T Hanssen

What music films are "must adds" to a Netflix queue?

I know there is already a thread on Alt-Country/Americana DVDs, but I am thinking more of music in general.

I am probably the last person on earth to sign up for Netflix and I am really just using that as an excuse to start a thread about great music films - documentaries or concert films.

I have "Be Here To Love Me" (doc about Townes Van Zandt) in the queue, as well as the Elvis '68 Comeback Special (yup . . . never seen it), along with several others, but I am always looking for suggestions.

So for myself and for the group - what music films are "must see"?

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Bob MellinPermalink Reply by Bob Mellin on April 20, 2010 at 9:56pm
Since "Be Here to Love Me" is the first film mentioned in this thread, it's worth noting that you can watch this for free at http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/be_here_to_love_me/
Amos PerrinePermalink Reply by Amos Perrine on April 21, 2010 at 5:31am
Here's some that are not commercially available & are essential viewing:

Gillian Welch & David Rawlings-BBC Sessions
Leonard Cohen's first ACL appearance (despite some awful camera work & editing)
Joni Mitchell-1970 BBC appearance
Many of the American Music Shop & Texas Connection shows on the defunct The Nashville Network

And one portion of one that is:

Dylan's 1965 Newport Folk Fest performances on "No Direction Home."
HeatherPermalink Reply by Heather on April 22, 2010 at 4:14pm
I am going to have to book a rainy Saturday/Sunday sans child to catch up on this amazing list of movies. Or maybe a couple!
Rick BoardmanPermalink Reply by Rick Boardman on April 22, 2010 at 7:04pm
Heartworn Highways is a favorite of mine. See Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, Rodney Crowell the way they should look, i.e. a quarter century ago. Also a teenage Steve Earle.
Jim NelsonPermalink Reply by Jim Nelson on April 24, 2010 at 8:28pm
You should check out "Border Radio." Dave Alvin, John Doe and some other luminaries of the mid to late 80s LA punk music scene appear in it. It's very loose and free form, but it's taken seriously enough as a film that it got a Criterion edition release. Worth it for the music, striking b&w photography, and period ambiance, as the plot often makes no sense. To show my taste spans genres, I agree the person who earlier recommended "Once." One of the better music dramas of recent years. I think a few of the details , such as the supposed high cost of studio time in Dublin, are incorrect. But that was just a plot device to make it necessary for the main characters to borrow money from a bank in order to record their songs.
As to other music dramas don't forget "The Rose. The fictionalized Janis Joplin story from 1979.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079826/

I recall it actually being a pretty good movie. Made by Mark Rydell , a very fine director of actors, whose other films include "On Golden Pond," and "The Fox."
Tom McDPermalink Reply by Tom McD on July 21, 2010 at 4:10pm
The Blasters Live Coming Home
HeatherPermalink Reply by Heather on July 20, 2010 at 6:14pm
Does this include great sountracks to regular movies? I just saw Elizabethtown...I said this is amazing music and then i saw that Cameron Crowe directed it...of course it had great music...silly me!
HeatherPermalink Reply by Heather on July 20, 2010 at 6:16pm
What does IATTBYH mean? I am sure I will say oh yeah...thats right but right now my brainwaves are not firing right.
T HanssenPermalink Reply by T Hanssen on July 22, 2010 at 4:03pm
Tom McDPermalink Reply by Tom McD on July 21, 2010 at 4:14pm
Here are my choice cuts.

Bob Dylan/No Direction Home
Telluride Bluegrass Festival 30 Years
Lyle Lovett/Sound Stage
Neil Young/Heart Of Gold
Los Lobos/Live At the Fillmore
Craig YoungPermalink Reply by Craig Young on July 23, 2010 at 9:26am
The Rolling Stones: Stones In Exile - Stephen Kijak's nostalgic documentary that chronicles the creation of one of the greatest rock albums ever recorded: "Exile on Main Street" by the Rolling Stones. Highlights include interviews with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman and Mick Taylor, and clips from the infamous, unreleased 1972 documentary filmed during the band's tour in support of the album.

The Doors: When Your Strange - Tom DiCillo's documentary about the Doors filters truth from myth, reveals new insight into Jim Morrison and his bandmates, and captures the essence of the iconic rock group and the era. DiCillo's film pays tribute to the Doors and their music and to a generation's struggle for individuality and authenticity during an unstable and transformative epoch in America.
ejbPermalink Reply by ejb on July 26, 2010 at 12:51pm
Although it's a theatrical release as opposed to a "music video" type of DVD, I think you might like a movie called "Songcatcher". Iris Dement has a role in the film.

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Created by No Depression Feb 17, 2009 at 9:06pm. Last updated by Kyla Fairchild Jul 6, 2011.