The Wrecking Crew (2015)

Frederica · Post by **Frederica** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 11:53 am

A while back we discussed Twenty Feet from Stardom but darned if I can find it. Whatevs. I watched a recent music industry documentary on the west coast's fabled Wrecking Crew. It was directed by Denny Tedesco, the son of legendary guitarist Tommy Tedesco; I know it took him a long time to fund and finish the project, IIRC he crowdfunded some of it and worked on it for years. Many of the musicians featured are now dead (Tedesco) or very ill (Glenn Campbell).

The Wrecking Crew feels a bit like a home movie and is a bit more elegiac in tone than Twenty Feet. Tedesco interviewed Brian Wilson, Herb Alpert, Cher, Micky Dolenz, and others who recorded with the Crew, along with Crew members Tedesco, Campbell, Al Casey, Plas Johnson, Carol Kaye, and others. I could have used a bit more depth in discussing the music, but even though I've known about the Wrecking Crew for dog's years, I was still surprised at the sheer breadth of their work--not just music recordings, but commercial jingles, television theme songs, you name it. If it needed music the Wrecking Crew was there.

Like Twenty Feet it wasn't quite what I was expecting, but I enjoyed it. Has anyone seen the Mussel Shoals documentary? There is a doc on Motown's Funk Brothers that is calling my name, anyone seen that?

Post by **Mike Gebert** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 2:23 pm

Just got back from seeing Love & Mercy (which is somehow both a Lifetime movie and the 2001 of music biopics, and genuinely moving if you care about the Beach Boys, or creativity or America or anything). Anyway, it too has the Wrecking Crew portrayed prominently, and each is undoubtedly an essential companion piece to the other.

Frederica · Post by **Frederica** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 3:11 pm

Mike Gebert wrote:Just got back from seeing Love & Mercy (which is somehow both a Lifetime movie and the 2001 of music biopics, and genuinely moving if you care about the Beach Boys, or creativity or America or anything). Anyway, it too has the Wrecking Crew portrayed prominently, and each is undoubtedly an essential companion piece to the other.

That one is on my list. There was a mini-series biopic of the Beach Boys some time ago, I saw it but remember very little about it.

Also, P.S. Footage in the doc proves conclusively that Leon Russell was once quite young.

Rick Lanham · Post by **Rick Lanham** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 3:39 pm

20 Feet From Stardom is supposedly available on Netflix and other sources:

http://www.canistream.it/search/movie/2 ... %20stardom" target="_blank

Rick

Frederica · Post by **Frederica** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 3:59 pm

Rick Lanham wrote:20 Feet From Stardom is supposedly available on Netflix and other sources:

http://www.canistream.it/search/movie/2 ... %20stardom" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Rick

I saw it on Amazon Prime, I believe. The Wrecking Crew was on Netflix.

Jim Roots · Post by **Jim Roots** » Tue Jun 23, 2015 5:59 am

Frederica wrote: Also, P.S. Footage in the doc proves conclusively that Leon Russell was once quite young.

You never heard of Photoshopping?

Jim

Daniel Eagan · Post by **Daniel Eagan** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 4:46 pm

Frederica wrote:
Mike Gebert wrote:Just got back from seeing Love & Mercy (which is somehow both a Lifetime movie and the 2001 of music biopics, and genuinely moving if you care about the Beach Boys, or creativity or America or anything). Anyway, it too has the Wrecking Crew portrayed prominently, and each is undoubtedly an essential companion piece to the other.
That one is on my list. There was a mini-series biopic of the Beach Boys some time ago, I saw it but remember very little about it.

Also, P.S. Footage in the doc proves conclusively that Leon Russell was once quite young.

A 40-year-old documentary about Leon is just getting released. Les Blank's A Poem Is a Naked Person features Leon's "Shelter People" band and also shows the Harold Bradley sessions for Hank Wilson's Back in Nashville, which resemble a true-life version of the Love & Mercy "Pet Sounds" sessions. There's also a scene between Leon and Muscle Shoals pianist David Briggs. Ironically, Leon's age comes up. He says, "I'm very sensitive about it."

Muscle Shoals was good, a lot about Rick Hall, who lived a very eventful life. A lot about disruptions. Not as much music as I would like.

