Zap!

 

 (themoviedb)

ZAPPA-2020-This documentary opens with Frank Zappa addressing a audience in Czechoslovakia right after The Velvet Revolution at what would be his last recorded concert. Then it's mostly FZ pontificating on his life, music, the record business, the government, Edgard Varese', etc. What really makes this interesting is that all the interviews are found footage. Nothing was recorded by FZ (who died in 1993) for this bio. There is also some amazing footage of the original Mothers, a young Captain Beefheart, photo shoots and concert footage. Alice Cooper, Ruth Underwood, Bunk Gardner, The GTOs, Ian Underwood, Bruce Bickford, Steve Vai, Ray White, Gail Zappa (who died in 2015), Mike Keneally and others are interviewed in new footage. 

Nice effort by director Alex Winter (BILL AND TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE). He's directed a lot of movies apparently but the only other one I've seen is FREAKED (1993).

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"If You Love These Blues...."

 

 (chicago tribune)

THE MIKE BLOOMFIELD STORY-2021-Excellent documentary/biography of the (now) neglected Blues guitarist. In his time playing with The Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Electric Flag, he was viewed as America's first guitar hero but constant touring, drugs, insomnia and the need to stay out of the spotlight took its toll. Part one is directed by Alex Wernquest and Nick Lerman. Part two is by David Dann (who wrote the whole thing).

Michael Bloomfield & Al Kooper: Albert's Shuffle:

https://youtu.be/wvA6W87lj8I?si=qapM7Ovm5uApyNDK

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"If Ya Got Ears, Ya Gotta Listen"

 

 (youtube)

THE ARTIST FORMERLY KNOWN AS CAPTAIN BEEFHEART-1997-This was a late period documentary about the great Captain Beefheart (aka Don Van Vilet) who died in December of 2010. It gives some interesting insights and info about his early career then jumps to “Trout Mask Replica” and glosses over later work. "Clear Spot" isn't even mentioned. There are some comments from Frank Zappa (obviously already sick; he died in 1993) and former Mother and perennial complainer Jimmy Carl Black (who died in 2008) chimes in as well. Matt Groehing, Ry Cooder, John French and Eric Drew Feldman offer their opinions. British DJ John Peel (who died 2004) narrates.

 It's a nice little documentary but hardly a comprehensive one. Director Elaine Shepherd later made a 30-year anniversary special on Monty Python's Flying Circus.

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Tiny Tim!

 

 (youtube)

STREET OF DREAMS-1988-This grainy slapped together bio/documentary features Tiny Tim attempting to break the non-stop singing record at Luna Park, a famous amusement park in Australia. It throws in all sorts of Tiny Tim clips: myriad interviews, his marriage on "The Tonight Show", talking to strippers in a hotel room, dressing up like Mickey Mouse, even an interview with his aged mother who shows off childhood photos. Actor Ross Martin occasionally appears to narrate. 

Tim pontificates on the Bible, God, life, sex, etc. It's a cacophony of Tiny Tim, a literal overload, which turns very serious toward the end when it reports on the fire that took 7 lives and closed the amusement park down. 

Director Martin Sharp, who had a keen interest in Luna Park as well as Tiny Tim, was also an artist who drew the cover of Cream's albums “Disraeli Gears” and “Wheels of Fire” as well as writing the lyrics to two of their songs, “Tales of Brave Ulysses” and “Anyone for Tennis?”. There is a separate feature that focuses mainly on the marathon concert itself.

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Donovan

 

 (youtube)

THERE IS AN OCEAN-1970-This is a short film documentary about singer Donovan as he rehearses in Greece with his "Open Road" band (John Carr & Mike Thompson) preparing for a world tour. They visit several islands including Crete and give some impromptu concerts. They live on Donovan's yacht. At one point they perform "Riki Tiki Tivi" from their only album together but the rest of the songs hadn't yet been on any albums. Only released in 2005. Director Nigel Lesmoir-Gordon was known for a short film he made in 1966 called SYD BARRET'S FIRST TRIP.

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