The top 5 music documentaries of the 21st century
What are your top 5 music documentaries of all time?
Q. What do The Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin, Scott Walker, Bob Dylan and Heavy Load all have in common?
A. They’re all featured in Mark Kermode’s top music documentaries of all time.
Yesterday I was watching this article on the BBC website where he’s thinking about the top 5 music documentaries of the 21st century.
He gets thinking about the greatest music documentaries ever made and starts reeling off a load of truly awesome movies, about some of the greatest musicians and songwriters ever.
Then at 2 minutes 46 seconds he starts talking about Heavy Load, I still really can’t take it in.
“Heavy Load is a really great documentary about a band called Heavy Load and the Stay Up Late campaign and how they manage to overcome obstacles to get their music out. I thought it was so uplifting and so moving. It was a thrilling watch.”
If you haven’t seen the movie yet you can stream it here:
Who’s the odd one out?
Q. Who’s the odd one out? Scott Walker, Janis Joplin, Daniel Johnston, New York Dolls, Sixto Rodriguez, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Dandy Warhols, Anvil and Heavy Load.
A. Well it’s only Heavy Load!
As if getting a mention in this article wasn’t just about as good as it gets, Mark only goes one better at the end where he says:
“I’m genuinely struggling to nail this list down, Top 5 music documentaries in the 21st Century. See if you can help me but if Heavy Load isn’t in there I’m not interested!”
So there you go, what an endorsement! And what an endorsement of the amazing job Jerry Rothwell did of crafting a story out of our chaotic existence. In fact I still remember the day he phoned me up and said
“I’ve got about 100 hours of footage shot now, but still no story!”
Also here’s a definite Christmas present idea for anyone who’s not seen the movie yet, and if you buy the DVD off us (we’ve got Region 1 and 2 available) you’ll be supporting the work of Stay Up Late too and we’ll chuck in a free album while stocks last.
Here’s the list of Mark Kermode’s other favourite music documentaries, and a load of other ideas if you don’t know what to get your loved ones for Christmas. (Although they may not be as good as the Heavy Load movie, and that’s official!!)
Paul
