Mountain Views News          Saturday, June 2, 2012

10

ARTS & ENTERTAIMENT

 Mountain Views News Saturday June 2, 2012 


SEAN’S SHAMELESS 

REVIEWS: 


The Book Report

By Jeff Brown

Review By Sean Kayden

CATCALL 

The debut LP from Australian singer Catherine Kelleher, under the 
moniker Catcall, can compete with any pop album this year. “The 
Warmest Place” is a mainstream record that unlike its counterparts has 
undeniable depth, tremendous value, and profound sincerity. Flooded with 80s dance beats 
and utterly contagious hooks, “The Warmest Place” makes it mark as not only one the finest 
pop records this year, but also as an indelible listening experience. Forget what you think is 
cool in pop because Catcall is the next big thing (or at least rightfully deserves to be). 

Four years ago, Catcall released the hip-hop infused EP, “Anniversary”, but to say she’s mature 
would severely be an understatement. Instead of focusing within the boundaries on one playing 
field, her latest release is spread across the 
board. Pop, hip-hop, electronic, you name it, 
a distinct sound can be found here. 

Kelleher’s voice is electrifying, grand, and empowering. 
She just may posses one of the best 
vocals in pop music. This new affair touches 
base on all kinds of themes—sex, heartache, 
bereavement, delightfulness, and love. Nothing on the album is disposable, which is incredibly 
impressive for a pop record. Arguably the best song is “Satellites”, which occupies a 
dreamy jubilation. “That Girl” is pure 80s from head to toe and it’s so damn slick, velvety, and 
polished. It needs to be in a movie worthy of its true awesomeness. In the end, you’ll be hard 
pressed to find a bad song on “The Warmest Place”. 

The only tracks that didn’t win me over completely were “Paralysed” and the closing track, 
“I’m in Love With a German Film Star”. They’re not necessarily egregious in any way, but 
simply fall short of what all the other songs have going for them. Other than that, I personally 
fell in love with this unexpected release. It’s unabashedly poppy, evocative, and catchy. With 
everything that’s going for it, “The Warmest Place” is also both impressively poignant and 
downright glorious. This listening endeavor is the key ingredient to kick off your summer 
escapade in the best possible way. 

Grade: 8.7 out of 10

Key Tracks: “Satellites”, “On My Own” “The World Is Ours”, “That Girl”, “Shoulda Been”

IT WORKED FOR ME: IN LIFE AND LEADERSHIP 

by Colin Powell & Tony Koltz 

It Worked for Me is filled with vivid experiences and lessons learned that have shaped the legendary 
public service career of the four-star general and former Secretary of State Colin Powell. At its heart 
are Powell’s “Thirteen Rules” ,notes he gathered over the years that form the basis of his leadership 
presentations given throughout the world. Powell’s short but sweet rules -among them, “Get mad, 
then get over it” and “Share credit” - are illustrated by revealing personal stories that introduce and 
expand upon his principles for effective leadership: conviction, hard work, and, above all, respect 
for others. In work and in life, he writes, “it’s about how we touch and are touched by the people 
we meet. It’s all about the people.” A natural storyteller, he offers warm and engaging parables 
with wise advice on succeeding in the workplace and beyond. “Trust your people,” he counsels 
as he delegates presidential briefing responsibilities to two junior State Department desk officers. 
“Do your best—someone is watching,” he advises those just starting out, recalling his own teenage 
summer job mopping floors in a bottling factory. Powell combines the insights he gained serving in 
the top ranks of the military and in four presidential administrations with the lessons he’s learned 
from his immigrant family upbringing in the Bronx, training in the ROTC, and his growth as an 
Army officer. The result is a powerful portrait of a leader who is reflective, self-effacing, and grateful 
for the contributions of everyone he works with. It Worked for Me will inspire, move, and surprise 
readers. 

THE POWER OF NOW: A GUIDE TO SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT 

by Eckhart Tolle 

It’s no wonder that The Power of Now has sold over 2 million copies worldwide and been translated 
into over 30 languages. Much more than simple principles and platitudes, the book takes readers on 
an inspiring spiritual journey to find their true and deepest self and reach the ultimate in personal 
growth and spirituality. In the first chapter, Tolle introduces readers to enlightenment and its natural 
enemy, the mind. He awakens readers to their role as a creator of pain and shows them how to have 
a pain-free identity by living fully in the present. The journey is thrilling, and along the way, the 
author shows how to connect to the indestructible essence of our Being, “the eternal, ever-present 
One Life beyond the myriad forms of life that are subject to birth and death.” 


