The PopCulteer
September 27, 2019

Last night your PopCulteer got to do something he hadn’t done in a while. I went out to The Bluegrass Kitchen with my wife, heard and shot video of a great band, saw tons of old friends and had a great time.

This was actually the first time this year that I’d done any of that. It’s a far cry from my pre-Myasthenia Gravis days, when I used to catch live music in Charleston three or four times a week.

Part of the reason we went out last night was that Electro Biscuit, a band of dear friends who used to be partners in LiveMix Studios, were playing out for the first time in, I think, nine years. I’m still compiling guests for the next video episode of RFC, and since they were playing at The Bluegrass Kitchen, they were going to be done by 9 PM. Which was an important point, since my current medicine regmine usually has me falling asleep around 10 PM.

It was really cool to get Electro Biscuit recorded because they first appeared on RFC 66, which is one of the “missing” episodes that I’m still trying to track down.

But I had a great time going out (and enjoying the Bourbon-glazed trout), and that’s what I was doing instead of writing a lengthy, in-depth piece for this week’s PopCulteer, so instead, you’re going to get a whole bunch of short items filled with varying degrees of way-coolishness.

Abbey Road Repaved

Today is the day that The Beatles release their remixed and expanded 50th anniversary edition of Abbey Road, their final album, recorded as a band (Let It Be came out after, but was recorded first).

This new collection sees the familiar classic tracks remixed by Giles Martin, along with a bounty of bonus tracks with outtakes and alternate versions of the songs, plus there’s a deluxe edition with a Blu Ray and book.

That one’s due to be delivered today via UPS, which is why I’m writing this with one ear cocked toward the front door.

Yesterday the band released a new video for “Here Comes The Sun.” Check it out…

Slugs and Fairies

Genius musical producer/composer Mike Batt, who is far more famous in the UK (The USA, sadly, continues to suffer from a serious Womble deficiency), has a lushly-illustrated book coming out.

The Chronicles of Don’t Be So Ridiculous Valley is sort of a fairy tale for messed-up adults. It’s the tale of a slug who has dreams of becoming a piano player, and the beautiful fairy that he falls in love with.

It looks like a fun project, and if you act fast you can pre–order the book and get a signed, numbered copy of the hardback edition by going HERE. The book will be published Monday, September 30, so you only have a few days.

Here’s a trailer with Mike telling you all about it…

Ann Sighting

Charleston’s own Ann Magnuson turns up in this week’s new episode of Titans on DC Universe. It’s a fun cameo with some subtle baddassery from Ms. Magnuson.

New Kehde Play

Avon-by-the-Sea opened last night at the Elk City Playhouse, and continues this weekend and next. (But not this Saturday because of beer).

When 16 yr old Jennifer Morton and her family arrived at her grandparents beach house on the Jersey shore for their annual week at the beach, little did Jennifer know that her life and her love for her grandparents would never be the same.

The dark secret that her grandfather Ezra has hidden since his war hero days in the European Theater was about to send their idyllic family into a chaos that neither love nor forgiveness could cure. A must see for this theater season, this new Dan Kehde drama reminds all of us of the frailty of the human condition, the power of love, and the unforgettable pain of war. Adult situation and deep drama make this play more suitable for ages 12 and older.

You can see it at the Elk City Playhouse, 218 Washington St W, Charleston WV.  Performances are  7 PM – Fri. Sep.27, and Thurs.Oct.3, Fri. Oct 5, Sat. Oct.5, with tickets available at the door on day of performance, or online.
$15 adults, $8 students and seniors

Dan Kehde’s plays are always well worth seeing. For more information visit the Facebook Page for the show.

New Ringo On The Way

Not to be outdone by his bandmates, Sir Richard Starkey has a new album due out next month. “What’s My Name” features a load of guest musicians, including Joe Walsh, Dave Stewart, Benmont Tench, Edgar Winter, Steve Lukather and more.

One of those “more” is Sir Paul McCartney who contributes bass and vocals to a cover of John Lennon’s “Grow Old Along With Me,” which marks the first time Paul and Ringo have played on a song written by John in twenty-five years (at least in the studio).

The title track was written by occasional Mountain Stage guest, Colin Hay, and you can here it in the video below…

And with that, we wrap up this week’s PopCulteer. Abbey Road just got here. Check back for our regular features and tune in to The AIR, our sister internet station, for a mix of the coolest music on the planet.