell at Vinyl Revival on November 30, 2013

Me and The Orlons’ Stephen Caldwell November 30, 2013

March’s First Friday Flicks indie film screening series kicks off on Friday, March 7th at 7 p.m. with a musical double feature.  “Meet Me on South Street:  The Story of JC Dobbs” and Rufus Harley – Pipes of Peace, an intimate profile of the world’s first jazz bagpipe player, Philadelphia musician, Rufus Harley,  both by George Manney, will screen.

Special guests at the March 7th screening include Stephen Caldwell from The Orlons and DJ Steve Kurtz! Director George Manney is also scheduled to appear.

First Friday Flicks will also screen on Saturdays each month at 2 p.m.  Tickets are $8, $5 for students and seniors. Screening events are BYOB and snacks.

To purchase the $8  tickets for the Friday, March 7th show, click here.

DJ Steve Kurtz will host the March 7th  First Friday Film Screening.

DJ Steve Kurtz will host the March 7th First Friday Film Screening.