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Music documentaries: recommend something!


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Who is Harry Nilsson... (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him?) is worth seeking out.

seconded.

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Also, if you are a fan of any sort of Brazilian music:

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Fabricating Tom Zé is a documentary that portrays the life and work of one of the most controversial Brazilian musicians, having as its backdrop Tom Zé's 2005 European Tour. The documentary mixes different video, film and animation formats in order to show a detailed vision of Tom Zé's personal musical universe, in which a guitar and a vacuum cleaner have the same melodic importance. In intimate interviews, he narrates different parts of his life and tells us about his musical debut in the early 60s, his downfall during the 70s and his 90s comeback. The film carries interviews with Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, David Byrne and others. Tom Zé, at his 70th anniversary, continues to produce highly original music.

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Check it out.

 

TRAILER:

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someone sent me a link to an hourlong documentary about Krautrock that's on youtube...haven't watched it yet.

 

That one is really good. It's one of the BBC4 docs, I love their one on Progressive Rock also.

 

I am going to have to check out the Tom Ze, Nico and X ones.

 

Gimmie Shelter is one of my favorite documentaries ever. The scene where Jagger actually sees the footage of Meredith Hunter is so moving.

 

Who is Harry Nilsson is probably the best newer one I've seen of late.

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There's a couple of those that are really fantastic, DSOTM included, but alot of them don't really offer any in depth info on the making of the albums. It's cool to hear isolated tracks and all that, but they're just short on actual info. Watch the recently release WIsh You Were Here doc and those just don't compare at at all.

 

More info, please.

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Wait a minute, Turnips are you asking about concert films or documentaries? To me, they are different, but I see your examples in your initial post seem to be what I'd consider concert films. That's an entirely different list for me.

 

yes you're right, they are different but I'd be looking for recommendations on either style. Lots of gerat ones suggested in here, gonna track a few down!

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Look up the "Classic Albums" series. They are documentaries on the making of many famous albums, featuring the artists, producers, engineers, etc. The Dark Side of the Moon episode is incredible.

Absolutely true. I have the DVD of the Zappa one on Overnight Sensation & Apostrophe, and have watched it more than once.

It's really funny to try to picture Tina Turner and the Ikettes singing about dental floss.

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I'm a huge music documentary junkie, think I've seen all but 3 of the ones mentioned (will have to search those ones out.) Here's a few I've seen recently worth checking out:

 

Gil Scott-Heron: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

The Strange Story of Joe Meek

Marley

Shut Up and Play the Hits (LCD Soundsystem)

Toots and The Maytals: Reggae Got Soul

Cure for Pain: The Mark Sandman Story

You See Me Laughin' (blues documentary)

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Thanks. Defintitely somethign I'll enjoy.

 

Rock Prophecies

A documentary about rock 'n' roll photographer Robert M. Knight and his mission to find the world's best new guitar player.

It stars Jeff beck, slash, Santana, Steve Vai.

 

Some of his photos are the most iconic pics we have all seen. It's a sweet story involving his mother with Alzheimer's also.

 

Full of interesting facts and quotes that surprised me. :) enjoy!

 

And on Netflix

 

This one has been in my Netflix queue for a long time. Glad to hear it's a good one. Will watch soon.

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I'll throw in a wild card:

 

Supershow

 

Saw this recently on Netflix. The description makes it sound like it's a cheesy Clapton concert with special guests, but it's actually a pretty amazing (though somewhat bizarrely edited) concert film featuring some amazing performances from Buddy Guy, Roland Kirk, Colusseum, Steven Stills, Buddy Miles, Jack Bruce, Clapton (who is only in the film for two or three minutes), Modern Jazz Quartet, and probably others I'm forgetting.

 

 

Oh, btw: Rock and Roll Circus. Come on now, three pages and no mention of this? We're all sleeping.

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Three that I haven't seen mentioned (but might have missed):

 

Dig! - about Brian Jonestown Massacre and Dandy Warhols

Tell Me Do You Miss Me - about Luna

 

Even if you don't love their music (and I love Luna but am mixed on BJM and DW) I found these interesting because they are about bands on the fringe trying to make it. There are a lot of bands like Luna that are big enough to keep at it but not big enough to be comfortable doing it full time.

 

Third one isn't technically a documentary, although it sort of feels like one: 24 Hour Party People (about the Manchester music scene of the 1980s and '90s)

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I'll throw in a wild card:

 

Supershow

 

Saw this recently on Netflix. The description makes it sound like it's a cheesy Clapton concert with special guests, but it's actually a pretty amazing (though somewhat bizarrely edited) concert film featuring some amazing performances from Buddy Guy, Roland Kirk, Colusseum, Steven Stills, Buddy Miles, Jack Bruce, Clapton (who is only in the film for two or three minutes), Modern Jazz Quartet, and probably others I'm forgetting.

 

 

Oh, btw: Rock and Roll Circus. Come on now, three pages and no mention of this? We're all sleeping.

 

If it what I am thinking there is a part where the Mighty Led Zep does Dazed....in Color...so awesome. Jimmy still is playing a strat and they have smoke...maybe from late 69....first real good live footage that came out in late 80's along with the Danish TV Zep from early 69. I got the VHS.

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If it what I am thinking there is a part where the Mighty Led Zep does Dazed....in Color...so awesome. Jimmy still is playing a strat and they have smoke...maybe from late 69....first real good live footage that came out in late 80's along with the Danish TV Zep from early 69. I got the VHS.

 

They were filmed as part of the concert, but unfortunately, are NOT included in the version that is on Netflix.

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is there a good Fleetwood Mac doc?

 

I've seen a few good ones over the years:

 

Classic Albums: Fleetwood Mac - Rumours

Fleetwood Mac: Destiny Rules

Tusk Documentary & Live Concert (mix of concert, interviews and behind the scenes footage)

Rumours: Behind the Scenes (A document of their '77 tour. Lots of raw behind the scenes footage. Worth hunting down.)

 

 

 

Oh, btw: Rock and Roll Circus. Come on now, three pages and no mention of this? We're all sleeping.

 

I don't really think of that one as a documentary, more a performance film. Some good stuff nonetheless.

 

Speaking of the Stones, I guess we should also mention the documentary "Cocksucker Blues." "The Stones in the Park" is another one worth checking out.

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There are two terrific documentaries on the Small Faces out there.

 

''Small Faces: All Or Nothing 1965 1968'' features 27 complete performances as well as interviews with all and sundry. Stumbled on it on TV one night and was blown away.

 

And there was also a BBC doco released in 2010 narrated by Phil Daniels - at least some of which has been posted on Youtube:

 

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