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OMIGOD. If Those Darn Accordions ever play in your neighborhood, do NOT miss them. I know I won't.
When they appeared at the Palms in Winters on Feb. 7, I was expecting a polka-filled, funky, whimsical evening. Funky and whimsical yes, but aside from a witty little tribute to Lawrence Welk and the Lennon Sisters, polka was not on the musical menu.
Did you know accordions can be lead rock and roll instruments? Could you have imagined that three accordionists, accompanied only by drums and bass, could hammer out Edgar Winter's classic instrumental "Frankenstein" or Steppenwolf's "Magic Carpet Ride"? Blue Oyster Cult's "Godzilla"?
Blown away? I was.
When the group wasn't covering some amazing rock classics, they entertained the crowd with original witty compositions, such as a tribute to the lead singer's high school woodshop teacher, Mr. Slagle, who he attempted to make miserable every day of his teenage life. Other numbers to bring a smile to your face included "Hamster Man," an ode to living life as if running on the little wheel, and a version of Grand Funk Railroad's "We're An American Band" -- of course, reworded to say "We're An Accordion Band."
Absolutely, positively an A+++ performance. If you missed out, don't despair: they're on the Web: www.thosedarnaccordions.com.
PASS THE PROZAC, PLEASE. "The Hours" starring Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman and Julianne Moore, is now playing in several area theaters.
The intertwining stories of three women in different time periods is a bit reminiscent of the story construction of "Magnolia" and "Pulp Fiction," in that all the stories have a common thread, and it's a tossup to decide which set of characters are the most miserable.
If wallowing in the glorious, delicious agony of human existence is your thing, you'll love this film. Although Kidman and Streep got the bulk of the attention for "The Hours" in all the pre-release publicity and hype, it is Moore's portrayal of a miserable, square-peg housewife struggling with her round-hole 1950s life that's the real knockout performance. Ditto for Ed Harris' supporting role as a writer dying of AIDS. Apparently the folks behind the Academy Awards agree - both were nominated for Oscars.
Was it brilliantly written? Yes. Brilliantly acted? Yes. Directed? Edited? Filmed? Yes, yes and yes. Will you feel good after you watch it? No. In fact, make that a hay-ull no.
If you want to pick up your spirits, go see the absolutely stunning "Chicago," also currently in release. If you want confirmation that life truly is a bitch and then you die (unless you can kill yourself first), run, don't walk, to get your ticket for "The Hours."
Check local theaters for listings.
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