Indiana Gazette from Indiana, Pennsylvania • 39

Leisure: Entertainment Sunday, June 1, 2003 6-3 ttlie 3ubiana CSngrttr i i 1 1 Jv. -r rt 1 tl Keepin' up the pace Godfather of Soul still hardest-working man in show business LeVar Burton, left, host and executive producer of PBS' "Reading Rainbow," is appealing for funding for the long-running program. (AP photo) 'Reading Rainbow' fighting to survive Host makes plea for series By NEKESA MUMB1 MOODY AP Music Writer NEW YORK Five decades of splits, stop-on-a-dime spins and side-gliding dance steps can take a toll even on the hardest-working man in show business. "I'm getting very tired, and I'd love to quit yesterday," says James Brown, his gruff voice sounding a bit weary after a recent late-night performance at B.B. King's nightclub.

"I've got diabetes, I've almost broke my feet, did something to my tendons, hurt all in my back but I work. I don't tell (fans) how bad it is. I smile when I see them." Yet when Brown is gently asked about retirement after all, he recently celebrated his 70th birthday and has logged more than 50 years as an entertainer a shocked expression appears on the face of the Godfather of Soul. "Music has sustained me," he says. The music world could say the same of Brown.

He's a seminal figure in rock, pop and soul not to mention rap, disco, or just about any other musical genre with an infectious groove. Indeed, it's hard to put his achievements into words when liis influence has been so widespread from his much-replicated funk-based jams to lyrics that not only spoke of social change, but helped influence it. "You couldn't even list how many people have been influenced (by him)," said blues singer Bonnie Rairt. "In the Mount Rushmore of musical figures, he'd definitely be on it." "Single-handedly, he has been the epitome of soul music," said Chuck of Public Enemy, one of dozens of rap groups to sample Brown's groundbreaking beats, "James presented obviously the best grooves. To this day, there has been no one near as funky.

No one's coming even close." Chuck recalls trying to mimic Brown's famous side-step dance as a kid on patches of Ice, and how Brown's 196fls "Say It Loud (I'm Black and I'm Proud)' helped fuel a new era of black pride. "I clearly remember we were calling ourselves colored, and after the song, we were calling ourselves black," he said. "The sang showed even people to that day that lyrics and music and a song can change society." Brown knows his place in music history and Isn't shy about telling you. "Disco is James Brown, hip-hop is James rap is James Brown, you know what -I'm saying? You hear all the rappers, 90 per-'cent of their music is me," he says in his rapid-fire style of speech. gaging, quick-paced, changing gears in mid-step.

While a Listener may have trouble following him at times, Brown seems clear on the many messages he feels he has to deliver to today's audiences. Hes patriotic and religious. He emphasizes the need for more positive themes in music. And there aren't many artists who inspire him these days, "When artists don't last for six months, a year it iells you there's nothing in the music he says. "When we were making records, and the O'Jays and all those people, Curtis May-field, there was a message.

"My thing is, OX, I'll give you a beat but I'm gonna bring it back here. You can run the bases, but I want you to come back to home plate." Brawn says that the racism and poverty he endured in his early years helped make him a success. "If I had been free, totally free, I wouldn't have been this," he says. Even when discussing his two-and-a-half-year prison term stemming from a 1988 arrest on assault and drug charges. Brown keeps a slight smile on his face.

"When I went to prison, it didn't bother me. You know why it didn't bother me? I could have gotten out, I went an my word. I knew what I didn't do, and I wouldn't say I did," says Brown, who maintained his innocence in the case. On May 20, Brown was pardoned for that conviction, as well as a 1998 conviction for using a weapon under the influence The latter earned him a stint in a 90-day drug program. Brown also says be holds no ill will against his daughters.

Last year, Yamma Brown Lumar, 29. and Deanna Brown Thomas, 33, filed a lawsuit claiming they co-owri the copyrights to 23 songs, including the 1976 liit "Get Up Offa That Thing." Brown says the lawsuit is without merit. Still, he adds: "1 can't think of nothing I would sue my daddy for, (even) if he one did it right there in front of me. I love my children and I hope they have all the luck in the world, because I'm not worried. I've done everything I can do." He still feels as if he's got plenty more to accomplish in other areas.

