Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

The Doors: The Story of LA Woman (2012)

By 1969, the Doors had found themselves at the forefront of a movement that consisted of a generation of discontents. Operating against a backdrop of the Vietnam War and of social unrest and change in the USA, the Doors were hip, they were dangerous, they were anti-establishment, anti-war and they were hated by middle-America. Featuring exclusive interviews with surviving band members Ray Manzarek, John Densmore, Robby Kreiger and their closest colleagues and collaborators, along with exclusive performances, archive footage and examination of the original multi-track recording tapes with producer Bruce Botnick, this film tells the amazing story of landmark album LA Woman by one of the most influential bands on the planet.

Friday, June 13, 2014

Come Worry With Us! (2013)

Violinist Jessica Moss and singer/guitarist Efrim Menuck are struggling to balance parenthood with making music in their internationally acclaimed Montreal-based band Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra. They are one of a growing number of bands to have accepted an infant (Efrim and Jessica's son, Ezra) into their touring life. Making a living has never been more difficult for musicians: a downloading generation has shattered the economics of the music industry, and constant touring has become synonymous with economic survival. Touring with children is both costly and complicated, yet Jessica and Efrim, and fellow band mates Sophie Trudeau, Thierry Amar and Dave Payant, are determined to combine family life and being on the road with the band's deep political commitment.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

* The Rise And Fall Of The Clash (2012)

The definitive biography of the group's fall from grace after they made it to SHEA Stadium USA and were on their way being a smashing success in the world! This story is one of the most shocking of the music industry of the 1980s. The story has never been told before: The Collapse of The Clash unravels as the ultimate rock 'n' roll tragedy.

Tom Jones: What Good Am I (2010)

As he prepares to celebrate his 70th birthday, singing legend Sir Tom Jones is still recording, performing and collaborating with some of the biggest names in pop. In this episode of Imagine, Alan Yentob examines the extraordinary story of one of Britain's most recognisable pop icons. In a frank and revealing interview, Sir Tom describes the dizzying ascent from his humble beginnings as a miner's son in South Wales to becoming a headline act in Las Vegas, and recalls many of his most cherished moments from a career that enabled him to sing alongside Elvis, establish himself as a hairy-chested sex symbol, and make one of the most successful comebacks in pop history.

Top of the Pops: The Story of 1979 (2014)

In 1979, Top of the Pops celebrated its 800th edition, and also saw the show record its highest audience of 19 million viewers. 1979 is maybe the most diverse year ever for acts on Top of the Pops with disco at its peak, new wave, 2 Tone, reggae, rock, folk and New Romantic records all making the top five. This program looks at the year in which the traditional Top of the Pops MoR clashed head on with New Wave, and the UK was falling apart with almost continuous strikes.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Bruce Forsyth on Sammy Davis Jr (2014)

Sir Bruce Forsyth looks at the life and career of Sammy Davis Jr, who he considers to be the greatest entertainer of all time. Sir Bruce first met Sammy in May 1960 when he was hosting The Royal Command Performance and Sammy was top of the bill. So began a friendship that lasted until Sammy's death in 1990. Born into poverty in Harlem, New York in 1925, Sammy Davis Jr went on the road at the age of three with his vaudeville performer father and appeared in his first movie before he was five. Broadway and West End theatre, Hollywood movies, network television, Las Vegas and performances before royalty and presidents were to follow. But given widespread prejudice during the early years of his career, he could not stay in the hotels where he performed. In addition to learning of Sammy's struggle against racism and bigotry, Sir Bruce meets up with people who knew and loved him, including Burt Boyar, co-author of Sammy's autobiography, and Lionel Blair.

Our Vinyl Weighs a Ton: This Is Stones Throw Records (2013)

Our Vinyl Weighs A Ton is a feature-length documentary about avant-garde Los Angeles-based record label Stones Throw Records. The film weaves together rare concert footage, never-before-see archival material, inner-circle home video and photographs and in-depth interviews with the artists who put Stones Throw Records on the map. Our Vinyl Weighs A Ton gives an exclusive look into the label's left-of-center artists, history, culture, and global following. The film features exclusive interviews with Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Common, Questlove, Talib Kweli, Mike D (The Beastie Boys), Tyler the Creator, and many more.

Lost Highway: The Story of Country Music (2003)

The four-part, four-hour documentary travels the Lost Highway and uncovers the story of country music on a journey to the heart of America and the music that has come to define it. From the makers of the award-winning series Dancing in the Street and Walk On By comes another major heritage music series charting the history of American country music in the words of its greatest performers, producers, musicians and songwriters.

John Ogdon: Living with Genius (2014)

Profile of Britain's greatest ever classical pianist and of one of the most successful musical partnerships of the last 50 years, that of John Ogdon and his wife Brenda Lucas Ogdon. For the first time, Brenda and her children Richard and Annabel tell the personal story of John Ogdon - the husband, father and genius. This is a story of their lives together, one that covers their rollercoaster ride from extraordinary and deserved success to tragic adversity and despair. Featuring unique archive and contemporary performance as well as candid interviews with those who knew him best, this incredible tale is a moving account of their professional partnership. A fascinating reflection on the power of the art form itself, gained from a lifetime of living, breathing, teaching and performing.

The Beatles: The Night That Changed America - A Grammy Salute (2014)

A tribute to the Beatles, airing at the exact time as their first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" 50 years earlier.

You've Got a Friend: The Carole King Story (2014)

Documentary telling, in her own words, the story of Carole King's upbringing in Brooklyn and the subsequent success that she had as half of husband and wife songwriting team Goffin and King for Aldon Music on Broadway. It was during this era in the early 1960s that they created a string of pop hits such as Take Good Care of My Baby for Bobby Vee, The Locomotion for Little Eva and Will You Love Me Tomorrow for the Shirelles, which became the first number 1 hit by a black American girl group. Not to mention the era-defining Up on the Roof for the Drifters and the magnificent Natural Woman for Aretha Franklin.

