Ellis Widner
Stories by Ellis
Pandemonium hits the Rock
posted: 05/13/2012 4:28 a.m. Discuss
“We knew we were swept away in the beginning of something huge.” — Eleanor Nolan, Seattle Fans were lining up outside Robinson Auditorium 5/2 hours before showtime.
Memories made still sweaty fresh
posted: 05/13/2012 4:12 a.m. Discuss
Some memories from those who were there: “I do remember my parents having concerns about my attending. When their friends found out I was going, they let my mother and dad know they thought it a very bad idea. The things I might learn from watching Elvis would stick with me forever. They were right.
LR disc jockey was the one who captured Elvis on tape
posted: 05/13/2012 4:10 a.m. Discuss
Elvis Presley sang just seven songs during his May 16, 1956, performances at Robinson Auditorium: “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Long Tall Sally,” “I Was the One,” “Money Honey,” “I Got a Woman,” “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Hound Dog.” “Heartbreak Hotel” spent eight weeks at No. 1 on Billboard magazine’s singles charts earlier that year.
POP NOTES: Chocolate Drops fuse vintage, modern styles
posted: 05/06/2012 3:34 a.m. Discuss
It would be easy to make assumptions about the Carolina Chocolate Drops.
POP NOTES: Madonna album thrills, coasts a bit
posted: 04/03/2012 2:18 a.m. Discuss
Don’t pre-judge MDNA (Interscope ) by the tepid single “Gimme All Your Luvin’ ,” one of Madonna’s weakest. But we wonder: did she spell it “Luvin’” so we wouldn’t think she was covering ZZ Top’s “Gimme All Your Lovin’” ?
The buzz
posted: 04/01/2012 3:50 a.m. Discuss
April springs forth with new albums by Rascal Flatts, M. Ward, Marvin Sapp, Jason Mraz and Train; unreleased gospel songs by Johnny Cash; remixes by Nicki Minaj; a Thick As a Brick sequel by Jethro Tull and Ian Anderson; and an expanded reissue of Janis Joplin’s best-selling album, Pearl.
Rock art seen as tangible link to ancient thoughts
posted: 03/18/2012 3:25 a.m. Discuss
George Sabo III responds quickly when asked what rock art — petroglyphs and pictographs — have to say in our time.
ARTBEAT: Tech exhibit captures Criswell’s unrest
posted: 03/06/2012 4:22 a.m. Discuss
If there’s one word to describe Warren Criswell’s artistic nature, restless just might be it.
The buzz
posted: 03/04/2012 3:35 a.m. Discuss
March roars in like a musical lion with new recordings by Bruce Springsteen, the return of country star Neal McCoy, Broadway belter Idina Menzel, rockers Lucero, American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert, blues great B.B. King, dancing queen Madonna and — hello! — singer-songwriter Lionel Richie, who’s issuing his debut country album.
POP NOTES: Cohen, 77, is as observant, fluent as ever on Old Ideas
posted: 02/26/2012 3:23 a.m. Discuss
Some fans of Leonard Cohen describe the gravitas in his weathered voice as godlike.
ARTBEAT: Power of Cefalo’s artwork stunning
posted: 02/21/2012 2:50 a.m. Discuss
The beauty, depth and breadth of painter Stephen Cefalo’s show at Gallery 26 almost overwhelms.
The buzz
posted: 02/12/2012 4:06 a.m. Discuss
What’s new this month? Blasts from the past — a reunited Van Halen, a new Paul McCartney and the return of The Cranberries. Release dates are subject to change.
ARTBEAT: Arts Center shows are feasts for the eyes
posted: 02/05/2012 3:47 a.m. Discuss
“The 54th Annual Delta Exhibition” “Masters of American Watercolor” Through March 28, Arkansas Arts Center, Ninth and Commerce streets, Little Rock Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
POP NOTES: Alabama Shakes shows it has promise aplenty
posted: 01/31/2012 2:42 a.m. Discuss
Trying to predict the future for a new musical act is risky, perhaps foolhardy.
