"Law & Order: Criminal Intent" Comes to an End

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 affection for his mom, wonderfully played by Rita Moreno and the discovery that serial killer William Brady, portrayed by actor Roy Scheider in one of his final performances. D'Onofrio and Erbe's performances throughout these personal story-lines took the series into territories not usually seen on the original Law & Order' or in the other spin-offs like. "Special Victims Unit", "LA", "Trial By Jury" and even "Law & Order: UK". Criminal Intent's popularity would also spawn an international version of the series in France, known as "Criminal Investigations", ('Paris enquêtes criminelles").

Goren's relationship with Eames is also one of the best on television, well written and handled with care. Their affection for one another is evident, and the way the writers of the show have forged their friendship through the fire of their cases is remarkable. Considered to be the "Dr. Watson to Goren's Sherlock Holmes", Eames has had a few story arcs as well; solving the murder of her husband, a policeman killed years earlier in the line of duty; living in the footsteps of her retired policeman father; almost shooting Goren while he was secretly undercover and being kidnapped by one of Goren's long-time friends. That Eames was able to escape using her ingenuity rather than be rescued only strengthened the respect for her character in a world dominated by men, Eames is tough, yet sensitive and Erbe has portrayed her magnificently.

One of the hallmarks of this, the 10th and final season, has been Goren's weekly, mandatory sessions with police psychiatrist, Dr. Paula Gyson, played by actress Julia Ormond. Her questioning and probing of Goren; his relationship with Eames, his family and his struggles with his psychological demons has made for some riveting television. Both D'Onofrio and Erbe enjoyed the writing shift during the middle of the series to explore the personal aspects of their respective characters. Expect some revelations and resolution during this Sunday's series finale.

Beginning with the 5th season, (and to give D'Onofrio and Erbe a break from their busy schedules), the show also revolved around several other detectives, most notably Chris Noth as feisty Detective Mike Logan from the original Law & Order series and later Jeff Goldblum as Detective Zachary Nichols; the only other male detectives besides Goren to co-star in the series. Other actresses would also sub for Eames; Annabella Sciorra as Detective Carolyn Barek, Julianne Nicholson as Detective Megan Wheeler, Alicia Witt as Detective Nola Falacci and Saffron Burrows as Detective Serena Stevens. Samantha Buck appeared in a few episodes as Detective G. Lynn Bishop as Eames' temporary replacement while Erbe was on maternity leave during the 3rd season.

Goren's psychological issues have drawn both admiration (for his brilliance) and trepidation from his superiors. For the first 5 seasons, Goren and Eames had to answer to Captain Deakins, aptly played by Jamey Sheridan and the Assistant District Attorney Ron Carver, portrayed by Courtney B. Vance. Despite the tension, this quartet worked well together through thick and thin. After the departure of Sheridan and Carver, Criminal Intent moved away from the Law & Order courtroom, focusing more on the detectives within the Major Case squad. With that in mind, the 6th season saw the addition of Eric Bogosian as Captain Danny Ross and a new triad of tension was born. Bogosian would remain with the show until he was killed off in the 2-part season 9 opener "Loyalty", which paved the way for his ex-partner Zach Nichols, (Goldblum) to team up with Goren and Eames to solve his murder. D'Onofrio and Erbe would leave the show for the rest of the season, leaving Goldblum and his new partner (Burrows) to carry the Major Case workload under the auspices of their newest Captain, Zoe Callas, played by Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. This season, Jay O. Sanders, (who actually played a murderer in the 2nd season opener), came on board as Captain Joseph Hannah, a sympathetic and long-time friend of Goren's from their Police Academy days.

The list of guest stars on Criminal Intent are as impressive as the performances they gave. From veteran actors like the aforementioned D'Abo, Moreno and Scheider, to John Glover, Griffith Dunne, Linda Lavin, Michael Nouri, Judd Hirsch, Rip Torn, Liza Minelli, Whoopi Goldberg, Lynn Redgrave, Michael York, David Keith, Michael Biehn and Brooke Shields to name a just few, or up-and-comers like Elisabeth Moss from the series "Madmen" and even Patti Smith. F. Murray Abraham would also take a turn as as Jeff Goldblum's psychiatrist father, Tony Goldwyn would appear as Goren's brother Frank and Leslie Hendrix would reprise her role from the previous Law & Order series as Medical Examiner Elisabeth Rodgers. She is one of only 5 actors to appear in all of the Law & Order series and spin-offs.