The Otherside (2013)

A documentary on the Seattle hip hop scene in the do-it-yourself, digital age of music. Known by music fans as the birthplace of Jimi Hendrix and grunge rock, there is a new music scene brewing in the Pacific Northwest.

Seattle hip hop artists are redefining the genre and exploding onto the national scene as they attempt to capitalize on the do-it-yourself digital age of the music world. Some have found success, but others wonder if the dream of “making it” in a crowded industry is still attainable.

While the fame and attention mounts, gain a firsthand look at the eclectic mix of artists that define northwest hip hop, as they work to conquer a genre that has long been inaccessible to a city void of major labels.

* Mariah Carey: At Home in Concert With Matt Lauer (2014)

Mariah's craft is like painter's brush painting through the canvas with colors to interpret their vision for the whole picture. With each strokes comes with the intent of making a masterpiece. I incorporated her album titles as brush strokes through the image of her album cover to emphasize the artistic creativity of Mariah on her latest magnum opus.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

* Freddie Mercury Saved My Life (2014)

Singer Alfie Boe explores the extraordinary life and work of Freddie Mercury. He discusses Freddie's legacy as a performer and a musician with those who knew him best, including Queen guitarist Brian May, opera diva Montserrat Caballe, designer Zandra Rhodes, Sir Bob Geldof and other close friends and family. Freddie is one of Alfie's heroes and is a constant inspiration. He sets out to find out more about the man behind the music, explore the formative experiences which made him unique, and discover how he became one of the most recognisable front men ever. Alfie admits that his own journey from opera to exploring new musical forms has mirrored that of Freddie, who went from rock to opera as he used his genius to propel Queen from conventional rockers into one of the greatest bands in the world.

* The Joy of Easy Listening (2011)

An investigation into the story of a popular music that is often said to be made to be heard, but not listened to. The film looks at easy listening's architects and practitioners, its dangers and delights, and the mark it has left on modern life. From its emergence in the 50s to its heyday in the 60s, through its survival in the 70s and 80s and its revival in the 90s and beyond, the film traces the hidden history of a music that has reflected society every bit as much as pop and rock - just in a more relaxed way. Invented at the dawn of rock 'n' roll, easy listening has shadowed pop music and the emerging teenage market since the mid-50s. It is a genre that equally soundtracks our modern age, but perhaps for a rather more 'mature' generation and therefore with its own distinct purpose and aesthetic. Contributors include Richard Carpenter, Herb Alpert, Richard Clayderman, Engelbert Humperdinck, Jimmy Webb, Mike Flowers, James Last and others.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

* When Albums Ruled the World (2013)

Between the mid 1960s and the late 1970s, the long-playing record and the albums that graced its grooves changed popular music for ever. For the first time, musicians could escape the confines of the three-minute pop single and express themselves as never before across the expanded artistic canvas of the album. The LP allowed popular music become an art form - from the

* The Rise and Fall of Five Iron Frenzy (2010)

Hailing from Denver Colorado, this group of underdogs ascended to become both adored and despised for their nine albums and almost 1000 live performances. Riding the fence between a Christian fad and a secular phenomenon, Five Iron Frenzy never quite belonged in either world. This is the story of how nine people rose to have one of the greatest cult followings of any band in recent history, and of their subsequent demise. More fun than a pi𠳡 full of pork and beans - the rise and fall of Five Iron Frenzy.

Sunday, May 11, 2014

* Agnetha: Abba and After (2013)

In this documentary the BBC have exclusive access to Agnetha F㫴skog, 'The Girl with the Golden Hair' as the song goes, celebrating her extraordinary singing career which began in the mid-60s when she was just 15. Within just two years, she was a singing sensation at the top of the charts in Sweden. Along came husband Bj�Ulvaeus and the phenomenal band Abba that engulfed the world in the 70s, featuring Agnetha's touching voice and striking looks. Agnetha lacked confidence on stage as the global demand for the group grew and grew, while being away from her young children caused her great turmoil. With special behind-the-scenes access to the making of her comeback album, the film follows this reluctant star - the subject of much tabloid speculation since she retreated from the stage post-Abba - as she returns to recording aged 63. Included in the film is her first meeting with Gary Barlow, who contributes a duet to the new album. The programme features interviews with Bj�Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, Gary Barlow, Tony Blackburn, Sir Tim Rice and record producers, Peter Nordahl and J�n Elofsson.

Friday, May 9, 2014

* ABBA at the BBC (2013)

If you fancy an hour's worth of irresistible guilty pleasures from Anni-Frid, Benny, Bjorn and Agnetha, this is the programme for you. It's 39 years since ABBA stormed the Eurovision song contest with their winning entry Waterloo, and this programme charts the meteoric rise of the band with some of their greatest performances at the BBC. It begins in 1974 with their first Top of the Pops appearance and we even get to see the band entertaining holidaymakers in Torbay in a 1975 Seaside Special. There are many classic ABBA tunes from the 1979 BBC special ABBA in Switzerland, plus their final BBC appearance on the Late Late Breakfast show in 1982. This compilation is a must for all fans and includes great archive interviews, promos and performances of some of ABBA's classics including Waterloo, Dancing Queen, Does Your Mother Know, Thank You for the Music, SOS, Fernando, Chiquitita and many more.

* ABBA: Bang a Boomerang (2013)

The inside story on the colossal crush that Australia had on Swedish super-group ABBA and their music in the 1970's, and how the unequalled and enduring fan worship changed both the group and Australia forever.