Yeah, we’ve all seen movies about people who knew The Beatles, but what about the one person who spent life with the band day-to-day, from the early days till the end. That would be the Beatles personal secretary Freda Kelly. Director Ryan White gives us a documentary of Freda’s 11 years of service with The Fab Four.
The film will open in theaters and iTunes on September 6th.
Above, the concert prior to the premier of the movie Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me. A ton has been written about the film last week, so any attempt by me to regurgitate it seems pointless. Instead rent the film on itunes, if you are a fan it’ll tell you everything you ever wanted to know about Big Star.
Interview with Director Drew DiNicola | Q & A with Drew DiNicola and cast
Its hard to imagine how many bands were involved in the creation of the Eagles… it’s a who’s who of country-rock (JD Souther, Bob Seger, Kenny Rogers, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, etc.). And getting that first album out (with producer Glyn Johns) wasn’t easy, but effectively created the Eagles sound. “Take It Easy” was called the song of the times, a contrast to the turmoil of the era (Vietnam, Watergate, etc.). The Western California sound was new and fresh and the Eagles thrived in it.
The film gathers amazing rehearsal footage and interviews about the bands history. “It was the 70’s, drugs were everywhere…” Glen Frey mentions, yes – this documentary pulls no punches either, showing rare backstage footage of “the 3rd encore” where the groupies were willing and ready to party. Once the band hired Bill Szymczyk(producer) and Don Felder(guitarist) the band hit their stride. Adding Joe Walsh shifted the band’s sound to a full rock and roll sound, so by 1977 the Eagles were considered the most popular and successful band of the decade. Like The Beatles, you had four strong alpha musicians (Felder, Frey, Walsh, Henley) and something had to break. After the 1980 tour it all fell apart, but then we go through the 1994 reunion and the depth of each members post-Eagles catalog. Highly Recommended even if you aren’t a big Eagles fan.
Yes, I fondly remember when I was a kid and Paul Williams was everywhere on TV. I never was a big fan of the actor, but loved his music whole heartedly. He was one of the most influential songwriters of the 70s next to Burt Bacharach. Then he vanished with the end of decade and I always wondered what happened to him.
Well that’s partly what the movie is about. Director Stephen Kessler inserts himself in the documentary as a starstruck fan trying to convince Williams that he is a worthy subject to film. And he is definitely worthy of a bio with all the amazing music and stuff he’s done. However the film barely touches this and is more of a documentary of how Kessler became Williams “friend.” He follows him around where Williams makes his rounds as an oldies act and uncomfortably probes Williams’ past drug problems in the 80’s and fall from celebrity status. Other awkward moments when Williams clearly doesn’t want to be on camera takes up too much of the films running time. When things get slow, Kessler gives us some great archival clips and musical performances to keep us interested.
So I recommend this film to anyone who loved Williams with a simple caveat, this isn’t a proper bio but a candid look at his life now and that he’s a better man without all that celebrity crap. Rent it on Amazon or Buy the DVD.
A short film following the recreation of the Pablo Fanque circus poster that inspired John Lennon to write ‘Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite’ for the Beatles album ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’. Using the traditional methods of wood engraving and letterpress printing, Peter Dean and his team of experts bring to life Lennon’s poster.
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If you’re looking for the definition of a “lost” classic – you’ll find it with the innovative Ernie Kovacs. Kovacs was an underrated genius whose influence can still be felt today. Check out this video of his famous Nairobi Trio — and a similar routine by Saturday Night Live over 40 years later! Get The Kovacs Collection Vol. 1 or Vol.2 for more.
I look forward to a great 2013, and I already have a HUGE pile of albums to review this month – so check this site often. Happy New Year everyone!