Fleet Street News

Sweeney Todd has got to be one of my all time favorite musicals. Right behind Willy Wonka and The Wizard of Oz. And as all good things must come to an end, so must all good things become a Hollywood movie. Having read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz when I was a child, seeing them on the screen as a child was a treat that I have only been able to compare to seeing Transformers on the big screen as an adult. Now I get to see a modern day version of a classic tale with a decidedly darker twist.

With the extremely dark and deadly themes of Sweeny Todd, it is fitting that the team who brings it to the grand screen for the second time is none other than the cinematic dynamic duo of the macabre and strange that is Tim Burton and Johnny Depp. Their collaboration; Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, comes to theaters in December. Re-imagined for the big screen from the Broadway play of the same name.

I can’t wait to see this movie, and I hope I am not disappointed.

Phunk

iTunes, you are the bane of my pocketbook. Every time I say to myself that I need to slow down on the iTunes purchases, I find something that I absolutely have to buy. Like these two remakes by Shawn Lee: Hey Ya and Clint Eastwood.

Shawn Lee’s Ping Pong Orchestra’s piano and harmonica filled rendition of Hey Ya is full of soul, funk, and easy listening. They turned what was a dynamite Hip-hop song into a long lasting easy jazz riff with just enough pop to keep you on your toes. The song’s background noises bring the listener to a dimly lit bar, complete with small, dimly lit, circular stage that the band mills around on, getting into their own groove to the complete delight of their listeners.

The original Clint Eastwood already lent itself to the slower side of things with its head bopping rhythm and light attitude. Shawn threw a low electric bass and high pitched electric lead and combined it with his own style of composure to make it his own.

I loved both of the originals, but the renditions put forth by Shawn Lee gave me a newfound respect for them, and gave me a new artist to get to know. This time I am glad I let my wandering fingers find new songs to buy. Check Shawn out on iTunes or on his website, www.shawnlee.net.

Happy listening,

Until next time!