THE PREPPER’S POCKET GUIDE: 101 EASY THINGS YOU CAN DO TO 
READY YOUR HOME FOR A DISASTER 

by Bernie Carr & Evan Wondolowski (Illustrator)

From California earthquakes and Rocky Mountain wildfires to Midwest floods and Atlantic 
hurricanes, you can’t escape that inevitable day when catastrophe strikes your home town — but you 
can be prepared! Offering a simple DIY approach, this book breaks down the vital steps you should 
take into 101 quick, smart and inexpensive projects. Such as, Make a Master List of Passwords, #16 
Calculate How Much Water You Need, #33 Start a Food Storage Plan for $5 a Week #60 Make a Safe 
from a Hollowed out Book, #77 Assemble an Inexpensive First Aid kit, #89 Learn to Cook Without 
Electricity, #94 Pack a Bug-out Bag.


SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS:


“DOROTHY AND THE WIZARD OF OZ” AT 

SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE BACK BY POPULAR 
DEMAND - OPENS JUNE 2

Join Dorothy, 
Toto and all 
of their new 
found friends 
in this lively, 
colorful, magical 
musical adventure 
based 
on L. Frank 
Baum’s much 
loved story. 
The interactive 
show permits 
the kids in the 
audience to be 
Munchkins. 
The show will 
be presented 
for Saturday 
daytime performances 
only.

June Chandler, 
long associated 
with Sierra Madre Playhouse, directs a cast that includes Donna Ieraci, Steve Cipriani, Hal Sweesy, 
Shirley McConnell, Lynda Rohrbacher, Ian Dawson, Dan Ellis, and Ron Johnston.

Written by Steve and Kathy Hotchner. Presented by June Chandler and The Sierra Madre Players. 
Produced by special arrangement with Dramatic Publishing Company.

“Dorothy and The Wizard of Oz.” At Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra 
Madre, CA 91024. Plenty of free parking behind the theatre. June 2- July 7, 2012. Saturdays at 11 
a.m. Adults, $18. Children 12 and under, $12. (626) 355-4318. Online ticketing: www.sierramadreplayhouse.
org


SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE OFFERS SPECIAL EVENTS

WINE TASTING SATURDAYS

A special Saturday evening wine tasting at The Bottle Shop’s newly opened Wine Tasting 
Room across the street from the Playhouse at 58 W. Sierra Madre Boulevard. For those 
theatre patrons who show their confirmation of attendance at that evening’s performance, 
owner Bill Sullivan will provide a complimentary tasting of several wines of women winemakers 
and owners.

Every Saturday through July 7, wines developed by women will be presented for our patrons’ 
sampling. We will post the featured wineries every week on our Sierra Madre Playhouse 
Facebook page and the production website http://www.womaninmind.com. You may also 
purchase a glass of wine and linger in this newly created wine tasting room that is but one 
of the several pre-show amenities that makes for a leisurely evening of theatre in our lovely 
town of Sierra Madre. 

In addition there will be regular talk backs with the cast after our Sunday matinee performances. 
On June 3rd we will acknowledge Queen Elizabeth’s birthday and Diamond Jubilee .

ACCESSIBILITY NIGHT – FRIDAY, JUNE 15

ASL Interpretation will be provided at this evening’s performance. Sierra Madre Playhouse is 
only one of two theatres in San Gabriel Valley that provide this service to the Deaf community. 
Supported in part with funds received from the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Foundation. 
More information about Sierra Madre Playhouse’s accessibility programs should be 
directed to our Accessibility Coordinator, Maria Zuccarello at 626-429-3414 or mariazu@
prodigy.net. 

Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024. 
Ample free parking behind theatre,


Sierra Madre Spring Art Exhibition: HILDA 
PITTMAN

The City of Sierra Madre Community Services Commission and Arts Advisory 
Committee is pleased to present an art exhibition by Sierra Madre resident Hilda Pittman. 

 The art work is now on display through Friday, June 8 in Sierra Madre City Hall, 232 W. Sierra 
Madre Blvd. For more information please call the Sierra Madre Community & Personnel Services 
Department at (626) 355-5278.