Longhorn Reviews

Truth [sound recording] / Robben Ford.

[Longhorn Review] Truth [sound recording] / Robben Ford.

Material Type: All, Music — Posted on April 25, 2012, 7:21 pm

By: Robben Ford

Robben Ford has rightly earned the deep respect of his peers through his deft, lyrical phrasing and incredible tone. "Truth" is a fine collection of mature and elegant jazz tinged blues, in the grand tradition of B.B. King, to whom Ford pays tribute in "Riley B. King". Mr. Ford's playing is deceptively complex. As a vocalist, Ford is less exciting but quite competent. His tunes, although rarely magical, are always good.

Reviewer: Mark

Their Eyes Were Watching God

[Longhorn Review] Their Eyes Were Watching God

Material Type: All, Books — Posted on February 13, 2012, 3:16 pm

By: Zoran Neale Hurston

I first read this book when I was 16 years old and have been in love with it ever since. The rollacoster of love that the main character, Janie goes through in the novel is tremendous but the love that she gets to share with Tea Cake is spectacular. This book should definitley be added to the list of love and romance for all ages! After you read it, you will never think about love the same again.

Reviewer: Carlotta

I'm your man [sound recording] Leonard Cohen.

[Longhorn Review] I'm your man [sound recording] Leonard Cohen.

Material Type: All, Music — Tags: romantic, staff pick, valentine's day recommendation — Posted on February 10, 2012, 3:43 pm

By: Leonard Cohen

I think the most seductive--mood creating songs for anytime but Valentine’s Day specifically are without a doubt Leonard Cohen's "I'm Your Man" from the album of the same title followed by his "Dance Me to the End of Love," found on Various Positions.

Reviewer: Susan Ardis

Brokeback Mountain [videorecording] / Focus Features and River Road Entertainment ; directed by Ang Lee ; screenplay by Larry McMurtry

[Longhorn Review] Brokeback Mountain [videorecording] / Focus Features and River Road Entertainment ; directed by Ang Lee ; screenplay by Larry McMurtry

Material Type: All, Movies — Tags: romantic, staff pick, valentine's day recommendation — Posted on February 10, 2012, 3:42 pm

By: Ang Lee

This masterful adaptation by Ang Lee of the Annie Proulx short story is a landmark in the cinematic depiction of love between men. Two impoverished ranch hands in 1963 Wyoming meet while sharing work and initiate an intimate relationship that informs the rest of their lives. An unlikely love transcends the circumstances of a repressive, homophobic society, even as the characters' lives are ruined by the societal hatred surrounding them. A beautiful, unforgettable cinematic achievement.

Reviewer: Barry Moore

Rebecca / Daphne du Maurier.

[Longhorn Review] Rebecca / Daphne du Maurier.

Material Type: All, Books — Tags: romantic, staff pick — Posted on February 10, 2012, 3:39 pm

By: Daphne du Maurier

“Last Night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.” So begins du Maurier’s 1938 romantic novel, Rebecca. The line also begins the Alfred Hitchcock film version, which was named Best Picture for 1940. This work is usually described as Gothic fiction, but as really good Gothic fiction. Critics credit du Maurier’s storytelling skills. Romantics-at-heart should expect to find a good read (or a film of note) in the surprising adventures of the second Mrs. de Winter.

Reviewer: Larayne Dallas

Rock 'n' roll party [sound recording] : honoring Les Paul / Jeff Beck.

[Longhorn Review] Rock 'n' roll party [sound recording] : honoring Les Paul / Jeff Beck.

Material Type: All, Music — Tags: falstaffpicks — Posted on February 7, 2012, 4:32 pm

By: Jeff Beck

Jeff Beck is a legend and for good reason…he is one of the few true innovators of the electric guitar. His touch and tone are always breathtaking, and his phrasing is inimitable. Beck’s tribute to the music of Les Paul and Mary Ford is much more than a waltz through some of the duo’s finest work, it is an historical account of Beck’s formative years. Scottish diva Imelda May shines throughout the concert, turning in consistently fabulous performances including an intoxicating version of the Shangri-Las classic “Walking in the Sand”. 72 yr. old Gary U.S. Bonds absolutely brings the roof down with a crackling rendition of his 1960 hit “New Orleans”. Brian Setzer’s walk on performance of the Eddie Cochran classic “Twenty Flight Rock” is just awesome! However, throughout the recording the star is Beck’s powerful yet understated playing, filled with elegance and passion for his own Rockabilly roots.

Reviewer: Longhorn Reviewer

falstaffpicks

Harold and Maude [videorecording] / Paramount Pictures presents ; produced by Colin Higgins and Charles B. Mulvehill ; written by Colin Higgins ; directed by Hal Ashby.

[Longhorn Review] Harold and Maude

Material Type: All, Movies — Tags: valentine's day recommendation — Posted on February 3, 2012, 12:30 pm

By: Hal Ashby

If you’ve always hoped to meet that special someone who is the peanut butter to your jelly no matter how eccentric you are, you might enjoy watching Harold and Maude this Valentine’s Day. Harold, who stages fake suicides for his mother’s benefit and is obsessed with death, is caught off-guard when he meets carefree Maude at a funeral, eventually falling in love. Nevermind that she’s 79.

Reviewer: Anna Fidgeon