I have a real thing for a good music documentary. I enjoy filling in the backgrounds and biographies of the characters that contribute to the musical cannon. As with all film genres most music documentaries are wide of the mark (one particular disappointment for me recently was 'When You're Strange'; a biopic commissioned by the living members of The Doors which was supposed to present a true account of the band. A collage documentary that attempted 'to set the record straight' after the band took offence too Oliver Stone's portrayal in his 1990's Hollywood film about the group. Unfortunately a biased standpoint is never a great place to create a film from as vanity takes hold, the rose-tinted narrative coupled with the nauseating narration of Johnny Depp, who attempts to show us how avant-garde he is because he listens to the 'The Doors'
, was a recipe for a huge let down after years of waiting.)
But yeah here are three music documentaries that I think are absolutely quality:
Gimme Shelter (1970)
The Rolling Stones
-As oppose to the Doors documentary I mentioned above this amazing piece of cinema was not commissioned by the band and this is what gives it it's significance and charm. The Maysles brothers who directed the film, use a revolutionary style of documentary filmmaking by letting the cameras roll at close quarters, yet they refrain from any direct line of questioning or voice over which they feared would produce a contrived narrative, while attempting this laissez-faire style they happened to capture the most important event in not only this (in)famous rock band's history, but one of the most seminal and influential events in modern music and cultural history: The Altamont Speedway Festival. An event which was based on the same principle as, and occurred only a few months after the famously peaceful Woodstock, but which resulted in death and violence. This circumstance is often attributed to, and is at least partly a result of the presence of Hell's Angels as security at the event, but the film also invites us the analyse the event from an anthropological point of view, the film captures 'the death of sixties' and a significant change in attitude of the youth of the period.
2.Dig (2004)
The Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Dandy Warhols
Full film avaliable to watch online at this link: (Megavideo Alas)
This film is quite a contrast to Gimme Shelter, especially when considering the notoriety of the bands in question. I imagine few of you have heard of The Brain Jonestown Massacre, I hadn't before seeing this film (although I have noticed that the Boardwalk Empire theme tune is one of their tracks now), and The Dandy Warhols may keep some faint embers of memory alight in those of you who remember their one hit wonder 'Bohemian Like You' . One thing can be agreed though these bands have quality names.
I'll put the synopsis here for this as this documentary is far more conventional, with a retrospective voiceover placed with footage taken of the bands in the fledgling stages of their careers.
Plot Synopsis:
And lastly I haven't gone for a particularly high-budget or famous documentary but one that is very much worth watching from the BBC:
Imaginary Landscapes
Brian Eno
Eno is a fascinating character, a visionary in the medium of music, and although I don't always agree with his vision he has done perhaps more than anyone in the last 30 years in advancing popular music.
Eno treats music and sound with the finest care and attention as viewing the art-form as something more akin to the visual arts. I like this documentary partly for its pompous BBC tone, but mainly because it gives a platform for a music visionary to disclose his ideals.
Anyone got any recommendations?
, was a recipe for a huge let down after years of waiting.)But yeah here are three music documentaries that I think are absolutely quality:
Gimme Shelter (1970)
The Rolling Stones
-As oppose to the Doors documentary I mentioned above this amazing piece of cinema was not commissioned by the band and this is what gives it it's significance and charm. The Maysles brothers who directed the film, use a revolutionary style of documentary filmmaking by letting the cameras roll at close quarters, yet they refrain from any direct line of questioning or voice over which they feared would produce a contrived narrative, while attempting this laissez-faire style they happened to capture the most important event in not only this (in)famous rock band's history, but one of the most seminal and influential events in modern music and cultural history: The Altamont Speedway Festival. An event which was based on the same principle as, and occurred only a few months after the famously peaceful Woodstock, but which resulted in death and violence. This circumstance is often attributed to, and is at least partly a result of the presence of Hell's Angels as security at the event, but the film also invites us the analyse the event from an anthropological point of view, the film captures 'the death of sixties' and a significant change in attitude of the youth of the period.
2.Dig (2004)
The Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Dandy Warhols
Full film avaliable to watch online at this link: (Megavideo Alas)
This film is quite a contrast to Gimme Shelter, especially when considering the notoriety of the bands in question. I imagine few of you have heard of The Brain Jonestown Massacre, I hadn't before seeing this film (although I have noticed that the Boardwalk Empire theme tune is one of their tracks now), and The Dandy Warhols may keep some faint embers of memory alight in those of you who remember their one hit wonder 'Bohemian Like You' . One thing can be agreed though these bands have quality names.
I'll put the synopsis here for this as this documentary is far more conventional, with a retrospective voiceover placed with footage taken of the bands in the fledgling stages of their careers.
Plot Synopsis:
Tracks the tumultuous rise of two talented musicians, Anton Newcombe, leader of the Brian Jonestown Massacre; and Courtney Taylor, leader of the Dandy Warhols; dissecting their star-crossed friendship and bitter rivalry. Both are hell-bent on staging a self-proclaimed revolution of the music industry. Through their loves and obsessions, gigs and recordings, arrests and death threats, uppers and downers--and ultimately to their chance at a piece of the profit-driven music business--how each handles his stab at success is where the relationship frays and burns.
And lastly I haven't gone for a particularly high-budget or famous documentary but one that is very much worth watching from the BBC:
Imaginary Landscapes
Brian Eno
Eno is a fascinating character, a visionary in the medium of music, and although I don't always agree with his vision he has done perhaps more than anyone in the last 30 years in advancing popular music.
Eno treats music and sound with the finest care and attention as viewing the art-form as something more akin to the visual arts. I like this documentary partly for its pompous BBC tone, but mainly because it gives a platform for a music visionary to disclose his ideals.
Anyone got any recommendations?