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Eccentric Hyatt Hotels Heir Is Really Re-Shooting His Whole $100 Mil Jazz Movie

Roger Friedman
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Eccentric Hyatt Hotels Heir Is Really Re-Shooting His Whole $100 Mil Jazz Movie

Dan Pritzker is really going for it. He scrapped an entire $100 million movie, all shot, starring Anthony Mackie as obscure jazz musician Buddy Bolden.

As I was the first to report, Pritzker decided to re-shoot the whole shooting match. Cost be damned. Pritzker is heir to the Hyatt Hotels fortune.

He cast Gary Carr, the singer from “Downton Abbey,” a mostly unknown, to play Bolden. He’s also hired Nelsan Ellis, from “True Blood” and the new James Brown movie, “Get on Up.”

I’m told today Pritzker sent out a casting notice for Buddy Bolden’s wife and mother in law. That may surprise Milauna Jackson, who was hired to play Nora Bolden. The new shoot will commence this fall in Chicago.

Led Zeppelin Pulls Out the Big Guns: Reissues of “Stairway to Heaven” Album and “Houses of the Holy”

Roger Friedman
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Led Zeppelin Pulls Out the Big Guns: Reissues of “Stairway to Heaven” Album and “Houses of the Holy”

Led Zeppelin may not want to tour or get back together, but they know how to make money. For their reissue series they’re pulling out the big guns this fall: “Led Zeppelin IV” and “Houses of the Holy.”

The Zep already put out their first three albums all dolled up with extra unreleased tracks, remastered, with serious art work. Those three sold like crazy and all made the album charts.

But now– these two will do even better. “IV” includes Stairway to Heaven, Black Dog, Rock & Roll,  Going to California, and Misty Mountain Hop. “Houses of the Holy” has The Rain Song, D’yer Mak’er, Over the Hills and Far Away, The Song Remains the Same, and Dancing Days. Aside from “Immigrant Song” and “Kashmir,” those are Led Zeppelin’s biggest hits.

Circle October 27th. Jimmy Page supervised all the remastering. Here’s the tracklist:

Led Zeppelin IV

Track Listing

1.   “Black Dog”

2.   “Rock And Roll”

3.   “The Battle of Evermore”

4.   “Stairway To Heaven”

5.   “Misty Mountain Hop”

6.   “Four Sticks”

7.   “Going To California”

8.   “When The Levee Breaks”

Companion Audio Disc

1.   “Black Dog” – Basic Track With Guitar Overdubs

2.   “Rock And Roll” – Alternate Mix

3.   “The Battle Of Evermore” – Mandolin/Guitar Mix From Headley Grange

4.   “Stairway To Heaven” – Sunset Sound Mix

5.   “Misty Mountain Hop” – Alternate Mix

6.   “Four Sticks” – Alternate Mix

7.   “Going To California” – Mandolin/Guitar Mix

8.   “When The Levee Breaks” – Alternate UK Mix

Houses of the Holy

Track Listing

1.              “The Song Remains The Same”

2.              “The Rain Song”

3.              “Over The Hills And Far Away”

4.              “The Crunge”

5.              “Dancing Days”

6.              “D’yer Mak’er”

7.              “No Quarter”

8.              “The Ocean”

Companion Audio Disc

1.   “The Song Remains The Same” – Guitar Overdub Reference Mix

2.   “The Rain Song” – Mix Minus Piano

3.   “Over The Hills And Far Away” – Guitar Mix Backing Track

4.   “The Crunge” – Rough Mix – Keys Up

5.   “Dancing Days” – Rough Mix With Vocal

6.   “No Quarter” – Rough Mix With JPJ Keyboard Overdubs – No Vocal

7.   “The Ocean” – Working Mix

 

 

Whoopi Goldberg Producing Film with Julius Nasso, Former “Mob Associate” With Prison Past

Roger Friedman
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Whoopi Goldberg Producing Film with Julius Nasso, Former “Mob Associate” With Prison Past

UPDATE: Whoopi Goldberg just called in to say two things. One– she’s happy with the way things are going, and that Julius Nasso is not the same person he was ten years ago. Second– The Christmas Pearl is a wonderful novel, and I should give her the benefit of the doubt. I agree, so I will. Let’s hope it turns out to be a surprise hit. I’ll eat my words!

EARLIER: Julius Nasso is sort of a “Get Shorty” figure with a curious past. He spent a year and a day in prison in 2004 for being an “associate” of the Gambino crime family although he denies strenuously any connection to the Mafia. He’s produced a string of really bad straight to video movie clunkers with a couple of freak exceptions like “Narc” with Ray Liotta in 2002.

On the imdb, he’s listed as executive producer of a 2014 movie called “Nailed,” directed by David O. Russell. Only, “Nailed” was a 2008 project that was never made, is completely dead, and was also supposed to be produced by David Bergstein, an, ahem, “controversial” Hollywood figure to be sure.