He put out a new album last year on a small label. He'd like to see a movie made of his life, perhaps with Cuba Gooding Jr. in the lead. And like much of his music, his outlook remains optimistic. When asked about his career highlights, he says simply: "There is no high points.

It's getting higher and higher." (On the Net: wwwgodfattierofsouLcom) "Things are going good, and atf I got to do is just hold says legendary singer James Brown. (AP photo) If his career has been dominated by achievement after achievement, his personal life has been marked by struggles. Bom in poverty in Barnwell, S.C, he's been jailed ai least twice (once as a teen, and later as a middle-aged man). He's faced tax problems and lost a wife in 1996 due to complications from plastic surgery. Last year, he was sued by two of his daughters, who claimed they ca-owu many of his songs.

But these days, Brown's life seems charmed. Recently married to his background singer, they have a 2 -year-old son. Despite his health problems, he seems content and inspired. "Things are going good," Brawn says, "and all I got to do is just hold up." Brown's speech is like his concerts en By DAVID BAUDER AP Television Writer NEW YORK In a plea for the life of "Reading Rainbow," host LeVar Burton returned to a familiar setting: the stage where he picked up the PBS show's seventh Emmy Award for best children's television scries. "If you are a wealthy philanthropist out there, I'm not that difficult to find," said Burton, the show's executive producer and host since it began in 1983.

He's still waiting. And "Reading Rainbow," which has counterin-tuitively used television to introduce children to a world of books, may only have a few months to live. "Reading Rainbow" has several strikes against it in the battle for funding. For starters, it has no access to merchandise licensing deals, an increasingly important part of PBS' funding scheme for children's shows. There are no "Reading Rainbow" action Gg-ures to sell, no "Reading Rain-bow" jammies to keep kids warm at night The series is also 20 years old when many corporate benefactors prefer being involved with something new.

And the show's narrow audience children 6 to 8 who are just learning to read doesn't give sponsors the broad exposure they're seeking, said Amy Jordan, senior researcher on children and the media at the University of Pennsylvania's An-nenberg Public Policy Center. Other programs, like "Clifford the Big Red Dog," have book series attached to them. But "Reading Rainbow" is the only one that introduces children to a wide range of literature, Jordan said. "What 'Reading Rainbow' saw, before anybody else saw it, is that you can use tiiis medium of television to get kids excited about reading," she said. Over the past several years, Burton and his backers have been producing fewer "Reading Rainbow" episodes because money was short.

This season, only four new shows were made. The production company has a $2 million annual budget, and no money to go forward, he said. "We have pieced it together by hook or by crook every year, said Buxton, who helped start the series so children, during summer months away from school, could retain what they had learned. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has contributed -to the show in die past But it generally doesn't foot the bill alone, said John Wdson, chief programming executive at PBS. PBS wants to keep the show alive, and will have the summer to hunt for more money before a decision must be made.

"It's difficult to get them all Wilson said. "That is the state of kids' programming right now." Burton, who memorably portrayed Kunra Kinte in the television series "Roots," admits there have been times in the past few months he figured the money problems were a sign to call it quits. Then he would have an experience like he had recently when speaking to students at his alma mater, the University of Southern California. They spontaneously serenaded him with the "Reading Rainbow" theme. "It is clear we have had an impact," Burton said.

"Not a day goes by where someone doesn't come up to me and mention how important the show has been for their children or themselves in terms of encouraging them to read." (On the Net: Reading Rainbow: pbskids.orgreadingrainbowO By The Associated Press Selected audio releases. "American Breakdown" (Loudhouse, $15.98) Troy Campbell: The 11 songs on Troy Campbell's second solo album, "American Breakdown," are as well-suited for a coffeehouse as for a honky-tonk. The sparse arrangements and dark lyrics arc subtly compelling, and Campbell's knack for writing memorable melodies makes the material that much stronger. A former frontman far the Austin, Texas-based rock group Loose Diamonds, Campbell serves up much of "American Breakdown" unplugged. "Sleeping Without You" is sung in a near-whisper, and "Sorrytown" and are sad but lovely.

