E. Doctor Smith's Blog

One of the most popular and my personal favorite of the entire "Law & Order" television franchise, "Criminal Intent" comes to a close this Sunday night after a 10 year run; 7 years on NBC and 3 years on the USA network. Starring the incredible Vincent D'Onofrio as the complex Detective Robert "Bobby" Goren and his partner, Detective Alexandra Eames, portrayed by the equally talented Kathryn Erbe, "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" chronicled the exploits of the NYPD's "Major Case Squad". Goren's skill as a brilliant criminal profiler, coupled with the snarky wit of Eames and a bevy of great guest stars helped make the show one of the best police dramas ever written for television. Fans of the show fell in love with Goren's idiosyncracies; the way he would bend his body and lean over suspects to interrogate them; his now legendary, long running battle with serial killer Nicole Wallace, played by Olivia D'Abo; his ...

Peter Gabriel has earned a worldwide reputation for his innovative work as a musician, writer and video maker. When at school he co-founded the group Genesis, which he left in 1975. His albums, live performance and videos since then have won him a succession of awards. Tonight, the legendary Gabriel kicks off a new tour at the Greek in Berkeley with his critically acclaimed "New Blood Orchestra and wrapping up on June 29 at the Marcus Amphitheatre in Milwaukee. Following the tour, Gabriel plans to release an album with his New Blood Orchestra, conducted by Ben Foster, featuring his repertoire remixed. Gabriel did a similar thing like this last year, but with all cover tunes. Peter co-founded the group Genesis in 1966 at school; he would go on to make 7 albums with them. He left in 1975, but returned to music a year later, and has subsequently made 11 solo albums. His film soundtrack works include Birdy (1984); The Last Temptation of Christ (1989); Rabbit Proof Fence (2002...

The gypsy-flavored, trance-fueled group known as the Druid Sisters Tea Party, return with their third album, "MoonJuju". Land of the Blind's vocalist Cyoakha Grace and former Jain/SF Mime Troupe drummer Claudia Paige continue to be the Sisters' mainstays, along with Kathy Buys on violin and Jan Martinelli on bass. I'll confess, I ran into Paige in Hawaii last December, when she gave me a sneak preview of the album. Pleasantly motoring around the island, I happily found "MoonJuju" to be another seamless blend of Paige's crisp, world beat polyrhythms, Grace's beautifully crafted vocals and LOTB's Krystov, ably lending his didgeridoo-driven ambiance. Following on the heels of "Gypsy Love Caravan", "MoonJuju brings together a magical weave of tribal jungle drums, big fat funk bass grooves, touches of traditional Irish fiddle tunes overlaid with sweet cello, dreamy trance vocals, Aussie Didgeridoo & African guitar, all spirited ...