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Welcome to the Northwest Film Center's 21st edition
of Reel Music. We've kept our eyes peeled over the last year for new works,
plus a few reprises, for our annual celebration of music and film. Whatever
your musical tastes, we hope that there is something in this year’s
eclectic lineup to warm your soul and get your new year off on the right
note.
As always, our special thanks go to The Oregonian and
Music Millennium for helping make it all happen. Enjoy!
DIRECTOR: BOB SMEATON Buried in the film vaults for over 30 years has
been the record (46 hours of sound footage) of a one-of-a kind travelling
rock and roll review. In June, 1970, a CN train was chartered to cross
the Canadian heartland from Toronto to Calgary, carrying, among others,
The Grateful Dead, Flying Burrito Brothers, Great Speckeled Bird, Janis
Joplin, Bonnie and Delaney, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Eric Anderson,
Ten Years After, Traffic, The Band and Buddy Guy, for a series of concerts.
The “Million-Dollar Bash,” as Rolling Stone called it, was
a sort of Woodstock on wheels, the outdoor shows punctuated by partying
in the club car and free-spirited jamming between the assembled musicians.
The original production company (and the tour) went bankrupt and the unedited
footage fell into the void until producer Gavin Poolman doggedly ferreted
it out. Commissioning Bob Smeaton (THE BEATLES ANTHOLOGY, HENDRIX: BAN
OF GYPSIES) to shape the raw material, FESTIVAL EXPRESS is a unique time-capsule
that captures the tour performances, the rollicking week-long party and
the spirit of the early days of the rock concert era. “It was a
pretty wild ride. . .sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll at it’s
best.”—Rick Danko, THE BAND.
(90 mins.)
DIRECTOR: DON MCGLYNN As expected, McGlynn’s (LOUIS PRIMA, CHARLES
MINGUS, DEXTER GORDON, ART PEPPER) new film is the last word on one of
the blues greatest artists. Through uncut performances of classic tracks,
countless excerpts, interviews with surviving collaborators and band members
, intimate reflections from family and friends, the tragedy of Wolf’s
early years in the Mississippi delta, estrangement from his devoutly religious
mother, little known military service (in Oregon!), and amazing musical
legacy receive their just due. Includesd are performances of many of the
Wolf’s timeless cuts including “Moanin' at Midnight,”
“Shake for Me,” “Dust My Broom,” “Smokestack
Lightning,” “Killing Floor,” and “Back Door Man.”
(90 mins.)
Also screens February 7, 8:30 P.M. with Don McGlynn in attendance.
DIRECTOR: K.C. BULL In the early sixties, before such six-string heroes
as Ry Cooder, Leo Kottee and Richard Thompson impressed with their ability
to hop among and fuse musical genres, Sandy Bull glided from classical
and jazz to ethnic music and rock & roll with grace and verve. Incorporating
elements of folk, jazz and Indian and Arabic-influenced dronish modes,
Bull’s ethereal, psychedelic folk-rock recordings , which looked
beyond American roots music for its inspiration, and performances made
him a cult-hero to a generation of musicians and adventurous audiences.
In 2001 Bull died of lung cancer, but not before his daughter began to
fashion a personal portrait of a gifted musician and moving ode to a father
and daughter relationship. (44 mins.) K.C. Bull will introduce the screening.
DIRECTOR: ALEX GIBNEY Produced as part of the Martin Scorsese’s
THE BLUES series , Alex Gibney’s short documentary features timeless
Hendrix live performances of "Red House," "Hear My Train
A Comin'," "Killing Floor," and many others as well as
commentary from former Howlin' Wolf guitarist Hubert Sumlin and Buddy
Guy. "The first guitarist I was ever aware of was Muddy Waters. I
heard one of his records when I was a little boy and it scared me to death,
because I heard all those sounds. Wow! What was that all about? It was
great. I like Muddy Waters when he had only two guitars, harmonica, bass,
and drum. Things like "Rolling And Tumbling" were what I liked—that
real primitive guitar sound."— Jimi Hendrix. (30 mins.)
In the tradition
of WOODSTOCK and JAZZ ON A SUMMER’S DAY, BLUEGRASS JOURNEY weaves
together extended performances, behind the scenes interviews and laid
back event ambiance to celebrate one of America’s great musical
genres. Set largely at the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival in upstate New
York, Oxenberg’s affectionate portrait celebrates musical virtuosity,
audience dedication and a fine time being had by all. Among the performers
caught in concert and workshop settings are The Del McCoury Band, Tim
O’Brien, Jerry Douglas, Peter Rowan, Tony Rice, Rhonda Vincent,
Nickel Creek and a host of others. (90 mins.)
DIRECTOR: GEORGE GOEHL Known for his flamboyant dress and brash behavior,
Jimmy Martin is the rebel child of bluegrass music. Once a rhythm guitar
player for bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe, Martin helped create what is
known as the "high lonesome" sound with his aggressive rhythm
guitar and strong, high vocal range. KING OF BLUEGRASS tells the story
of his lifelong quest to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry (an honor
which he has never received) and captures the essence of this colorful
figure in the twilight of his years. Ralph Stanley, Tom T. Hall, Marty
Stuart, JD Crowe, and others are also on hand with their takes on the
wild man of bluegrass.(66 mins.)
DIRECTOR: HERMAN GAFFET In the land of tango, guitarist Oscar Aleman (1909-1980),
was the King of Jazz. In Europe, he astounded Louis Armstrong, and Duke
Ellington tried to lure him away from Josephine Baker, who cherished him
as the best member of her Parisian orchestra. With the rise of Hitler
he returned to Buenos Aires where he attracted an enormous following for
his brilliant, jazz-infused music and showmanship, emerging as one of
the most popular performers of the era and one of the world’s greatest
guitartists. Gaffet’s film documents Aleman's exciting life and
the tragic family history he had to overcome while it recaps the story
of the golden age of Argentine music. (104 mins.)
Join us after the screening at the Blue Monk, 3341 SE Belmont, for an
evening of reel live music. Admission $7.
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