On the internet movie database all of these films have a 7.3-8.7 rating. All of the films bring you the best of Classic Rock, Jazz, Blues, Rock and Roll and world music. A few of these concert’s will never happen again (and not just because some musician’s are dead), the true-spirit of music, passion and love that existed before a T.V. landed you a world-tour is gone forever.
Netflix
1) Echo in the Canyon Dir. Andrew Slater 2019
The music was right, the time’s were right and Southern California (Laurel Canyon near Hollywood) was the place to be. The film has insightful interview’s from Jackson Browne, Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, The Byrds, David Crosby and….its on Netflix; watch it tonight!
2) Miles Birth of the Cool Dir. Stanley Nelson 2019
The latest documentary about the ever-complicated king of cool and baddest mother….. to ever play a trumpet. There is but only one Miles. This film skips the cliche’s and leaves you satisfied. Some excellent interview’s, especially a number of great stories from Carlos Santana.
3) Chasing Trane Dir. John Scheinfeld 2016
Narrated by Denzel Washington, take the ride into the genius and human-side of Mr John Coltrane. Since Trane played a lot with Miles and they did some “landmark” Jazz album’s together, I suggest #2 and #3 on this list as a double feature.
4) Quincy Dir. Rashida Jones, Alan Hicks 2018
This is a uniquely-personal documentary about the man-myth and legend that is Q., Mr. Quincy Jones. Directed by his daughter, I don’t want to spoil anything. This is the best documentary you will find about Quincy Jones.
5) What Happened Miss Simone? Dir. Liz Garbus 2015
Here is the surprise I leave for you, you know Nina Simone and get a chance to learn more. Maybe, you do not know much about Ms. Simone’s work and get to enjoy a “gem” of doc about our Musical world.
Prime
6) Horn from the Heart: The Paul Butterfield Story Dir. John Anderson 2018
The best Harmonica player to ever blow a harp. Paul Butterfield, who burst on the scene leading the Paul Butterfield Blue’s band, this film tells the wild, tough, rough and all the highway’s along the way. The kid who was “Born in Chicago”, to this day continues (although he has been gone multiple decades) to leave his mark. This film played around the world theatrically for over two-year’s.
7) The Last Waltz Dir. Martin Scorsese 1978
Bill Graham’s Winterland in San Francisco, now demolished was host to The Band’s final performance. The Band was joined by a few of their friend’s for an incendiary show that included Paul Butterfield, Muddy Waters, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Dr. John, Neil Young, Eric Clapton and is a true time-capsule of the time’s, music and end of an era.
8) 25 Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Shows Dir. Joel Gallen 2009
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (located in Cleveland), put on this two-day concert on at Madison Square Garden. It featured Rock and Hall of Fame performance’s by Stevie Wonder, Mick Jagger, Bono, Smokey Robinson, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Morello, Simon and Garfunkel, Jeff Beck and Buddy Guy (need I say more).
9) We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song Dir. Tom Trbovich 1984
A behind the scenes at one of the most powerful songs ever recorded, that brought attention to hunger in Africa. The song was Produced by Quincy Jones and only Q could have brought together Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nelson, Lionel Ritchie and many more create without ego.
10) Standing in the Shadows on Motown Dir. Paul Justman 2002