As much as fans enjoyed the eclectic Goldblum, ratings went down and the series seemed doomed until USA announced the return of D'Onofrio and Erbe for one more run. It hasn't been disappointing. Will Goren be able to convince the NYPD of his sanity and his ability to continue? What will happen to Eames? Like Mulder and Scully of the X Files, Criminal Intent shares some of the elements of the tension between Goren and Eames, however, don't expect an X Files-type ending, (I don't see Goren and Eames rowing off to a desert island together). Nevertheless, the writing and stories have been great.

Law & Order is well known for "stories ripped from today's headlines" and wrapping up series neatly, with the door left open for a little ambiguity or perhaps a reunion film in the future. In the series finale of the original Law & Order, fans were left seeing the cast celebrating with Lt. Anita Van Buren, (played by S. Epatha Merkerson), who learned her cancer was in remission. It was a happy moment for fans of the show, especially those who have followed the series from the beginning. I'm hoping for the best for Goren and Eames, especially after all the grisly murders, pathological criminals, serial killers, embezzlers, and even network changes; no two characters in the Law & Order franchise are more deserving of a happier ending. Law & Order: Criminal Intent concludes Sunday night at 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm on USA.

"Doink-doink!"

Peter Gabriel's "New Blood Orchestra" Comes to the Greek

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). Although Genesis would go on to enjoy huge commercial success without him, (with drummer Phil Collins taking over on vocals). Gabriel would soon receive much deserved accolades for his solo work.

In 1980 he collected a group of people together to found WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance). In a series of international festivals, starting in 1982, WOMAD has brought together traditional and modern music, arts and dance from every corner of the globe. In 1993 WOMAD joined Gabriel's group of companies, based next to Real World Studios.

Gabriel has released eleven solo albums and in 1986, his album 'So' won him his first Grammy. The videos from this project confirmed him as a leader in video production and included 'Sledgehammer', which has won the most music video awards ever, including number one position in 'Rolling Stones' top 100 videos of all time and the MTV most played video of all time.

Shortly afterwards he established Real World Studios in Wiltshire, designed as an ideal environment for performance. It also became the base for Real World Records, a label which is dedicated to recording and promoting a wide range of different artists from all over the world.

In addition, Gabriel has been involved in a wide spectrum of human rights and environmental issues. His song 'Biko' was the first pop song which talked about the effects of apartheid, and in 1988 and 1990 he was involved in the Nelson Mandela concerts at Wembley. In 1988 he worked with Amnesty International to set up the Human Rights Now! tour, and toured many countries with Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Tracey Chapman and Youssou N'Dour. Following this, Gabriel co-founded WITNESS (www.witness.org), which was launched in 1992 in conjunction with the Reebok Human Rights Foundation and The Lawyers Committee for Human Rights in the USA.

The organisation arms human rights activists from around the world with hand held video cameras, computers and communication technology so they can document and put an end to human rights abuses. To date, WITNESS has supplied hundreds of cameras to over fifty countries, provided video testimony to human rights commissions and international peace-keeping agencies and had its work shown on television stations around the world. WITNESS also broadcasts monthly "Rights Alerts" - powerful video calls to action - on www.witness.org, which receives over 1.3 million hits each month. In 1989 Gabriel visited the USSR to help launch Greenpeace there, and also contributed to the 'One World, One Voice' album, a collaborative album, which featured artists from all over the world. Gabriel was asked by Alan Parker in 1984 to write the score for the film 'Birdy', which won the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

In 1989 he composed the sound track for Martin Scorsese's epic film 'The Last Temptation of Christ' which was the basis for one of his most experimental and innovative albums, 'Passion'. This album, which involved an extraordinary selection of musicians and singers, tried to integrate many very different styles of music. It was the inspiration behind the BBC's specialist radio programme, 'Mixing It'.

For the release of his tenth album, 'US', in 1992 he commissioned eleven artists to interpret the individual songs on his album. The individual works of art were featured at the British Contemporary Art exhibition in 1993 and also in a special exhibition in Japan. 'US' earned him four Grammy nominations and two MTV Awards in the US and a BRIT and Q Award in the UK. The fourth single, 'Kiss That Frog', was the starting point for the creation of the world's first motion video ride, entitled 'The Mindblender'. Developed in association with Mega in the US, 'The Mindblender' toured the USA and proved to be a popular mix of ride-motion, film and music.

April 1993 was the start of the "Secret World Tour". Produced by Gabriel and pioneering Canadian director/designer, Robert Le Page, the show blended Le Page's visionary style of theatre with personal songs focused on relationships. It was seen by over a million fans in five continents and toured for eighteen months. In November 1993 the show was filmed and recorded in Modena, Italy by Francois Girard, and in August 1994 "Peter Gabriel Secret World Live", the double live album and video, was released.

