FanFare

In 1968, art students Storm Thorgerson and Aubrey "Po" Powell made a trippy photo collage for their musician friends Syd, David and Roger. The resulting album and album cover, A Saucerful of Secrets, helped launch two careers: that of Pink Floyd, one of the 70s megabands, and of Hipgnosis, which, over the course of the next 25 years, designed a stream of iconic album covers. [more inside]
posted by adamrice on Feb 14, 2024 - 2 comments

Part 2 of the MGM+ docuseries follows the residents of Laurel Canyon from the late 60s through the mid-70s as they write more political songs and start locking their doors for the first time after frightening neighborhood connections to the Manson Family murders. Footage and stories of Gram Parsons and the Flying Burrito Brothers, Altamont, Little Feat, Linda Rondstadt (incl. her role helping start the Eagles), the Doors, Bonnie Raitt, an adorably young Jackson Browne, the love between Joni Mitchell and Graham Nash, the cocaine and ego battles that broke up CSN, and more.
posted by mediareport on Sep 14, 2023 - 1 comment

2-part MGM+ docuseries about the famous LA mountain neighborhood where Joni Mitchell, Frank Zappa, the Byrds, Love, Crosby/Stills/Nash/Young, the Monkees, the Turtles and many more found cheap housing and creative community in the mid-late 60s. With Mama Cass’s generosity and openness as a central ingredient, Lauren Canyon - above the smog, but also only a few minutes’ drive from the clubs on Sunset Strip - produced an amazing amount of psychedelic folk and rock music. Part 1. 100% on RT. [more inside]
posted by mediareport on Sep 14, 2023 - 4 comments

An intimate, all-access documentary that chronicles Lewis Capaldi's journey from a scrappy teen with a viral performance to a Grammy-nominated pop star.
posted by ellieBOA on Apr 13, 2023 - 3 comments

[TRAILER] Favio Chavez guides the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura, a Paraguayan group that plays instruments made entirely out of garbage. A documentary in Spanish by Brad Allgood, Graham Townsley. [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown on Nov 15, 2022 - 1 comment

The acclaimed Penelope Spheeris documentary takes a frank, often funny look at the punk culture of the late '70s and early '80s. With Alice Bag Band, Black Flag, Catholic Discipline, Circle Jerks, Fear, Germs, and X. [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown on Jul 13, 2022 - 9 comments

"Traces the roots and history of this iconic musical legend with rare live and studio performances of Beefheart, interspersed with contributions from virtually all members of The Magic Band along with a panel of esteemed experts." - Amazon description
posted by The corpse in the library on May 12, 2021 - 1 comment

From Eric Idle, Neil Innes, George Harrison, and more, came the Rutles: an affectionate parody of Beatlemania, and a musical legend that will last a lunchtime. They were discovered by their manager, Leggy Mountbatten, in a lunchtime disco. Their first album was made in 20 minutes. Their second album took even longer. [more inside]
posted by one for the books on May 5, 2021 - 15 comments

This film is a documentary about the personalities in, and the music of, the early 1980's Los Angeles punk band X. - IMDB
posted by The corpse in the library on Mar 29, 2021 - 1 comment

A celebration of the musical work of a group of session musicians known as "The Wrecking Crew", a band that provided back-up instrumentals to such legendary recording artists as Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys and Bing Crosby. - IMDB
posted by The corpse in the library on Mar 23, 2021 - 9 comments

An exploration of the history of the Bee Gees, featuring revealing interviews with oldest brother Barry Gibb, and archival interviews with the late twin brothers Robin and Maurice. - IMDB. Trailer at HBO, YouTube, and Amazon. [more inside]
posted by Iris Gambol on Mar 17, 2021 - 11 comments

This intimate, in-depth look at Beyoncé's celebrated 2018 Coachella performance reveals the emotional road from creative concept to cultural movement. [more inside]
posted by bleep on Apr 19, 2019 - 5 comments

In the 1980s, "Bros" were one of the biggest bands in the world - for 15 minutes. [more inside]
posted by fearfulsymmetry on Dec 29, 2018 - 4 comments

A documentary about the life and legend Nina Simone, an American singer, pianist, and civil rights activist labeled the "High Priestess of Soul."
posted by latkes on Nov 16, 2015 - 3 comments

A documentary on the late singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse. [more inside]
posted by bluefly on Jul 19, 2015 - 3 comments

The authorized documentary on late Guitar/lead singer Kurt Cobain from his early days in Aberdeen Washington to his success and downfall with Grunge band Nirvana. Official site/HBO PAGE. [more inside]
posted by Artw on May 10, 2015 - 7 comments