Now, somehow, he’s convinced Whoopi Goldberg to go into business with him. He’s also got David Belafonte, son of Harry. They’re about to start shooting what looks like another hopeless loser called “The Christmas Pearl,” co-starring Whoopi, the esteemed Broadway and TV star Judith Ivey, and Jasmine Guy of the 1990s TV show “A Different World.” The screenplay is from Anne Rapp, writer of two of Robert Altman’s lesser movies, “Cookie’s Fortune” and “Dr. T and the Women.” The director, Felix Alcala, is from series TV.

Movie financing is a rough game. Stars will do almost anything to get a movie made. Nasso’s resume proves that. In the last couple of years, he’s produced such gems as “Breakway” with Ethan Hawke and singer Selena Gomez and “Pride of Lions,” directed by 1970s shlockmeister Sidney Furie. (I can’t imagine what this is like, with a cast that includes Bo Svenson, Margot Kidder, and Louis Gossett Jr.)

Why Whoopi, an Oscar winner, is involved with this, is beyond me. The Christmas Pearl is already jewelry that will have to be brought back to the store for credit.

As for Julius Nasso, he’s a nice guy. In the decade since his scandal, he’s stayed out of trouble. I’ve met him. In September 2005, after he was sprung, Nasso gave a fondly recalled gala at his beach front compound on Staten Island. Nasso sent limos and buses to Manhattan to fetch the guests including curious journalists. I remember the tour I got of the house with Victoria Gotti. She was very impressed with his tromp l’oeil bathroom. He was thrilled.

As for The Christmas Pearl: it begins filming July 18th. Who knows? Maybe it will be out in time for Christmas.

Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga Duets Coming in Late September, Taped Secret TV Show Last Night

Roger Friedman
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Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga Duets Coming in Late September, Taped Secret TV Show Last Night

UPDATE: I’m told that the “Cheek to Cheek” album will be issued on Lady Gaga’s label, Interscope, and not Sony/Columbia, where Tony Bennett has recorded since 1773. That may make this is the first release Tony Bennett has had apart from Columbia Records since the Civil War. But I’m told Sony was gracious about acceding to this request.

From April 2014: http://www.showbiz411.com/2014/04/10/tony-bennett-long-awaited-lady-gaga-duets-album-coming-in-september

Earlier today: All I can tell you is last night Lady Gaga taped a PBS special with Tony Bennett at Rose Hall in the Time Warner Center. Little Steven (Steve van Zandt) and his wife Maureen were there, so was famed writer Gay Talese and his famed book publisher wife Nan. Other guests included Al Roker, plus Gaga’s parents and her grandmothers, plus a room full of people who’d participated in a hush hush lottery.

click here for today’s headlines on Showbiz411

I can tell you something else: we know Tony Bennett can sing and perform like an angel. He is amazing at almost 88 years old. But Gaga can sing like you won’t believe. After people in the biz see this special she will have offers for “A Star is Born,” Broadway shows, you name it. No meat dresses, no gigantic eggs. Her numerous gowns were elegant and gorgeous. She comported herself on stage like a pro. And the voice! Like Ella Fitzgerald. No kidding.

I can’t be more specific yet about the content of the show. It’s too soon. Suffice to say, it reminded me of a classic special from the early 60s when CBS would present sophisticated variety– like Julie Andrews and Harry Belafonte. Gaga’s “Little Monsters” are going to be downloading the Great American Songbook.

PBS says the special, called “Cheek to Cheek,” will air October 24th from 9 to 10pm. It’s based on their “Cheek to Cheek” album, set for September 24th, just in time for the Grammy deadline. We’ll be seeing a lot of that project on the Grammys come February 2015.

The whole “Cheek to Cheek” project will be a game changer for Lady Gaga. For Tony Bennett, it’s just another day at the office. He is brilliant.

Little Steven of E Street Band Plans All Star Album for Darlene Love

Roger Friedman
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Little Steven of E Street Band Plans All Star Album for Darlene Love

Darlene Love is having a good year. She was featured in the Oscar winning doc “20 Feet to Stardom.” That led to her singing on the Academy Awards from the stage when she and director Morgan Neville accepted the gold statue.

Now Little Steven from the E Street Band is putting together an album for Darlene. Steve van Zandt has time off because Bruce Springsteen won’t be touring with the band this year or most of next. At least, nothing is planned for now.

So Van Zandt, champion of great pop and rock singers, has gotten a bunch of songwriters to write new tunes for Love. Among his contributors is Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Brill Building legends Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, and maybe even Carole King.

Van Zandt tells me he’ll record Darlene for his own label. He’s quite an entrepreneur. van Zandt also has his Underground Garage channel on Sirius XM. And he’s very involved in the Norwegian TV show import “Lillyhammer.” He stars in the show and serves as Executive Producer.

As for Darlene, if you’re unsure of who she is: she was a regular hitmaker for Phil Spector in the early 60s, recording for him but being paid, essentially, nothing. In the 80s she appeared as Danny Glover’s wife in the “Lethal Weapon” series. A favorite of contemporary musicians, Darlene still packs a wallop when she sings. She appears every holiday season on David Letterman with Paul Shaffer, singing “Please Come Home for Christmas.”

Will the Rolling Stones Be MusiCares’ Next People of the Year?

Roger Friedman
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Will the Rolling Stones Be MusiCares’ Next People of the Year?

