"However, if a doc turns me on to great music that I was previously unfamiliar with — or sends me back to re-immerse myself in music that I’ve taken for granted for too long — then I ultimately have to view it as a success, regardless of its faults" - Absolutely
Great post. Haven't seen the Sonics documentary yet, but I agree with your statement re: cheaply made documentaries (in reference to your earlier post, which you quoted here). There's SO many of those straight-to-DVD (or straight-to-streaming) ones up on YouTube and streaming sites to pick from, and most are boring and/or an embarrassment to the artists. (Of course, there's always exceptions, and some of these are worth it less for the overall quality than the interviews contained within).
And I absolutely cosign your love of The Turtles 'Happy Together'. First saw it on the Rhino VHS ages ago, and absolutely loved it immediately (but it helped that I've always been a huge Turtles fan!) - the only slight being the non-inclusion of key member Al Nichol (who was thankfully included and interviewed in Mark Volman's recent oral history book.) But on a big plus side, hearing from Flo & Eddie, PF Sloan, and the other songwriters and Turtles members was brilliant (and F&E are of, course hilarious.)
That doc really made me appreciate the Turtles — I was a big fan of their hits, but hadn't fully understood where they were coming from (or how brilliant they were) until I watched it. But yeah, I do recall wondering where Al Nichol was!
From what I understand, Al was an alcoholic for many years, but has cleaned up. His presence in Mark's recent oral history memoir clears up a lot of questions about the Turtles, and his commentary is some of the best moments in the book (I also believe he goes a bit into his post-Turtles life as well.)
On a humorous note, being that the book is an oral history, it includes antidotes from most, if not, all of the Turtles, and this naturally means some pretty differing viewpoints and some flat-out hilarious moments, like one ex-Turtle who left/quit the band saying that after they left the successful Turtles, they played in some local bar band and exclaimed "....there were lines of fans down the block just to get in and see me!' (or something equally hilarious to this effect).
I haven't seen the Sonics doc yet, but my favorite is probably MC5's A True Testimonial, which was pulled (I believe by Wayne) before it was officially released. However, before it was pulled, DVD copies were sent in advance to various labels and magazines for review and a buddy of mine who worked for Charley Records in the UK was sent one. Knowing I was a big fan of the 5, he gave it to me after he wrote his review! The copy also has a ton of outtakes, which makes it quite unique and rare.
Surprisingly, I also really liked the Bee Gees doc, which I found fascinating, yet sad.
Yeah, A True Testimonial is incredible — I've heard it said that if the doc had been officially released when it was supposed to, the MC5 would have been inducted to the RRHOF a lot sooner, because it made such a fantastic case for their greatness and importance. Which Bee Gees doc are you referring to? I've seen a couple that were really good...
I think it was the most recent one on HBO. My wife and I watched it over the pandemic. It ends with Barry sitting alone in Miami, reflecting on his life and the loss of his brothers. He's just an older man sitting on a bench; people walk past him not realizing who he is, and that old man on the bench created the music that shaped, inspired and brought joy to so many people's lives.
Hey Michael, not that I have drawn up a list but while reading Dan's piece I found myself going back to A True Testimonial as a lesson in how to make an incredibly riveting documentary that tells the story and draws new fans in and gets the music across. That it wasn't released is a travesty to good film-making. It seems from the way you've written the note that you haven't heard our Crossed Channels episode on MC5 in which we talk about it, it's for paid subscribers but maybe you are one of Dan's already? (Linking from my page but it's on his as well). CHeers!
I was actually on tour in the Pacific Northwest when I got my first Sonics compact disc. I was obsessed and put at least one of their songs on every mix tape I made. I was fortunate enough to have seen the mostly intact reunion lineup and a few years back got to open for the most current lineup with my band The Outta Sites. That particular lineup aside from the one original member is a who's who of rock and roll and surf modern go-to players so they still sounded great even if it was kind of sort of the real thing. Their influence is so huge it's hard to put into words so I appreciate your post here. Long live the Sonics
Thanks, Sean. Though that's another thing that annoyed me about this doc, TBH — the guys who gradually replaced most of the classic lineup were/are pretty heavy hitters in their own right, and it would have been cool and informative to have them talk (even briefly) about spreading the latter-day Sonics gospel. Dusty Watson and Freddie Dennis are briefly shown and mentioned by name, but they aren't interviewed and the doc gives us no real explanation of who they are or what kind of bonafides they brought to the band.
I think you've talked me out of checking out the doco.
I'd have to hit the stacks to come up with a specific timeframe but I am sure that there was a six or eight month period before Aftermath and Revolver where The Sonics would have had to have been the greatest rock band in the world.
Positively love 'em. But surely there's some latter day footage?
