The Non-Lemmy Music Docs

Last week we gave you the heads up about Lemmy, today we give you a brief run-down of all the other documentaries in the series we are sponsoring. For a full festival schedule go here.

Ride, Rise, Roar – David Byrne is has been making great and creative music for a few decades now, but unlike a great many aging musicians, he hasn’t lost a step. This film chronicles Byrne’s 2008-09 tour (you might have see the Milwaukee show) “that melded pop music and modern dance in innovative ways.”

Variety said, “At the start of “Ride, Rise, Roar,” as a white-suited David Byrne launches into an exuberant rendition of “Once in a Lifetime” backed by a perfectly attuned ensemble of similarly clad dancers, vocalists and musicians, it’s clear: This ain’t no party, this ain’t no disco, this ain’t no humdrum concert documentary.”

Soundtrack for a Revolution – Soundtrack for a Revolution, an aptly titled film that demonstrates how music is often intertwined with the world at large. Music didn’t just act as a passive companion piece to a revolution, it played a key role in inspiring protests during the 1950’s and ’60’s civil rights movement. We may never again see music wield such massive influence over an entire generation of progressive thinkers.

Cut with footage of that time, you’ll hear and see clips of the music that played so important a role, and you’ll also see and hear vibrant new renditions of enduring civil rights anthems by current artists including The Blind Boys of Alabama, Anthony Hamilton, Wyclef Jean, John Legend, Joss Stone, TV on the Radio and The Roots.

Who is Harry Nilsson (And Why is Everybody Talking About Him)? – Harry Nilsson is that kind of songwriter that everyone recognizes, but nobody knows. OK, maybe YOU, the Frontier Radio audiences is more knowledgeable than most and know exactly who is Harry Nilsson. But your are hardcore music fans, not just background music listeners.

Nilsson is loved by some of the world’s most important artists. From musicians like the Beatles and Brian Wilson to filmmakers the irk of Tarantino, pop culture icons of the last several decades have been immensely influenced by this enigmatic songwriter.

“This one really hit me between the eyes. As someone who grew up listening primarily to the music of the 50s, 60s and 70s, of course I knew of Harry Nilsson, but I really knew nothing about his life. I even didn’t realize that a few songs I love… were his songs.”— Ain’t It Cool News

Rejoice and Shout – We were going to try to put our own spin on this, but it was so perfectly laid out by Spinning Matters.

“Rejoice and Shout, the latest music documentary from director Don McGlynn is the most thoroughly researched and exhaustive film about African-American gospel music ever committed to film. In telling the story of gospel in America, it simultaneously mirrors the entire narrative of the African-American experience, beginning with slavery and ending with the election of the nation’s first black president.”- Spinning Platters

Right?

Mark My Words – Finally, we bring you Milwaukee and the spoken word crafters so often invisible to the general public, but who always, always pack a significant cultural and artistic punch.

Having spent parts of his youth in Milwaukee, Film Wisconsin founding board member Brad Pruitt returns to his erstwhile hometown with Mark My Words, a documentary that focuses on 24 hours in the lives of nine local spoken word poets. With this project, the Emmy-winning Pruitt seeks to reveal the transformative power of words for individuals and communities at large. Showcasing the celebratory and powerful performance of local poetry and music, the film gives audiences intimate access into the poets’ thoughts and the passions and struggles that inspire their stirring compositions.

“This is Milwaukee …out of the box, out of the comfort zone, and most importantly out in the open. Feel the power of emotion as each artist takes you through a cascade of words that will drown you in emotion.”— Milwaukee Community Journal