May 15: Song of the Day. The Band–The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
With all this talk of Newman’s soon to be created rock movie/tv series (in case you haven’t been following along, you can jump into the conversation here) and then Dolly’s mention of The Band’s magnificent Last Waltz (another thread you can follow here) I thought we’d explore the finer points of music documentaries and music-related films and see if we could come up with a definitive list of “must sees”.
A couple of the first music films I remember watching back in high school were R.E.M.’s Tour Film, which followed the Athens, Georgia quartet through their Green World Tour in the late 80’s, U2’s Rattle and Hum, filmed after the release of Joshua Tree and chronicled the band’s journey through America and its music, and of course who didn’t, at one time or another, pop Pink Floyd’s The Wall into the VCR?
[On a somewhat related note: Quick show of hands. Who here, besides myself, has cued up the Dark Side of the Moon album and the film The Wizard of Oz with somewhat disappointing results?]
Depending on your tastes in music and your love of film, we could come up with quite a list. Here are a few of my personal favorites:
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The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down by The Band
1) The Devil and Daniel Johnston: Maybe in some ways mentioning Daniel Johnston has become hipster cliche, but I absolutely love this documentary about his life and music.
2) Rock N Roll Circus: Live performances by The Rolling Stones, John Lennon, Taj Mahal, The Who, and Jethro Tull all under the Big Top in 1968?!? I wish I had a time machine.
3) Head: A late 60’s psychedelic film featuring The Monkees of all people! Co-written and co-produced by Jack Nicholson with guest appearance by Dennis Hopper, Sonny Liston, and Frank Zappa (who closes the film by leading a cow down the street of a Hollywood movie set). Do I need to say more?
4) The Last Waltz: The Martin Scorcese film that captures The Band’s final live performance on Thanksgiving Day, 1976 at Winterland in San Francisco. Guest appearance by Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Emmylou Harris, and many others, the event also included Thanksgiving Dinner for the 5,000 in attendance. A hell of a concert, an even bigger party!
5) This is Spinal Tap: 11 out of ten stars!
There’s a ton more but I’ll leave it to you guys to fill in the rest of the blanks!
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Tagged as: 05/15, Film, Music, Song of the Day, The Band, The Last Waltz
Shaun, How could you leave out Stop Making Sense? I also love True Stories. In fact, I might have to watch it tonight.
You literally read my mind. I was seriously just going to add an honorable mention comment for True Stories. The kids singing the Talking Heads while banging pots, pans, and garbage can lids is classic! And Pops Staples doing Papa Legba!!!!
But that’s why I have you guys to add the comments. It wouldn’t be any fun if I listed them all, now would it?
Alright, we gotta start a 2nd list of all time wretchedly bad music/concert movies. My first 2 nominations: Josie and the Pussycats- ruining both music and comic books, and Spice World- which should cause Alan Cummings and Parker Posey to hang their heads in shame.
Actually- I’m mistaken. Alan Cummings was in both films (WHAT!)- and Parker Posey was in Josie not Spice World.
we could also do guest appearances by a great band on a horrible tv show…to which the Flaming Lips’ appearance on 90210 would surely be in the running.
Head…wow. didn’t realize anyone else knew that film.
the monkeys’ finest hour brian! there was this movie place just down the street from my house in h’burg and they had a crazy collection of art house/foreign/music films. 5 movies for 5 days for $5. that’s where i discovered head. i was led to the movie by my fascination at the time with easy rider and early jack nicholson. (little shop of horrors, five easy pieces, etc.)
Porpoise Song, that tune when one of them goes swimming with the mermaid is unbelievably good! I will never forget hearing that for the first time. Such a haunting tune.
I love the Last Waltz. One of those things I watch whenever it’s on. The Band’s version of Don’t Do It is easily one of my favorite covers.
Tangentially related, I just heard about Joe Cocker’s Mad Dog and Englishmen. Has anybody seen/heard it? Supposed to be awesome, although more of a highlight for Leon Russell.
I haven’t seen it, but I do own a worn vinyl copy of the double LP. It’s fantastic!
/let’s go get stoned ol Joe howls at the top of his lungs
More of an “album documentary” than a concert movie, but I loved the behind-the-scenes stuff in the Wilco/Sam Jones movie “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart”
This is one of my all time favorite songs! I think The Weight is slightly better, though
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Anymore rock docs or music centered films? There’s got to be more than that. I’ve got another one I’ll throw out there
Be Here to Love Me: The documentary on the life and times of Townes Van Zandt, the Texas singer/songwriter considered by some to be one of the finest songwriters ever. The story of his life is a hard one to tell and at times even harder to watch. A brilliant man crippled by his own past (or as you learn in the movie, the lack of a past) and severe alcholism, the film features a rare glimpse behind the scenes and the songs. If you’re a fan, it’s a MUST see.
Haven’t seen it yet, but a friend of mine just reccomended a Tom Petty documentary. I think it falls in line with the release of the new album recorded with his original band,”mudcrutch”, which is awesome, BTW.
The Song Remains the Same. Shame on you people.
Just so you’ll feel like we know our disc/filmography:
A Hard’s Day Night
Help!
Sgt. Pepper’s
The Wall
Tommy
Quadrophenia
Course, I’ve seen nary a one of these
I’m just surprised no one has done the Dark Side of the Moon, Wizard of Oz thing. One of the best parts is Greatest Gig in the Sky set to Dorothy’s house swirling through the air during the tornado with the flying lady on her bicycle who becomes the Wicked Witch. As Gig ends, the house lands in Oz and all is quiet. It’s perfect. One of the few highlights!
i’m a big fan of the devil and daniel johnston. i also love we jam econo, a doc on the minutemen. also in the hardcore punk vein, the decline of western civilization part 1 is a must-see.
weird listening stuff: anyone heard the flaming lips’ zaireeka on four stereos? it’s awesome!
i own zaireeka but i’ve only done it on two stereos. i’m glad someone has actually done this. very cool.
Re: filmography.
Quadrophenia’s a great album, but I think the movie’s kind of eh.
Likewise Tommy, except the movie is Terrible.
Mike Gordon (Phish) made a movie about Allen Woody (bass/govt mule) and also about bass guitar. If you’re a mule/phish/bass guitar fan, you should check it out. I think it’s called “The Deep End.”
If you’re into Phish, you should check out Bittersweet Motel. Basically, a year following them from Europe to the US. Oddly enough, done by Todd Phillips (of Roadtrip and Old School fame).
And I didn’t see it, but I heard U2-3D was/is amazing.