COURTENEY COX COMES CLEAN ON FRIENDS REUNION

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THE GLORIOUS CORNER

Story By: G. H. HARDING

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Courteney Cox

Matthew Perry

NO MORE FRIENDS --- Unfortunately, the cast of Friends will not be there for you anymore — Courteney Cox put a blunt end to any dreams of a possible reunion in the near future, telling David Letterman on The Late Show Monday night, "It's not gonna happen." In classic Monica form, Cox said she's been trying to get the cast back together for a dinner, but in the 10 years since the hit show ended, she still hasn't been able to get everyone together. "I can get the girls to come, maybe Matthew Perry. Matt LeBlanc canceled last time, right at the last minute. [David] Schwimmer lives here [New York City], so it's just not going to happen." Even a possible movie seems out of the question; with Cox pointing out that the entire show was shot in the characters' apartments, insinuating no one wants to see a 90-minute episode of that. Letterman did, however, suggest the protracted, potentially lucrative process of someone writing a Friends novel and then selling the movie rights to get the reunion rolling. "And then we will be done," replied a bemused, if not somewhat exasperated, Cox.

Last year, the show's creator Marta Kauffman shut down similar rumors of a Friends reunion special or movie, saying, "Friends was about that time in your life when your friends are your family and once you have a family, there's no need anymore."

Considering the amount of retro-shows that have been re-booted of late –think Ironside which lasted 3 episodes- methinks this to be a very, very good move.

MYERS SHADOW --- On her current single, the raging, unapologetic “Desire,” Meg Myers “juggles the pretty and the ugly perfectly,” as Stereogum noted, adding that with her “fierce-then-vulnerable voice, you have something that is as sweet as it is unsettling.” The Nashville-born, Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter has consistently worked that dichotomy in her music, exploring the tension between dark and light, sweet and sour, and sex and death in her cathartic songwriting. Her richly powerful voice, which can slide on a dime from a feathery trill to an anguished howl, is the perfect instrument with which to express her brooding, fiercely raw lyrics about craving what’s just out of reach. The words are bolstered by the layered guitar-synth soundscapes she creates with her collaborator and producer Dr. Rosen Rosen.

Released in April 2013, Myers’ debut EP Daughter In The Choir gave listeners their first taste of such ferocious anthems as “Monster,” earning her rave reviews and comparisons to female iconoclasts like Fiona Apple, Sinéad O’Connor, and Alanis Morissette, though Myers cites Tracy Chapman, Joan Osborne, and Heart’s Ann Wilson as inspirations, along with Kurt Cobain, Layne Staley, and Trent Reznor. The Nine Inch Nails frontman’s influence is evident on “Desire.”

Myers lets her pop instincts temper the dark quality of her songs, thanks to help from Rosen, a prominent re mixer who’s worked on tracks by Britney Spears, M.I.A., La Roux, and Lady Gaga among others.

Myers is the latest femme-vocalist to galvanize the L. A.-scene; along with Lana Del Rey. When I was West Coast-based two weeks back, I heard her music everywhere. Check this one out – it’s stunningly excellent.

MADDENING MEN --- Mad Men Sunday night, episode 2 of their final season, was a rather befuddling and formulaic episode until the last ten minutes. Don is confronted by his daughter Sally, suddenly and unexpectedly. She had gone by his office only to find him not there. She ends up at his apartment and he finds out she stopped by the office and finally confronts her in the car. Little by little Sally’s defenses break down; especially in a scene where they have dinner. Amazingly, this scene reminded me of the very, last Sopranos scene … in a diner. Creator Matthew Weiner, who was heavily involved in that late, great HBO show as well, continues to write, well like a modern-day Shakespeare. The ice finally broken, Don delivers Sally home, and as she gets out of the car, she wishes him a Happy Valentine’s Day (which it was) and says I love you. As many have noted: very interesting that the one person Don can now be fully honest with, is his daughter. Landmark scene for sure. BTW: The episode was titled A Day’s Work.

Aretha Franklin

CLOSING NOTES --- Aretha Live at the Fillmore West includes special contributions from Ray Charles and Billy Preston. A classic live performance by Aretha Franklin is out this week on CD via Amazon.com. Pairing one of the rock era's legendary voices with one of its iconic venues, Aretha Live at Fillmore West recaptures the magic of May 7th, 1971. Opening with "Respect," and rolling through her version of Stephen Stills' "Love the One You're With," Ben E. King's "Don't Play that Song" and closing with Diana Ross' "Reach Out and Touch," Aretha is backed by an all-star band featuring Billy Preston on keyboards.

The surprises include her infusing soul on Bread's gentle ballad "Make it With You" and her piano putting a distinctive spin on The Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby." There's even a special guest -- Ray Charles joins her for "Spirit in the Dark." …

Producer Giorgio Moroder just did a special remix for Coldplay’s new single “Midnight.” Utterly brilliant as all his work has been.

Moroder helped invent disco in the 70's with Donna Summer (“I Feel Love,” “Love to Love You Baby”) and created the synth soundbed for various 80’s film soundtracks. After disappearing from pop culture for two decades, he came roaring back into the spotlight with a starring role on Daft Punk’s multi Grammy-winning; international hit album release Random Access Memories.

Ghost Stories, Coldplay's sixth album, will be released worldwide on May 19. It's their first since Mylo Xyloto in 2011.

Last week, the British band announced they would play six “intimate” shows in a trek that visits Germany, the U.S., France, Japan and the U. K. The itinerary as it stands will start April 25 at E-Werk in Cologne, then moves to N.Y., L.A., Paris, Tokyo and London.

PR-man David Salidor who helped create the New Music Seminar back in 1984(which was revived several years back after a dormant period) is about to announce a new event for later this year that will involve all facets of today’s entertainment business. Says Salidor, “When we started the New Music Seminar back in 1984, there was no SXSW, no Coachella … this new event will tie all these ends together, including publishing; touring; management. My 30-years in the PR-Management business, as well as with the Seminar, have given me a unique perspective. Stay tuned.” 

 Photos By: RD/Kabik/Dziekan/Walter McBride/WM Photography/Retna