ballqds. Campbell shows he can still rock out on the twangy "Rosabellc" and Dan Stuart's "Home After Dark," and he niftily explores both ends of the dynamic range on tunes such as "Blind" and "The World Keeps on Ending." Credit must also go to producer Gurf Morlix, who has worked with Lucinda Williams and Robert Earl Keen. Steven Wine, AP Writer "Up for It" (ECM, S17.98) Keith Jarrett-Gary Peacock-Jack Dejohnctte: Pianist Keith Jarrett, bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Jack DeJohnette are celebrating their 20th anniversary as a working band this year, having long since established their reputation as one of the finest piano trios in jazz Their last two CDs found the trio making a foray into freer playing, and that experience seems only to have enhanced the flow of improvisatory ideas and interactive empathy as they return to their "standards" format on "Up for It." The eight tracks recorded live at the Jury 2002 Antibes Jazz Festival in Juan-les-Pins, France revisit some Great American Songbook tunes that have long been part of the trio's repertoire, such as the expressionistic "My Funny Valentine" and die brightly swinging "Someday My Prince Will Come." Jarrett, like Miles Davis and other jazz greats who preceded him; has that uncommon ability to work off the melody of some otherwise forgettable tune for example "If I Were a BclT from the musical "Guys and Dolls" and turn it into an improvisatory masterpiece. There are also several tunes not previously recorded by the trio. Charlie Parker's driving anthem "Scrapple From the Apple" reflects Jarrctt's recent interest in re-exploring his bebop roots, and John Lewis' blues "Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West" links the trio to another outstanding chamber jazz group, the Modem Jazz Quartet.

It's Oscar-winner Brody shines in 'Pianist' This information is provided to the Gazette by the Indiana County Tourist Bureau. For more information or to list your event, dinner or leisure activity on this calendar, contact the bureau at (724) 463-7505 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Anyone who plans to visit events may wish to call for confirmation.

Events are subject to change of date or time. sneak peek at the new Qick. TV set, movie set, $24.95. (Columbia TriStar) "Talk to Her" Pedro Almodovar won the Oscar for original screenplay and earned a best-director nomination for his endearing comic drama about the unusual friendship between two men in love with comatose women, Almodovar and co-star Geraldine Chaplin combine on a lively commentary track in Spanish, with English subtitles. Along with terrific character insights, Almodovar clues in viewers on filmmaking background with humor and humility.

He notes that the opening shot of a theater was the same location as the last shot of his previous film, the foreign-language Oscar winner "All About My Mother." Almodovar says he did not want acclaim for that film to go to his head, so he decided to restart in the last place, the last location in "All About My Mother." DVD, $26.95. (Columbia TriStar) "The Recruit" Al Pacino plays a CIA spymaster who lures a star pupil (Colin FarrellJ at the agency's training grounds into a dangerous cloak-and-dagger game to help ferret out a mole in the company. The DVD's featurettc on real-life spy training is at least as intriguing as the tepid movie, packed with insider tidbits from Chase Brandon, a CIA veteran who was an adviser to the filmmakers. While the movie reflects much of the actual curriculum of CIA training, Brandon notes that "career trainees are not subject to physical abuse," as the film depicts in an abduction scene. Farrcll and director Roger Donaldson contribute commentary for the movie and on four deleted scenes.

DVD, $29.99. (Disney) "Throne of Blood" Akira By DAVID GERMAIN AP Movie Writer Selected home-video releases: "The Pianist Roman Polanski's Holocaust saga grabbed a best-picture nomination at the Academy Awards and earned him the directing Oscar and Adrien Brody the prize for best actor. Brody stars in the real-life story of musician Wladyslaw Szpilman, a Polish Jew who survived the war and genocide by hiding from the Nazis in the ruins of the Warsaw Ghetto. The DVD comes with a captivating 40-minute documentary about the production, dominated by Polanski's observations on the film and its parallels to his own childhood as a Holocaust survivor. Polanski notes instances where he added his personal experiences to the film, including an incident in which his father was slapped for not following Nazi rules that lews walk in the gutter.

"Roman is a survivor," Brody remarks. "He's a survivor telling a story about a survivor." DVD, $26.98. (Universal) "Charlie's Angels" A pair of reminders that the sequel "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle'' is strutting into theaters this summers. First, there's a new two-disc edition of the first "Angels" movie, with Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu as the chic detective team on a mission to rescue their kidnapped boss. Second, there's "Charlie's Angels: The Complete First Season," a five-disc set with the initial 22 episodes of the 1970s TV series, featuring the original cast of Far-rah Fawcett, Jaclyn Smith and Kate Jackson.

