Film Review: The Most Dangerous Man in America

By
Charles A. Smith

In the early years of the Vietnam war, Dr. Daniel Ellsberg was a strategist, reporting to top officials of the U.S. Government, including then presidents Johnson and Nixon. Some of the information from his earliest missions was falsified and embellished to justify what eventually led to the first attacks by the U.S. Navy against Vietnam. The young Ellsberg watched helplessly as those he reported the truth to lied to the public, fueling the fires of a war that he advised America could not win. Though he disagreed with his superiors behind closed doors, a battle between patriotism and guilt raged within him, but at the time, he took no further measures to unveil the truth to the American people. Ellsberg did his job like so many before and after him, caught between a sense of duty to his country and his own conscience. That duty encompassed keeping secrets, regardless of how they were misused or distorted to accomplish the goals of less than honorable men who sought the accomplishment of their goals despite the cost to the U.S. and others.

The Most Dangerous Man In America, from filmmakers Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith, is a thoroughly entertaining documentary that is both chilling and powerful. It pinpoints that struggle between right and wrong that rages within each of us, but in Ellsberg's case, the battle within was compounded by carrying the weight and fate of the country on his shoulders, affecting him on a deeply personal and moral level. The film shines the light quite brightly on little known facts that are very difficult to face about the U.S. government. Ellsberg's morality eventually led him to expose the very people he had kept quiet to protect, and many lives were spared because of the great personal risk he took to do so. After more than 2 million Vietnamese and 58,000 American lives were lost, wasted on a war that was fought under false pretenses, Ellsberg dropped a bomb of his own on the U.S. government in 1971, confessing what he knew to be true and causing a ripple effect which reverberated on through Watergate, the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, and the U.S. Supreme Court's decision regarding the First Amendment rights of the New York Times and the Washington Post.

Interesting and enlightening from the first second of the documentary to the last, The Most Dangerous Man In America is a must-see film for all Americans and certainly those who believe that our government is beyond reproach. On this Memorial Day, I honor our veterans, but know now also that many of them died for the wrong reasons. I salute their families, share their pain, and hope as many others do, that one day we can learn to settle our differences like gentlemen instead of warriors -- on the chess board instead of the battlefield. And I'm thankful for those who have the courage to make such films and expose us to the harsh reality that power can be a very dangerous thing in the wrong hands and a beacon of hope in the right ones. This film is superb at pointing this out, and nothing could be added or taken away that could make it better than it is. Job well done!

Hiroshima: A "Departure" From The Rest

By
Michele Wilson-Morris

Hiroshima's newest release, appropriately entitled "Departure" after leaving their label behind to pursue a career on their own terms as independent recording artists, is a solid and thoroughly enjoyable jazz album. Although the group is so distinctive that they probably should have their own genre to better describe their songs (perhaps Urban World Music), jazz lovers and music enthusiasts of every genre can enjoy this CD, which just may be their greatest work yet. Hiroshima's style has yet to be duplicated, and "Departure," which boasts nine tracks, is pure listening pleasure from the first track to the last.

My personal favorite on the album was the first track, "Have You Ever Wondered," which is a sensual and romantic piece, featuring Tetsuya "Tex" Nakamura. "Koto Cruise" allows Kimo Cornwell to really shine along with June Kuramoto , with a big Hiroshima signature sound and perfect chord ."Blues for Sendai" is a grooving mid tempo jazz waltz with soft intimate fluting played at a leisurely pace and a rich, warm sound. Cascading pads, cleverly punctuated rhythms, great piano and continuous bass along with great voicing enhance this song, which clearly shows that Hiroshima is still at the top of their game and stronger than ever. "Smiling Jack" features a funky drum solo with a Koto and flute melody, and big tenor sax exchanges. A nice B section with the Tenor sax and a funky breakdown with building organ padding into a nice solo and string section are the reason Jack must be smiling.

"See You Again" is a tribute to the late, great James Moody who was a mentor and friend to Hiroshima. The song is a tender farewell with a beautiful melody, tinged with heartfelt tones, with the Tenor and Koto interplay over the soft Rhodes textures engaging the listener. The touch of "Moody's Mood For Love," is quoted from sax solo to Rhodes solo, "There I go. There I go."

The vocal drone sets the tone for "Yamasong Duet," which is a cool and interesting piece with a unique chant and serious groove. The tempo change as a transition to a Taiko type percussion section adds an unexpected but exciting bit of spice to this number. "First Nation," showcases sounds of the Shakuhachi Flute and the Koto, and vocal textures build into a cool jazzy horn section with some great soprano sax, which are very reminiscent of Weather Report. The unmistakable style of Hiroshima is driven by a McCoy Tyner type piano solo that show the group's tremendous fusion of traditional jazz with the world of Japanese instrumental textures. The quoting of ‘Afro Blue' adds major coolness here.

"Thousand Cranes" is a beautiful, expansive piece which is greatly complemented by the Koto and orchestral arrangements. The melody is simply enchanting, and fans will find this to be one of the best tracks on the album. The last song, "One Wish," has a nice intimate sound with piano and the breathy flute tones without drums, followed by the classic reprise of the Hiroshima Classic, yet unplugged version. With the world in such chaos and turmoil today, "One Wish" is a fantastic way to speak to many hearts, sending a message through music that mere words cannot properly convey.

Hiroshima is a master jazz band, legends in their own time, and "Departure" will take you to many moods and places – all of them exciting and wonderful, hypnotic and tranquil. There's something for everyone here, and this reviewer is both amazed and pleased that the band, after more than 30 years in the music business and 18 CDs, continues to push the envelope and remain innovative, genuine, and extraordinary.