10) Gimme Shelter
(1970) Albert and David Maysles and Charlotte Zwerin
Ye I know there's a tedious amount of documentaries about these old men, but this one features footage and the aftermath of that disastrous Altamont Concert that 300,000 people turned up to, the concert that the fucking Hells Angels were security for (love you; don't track me down and kill me please). It crash landed the sixties counter-culture, and they actually look young. Its important so watch it.
9) The Show
(1995) Brian Robbins
Can't rap? Don't worry neither can I. You don't have to because this list of Hip Hop heavyweights being interviewed in this documentary from 1995 certainly can- Snoop Dog, Dr Dre, Sean Combs, Notorious B.I.G, Run D.M.C, LL Cool J, Warren G, Slick Rick, and a hell of a lot more. A similar documentary made by Ice T came out two years ago, but I think this ones better. If you don't like interviews, or Hip Hop, you're fucked. But if you do, enjoy as much as I did.
8) Music is the Weapon
(1982) Jean-Jaques Flori and Stéphane Tchalgadjieff
Not many advocated revolution and could play a sax solo. Che Guevara was probably shit on the trombone. But Fela Kuti could. A performer, celebrity, innovator and revolutionary, in this film we learn about Kuti's story, and see lots of Kuti's performance and outbursts against totalitarianism in his native Nigeria. The originator of the Afro-Beat, its incredible they managed to fit so much into just sixty earth minutes of footage.
Like Cuba? Craving a cigar? Like talented musicians finally getting recognition in their nineties?! You'll like this. There's not really much of a narrative, but who needs that shit when there's cracking music and shots of stunning sunny Cuba throughout.
6) George Harrison: Living In a Material World
(2011) Martin Scorsese
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-30H4MH7Tv8
(2011) Martin Scorsese
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-30H4MH7Tv8
When some people think of George Harrison they may well think of a fairly quiet and dull man who wrote great music but in later life just barked on about gardening. But Scorsese's film challenges such misconceptions, and instead exposes a deeply spiritual, innovating and talented man. The thing that strikes you most is the variety of people he deeply affected personally along the way, be it his involvement in music, Eastern Mysticism, film directing and even motor racing.
5) The Cry of Jazz
(1959) Edward Bland
Made five years before the Civil Rights Act, this brief film is a fascinating dissection (and in particular the African American view at the time) of Jazz. It was made in 1959 and you can really really tell. Which makes it all the more fascinating, it feels like a time capsule, an early example of African American film making, and is also incredibly educational for a first time Jazzer. Great music, including rare footage of Sun Ra.
4) Standing In The Shadows of Motown
(2002) Paul Justman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDw7OqVBT-w
(2002) Paul Justman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDw7OqVBT-w
I'm an unknown. But that's because I haven't done anything. The Funk Brothers were unknown too. They hadn't done anything either. Well apart from playing on a huge amount of Motown hits, some of the biggest hits of all time. These boys rightly deserve recognition for their important contribution to music, and this high tempo film which has great footage and interviews, gives them that.
Its the old tortured genius narrative...a man who went from a beautiful young man to a ravaged washed up junkie, a classic tale of a young hot wire with an incredible voice and masterful trumpet player throwing it all away only to come back in the latter stages of his career. But its the best one out there, and features incredibly moving and touching moments, fascinating stories and has great music.
Some people are quite simply arseholes. Ginger Baker is an arsehole. He also just happens to be one of the greatest and most pioneering drummers of all time, and Jay Bulger's brilliant documentary, which starts with Baker smashing Bulger on the nose with his walking stick, showcases just how the insanity of the man propelled him to drumming excellence, but domestic disaster. There's fantastic footage/anecdotes/interviews and the carnage of Baker's story is gripping throughout.
Sixto RodrÃguez. Had you ever head of him? Nah me neither. Nor had anyone outside of South Africa. But we know of him now thanks to this film about two lads from who went looking for their legend, and found him. A legend who, unbeknownst to him, was seen as a hero in South Africa, his music being so influential for so many in the country and his protest songs hitting a strong tone with the anti-apartheid movement, his album 'At His Best' even went platinum. Yet he knew nothing about it. The story of this man who's music meant so little to his home country, but so much abroad, along with his triumphant return, is what makes this film so good, the best in my opinion.