The TV set has a background featurettc; the movie package includes commentary by director McG, three deleted scenes, and of course, a Kurosawa's 1957 classic transplants "MacBeth" to a samurai setting in feudal Japan, with Toshiro Mifune a powerhouse of blind ambition as a lord who rises to power through assassination. The beautifully restored black-and-white print is accompanied by audio commentary from Japanese film expert Michael Jeck, and Kurosawa critic Stephen Prince contributes an essay discussing the director's "brilliant synthesis of diverse cultural, aesthetic and historical sources, only one skein of which derives from Shakespeare." The, DVD also allows viewers to' choose from two different English-subtitle translations. DVD, $39.95. (Criterion) Other new releases: "National Security" Martin Lawrence and Steve Zahn in a feeble action comedy as ex-LA. cops turned security guards, who team up to bring down a smuggling operation.

The DVD has deleted scenes and an alternate ending. DVD, $27.94. (Columbia TriStar) "A Guy Thing" Bridegroom-to-be Jason Lee finds himself falling for his fiancee's cousin (Julia Stiles) and must decide whether to do the "guy thing" or the right thing by his betrothed (Selma Blair). The three stars and director Chris Koch contribute to audio commentary. DVD, $26.98.

(MGM) "Love Liza" Philip Seymour Hoffman stars in. a corpjft drama about a grieving husband who stumbles onto unusual mechanisms to cope with his wife's suicide, including flying model planes and sniffing gasoline. I loffman, his brother Gordy, who wrote the script, and director Todd Lou iso provide DVD commentary. DVD, $24.95. (Columbia TriStar) June 6-8 Canal Days will be held in downtown Salrshurg.

Activities include live entertainment, quilt shows, food arid craft booths, re-enactments and more. June 7 June Jamboree and Stand for Children will be held in downtown Indiana. Live entertainment, food, children's activities and more. A living flag display will take place on the steps of Grace United Methodist Church at noon. Cost: $5.

lamboree, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Stand for Children, from 1 1 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 7 and 8 Pennsylvania Stale 9-Ball Championship will be held at Lucky Break Billiards from 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 8 p.m.

Sunday. For more information, call (724) 357-7913. June 7 Fun With Insects, a Friends of the Parks program, will begin at 2 p.m. at Yellow Creek Nature Center. Join Jan Humphreys in sampling an assortment of edible insects and an insect safari.

Pre-rcgistration required; call (724) 357-7913. "Rope," a movie starring Jimmy Stewart and Farley Granger, will begin at 2 p.m. in the theater at the Jimmy Stewart Museum. Admission: $5, For more information, call (724) 349-6112. June 8 Indiana Pops Concert Band will perform at 7 p.m.

at the Mack Park pavilion in White Township. In case of rain, the concert will be held in the former Mack Park ice rink building. Additional concerts will be held on June 29 as well as Jury 20 and 27. June 10 Indiana County Tourist Bureau's Annual Ambassador Dinner will be at 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in White Township and is open to the public This year's dinner will include featured speaker Chris Barkley from the Windber Coal Heritage Center, rescued Qiiecreek miners Randy Fogle and John Unger and the announcement of the Ambassador Award winner.

Tickets are $25 per person and $160 for a table of eight For tickets, ambassador award nominations or more information, call the tourist bureau at (724) 463-7505. Ongoing Indiana Art Association Spring Show will be on display at the First Commonwealth Bank offices in the Old Indiana County Courthouse, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The show features Indiana County artists and will also include works featuring Indiana County history. Free.

June 1-3 "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown" wUl be presented by The Indiana Players as their 20U3 Dinner Theatre Musical at the Best Western University Inn. Dinner includes a choice of baked cod, stuffed pork chops or vegetarian dish with tossed salad, potato, vegetable, Toll and butter and beverage. Showtime: 2 p.m. today and 6 m. June 2 and 3.

Seating is limited; fur tickets call (7241 465-8228. Today Salamander Safari at Yellow Creek Slate Park will include an 'exploration of Laurel Hun Creek for salamanders, frogs and other critters that live there. The program will begin at 2 p.m. from the park office. Participants arc encouraged lo wear old sneakers.

For more information call (724)357-7913..