Beyond that, concerning low budget docos, Amazon is full of these docos where they just interview five or six critics about a certain album or sequence of albums. And I usually like 'em just fine. Watched one on Neil Young through Zuma the other night and even the GF liked it (except for the parts with Christgau, whom she hated upon first view).
Dan, once again another thoroughly entertaining Substack. Just like The Move, another great band that I hadn’t seen or heard of. Some real rockers, I was just bopping along. I loved Gerry Roslie’s voice, which for some reason kept bringing Mick to mind. Thinking about it, I think it was the depth of his voice but with the brute force of Morrison. 🤷
Nice to have seen the live Van Halen video performance of "Dance the Night Away" soon before checking out all these Sonics links, as you wrote these things sound better now than they ever did. That's how ya do it kids, no need for dozen and dozens of producers/'songwriters'/samples, a few humans with vision and execution over and over again are the benchmarks and stand the test of time.
Hey Dan, as you know, I was planning on seeing The Sonics' doc locally the night it was on the big screen. Something else got in the way, so I am glad to read your review. And your excitement about The Sonics overall, certainly one of the more important of unsung American bands; considering how much attention goes to the Velvets, maybe more should head north-west?
Share your frustration with many current docs, they are just too damn easy to make on the cheap. I suspect that with this one Albertson went following the members around once he nabbed them and figured that was his story, without - by the sound of it - stepping back far enough to see the big picture and what people might have wanted from the film instead. I'll get to that Turtles doc some point now... Cheers!
The doc that I immediately thought of when reading this was “Scarred but Smarter” about drivin’ ‘n’ cryin’. Love(d) that band, but the documentary was both a good and frustrating watch, especially the second half. Worth seeking out, though, because of the music.
It’s very lo-fi. Could have been the print I saw, but for some reason it distracted me. Have you seen the project that Kevn Kinney’s wife has taken on to get other artists to cover his catalog?
"However, if a doc turns me on to great music that I was previously unfamiliar with — or sends me back to re-immerse myself in music that I’ve taken for granted for too long — then I ultimately have to view it as a success, regardless of its faults" - Absolutely
Great post. Haven't seen the Sonics documentary yet, but I agree with your statement re: cheaply made documentaries (in reference to your earlier post, which you quoted here). There's SO many of those straight-to-DVD (or straight-to-streaming) ones up on YouTube and streaming sites to pick from, and most are boring and/or an embarrassment to the artists. (Of course, there's always exceptions, and some of these are worth it less for the overall quality than the interviews contained within).
And I absolutely cosign your love of The Turtles 'Happy Together'. First saw it on the Rhino VHS ages ago, and absolutely loved it immediately (but it helped that I've always been a huge Turtles fan!) - the only slight being the non-inclusion of key member Al Nichol (who was thankfully included and interviewed in Mark Volman's recent oral history book.) But on a big plus side, hearing from Flo & Eddie, PF Sloan, and the other songwriters and Turtles members was brilliant (and F&E are of, course hilarious.)
That doc really made me appreciate the Turtles — I was a big fan of their hits, but hadn't fully understood where they were coming from (or how brilliant they were) until I watched it. But yeah, I do recall wondering where Al Nichol was!
From what I understand, Al was an alcoholic for many years, but has cleaned up. His presence in Mark's recent oral history memoir clears up a lot of questions about the Turtles, and his commentary is some of the best moments in the book (I also believe he goes a bit into his post-Turtles life as well.)
On a humorous note, being that the book is an oral history, it includes antidotes from most, if not, all of the Turtles, and this naturally means some pretty differing viewpoints and some flat-out hilarious moments, like one ex-Turtle who left/quit the band saying that after they left the successful Turtles, they played in some local bar band and exclaimed "....there were lines of fans down the block just to get in and see me!' (or something equally hilarious to this effect).
I need to pick up Mark's book — thanks for the reminder!
I haven't seen the Sonics doc yet, but my favorite is probably MC5's A True Testimonial, which was pulled (I believe by Wayne) before it was officially released. However, before it was pulled, DVD copies were sent in advance to various labels and magazines for review and a buddy of mine who worked for Charley Records in the UK was sent one. Knowing I was a big fan of the 5, he gave it to me after he wrote his review! The copy also has a ton of outtakes, which makes it quite unique and rare.
Surprisingly, I also really liked the Bee Gees doc, which I found fascinating, yet sad.
Yeah, A True Testimonial is incredible — I've heard it said that if the doc had been officially released when it was supposed to, the MC5 would have been inducted to the RRHOF a lot sooner, because it made such a fantastic case for their greatness and importance. Which Bee Gees doc are you referring to? I've seen a couple that were really good...
