duotone

With Christmas approaching I keep getting asked by family members what I want, so I am here to ask what music related films you can recommend?

If it helps I really love documentary music films like Standing in the Shadows of Motown and Buena Vista Socila Club.

Tristesse

Quadrophenia? If you haven't seen it?

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duotone

I have, but haven't got it on DVD. Thanks, definitely a good suggestion.

Found this that should point me in the right direction.
50 Awesome Music Movies | NME.COM

vktr

Some of relatively recent music documentaries that I liked:

Kurt Cobain: About A Son (2006) - Kurt Cobain on the phone, late at night
Young@Heart (2008) - a heart-wrenching story about a chorus of seniors that cover rock songs
Heima (2008) - a Sigur Ros tour in Iceland
Under Great White Northern Lights (2009) - a The White Stripes tour in Canada

Screen13

The Kids are Alright (The Who) - Although Amazing Journey will be easier to find, this still is the one that captures The Who at their best all the way without stopping the action to think about why they are one of the best bands ever. Still, either disc is great.

The Beatles Anthology - A mega whopper of a purchase, but worth the time to watch.

The Filth and the Fury - Try to get them to buy this with The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle for a compare and contrast of Pistols history.

Jimi Hendrix - A GREAT Documentary on the legend. (To let you know: There's a TV movie named Hendrix from 2000 starring Wood Harris - be specific about asking for the 1973 Documentary)

Respect Yourself - A fine overview on Stax Records. If you're into Motown, then ask for this as something to watch with Standing in the Shadows of Motown.

Universal released Vintage TV footage compilations of The Four Tops and the Temptations that are just as essential.

Rust Never Sleeps - #27 on the NME list - Although there's some "surreal" moments that halt the excitement, the best bits are Neil Young live and rocking at one of his peaks.

Gimme Shelter - Deep in the darkness that was Altamont, December 1969. A very powerful film.

X: The Unheard Music - Classic Doc about the legendary LA band and their struggle to break through in the music world. Lots of classic interview footage, and not just with the band either.

End of the Century: The Story of The Ramones - A great film, but also downbeat. If it's excitement you want, go for Ramones Raw or the two disc bonanza It's Alive.

New York Dolls: All Dolled Up - Great glorious old school video footage shot in B&W through the band's classic years. The Commentary by it's photographer, Bob Gruen, features a lot of insights.

Metal: A Headbanger's Journey - Great Documentary, very insightful, and educational.

Punk: Attitude - Don Letts' fine overview.

The Clash: Westway to the World - Letts' Doc on The Clash. Capturing the classic years, although skipping on the pain of going through the Cut the Crap years (understandable), this gets everything that was great about the band. The Essential Clash or the more easy to find Live Revolution Rock are possibly the best bets - classic footage.

Lemmy - Excellent overview of the legend's life and influence on music. The Classic Albums disc about the making of Motorhead's seminal Ace of Spades is also a pretty good disc to find (and at a better price).

The Doors Collection - three of the band's Documentary VHS tapes brought to DVD, plus a commentary track by Ray, John, and Robby - topped off with some handsome extras including a couple of Ray's short films he made pre-Doors. The recent Johnny Depp narrated Doc When You're Strange is very good, but a bit over-produced in my opinion, although I'm sure that it will be the one they will find the quickest.

Another State of Mind - Social Distortion and Youth Brigade go on a tour in a wreck of a bus, creating US Punk History. Although the filming was filled with a lot of messed up editing (documented on the three commentaries), the effect was still powerful enough in the Early 80's. Easier to find alternative - American Hardcore, just as great!

Small Faces - part of the British Invasion series released through Rellin' In the Years, this is THE one to get of the discs in the series. A classic band who finally has a great DVD to their name focusing on their classic Mod years.

vktr

Thanks Screen13, nice list.

duotone

Thanks Screen13 for the recommendations. I think I am gonna add the Stax Respect Yourself DVD to my wanted list, it sounds right up my alley.

Edit* I watched the first disc on Christmas Day, it was extremely interesting and exactly what I was looking for, informative and with lots of stories and interviews. Will watch the 2nd disc soon which contains live footage of some of the Stax artists.

Screen13 was completely right, if you like Standing in the Shadows of Motown you will definitely enjoy this as well.

duotone

I bought this a few years back, it's wonderful.

Just wanted to add that earlier this year I bought Searching for Sugarman which is well worth checking out. A story about a musician who during his short career made a couple of albums that flopped in the US, but unknown to him his music was loved in South Africa.

Mr. Charlie

Martin Scorsese's documentary on Bob Dylan is brill. As is his documentary on George Harrison.

As far as live concert DVDs go, this one's a gem: (I think Scorsese may have been behind this too)



Edit: Yeah, he was, more info on the concert here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Waltz

duotone

Got both of these a few months ago.

Muscle Shoals - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2492916/

Sound City - 10 Things we've learned from Dave Grohl's documentary about Sound City studios / Music News // Drowned In Sound