Culture Corner

By TALAR KESHISHIAN — arts@theaggie.org

Album: “Lioness: Hidden Treasures” by Amy Winehouse (2011)

Amy Winehouse’s posthumous album is a collection of unreleased songs and demos compiled by her close collaborators Salaam Remi and Mark Ronson. The album contains songs from the beginning of her career to the end, forming a complete final project full of musical gems. Winehouse’s upbeat covers, like “Valerie” and “The Girl From Ipanema,” make for perfect summer driving songs. Nas’s rap verses and Winehouse’s hook repetition blend beautifully in “Like Smoke,” making it a highlight of the album. The album also exhibits Winehouse’s artistic range. More melancholy tracks, such as the stripped-down guitar in the hauntingly introspective “Wake Up Alone (Original Demo),” or “Body and Soul,” a duet between Winehouse and her idol Tony Bennett, deliver jazz vocals masterful enough to move one to tears. On “Lioness: Hidden Treasures,” Winehouse does what she does best: capturing the rawest spectrum of human emotion with her fearless authenticity and incomparable lyricism. 

Song: “The Paris Match” by The Style Council ft. Tracey Thorn (1984)

To create this cozy track nestled in their debut studio album, “Café Bleu,” English pop band The Style Council collaborated with Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt of Everything But The Girl. “The Paris Match” evokes the ambience of trailing through a city at night, lost in thought with no destination. It is hard to imagine any vocal style besides Tracey Thorn’s warm, full-bodied lower register that could capture this setting so perfectly, especially when combined with the emotional resonance of lyrics like, “I’m only sad in a natural way, and I enjoy sometimes feeling this way.” The soft instrumentals in the background enhance the atmosphere created by Thorn. Mick Talbot’s piano improvisation and Ben Watt’s laid-back guitar accompany Paul Weller’s beautiful lyrics with a moody jazz quality, making it an appropriate autumn choice. 

Movie: “Saturday Night Fever” dir. John Badham (1977)

Iconic dances, bold fashion and one of the greatest movie soundtracks of all time form the New York cult classic “Saturday Night Fever.” John Badham’s film whisks audiences away to the height of disco in the 1970s, where Tony Manero (played by John Travolta) searches for his life’s purpose against the backdrop of a working-class neighborhood in Brooklyn. Whether it’s his swaggering entrance to “Stayin’ Alive” in the film’s opening scene or his electric solo dance to “You Should Be Dancing,” Travolta’s rise to superstardom after this film was no coincidence. 

The film is carried by its breathtaking dance sequences, stunning cinematography and an unbelievable soundtrack anchored by the Bee Gees. Though certain aspects of this film have aged poorly, particularly the narrative’s treatment of sexual assault, the film’s depiction of a working-class community still captures some of the realities of racism, classism and misogyny in ‘70s Brooklyn. Above all, “Saturday Night Fever” shows us how to dream big and command the dance floor.

Movie: “Party Girl” dir. Daisy von Scherler Mayer (1995)

Another addition to the New York film canon is Daisy von Scherler Mayer’s “Party Girl.” Parker Posey stars as Mary, a party girl in her 20s with a sharp wit, no money and a wardrobe worthy of envy. When she is bailed from arrest by her rigid Aunt Judy, played by Sasha von Scherler, Mary is forced to reckon with her aimless lifestyle by working as a library clerk to pay off her debts. 

The indie quality of this film gives this coming-of-age story a very unpretentious feel. The ‘90s New York nightlife scene is very prominent and provides a compelling setting for Mary’s maturation. Music staples of the ‘90s ranging from hip-hop, disco and house capture the era’s party scene and guide the story’s narrative arc. The film even treats audiences with glimpses into ballroom culture, including an appearance from legendary New York drag queen Lady Bunny. Mary’s road to self-discovery is filled with confusion and mistakes, making it a relatable and entertaining watch, so get yourself a falafel with hot sauce and a side order of baba ghanoush and a seltzer and enjoy “Party Girl.”

Written by: Talar Keshishian — arts@theaggie.org