Editor’s observe: The next article is an op-ed and the views expressed are the creator’s personal. Learn extra opinions on theGrio.
On Saturday, HBO premiered “Like to Love You, Donna Summer season,” a wonderful documentary in regards to the late Queen of Disco. It’s one other good addition to the Black music documentary canon and has all of the markings of a wonderful documentary: poignancy, honesty, revelation, enlightenment, elaboration and appreciation.
The twenty first century has been a golden period for music documentaries. The earlier century gave delivery to basic movies like “Wattstax” and “The Gospel Based on Al Inexperienced.” Nonetheless, the flood of documentaries over the previous 23 years features a stellar assortment of filmmaking that explores an array of top-rate expertise.
“Time is Illmatic” instructed the story of Nas’ seismic debut album, “Illmatic.” “Bitchin’: The Sound and Fury of Rick James” gave us the nice, unhealthy and ugly in regards to the late King of Punk Funk. “Soul Energy” unlocked the historical past of the star-studded 1974 music pageant that accompanied the “Rumble within the Jungle” combat between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.
With different insightful docs over the past yr about acts like Louis Armstrong and Little Richard, it seems the rising amount and high quality of music documentaries could proceed for the foreseeable future. Listed here are theGrio’s prime 10 music documentaries thus far of this younger century.
10. “Homecoming” — 2019
“Homecoming” helped cement Beyonce’s repute as her technology’s most excellent stay performer. The Netflix movie immortalized Beyonce’s 2018 headlining of Coachella units with the Grammy winner within the director’s chair. Incorporating Kemetic symbolism with the instrumental and stylistic aesthetics of HBCU marching bands, “Homecoming” celebrated multi-tier Blackness.
9. “Marley” — 2012
There are various documentary movies in regards to the late, nice Bob Marley. Nonetheless, “Marley” is arguably the definitive piece in regards to the man and his music. A panoramic view of the reggae legend’s life — his mom, widow and kids, girlfriends, infidelities, musical course of, bandmates, interactions with native politicians, assassination try and extra — the movie is exhaustive in its comprehensiveness.
8. “What Occurred, Miss Simone?” — 2015
The perfect form of documentaries are very revealing. “What Occurred, Miss Simone?” isn’t any exception. This Netflix documentary revealed the inner ideas and exterior exploits of the Excessive Priestess of Soul. Not solely will we see how her music developed from pop and jazz requirements to politically charged anthems, however we study in regards to the turmoil of her first marriage and her disillusion with the U.S.
7. “Quincy” — 2018
When “Quincy” premiered in 2018 on Netflix, Quincy Jones was 85 years previous. After watching this documentary, you’ll marvel at how he managed to remain alive so long as he has. Certain, the movie reveals how Jones turned probably the most revered music producer ever and shares his in depth Rolodex of collaborators, together with Ray Charles, Depend Basie and Michael Jackson. However the movie additionally reveals the numerous occasions he jeopardized his life to develop into a greater musician, in addition to the real-time results that rising up motherless had on his life and relationships.
6. “Dangerous 25” — 2012
As a result of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” was the cultural juggernaut that it was, many neglect in regards to the success of its follow-up, 1987’s “Dangerous.” However Spike Lee remembered. The famed filmmaker recontextualized Jackson and producer Quincy Jones’ daunting job of following the biggest-selling studio album of all time, crafting an LP that yielded a document 5 No. 1 singles, together with “Man within the Mirror” and the title observe. In “Dangerous 25,” Jackson’s collaborators, pals and celeb followers communicate intimately in regards to the advertising, making of every tune and the album’s accompanying groundbreaking music movies.
5. “Summer season of Soul” — 2021
As many occasions as Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson has appeared in music documentaries, it was solely a matter of time earlier than he directed considered one of his personal. The Roots drummer-bandleader knocked it out of the park together with his debut, successful an Oscar for his efforts. “Summer season of Soul” tells the forgotten story of the 1969 Harlem Cultural Pageant throughout which Mahalia Jackson, Stevie Marvel, Mavis Staples, B.B. King, Nina Simone, Sly & The Household Stone and others gave stellar performances.
4. “Mr. SOUL!” — 2018
Historical past has nearly forgotten one of the vital vital and influential Black TV reveals ever. PBS’ “SOUL!” was one of many first Black speak reveals, that includes then-budding future legends like Earth, Wind & Fireplace, Al Inexperienced, The Spinners and LaBelle, who delivered provocative performances. The present additionally featured insightful conversations with thought leaders like Nikki Giovanni, James Baldwin and Stokely Carmichael. Director Melissa Haizlip expertly created “Mr. SOUL!” to shine a highlight on the groundbreaking program and its creator and her uncle, Ellis Haizlip.
3. “Superb Grace” — 2018
Aretha Franklin’s 1972 stay double album, “Superb Grace,” is the best-selling album of her profession and ranks among the many best-selling gospel albums ever. Filmmaker Sydney Pollack captured the recording of that masterpiece with the Southern California Neighborhood Choir in Los Angeles. His 2018 live performance movie of the identical title proves that Franklin was the best singer ever. The LP nonetheless sounds excellent, but it surely’s watching her carry out “Mary Don’t You Weep,” “The Outdated Landmark” and “Wholy Holy” in “Superb Grace” that’ll carry out the Holy Ghost in any viewer.
2. “Standing within the Shadows of Motown” — 2002
Motown Information’ tagline was “The Sound of Younger America.” The boys chargeable for enjoying and establishing that sound have been the label’s in-house studio band, The Funk Brothers. This bittersweet celebration remembers the Detroit instrumentalists who performed on classics like “What’s Going On,” “My Woman” and “Ain’t No Mountain Excessive Sufficient.” The 2002 doc, “Standing in The Shadows of Motown,” is as informative and uplifting as it’s heartbreaking. Whereas many have been interviewed for the movie and performed a live performance with all-star singers, lots of the primary Funk Brothers didn’t stay to see individuals cheer for them.
1. “Nonetheless Invoice” — 2009
Sting mentioned it finest throughout an interview for this movie: “The toughest half about being a songwriter is to be easy and profound.” There may very well be no higher technique to describe this movie’s topic: singer-songwriter Invoice Withers. “Nonetheless Invoice,” named after his breakthrough sophomore album, finds Withers telling his personal story in his candid, no-nonsense model. He talked about overcoming a stuttering downside as a toddler, his indifference to the music business and fame, why he walked away from a profitable profession and what impressed him to create once more in his 70s.
These 10 movies have set a really excessive bar for people who observe throughout the remainder of this century.
Matthew Allen is an leisure author of music and tradition for theGrio. He’s an award-winning music journalist, TV producer and director primarily based in Brooklyn, NY. He’s interviewed the likes of Quincy Jones, Jill Scott, Smokey Robinson and extra for publications resembling Ebony, Jet, The Root, Village Voice, Wax Poetics, Revive Music, Okayplayer, and Soulhead. His video work will be seen on PBS/All Arts, Brooklyn Free Speech TV and BRIC TV.
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