Soundtrack of my Life – Think

February 13, 2016
by Rodney Olsen
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Soundtrack of my LifeThis is one of a regular series of articles highlighting some of the music that has played a part in my life.

You’ll find a range of songs from old to new. You’ll probably find music that has been part of the soundtrack of your life too.

You can also check out some of the other songs that make up the soundtrack of my life.

Think – Aretha Franklin

I’d have to admit that the main reason this song is part of the soundtrack of my life is that it’s part of the soundtrack of The Blues Brothers movie. I saw that movie one Saturday night in 1980. I didn’t really want to see it but the group I was going to the movies with wanted to see it. I couldn’t stop talking about it for the next week and the next Saturday night I was back there with some more friends. I reckon I’ve seen that movie at least a dozen times in cinemas and many more times on video or DVD.

I should say that the movie isn’t the only reason I love Aretha’s music and that I’m thankful that it led me to explore more of her work. She is an incredible talent.

Of course Think wasn’t written for the movie. Aretha released the song reached number 7 on Billboard Hot 100, becoming her seventh top 10 hit in the United States. Think also reached Number 1 on the magazine’s Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles. It was co-written by Aretha Franklin and Ted White.

If you’re not already a fan, I’d encourage you to find some of her music and learn about what a true legend she is. Aretha is currently 73 years of age but she proved she’s still got it with an inspirational performance at the White House late last year. And if you’ve never seen the orignal Blues Brothers movie, make sure you fix that situation soon. The clip below comes from the movie.


I’d encourage you to get involved too. Let me know about some of the songs that are etched in your mind. What are the tunes that bring back a flood of memories every time their opening notes start cranking out on your stereo? Are there songs you love for their music and others that speak deeply through their lyrics?



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Blues Brothers Endorsed as a Catholic Classic

June 22, 2010
by Rodney Olsen
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I would have never thought that The Blues Brothers and The Passion of the Christ would ever be considered as similar movies but on the 30th anniversary of the release of The Blues Brothers, L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican’s official newspaper, called the film a Catholic classic and said it should be recommended viewing for Catholics everywhere.

Really?

I remember going with some friends to see The Blues Brothers at Cinema City in Perth for the first time shortly after it opened. It was my friends’ choice of film and I really wasn’t expecting much. That was a Saturday night and I loved the movie so much I took some other friends the following Saturday night. Since then I’ve seen that movie about twenty times. I was a fan well before the movie became the cult classic that it is today. I can quote most of the dialogue if you really want me to.

The film is based on a skit from “Saturday Night Live.” In the story, Jake and Elwood — played by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, respectively — embark on an unlikely road trip featuring concerts, car chases, clashes with the police and neo-Nazi groups, and attempts at revenge from a spurned lover, all, ostensibly, to raise money for the church-run orphanage where they grew up.

But aside from a brief appearance from Kathleen Freeman as a wrist-slapping nun referred to as “The Penguin” and the brothers’ periodic claim that they were on a mission from God, spirituality does not play a significant role in the film.

In addition to Belushi and Aykroyd, the film featured an all-star cast including musicians James Brown, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, John Lee Hooker, and Chaka Khan, in addition to noted actors John Candy, Carrie Fisher, Charles Napier, and Henry Gibson, and cameo roles for Frank Oz, Steven Spielberg, Landis, Mr. T, and Paul Reubens.

With the recommendation, “The Blues Brothers” joins the list of dozens of films recommended by Catholic authorities that includes Cecil B. DeMille’s “The Ten Commandments,” “Jesus of Nazareth” from Franco Zeffirelli,” Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of The Christ,” Victor Flemming’s “Joan of Arc,” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” from Frank Capra. – Reuters

What other movies do you think should qualify as Catholic classics? Do you draw spiritual meaning from the movies you see or are you simply interested in a couple of hours of good entertainment?



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MMMWhat?

April 28, 2010
by Rodney Olsen
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Hanson, the boys who brought us the ridiculously catchy MMMBop, have grown up and have created this amazing video which is a must see for anyone who love the original Blues Brothers movie.

It’s a pretty good song too.



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