It’s getting around time to firm up the annual Person of the Year for MusiCares’ annual pre-Grammy fundraising dinner. Past recipients include Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, Neil Diamond and, this past year, Carole King.

Sources tell me inquiries are out to the Rolling Stones. I’m not sure why or how the Stones have avoided this honor so far. It’s a big deal in the record business. The honoree gets to choose a group of performers who will come and sing their songs. Sometimes the honoree plays a mini concert as well. It’s the kick off event of Grammy weekend.

So far, I hear negotiations are proceeding but the Stones are balking. This may have to do with Mick Jagger’s recent loss (the L’Wren Scott story). But I don’t think so. Jagger’s been out and about promoting “Get on Up,” the movie he produced about James Brown. He and Keith and Charlie et al should really say yes and do the right thing here. No one’s getting any younger. And the Stones are the last of the big classic rock names to receive the honor. MusiCares raises funds for musicians who are indigent or in tough circumstances regarding medical bills and so on. The Stones would sell out the L.A. Convention Center in two seconds.

Who should perform at a Stones MusiCares dinner? Tina Turner, definitely. Aerosmith. Merry Clayton. Marianne Faithfull. Who else? You tell me.

Watch New Trailer for “Hunger Games- Mockingjay” Part 1

Roger Friedman
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Watch New Trailer for “Hunger Games- Mockingjay” Part 1

Fans: what do you think is going on here? Let me know.

Whoopi Goldberg Crosses Over to NBC Today Show: Message to ABC?

Roger Friedman
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1
Whoopi Goldberg Crosses Over to NBC Today Show: Message to ABC?

What the heck was Whoopi Goldberg doing on the Today show this morning? Whoopi hosts The View on ABC, a rival network. And a rival show. Whoopi was promoting her role in a new movie, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” But the movie is from Paramount, not Universal, NBC’s parent company. I love Whoopi, but she’s shrewd. The View is in flux. Was she sending a message to ABC? She didn’t respond at all when Savannah Guthrie asked if she was happy Rosie O’Donnell was returning to The View. She completely ignored the question.

Whoopi said: “When I come back in September, there could be six turtles sitting there.” She also said: “The View will always be Barbara Walters’s show.” Really? Barbara is supposedly retired. Something’s up. And this was Whoopi’s way of telling that to ABC. The ball is in their court.

By the way, I didn’t realize that Whoopi suddenly has four movies in the can. When she did make them, on the weekends? And let’s not forget, Whoopi is not only an EGOT– which Guthrie made a big deal of– but also a considerably talented Tony winning Broadway performer. She can do anything. As she telegraphed this morning, she doesn’t need The View.

Quentin Tarantino Confirms our May 24 Story: “Hateful Eight” is a ‘Go’

Roger Friedman
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Quentin Tarantino Confirms our May 24 Story: “Hateful Eight” is a ‘Go’

Word is coming out of Comic Con in San Diego: Quentin Tarantino has confirmed my May 24th scoop. “The Hateful Eight” will be shot. Tarantino says “in the next year.” But I was told in May — and reported it here– that actors were told to be in Wyoming by the end of November for principal photography. That’s everyone from Bruce Dern to Michael Madsen and all the Tarantino regulars except for Christoph Waltz. After winning two Oscars back to back in Tarantino films, Waltz, I guess is being rested. Sort of like a big league pitcher.

Here’s the original link: http://www.showbiz411.com/2014/05/24/exclusive-tarantino-movie-hateful-eight-has-november-start-date

I’m sure Harvey Weinstein will be encouraging Tarantino to make that November start. That way there’s a good chance of a December 2015 release. He’d even be able to show footage in Cannes by May.

By coincidence, I just happened to catch “Django Unchained” on Showtime this weekend. It really holds up. What a great movie.

Jerry Lewis Screwed Again by MDA: They’re Using His Old Clips With A List Stars to Promote Themselves

Roger Friedman
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Jerry Lewis Screwed Again by MDA: They’re Using His Old Clips With A List Stars to Promote Themselves

Get this: the creeps at MDA– Muscular Dystrophy Association– have found a new way to exploit Jerry Lewis. They’re currently holding a vote on their website for most popular performance ever on the Labor Day Telethon. It’s called “Vote for Your Favorite MDA Telethon Moments.”

Many of the clips are of Jerry himself. Those that aren’t are of A list celebrities who only did the show because of Jerry– like fellow Rat Packers Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr.

Only one problem: MDA famously kicked Jerry to the curb in 2010 after 50 years of dedicated service. They killed off the Labor Day telethon, too. Now it’s just a sad little prerecorded show on the Sunday night of Labor Day weekend on ABC. No one watches it, and no one cares.

MDA has gone to great lengths to scrub Lewis from its history. Without him, their fundraising has slowly diminished. Indeed, MDA customarily lies about how much money is taken in via their new show, including pre-arranged corporate donation.

At this point, I doubt Jerry cares. But it’s pretty tacky of MDA to promote all his clips– and just his clips. There’s nothing to vote on since he left save for one clip with will.i.am from 2012. Sad.

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