POP NOTES: Sutton’s band makes songs their own
posted: 01/15/2012 3:56 a.m. Discuss
One of American music’s great singers, Tierney Sutton has a gorgeous and versatile voice with a big range that is imbued with emotional depth and expression. Perhaps no one since Sarah Vaughan or Marilyn Maye has had such impressive pipes.
Adele, others electric in shows out on DVD
posted: 01/08/2012 3:55 a.m. Discuss
We will never get to see another concert quite like the one Adele gave in London in September.
Mississippi sculptor tops at LR show
posted: 01/07/2012 4:31 a.m. Discuss
Rod Moorhead of Oxford, Miss., was named the Grand Award winner for the 54th annual Delta Exhibition of Painting and Sculpture at the Arkansas Arts Center.
POP NOTES: Drifting off beaten path delivers aural dividends
posted: 01/01/2012 5:18 a.m. Discuss
The rewards of listening to music outside the mainstream in 2011 were plentiful.
ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: Library will host opening of ‘Small Works on Paper’
posted: 01/01/2012 5:14 a.m. Discuss
The 2012 “Small Works on Paper” art exhibition starts its statewide tour Thursday at the Laman Library, 2801 Orange St., North Little Rock. The show, presented by the Arkansas Arts Council, hangs until Jan. 29. A reception is scheduled at 6 p.m. Friday at the library and will include talks by the artists.
The buzz
posted: 01/01/2012 5:13 a.m. Discuss
New music for a new year; January’s bounty includes adventurous chamber group Kronos Quartet, country’s Kellie Pickler and Celtic Woman.
REISSUES: Boxed set includes Elvis in LR in 1956
posted: 12/25/2011 12:52 a.m. Discuss
Some music fans may have gotten boxes in their Christmas boxes.
Gifts of memory
posted: 12/25/2011 12:51 a.m. Discuss
What was your best Christmas ever? That’s the question we posed to readers last month, and many of you sent e-mails and letters to tell your stories.
MUSIC: Decorate album collection with tuneful Christmas CDs
posted: 12/04/2011 4:13 a.m. Discuss
A quick look at some Christmas albums that might be in Santa’s bag: Il Volo, Christmas Favorites, Geffen Three Italian teenagers, winners of a TV talent show, launched their career this year with a lovely album of tunes in the Andrea Bocelli and Il Divo classical /pop vein. These five Christmas songs are lush and beautiful. Impeccable vocals.
The buzz
posted: 12/04/2011 4:08 a.m. Discuss
There are not a lot of goodies in the Santa’s musical bag for December, but that’s not necessarily a reflection on quality.
12 discs of Christmas
posted: 11/27/2011 4:24 a.m. Discuss
Oh, the weather outside was frightful — blazing hot and steamy — when the first Christmas albums rolled out this summer. But now that we’ve had Thanksgiving and the bells are jingling and lights are twinkling, it’s time to give those carols a listen.
Reinventing the basket
posted: 11/06/2011 4:53 a.m. Discuss
Leon Niehues should have felt content. Happy, even.
Function, beauty interwoven
posted: 11/06/2011 3:48 a.m. Discuss
A key to understanding the appeal of Leon Niehues’ baskets is their undeniable beauty.
BUZZ
posted: 10/04/2011 4 a.m. Discuss
The month of Halloween scares up new music by Evanescence, Feist, Martina McBride, Kelly Clarkson and Coldplay. And if that’s not scary enough, another wave of Christmas music hits this month, with new titles by She and Him, Michael Buble, Mannheim Steamroller and Joey & Rory.
80-year arc of Barnet in art show
posted: 10/02/2011 4:24 a.m. Discuss
Will Barnet has carved a singular path through American art, intersecting Arkansas in a career that spans 80 years.
REISSUES: Sinatra, Bennett are still favorites
posted: 09/20/2011 4:13 a.m. Discuss
Two of American music’s greatest singers — who admired each other’s vocal gifts — have sparkling reissues that remind us just how vital and creative a force they are in popular culture.
ARTBEAT: Ozarks are poppin’ with art
posted: 09/13/2011 4:13 a.m. Discuss
Now that temperatures have dipped to more comfy levels, it’s a good time for art lovers to hop in their vehicles for a sneak peek at artists’ workplaces. The tours are free, there are maps and guidebooks online and it’s a great chance to see people create art, not to mention a fine shopping opportunity.