I think it was the most recent one on HBO. My wife and I watched it over the pandemic. It ends with Barry sitting alone in Miami, reflecting on his life and the loss of his brothers. He's just an older man sitting on a bench; people walk past him not realizing who he is, and that old man on the bench created the music that shaped, inspired and brought joy to so many people's lives.
Oh yeah — that one's fantastic.
Hey Michael, not that I have drawn up a list but while reading Dan's piece I found myself going back to A True Testimonial as a lesson in how to make an incredibly riveting documentary that tells the story and draws new fans in and gets the music across. That it wasn't released is a travesty to good film-making. It seems from the way you've written the note that you haven't heard our Crossed Channels episode on MC5 in which we talk about it, it's for paid subscribers but maybe you are one of Dan's already? (Linking from my page but it's on his as well). CHeers!
https://tonyfletcher.substack.com/p/back-in-the-usa-the-mc5s-finest-28
Very cool - I keep hoping that somehow A True Testimonial will get released so I can finally see it! I really enjoyed the Bee Gees one as well.
Love this.
I was actually on tour in the Pacific Northwest when I got my first Sonics compact disc. I was obsessed and put at least one of their songs on every mix tape I made. I was fortunate enough to have seen the mostly intact reunion lineup and a few years back got to open for the most current lineup with my band The Outta Sites. That particular lineup aside from the one original member is a who's who of rock and roll and surf modern go-to players so they still sounded great even if it was kind of sort of the real thing. Their influence is so huge it's hard to put into words so I appreciate your post here. Long live the Sonics
Thanks, Sean. Though that's another thing that annoyed me about this doc, TBH — the guys who gradually replaced most of the classic lineup were/are pretty heavy hitters in their own right, and it would have been cool and informative to have them talk (even briefly) about spreading the latter-day Sonics gospel. Dusty Watson and Freddie Dennis are briefly shown and mentioned by name, but they aren't interviewed and the doc gives us no real explanation of who they are or what kind of bonafides they brought to the band.
“Full-bore forebears.” Just nice.
Ha! Thanks!
You hipped me to that Turtles doc 25 or so years ago and I'm forever grateful!
Right on! I'm jonesing to watch it again — though it doesn't appear to be streaming anywhere (except in chunks on YouTube).
I think you've talked me out of checking out the doco.
I'd have to hit the stacks to come up with a specific timeframe but I am sure that there was a six or eight month period before Aftermath and Revolver where The Sonics would have had to have been the greatest rock band in the world.
Positively love 'em. But surely there's some latter day footage?
Beyond that, concerning low budget docos, Amazon is full of these docos where they just interview five or six critics about a certain album or sequence of albums. And I usually like 'em just fine. Watched one on Neil Young through Zuma the other night and even the GF liked it (except for the parts with Christgau, whom she hated upon first view).
This doc does contain footage of the latter-day Sonics in action, though it isn’t shot particularly well. At least there’s no Christgau in it, though!
Dan, once again another thoroughly entertaining Substack. Just like The Move, another great band that I hadn’t seen or heard of. Some real rockers, I was just bopping along. I loved Gerry Roslie’s voice, which for some reason kept bringing Mick to mind. Thinking about it, I think it was the depth of his voice but with the brute force of Morrison. 🤷
Nice to have seen the live Van Halen video performance of "Dance the Night Away" soon before checking out all these Sonics links, as you wrote these things sound better now than they ever did. That's how ya do it kids, no need for dozen and dozens of producers/'songwriters'/samples, a few humans with vision and execution over and over again are the benchmarks and stand the test of time.
Hey Dan, as you know, I was planning on seeing The Sonics' doc locally the night it was on the big screen. Something else got in the way, so I am glad to read your review. And your excitement about The Sonics overall, certainly one of the more important of unsung American bands; considering how much attention goes to the Velvets, maybe more should head north-west?
Share your frustration with many current docs, they are just too damn easy to make on the cheap. I suspect that with this one Albertson went following the members around once he nabbed them and figured that was his story, without - by the sound of it - stepping back far enough to see the big picture and what people might have wanted from the film instead. I'll get to that Turtles doc some point now... Cheers!
The doc that I immediately thought of when reading this was “Scarred but Smarter” about drivin’ ‘n’ cryin’. Love(d) that band, but the documentary was both a good and frustrating watch, especially the second half. Worth seeking out, though, because of the music.
Wow, I didn’t even know of that doc’s existence. Thanks for the tip!
It’s very lo-fi. Could have been the print I saw, but for some reason it distracted me. Have you seen the project that Kevn Kinney’s wife has taken on to get other artists to cover his catalog?
Yeah, my buddy Tom Clark has been involved with that...