Music-Related Documentaries #2
This post loosely accompanies Gab & Jam 274. Music-Related Documentaries #2
(video: https://bit.ly/274musicrelateddocvid and podcast: https://bit.ly/274musicdocspod )
Three years?! 😳
We can’t believe it’s been nearly 3 years since our last installment of music-related documentaries.
–Check out the first one, if you’re intrigued: https://bit.ly/127musicdocsvid
We’re back with just a few additional inspiring ones for you all to check out.
Why do WE watch music-related documentaries?
Well, we like to know why musical artists, in particular, decide to create and we also like to see the behind-the-scenes to their process. –In fact, EVEN with artists where we’re not as fond of their music, we are fascinated by their motivations and their challenges and their methods. –Also, we learn aspects of these people’s lives and their journeys that gives us a richer appreciation for the work they do. Further, sometimes, it helps us WANT to hear their art with “new” ears. Finally, it’s the uniqueness of THEIR journeys that reminds us how different—and sometimes, how similar—we all are as artists.
See the episode for the full discussion.
Music-based Documentaries:
1. “Sheryl” —Sheryl Crow (2022)
This film deepened our appreciation for Sheryl Crow. We already like quite a lot of her music, but hearing more of her life story made each phase of her journey that much more meaningful.
We remembered that she was with Lance Armstrong, but sometimes forgot that she started out on the Michael Jackson tour early in her musical career; a time period that she is QUITE apologetic about in this particular documentary. It’s quite interesting and we highly recommend it.
2. “Nothing Compares” –Sinead O’Connor (2022)
This documentary really shed light on the fact that Sinead O’Connor was WELL before her time, in terms of her politics. O’Connor asserted that the Catholic church was grossly abusing women—in Ireland, in particular—and of children, internationally. Needless to say, her declaring this publicly—by tearing up a photo of the Pope on Saturday Night Live—killed her career, but three decades later, we know it all to be true.
Watching the documentary reminded us how much we liked her first album and makes us want to hear what she has done all these decades since—know that we know she has had over a dozen other albums out that have been released in her post-fame obscurity.
3. “Bitchin’: The Sound and Fury of Rick James” –Rick James (2021)
Needless to say, Rick James had a “large” personality, but given that he might have risen “before his time,” so he had a chip on his shoulder. You see, Rick James was bigger than Prince back in the 70s. –In fact, Prince opened up for Rick James on-tour. –But, because this was a “different time,” he wasn’t able to rise through certain ranks—like being played on MTV—so, by the time opportunities began to open, Prince got those advantages. —That didn’t make Rick James happy. –It ALSO didn’t help that Rick James had drugs problems—among others—so, this documentary adds some color to his rise and fall.
4. “The Smashing Pumpkins: The Billy Corgan Interview” (on Rick Beato) –Billy Corgan (2022)
Billy Corgan always does great interviews and this one was inspiring and enlightening. Billy Corgan can be polarizing, so if you’re on the left or on the right, you might be pissed off, but he has some very definite ideas about QUITE a lot of things and he’s not shy about sharing them.
The GOOD part is that, in this interview, Corgan is sharing about creativity and AI—check out OUR ideas on AI here—and the happy accidents of his life and career. So, it’s well worth the approximately hour and a half.
5. “Spector” –Phil Spector (2022)
We didn’t know as much about Phil Spector backstory, except that he was a famous rock and roll producer, who shoot a woman in his house and went on trial for it. THIS documentary helps us understand that not only was he from a family riddled with bipolar disorder, but it is a wonder that he made it as long as he had without killing someone.
Also, it reminds us that, when you’re famous, you can get away with a lot of shit BEFORE someone finally holds you accountable. –Not that this is NEW information, but it sheds light on “the good old days” that folks seemingly want to get back to…..
Ultimately, though, it humanizes him WITHOUT making you excuse his behavior. It’s a series, but it is DEFINITELY worth your time, if you’re looking to analyze creative genius.
6. “If These Walls Could Sing” –Abbey Road (2022)
Paul McCartney’s daughter, Mary McCartney, directed this documentary about the UK studio that is credited with providing a certain musical magic for the decades of musicians who have recorded there, including Paul McCartney himself, Pink Floyd, and Kanye West, among others.
7. “Pink Floyd (Dark Side of the Moon)” (2003)
Speaking of people who had some mental issues, Sid Barrett was the leader of Pink Floyd, but “Dark Side of the Moon” was their first album without Sid as their guiding light. The band was in a transition period.
This album had SUCH an impact on music culture throughout the 70s and into the 80s, so this documentary helped to put the context of this album into perspective for us, which is why we highly recommend it.
All of the artists that we have pointed to are simply great artists—no matter what their record sales. They focused their lives and creativity toward expression—sometimes, outside of what was popular—which gives us even more appreciation for their lives and their bodies of work. This is why we are excited to share them with you.
What about you?
What documentaries have inspired YOU?
Did you know that along with putting together our next album, we are working on our first book? Here’s the link, if you want to pre-order: https://bit.ly/prejippiebklanding
Here’s what we’re into now:
· Tom Ray’s Art Podcast: https://bit.ly/tomrayspodcast2june2022
· “Sugar Fit” on Darkest Corners of the World Podcast S2 E3 http://bit.ly/sugarfitdarkestpod
· “Flying High” (from “Sugar Fit” album) on Toes in the Sand Playlist http://bit.ly/toesplaylist
· “Sugar Fit” on his Spotify “Indie: Undiscovered But Brilliant: Vol. 3” http://bit.ly/SugarFitonPlaylist2
· “Sugar Fit” on No Sugar Radio http://bit.ly/nosugarradiosugarfit
Here’s how to get our “Sugar Fit” t-shirts:
Vietnam has found the video for our song, “Tell Me What You Want”! 😳
If you like this, you might enjoy:
· Basic Recording Studio Setup: https://bit.ly/246basicstudiopost
· What to do when real life interrupts your artistic process? https://bit.ly/241reallifeblog
· 7 Strategies for rebounding from creative burnout: https://bit.ly/239digoutofburnoutblog
· How to give better interviews (for D.I.Y. Rock Star): https://bit.ly/236betterinterviewsblog
· How to give better live performances: https://bit.ly/219betterliveblog
· How to collaborate better (for D.I.Y. Rock Star): https://bit.ly/Ep163collaborateblog
· How to write quicker, but better (for D.I.Y. Rock Star): https://bit.ly/228writebetterblogpost
· Should you ever play for free? https://bit.ly/214playfreeblog
· 17 Tips for taking better band photos—ESPECIALLY if you taking them yourself: http://bit.ly/betterbandphotos
· First Music Video? 10 Best Websites for Free Stock Video Footage: http://bit.ly/freestockvideosprej
· Further Confessions: I Hate Video Editing: http://bit.ly/ihatevideoediting
· “YouTube Frenzy: But the Beauty of this Rabbit Hole” http://bit.ly/youtubefrenzy
· “Tips for Competing with Yourself (for the D.I.Y. Rock Star)” http://bit.ly/Ep94BV2019blog20
· “Tips for Video Making (for the D.I.Y. Rock Star)” http://bit.ly/Ep86BV2019blog12
NOW:
Funk album, “Sugar Fit,” by Bourgeoisie Paper Jam http://bit.ly/BandCampPMG and follow on Spotify at https://bit.ly/bpjspotfollow
More Ways to experience B L O O M I N G P R E J I P P I E :
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Until next Monday, here’s wishing love, peace, and chicken grease!
Here’s the one from last one: https://bit.ly/Ep127musicdocsblog