In 1993 Gabriel set up Real World Multimedia and brought together a team of experts dedicated to developing, producing and publishing innovative CD-ROMs and pushing new technology to its limits. RWMM launched a series of multimedia titles, which went on to win many awards across the world, including the coveted Milia d'Or, two BAFTAS, the 1994 BIMA Award, the Sparky from the Interactive Media Festival and four awards at the Digital Media Awards. Among these titles were 'Ceremony of Innocence' and Gabriel's CD-ROMs 'XPLORA', 'EVE'. In 1996 Radio Real World became the official web site focusing on Real World and Gabriel.

At the end of 1997 Gabriel was invited by Mark Fisher to help create a show for the central space of the London Millennium Dome. 1998 was spent brainstorming ideas on the narrative and visual concept. In 1999, whilst continuing to be involved with the show's development, Gabriel composed the music. The show was opened on January 1st 2000. An album of this music, entitled OVO, was released on Real World/Virgin Records on June 5th. In 2000, Gabriel co-founded and became board member of OD2 (On Demand Distribution), which is now the leading European platform provider for the distribution of on line music. This business was acquired in 2004 by Loudeye of Seattle, Washington.

In 2002 Gabriel completed the soundtrack to Philip Noyce's film 'Rabbit Proof Fence', entitled 'Long Walk Home', and released his studio album 'UP' on 23rd September 2002. Following the release of 'UP', Gabriel worked on his 'Growing Up' tour, again collaborating with the theatrical director Robert Lepage. The tour took him to the USA and through Europe, finishing in June 2003. In November 2003 a DVD of the 'Growing UP' tour was released, and also a compilation album 'Hit'.

From April to July 2004, Gabriel took his show, this time called 'Still Growing Up', on the road again around Europe. Later in 2004 the DVD 'Play' was released, a collection of 25 of Gabriel's videos, including new versions and extras, the music remixed in 5:1 by Daniel Lanois and Richard Chappell.

On July 2nd 2005 Peter Gabriel, WOMAD and the Eden project put together 'Africa Calling' as part of the Live 8 concerts. This featured performances from leading African and World Music artists at the Eden Project in Cornwall. It was one of ten concerts held around the world under the Live 8 banner in support of the campaign to Make Poverty History. The DVD of this concert is to be released on Monday 3rd October in the UK and 1st November in the USA.

On October 31st in the UK the DVD of 'Still Growing Up Live' was released. This two disc set featured both a full length concert - filmed and edited by Hamish Hamillton - and a feature length documentary filmed by Anna Gabriel, who followed her father on tour gaining unique access.

Peter Gabriel's "New Blood Orchestra"
Ftiday, June 10th @ 8:00 pm
Greek Theatre, U.C. Berkeley Campus, Gayley Rd

The Druid Sisters Tea Party's "MoonJuju"

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 songs from the redwood belt you cannot help but fall in love with. From ballads to full out dance songs, this newest collaboration from the Sisters sparkles with incredible energy and performances taking the listeners on a tribal psychedelic journey of dance.

"MoonJuju" features 7 new cuts, opening with the vampy "Electricity" and the sultry and driven "Eliza". Many tunes were also inspired by the Scottish group, Shooglenifty. One example has Paige, Martinelli and Buys springing forth on the rollicking instrumental, "African Moon Suite". "Everyone Loves You" is an interesting Celtic-flavored favorite that perhaps best illustrates the Sisters in their element. Grace's Kate Bush meets Grace Slick vocals are beautiful on this song; Martinelli and Paige are tight as Buys adds some ferocious fiddling.

The Sisters come back to earth on the balladic "Dripping Green Moss" featuring the beautiful cello of Myra Joy. Paige' and Krystov are in a particularly nice tribal groove on the instrumental percussion/didgeridoo piece, "Ancestors Calling", one of my personal favorites. The syncopated final cut, "Midnight Pony Ride" rounds out the Sisters album. A tight jam featuring a whirling dervish of unison between Marinelli and Buys; Grace's airy, effected vocals and Paige's crisply punctuation.

The Sister's "MoonJuju" is indeed "an organic world dance band that pulls its flavors from around the world. Frenzied, irresistible, rhythmic tribal funk, Celtic jigs, psychedelic fiddle, dreamy trance vocals, and hypnotic didjeridu with deep bass, it's a magical woodsy dance hall, and you are guaranteed a crazy jig – or a bone-shaking stomp! You won't find a harder rocking "all-girl" band anywhere."