The buzz
posted: 08/21/2011 4:04 a.m. Discuss
Wynton Marsalis gave older brother Branford a hard time for “selling out” when he left Wynton’s band in 1985 to join Sting for the ex-Police man’s first solo album, the jazz-tinged The Dream of Blue Turtles.
POP NOTES: State musician’s latest is dreamy, melodic set
posted: 08/14/2011 5:06 a.m. Discuss
It has been five years since composer and musician Phillip Schroeder’s last album, the lovely Move in the Changing Light.
The buzz
posted: 07/31/2011 5:04 a.m. Discuss
August is a bittersweet month for fans of Arkansas native Glen Campbell. The singer-songwriter, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, will release his final studio album next month.
ARTBEAT: Photographs: Old school and new
posted: 07/26/2011 3:31 a.m. Discuss
Two recently opened photography exhibits are a study in beauty and emotion, in old school and new.
POP NOTES: With Harrow, Welch reaps beautiful, bountiful Harvest
posted: 07/24/2011 5:24 a.m. Discuss
Ten years ago, Gillian Welch was among the group of musicians accepting a Grammy Award for her participation on the soundtrack of O Brother, Where Art Thou?, which won album of the year. In 2003, she released the fine album Soul Journey. And then... nothing for eight years, until now.
POP NOTES: Emmylou Harris broadens what it means to be country
posted: 07/10/2011 5:03 a.m. Discuss
Few artists are as influential, or as underappreciated, as Emmylou Harris.
ARTBEAT: Trio of shows stir emotions’ depths
posted: 07/05/2011 3:14 a.m. Discuss
Love and faith. Abandonment. The complexities of connections between blacks and the South.
REISSUES: Reissues provide old tunes new ears
posted: 06/28/2011 3:41 a.m. Discuss
Record companies put the same old music in more new outfits than Lady Gaga wears in a day.
ARTBEAT: Groovy art: Can you dig it?
posted: 06/21/2011 3:08 a.m. Discuss
If you’re goin’ to San Francisco Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair.
If Indian flute’s the game, Carlos Nakai’s the name
posted: 06/21/2011 2:55 a.m. Discuss
Many people have been drawn to the beautiful, haunting strains of an American Indian flute through the recordings of R. Carlos Nakai.
Showbiz agent Accents the city’s cultural groups
posted: 06/19/2011 4:28 a.m. Discuss
It would seem the unlikeliest of connections, but here it is: What do the Little Rock Arts and Cultural Commission and Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi of Jersey Shore have in common ?
The buzz
posted: 06/05/2011 4:34 a.m. Discuss
The pride of Poyen — country singer and songwriter Justin Moore — topped the charts in 2009 with his single, “Small Town U.S.A.” Now his second album, Outlaws Like Me, hits stores on June 21.
ARTBEAT: Standout art shows near end
posted: 05/24/2011 3:08 a.m. Discuss
Better get a move on. Besides “The Best of the South” with its half-dozen plus works by Carroll Cloar at Greg Thompson Fine Art in North Little Rock, there are several other superb art shows in central Arkansas not to be missed.
REISSUES: Russell is back with help from Elton John
posted: 05/10/2011 4:09 a.m. Discuss
Thanks to Elton John, Leon Russell is back in the spotlight via their rightfully praised duet album, The Union. John had just released his first album when he opened for Russell in 1970. He says he has idolized Russell for years and regards him as a significant influence.
POP NOTES: Trio of CDs is just right for a mellow-mood night
posted: 05/08/2011 3:46 a.m. Discuss
Our lives are noisy and getting noisier, fast and getting faster.
POP NOTES Simon’s So Beautiful ponders life’s mysteries in sly, wry way
posted: 05/01/2011 3:34 a.m. Discuss
Fifty-four years after Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel charted their first single (as Tom and Jerry) and at an age when many singers hang it up or perform greatest-hits medleys on the casino circuit, Simon is creating music that is vibrant, engaging and rich.