I interviewed its director Greg Camalier here: http://www.filmjournal.com/content/musc ... ican-music" target="_blank

I interviewed Les Blank's assistant Maureen Gosling and son Harrod here: http://www.filmcomment.com/entry/back-h ... ked-person" target="_blank

Not trying to brag, just provide extra info

Frederica · Post by **Frederica** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 8:51 am

Daniel Eagan wrote: A 40-year-old documentary about Leon is just getting released. Les Blank's A Poem Is a Naked Person features Leon's "Shelter People" band and also shows the Harold Bradley sessions for Hank Wilson's Back in Nashville, which resemble a true-life version of the Love & Mercy "Pet Sounds" sessions. There's also a scene between Leon and Muscle Shoals pianist David Briggs. Ironically, Leon's age comes up. He says, "I'm very sensitive about it."

Muscle Shoals was good, a lot about Rick Hall, who lived a very eventful life. A lot about disruptions. Not as much music as I would like.

I interviewed its director Greg Camalier here: http://www.filmjournal.com/content/musc ... ican-music" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

I interviewed Les Blank's assistant Maureen Gosling and son Harrod here: http://www.filmcomment.com/entry/back-h ... ked-person" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Not trying to brag, just provide extra info

You're allowed to do shameless self-promotion here, thanks for the articles. That's good news about the Russell doc. Both Twenty Feet and The Wrecking Crew were a little skimpy on music information, but you can't get too technical in that type of doc, you'll lose your audience.

I didn't even recognize Russell in The Wrecking Crew until he was identified! Without the flowing Jesus locks he looked completely different. I found these two clips of Russell on Shindig in the mid-60s on youtube. Doesn't look like him, but the minute he starts to sing you know it's him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7zY-UY8HtE" target="_blank" target="_blank
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbKHbcvRMiM" target="_blank" target="_blank

Post by **Mike Gebert** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 9:31 am

Actually one of the things I really admired about Love & Mercy is that they get the studio scenes for Pet Sounds and Good Vibrations accurately and understandably for the audience-- a number of scenes where he taps something out, a studio musician plays it... and suddenly, on the real instrument, you know exactly where it comes from (assuming you know the songs in the first place, as anyone who has owned a radio in the last 50 years will). Very nicely handled and believable, as a modern alternative to the scene where suddenly the whole tune of the composer's biggest hit occurs to him with full orchestration.

Also, nice cameo by a theremin for those who know what they look like...

Daniel Eagan · Post by **Daniel Eagan** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 10:25 am

Frederica wrote:I found these two clips of Russell on Shindig in the mid-60s on youtube. Doesn't look like him, but the minute he starts to sing you know it's him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7zY-UY8HtE" target="_blank
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbKHbcvRMiM" target="_blank

Great clips. Leon sings "Jambalaya" at a New Orleans concert in the documentary.

I either forgot or didn't realize they used backing tracks on "Shindig." I think that was Glen Campbell pretending to play the banjo.

Frederica · Post by **Frederica** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 11:01 am

Daniel Eagan wrote:
Frederica wrote:I found these two clips of Russell on Shindig in the mid-60s on youtube. Doesn't look like him, but the minute he starts to sing you know it's him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7zY-UY8HtE" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbKHbcvRMiM" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank
Great clips. Leon sings "Jambalaya" at a New Orleans concert in the documentary.

I either forgot or didn't realize they used backing tracks on "Shindig." I think that was Glen Campbell pretending to play the banjo.

It was Campbell, probably the other musicians are Wrecking Crew, too since it was filmed in Los Angeles. According to the always accurate Wikipedia, all the Shindig shows are all still extant. Speaking of dvds I'd like to have. Do you know when the Russell doc will be released in theaters or for streaming? I've seen all (or most) of the classic rock documentaries, I'd love to see this one. One of the best concerts I ever saw in my life was Mad Dogs & Englishmen, so I'm getting all nostalgic.

Daniel Eagan · Post by **Daniel Eagan** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 12:03 pm

Frederica wrote:Do you know when the Russell doc will be released in theaters or for streaming?

