It's Grammy Day! Leading up, here are some documentaries to get started.
First up, Netflix is streaming 'The Greatest Night in Pop.' Out of respect for this forum's rules, I'm not making the claim this was the 'greatest' anything. It's the name of the documentary. And because it's new, I'll have some spoilers at the end of this post.
2. Bitchin’: The Sound and Fury of Rick James.
Renowned musician Rick James remains etched in our memories with his powerful presence and iconic musical contributions. In the eye-opening documentary “Bitchin’: The Sound and Fury of Rick James,” filmmaker Sacha Jenkins delves deep into the life of this extraordinary rock/soul/punk artist, sharing a vibrant and dynamic portrayal. You don't have to be a super freak to enjoy this one.
3. The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart
The documentary “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” takes viewers on an extraordinary journey through the remarkable career of the Bee Gees. It highlights their distinctive sound, harmonies that resonate with the soul, and captivating lyrics that have stood the test of time. The film effortlessly captures the essence of their musical genius, offering an intimate look into their lives and their unwavering dedication to their craft.
4. Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice
Beautifully showcases the brilliance of Linda Ronstadt as a talented and groundbreaking artist. However, it falls short in critically assessing her achievements, while portraying her as somewhat overlooked in today’s music landscape. This will change, however, as pop star Selena Gomez will be portraying Ronstadt in an upcoming biopic.
5. Taylor Swift: Miss Americana
Swift explores the pressures and challenges she faced as a young woman in the music industry. One of the most compelling aspects of “Miss Americana” is its ability to shed light on the conditioning that women go through to be good, to be nice, and not make waves. It delves into the constant need for approval from others, a journey many can relate to.
As Swift embarks on her journey of self-discovery, we witness her transformation from the innocent “good girl” she was when she first burst onto the scene at just 16 years old, to the multi-dimensional powerhouse she has become at 30. It’s a story of growth, evolution, and finding her own voice.
The Greatest Night in Pop
Alright 80s kids! Check out this Netflix documentary on the creation and recording of 'We Are the World.' 40-something of the biggest artists in the world at that time - and 40-something egos. Here are a few takeaways (SPOILERS!):
1. Stevie Wonder wouldn't return Lionel Richie's calls for three weeks, and when he finally showed up a week before recording, he thought he was there to write the song. Richie had to break the news that because he wouldn't return his calls, he and Michael Jackson wrote it.
2. The organizers wanted the best of the best -legends and current chart toppers. They snubbed Madonna in favor of Cyndi Lauper, believing her to be the bigger of the two. According to Nile Rogers, some of her peers felt that she did not deserve a spot on its lineup. (Several weeks later, Madonna’s “Crazy for You” knocked USA for Africa’s “We Are the World” from the No. 1 position.)
3. Ironically, Latoya Jackson was there. Nothing against Latoya. But she barely registered a blip in the pop music world.
4. Cyndi Lauper almost backed out because her "boyfriend heard the demo and he didn't think it was a hit."
5. Stevie Wonder wanted to include "some Swahili' somewhere in the song. Most of the artists couldn't pronounce his impromptu lyric change and too much time was being taken trying to. Waylon Jennings threatened to leave if they couldn't get on with the recording. Someone then reminded Wonder Swahili wasn't the language of Ethiopia.
6. Quincy Jones' team paired every artist with the part they believed best matched the artists' voice.
7. Prince, who was in fierce competition with Jackson, wouldn't come unless he could record a guitar solo in a private room. Huey Lewis sang the part that was meant for Prince. "Those were pretty big shoes to fill," said Lewis.
8. During a break, Diana Ross walked over to Daryl Hall, confessed to being a big fan, and asked him to sign her music sheets. At that point, everyone began asking each other for autographs.
9. At 4AM, Sheile E and Lionel Richie were still trying to get Prince into the studio.
10. Al Jarreau was drunk and kept stepping on Willy Nelson's part.
11. Steve Perry and Lionel Richie coached Huey Lewis, Kim Carnes, and Cyndi Lauper into an impromptu 3-part harmony.
12. Bob Dylan couldn't 'find his voice' so Stevie Wonder showed him how by doing a spot-on imitation of Dylan's voice.
13. Springsteen was having serious voice issues that night (or that morning. It was past 5AM when he recorded his solo.) Yet, many felt it was one of the most iconic parts of the song.
14. Diana Ross wept, overwhelmed at being a part of it.
