Friday, October 22, 2010

The Golem - Black Francis

The Golem - Black Francis from Black Francis on Vimeo.

Black Francis To Release The Golem Rock Album + DVD

Original Score To The Golem : How He Came Into The World

 Out November 16th Exclusively On Black Francis Web Store

THE GOLEM: HOW HE CAME INTO THE WORLD
An original score by BLACK FRANCIS

Often regarded as the height of German expressionism, the silent, black and white film "The Golem" (also known in it's German form, "Der Golem") was the last of a series of three films by director Paul Wegener and was released in 1920.

Set in the 16th century, "The Golem: How He Came Into The World" tells the story of the persecution of the Jews of Prague. The towns Rabbi (Rabbi Loew), foreseeing these events, constructs a giant 'Golem' out of clay in order to protect his people. Mayhem ensues when the creature rebels and begins to destroy the ghetto. The highly expressionistic imagery seen in the film was captured by legendary cinematographer Karl Freund, who went on to do the classic "Metropolis" in 1927. 

Groundbreaking as it was, the film sat 'silent' for nearly 88 years until the San Francisco International Film Festival requested Black Francis score the film and perform it live for their annual film festival in April, 2008. Despite the sold out show at San Francisco's Castro Theatre (with a line stretching around the block) the score has never been performed live since. However, BF recorded the resulting double album in a matter of days in SF at Hyde Street Studios, with help from longtime collaborator/producer Eric Drew Feldman. The album features Black Francis on vocals/guitar, Duane Jarvis on lead guitar (who has since passed away), EDF on keys, Joseph Pope on bass, Jason Carter on drums and Ralph Carney on horns.

In early 2010 the double album, along with the recordings of the live performance in 2008 and the DVD was compiled into a special, limited edition booklet. Only 500 copies were released and sold exclusively through the Black Francis web store. 

However, November 16th, 2010 will see the release of The Golem 'rock album': a stunning one-hour 'rock opera' derived from the original 2-disc album. To accompany the album, the DVD with complete score (both housed in simple & elegant, eco-friendly packaging) will also be available exclusively through the Black Francis web store and Amazon.com.

For Press Inquiries Please Contact Kip@TellAllYourFriendsPR.com

Thursday, October 07, 2010

National Coming Out Day

Monday is National Coming Out Day. Who was the very first person you came out to? How'd they handle the news? What about your parents? And since they say coming out is a never-ending process, who was the mostrecent person you came out to?

Sunday, October 03, 2010

"My Mind to Me A Kingdom Is" by Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford - c.1585


My mind to me a kingdom is;
Such perfect joy therein I find
That it excels all other bliss
That world affords or grows by kind.
Though much I want which most men have,
Yet still my mind forbids to crave.
No princely pomp, no wealthy store,
No force to win the victory,
No wily wit to salve a sore,
No shape to feed each gazing eye;
To none of these I yield as thrall.
For why my mind doth serve for all.
I see how plenty suffers oft,
How hasty climbers soon do fall;
I see that those that are aloft
Mishap doth threaten most of all;
They get with toil, they keep with fear.
Such cares my mind could never bear.
Content I live, this is my stay;
I seek no more than may suffice;
I press to bear no haughty sway;
Look what I lack my mind supplies;
Lo, thus I triumph like a king,
Content with that my mind doth bring.
Some have too much, yet still do crave;
I little have, and seek no more.
They are but poor, though much they have,
And I am rich with little store.
They poor, I rich; they beg, I give;
They lack, I leave; they pine, I live.
I laugh not at another’s loss;
I grudge not at another’s gain;
No worldly waves my mind can toss;
My state at one doth still remain.
I fear no foe, nor fawning friend;
I loathe not life, nor dread my end.
Some weigh their pleasure by their lust,
Their wisdom by their rage of will,
Their treasure is their only trust;
And cloaked craft their store of skill.
But all the pleasure that I find
Is to maintain a quiet mind.
My wealth is health and perfect ease;
My conscience clear my chief defense;
I neither seek by bribes to please,
Nor by deceit to breed offense.
Thus do I live, thus will I die.
Would all did so as well as I!