Run, walk, or boogaloo on down to this documentary about backup singers from the 60s to now. It's that good. Of the nine of us that I knew in this afternoon's screening, we all laughed, we were all moved, and at least three of us wept with joy. Featuring some of the most important singers in the genre--Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Judith Hill, Claudia Lennear, Darlene Love, and Táta Vega are featured on the official website--it moves seamlessly from interviews to rehearsals to vintage footage to concerts and back again. Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Stevie Wonder, producer Lou Adler, and many more are featured in this crisp and tightly edited masterpiece. Jack said it has Oscar written all over it.
Even if you find out all the facts ahead of time, hearing the singing is transcendent. Someone has kindly made a list of the songs played, attaching it to the list in the album (available on amazon and iTunes--also on iTunes you can download for free a number of podcasts discussing the movie, just by putting the movie title in the search box). You'll come out with your own favorite singer(s) but mine is Fischer, who has made only one solo album, So Intense (1991) (she prefers singing backup these days). I did find a few tracks to buy on amazon. And I'm so glad that Clayton and Love are finally getting their due.
Film festivals are showering director Morgan Neville (he's been making documentaries, mostly about music, for 18 years) with accolades, and rottentomatoes critics are right there, too, averaging 99% (the highest this week) and 89% audiences. As it has rolled out across the country in its ninth week of release, it's in 135 rooms and is #24 at the box office. Here is Terry Gross on Fresh Air, talking with Clayton and Neville on NPR (I haven't heard the whole thing yet).
I suppose there might be some people who don't like pop music of the 60s, or some who don't like pop at all. They should stay home and reread War and Peace. The rest of you, reread the first line above.
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