I've just finished watching Lilyhammer - to borrow a phrase from Charlie Brooker's Death to 2020 I binged the shit out of it. Accepting Steven Van Zandt as anyone other than Silvio Dante for me was always gonna be a big ask, though I guess Springsteen fans had to make their own leap of faith when they saw the former E Street Band guitarist transmogrify into a Jersey mobster the first time around; The Sopranos has got a lot to answer for.
Anyhoo, I thought it was terrific. Imagine Fargo meets Goodfellas and you won't be far off the mark. The soundtrack was none too shabby either. While I'm here I may as well confess that until a few days ago I've never heard anything by Van Zandt. However, this instrumental featured in the show (though I can't off the top of my head remember in what context) and it's really rather nice.
Steven Van Zandt - Espresso Martini (2014)
And here he is without his syrup. But with a rather tasty house band. I watched an interview he did for another talkshow this afternoon and I've got to say what a thoroughly nice fella Mr. Van Zandt is.
Espresso Martini - Live on the Aresenio Hall Show
The guy is a legend. Springsteen once introduced SVZ as '...the only man I know besides Hugh Hefner who has figured out how to spend his whole life in his pyjamas...'
ReplyDeleteAnd maybe that fella in the Boomtown Rats.
DeleteLillehammer was the first series we binge-watched on Netflix when it was acquired about 5 years ago and like you we thought it was terrific. "Why Lillehammer?" "The Olympics." You'd have to be of a certain age to even get that. He was Sivio Dante throughout just dressed in his New Jersey mob clothing, in the snow. Great cameo at the end. He is a legend indeed.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame they never extended the run; it's crying out for a 4th Season, if only to tie up the 'loose end' in the bath!
DeleteIt's so long since I watched it I've forgotten what that loose end might be although I do remember the final scenes in that wintery wonderland, and him being very content.
DeleteWe're all up to date with our boxsets at the moment so are looking for something new with a few seasons - With all the telly we've watched this year, not easy to find something. Any recommendations?