Aubrey O\'day

John Gay: The Beggar's Opera; Edward German: Tom Jones (Highlights)
$13.98
By rights, this 1955 version of John Gay's much-adapted 1728 'ballad opera' should sound antiquated beyond redemption: the musical version used is Frederick Austin's well-worn, prettified (& verbally expurgated) 1920 arrangement, subjected to the indignity of being blown up from chamber ensemble to full orchestra; Sir Malcolm Sargeant's tempi are impossibly 'inauthentic' (ie. slow); there are numerous cuts even beyond Austin's omissions; & the 2 separate casts, of opera singers & actors, recorded in different months, are not always convincingly 'matched up.' Yet it's one of the most enjoyable recordings I know of.
A quick scan of the cast list(s) will tell you why: the singers include Elsie Morison, John Cameron, Monica Sinclair, Ian Wallace, Owen Brannigan & Alexander Young & the actors Zena Walker, John Neville, Rachel Roberts, Eric Porter & Paul Rogers. In other words, these are top pros & strong audio personalities who grab their every opportunity. The musical performance is sumptuous & sheer pleasure to listen to, the actors & dialogue 'production' brisk, funny & sharper than you might expect. And the sound for both music & dialogue is of demonstration quality, one of the best of the period.
Those who find this version too musically ponderous or dramatically reactionary can find antidotes in the Bare Baroque Basics one by Jeremy Barlow & The Broadside Band (Hyperion), word & note complete, & the radical & often inspired 1948 Benjamin Britten arrangement (complete on Argo, abridged with the original cast on Pearl). They'll be missing some good 50s fun, though.
They'll also be missing the only available excerpts (15 numbers) from Edward German's tuneful 1907 operetta 'Tom Jones.' This really IS 'cleaned up' 18th century, genteel beyond the call of duty, but for those who respond to musical theater of the period, highly recommended. The 1966 recording is lively & accomplished. As Miss Jean Brodie would say, For those who like that sort of thing, that is the sort of thing they like. And a good thing too.

The Hundred Days (Vol. Book 19) (Aubrey/Maturin Series)
$14.95
Patrick O'Brian's "The Hundred Days" is the nineteenth book in Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin series. The Aubrey-Maturin books are quite simply the best fiction I've ever read. I enjoy them so much that I find it difficult to read any other fiction now.

Although there are twenty (completed) Aubrey-Maturin novels, in a sense they are one long, unending story. O'Brian tells the story of an unlikely pair of friends in early 19th century Britain: a hard-charging Royal Navy captain and an Irish physician and naturalist (and British spy). Both are devoted, for different reasons, to the fight against Napoleonic France. Captain Jack Aubrey and Doctor Stephen Maturin are dedicated friends, and the interplay between this unlikely pair is ranges from deep philosophical discussions to intended and unintended humor.

But what really makes these novels is Patrick O'Brian's writing style. Through his words, he paints wonderful pictures and creates real characters in brilliant narratives; which is good, because Aubrey and many of his exploits are based on real-life adventures during the Napoleonic Wars.

"The Hundred Days" is set during Napoleon's brief return to power in 1815. Aubrey's squadron is involved in the Mediterranean, and much of the book is devoted to efforts - both diplomatic and military - to prevent a Muslim ally of Napoleon from shipping gold to its allies in the Balkans to be used to prevent the Russian and Prussian armies from joining up. This book is a bit lighter on the sea action than many others in the series and doesn't stand out in the series. Still, this is an excellent book, but I recommend that everyone with any interest in historical fiction or the Royal Navy read the entire series in order.

PLAYBOY MAGAZINE March 2009 Issue Aubrey Oday O'day (The Sex And Music Issue - Sexiest Celebrities Of The Year!)
$11.00
2009 March Playboy Issue!

American High School
$26.97
If you want to laugh your head off, go out and buy this movie. If you are in the least bit depressed, if you are in the dumps with this economy, if you just broke up with your significent other, then run to get this flick. But word of warning. If you take this movie at face value or as in any way real, you will lose out. But if you view it as a parody, as broad slapstick, you will love it. It is a combination American Pie and Scrubs. It's like Woddy Allen let loose. It is downright dirty and silly which is part of its charm. Director Cannon is either a comic genius or he fell into this without knowing. (I'd love to see him work with Ben Stiller or Will Farrel - Cannon appears to have their crazy sense of humor.) He treats all his characters the same...he makes fun of them all. And in doing so, he is making fun of all the stupid teen sex comedies out there. No one can be taken seriously and I think this was done on purpose. Cannon paces things well. You are never bored. This movie is downright silly on purpose. The teens are bad but the adults are worse. The principal is a sleeze bag as is all his teachers and staff. The parents are worse than the kids. When it all ends and the smoke clears, you are left with a surrealistic comedy that is zanier than you have ever seen. This is a very good choice for a weekend afternoon popcorn flick with your best buddies.