Mikey Likes It - Music On The Big Screen

Ya gotta love that velvet suit!

    I love music and I love movies, so naturally I love movies about music. In recent cinema history we have been blessed with a bevy of great music documentary's and I thought I'd share some of my favorite's.
    My number one has got to be The Band's 'Last Waltz.' I know it's almost 40 years old but it is absolutely timeless. Aside from the song they do with Neil Diamond, all the music is spectacular. From the song choices to the stellar list of musicians that join them and even down to the killer velvet suit that Van Morrison wears, the whole thing is just a masterpiece.
    Next is a more recent one: Rush's 'Beyond The Lighted Stage.' Now, I like a lot of Rush tunes but I am in no way a die hard Rush fan. That being said, this documentary is so engaging from start to finish that it made me appreciate the band in a whole new way. There are great stories from the band members and from other musicians who toured with them and who were influenced by them. there are hilarious moments and heart breaking ones and the director does a great job of always keeping it interesting.
    My next two picks are both very informative and very, very long. George Harrison's 'Living in the Material World' and Tom Petty's 'Runnin' Down A Dream' are each nearly 4 hours long, but cover every single facet of their respective lives and careers, both musical and personal. I know it's hard to set aside 4 hours to watch a dang movie, but if you split it up over a few nights it'll be well worth it. Or just wait until you get mono and can't leave your room.

    I'll leave you with a short list of some of my other favorite's:
- Rolling Stones 'Crossfire Hurricane'
- Bob Marley 'Marley'
- 'Buena Vista Social Club'
- 'Festival Express' - with the Grateful Dead, The Band, Janis Joplin, Buddy Guy & more!
- Metallica 'Some Kind of Monster' - so funny to see what tools these guys are!

-Mikey

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Mike Sparber has been roaming the hallowed halls of Sylvan since 2004 and is an admirer of all stringed instruments. He moved here from the DC suburbs in 1999 and can usually be found with his wife at concerts around the Bay Area or with his dog, Ernie, at the beach.

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