It's playing this Saturday in Brooklyn at a BAM festival (http://www.bam.org/film/2015/a-poem-is-a-naked-person" target="_blank) before a two-week run at Film Forum (http://filmforum.org/film/a-poem-is-a-n ... -film-page" target="_blank).

I'm pretty sure it will play in other repertory houses this summer. Criterion is releasing a Blu-ray in the fall. As far as I know, no streaming plans.

Frederica · Post by **Frederica** » Fri Jun 26, 2015 10:50 am

Daniel Eagan wrote:
Frederica wrote:Do you know when the Russell doc will be released in theaters or for streaming?
It's playing this Saturday in Brooklyn at a BAM festival (http://www.bam.org/film/2015/a-poem-is-a-naked-person" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank) before a two-week run at Film Forum (http://filmforum.org/film/a-poem-is-a-n ... -film-page" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank).

I'm pretty sure it will play in other repertory houses this summer. Criterion is releasing a Blu-ray in the fall. As far as I know, no streaming plans.

I'll keep an eye out. I watched the Muscle Shoals doc last night; I liked it better than either The Wrecking Crew or 20 Feet, but I still wish they'd focused on the musical nuts and bolts a bit more. On to the Funk Brothers doc.

Roseha · Post by **Roseha** » Fri Jun 26, 2015 9:39 pm

There is a doc on Motown's Funk Brothers that is calling my name, anyone seen that?

That must be Standing in the Shadows of Motown - I remember seeing that, it must have been through Netflix so maybe you can get it there - It was a while back but I remember being very impressed.

azjazzman · Post by **azjazzman** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 3:28 am

I saw "The Wrecking Crew" several months ago and liked it very much. I think my enjoyment was enhanced by the fact that I saw it in the company of a musician who knew/knows several of the members of TWC and told stories about them both before and after the film.

I just got the Blu Ray of TWC and it has some nice extras. It also has previews for some other music docs on it. One for "Muscle Shoals", one for a doc on the group "Big Star" and one for a doc on Bob Marley. I immediately placed all three Blu Rays in my Netflix queue and hope to watch them over the holiday weekend coming up.

Magnolia Films has so many interesting docs out or coming out. It is a major interest of mine. Looking forward to seeing "The Best of Enemies". The Roger Ebert doc is excellent. I found the Orson Welles doc more interesting than some other folks apparently did and the one on Sophie Tucker was a hoot.

Frederica · Post by **Frederica** » Mon Jun 29, 2015 9:25 am

azjazzman wrote:I saw "The Wrecking Crew" several months ago and liked it very much. I think my enjoyment was enhanced by the fact that I saw it in the company of a musician who knew/knows several of the members of TWC and told stories about them both before and after the film.

I went to dinner with a friend on Friday evening who is a musician; she had seen a rough cut of The Wrecking Crew years ago, along with a panel discussion with several members of the TWC. She was very disappointed with the final product, btw, she said much of the material she was interested in as a musician had been cut. During the Q&A at the end of the screening she asked one of the panelists (she couldn't remember the name) if he remembered working on any song he instantly knew would be a hit--he said "Help Me, Rhonda."

Over the weekend I caught Standing in the Shadow of Motown (thank you, Rosemary), the doc on The Funk Brothers; I think that is now my favorite of the three. It was more polished and cinematically professional, which is not a criticism, just a comment, and I enjoyed the live performance aspect, with Joan Osborne, Gerald Levert, Me'shell Ndegeocello, and especially Bootsy Collins, along with surviving members of The Funk Brothers. If I had to pick a favorite bass player (as one does, doesn't one?) it would be James Jamerson, so perhaps I'm biased. But really, all these studio musicians were pros to the tips of their toesies and I'm not going to play my 60s studio musicians were better than your 60s studio musicians.

Oh, PS: Discussing with my friend on Friday night, she said something I agree with wholeheartedly--TWC certainly gave me a respect for Glen Campbell I didn't have before. As a singer songwriter he was possibly the whitest white man I've ever heard (the Eagles gave him a run for his money), but his chops on guitar were unassailable.

azjazzman · Post by **azjazzman** » Wed Jul 01, 2015 11:03 pm

Frederica wrote:
I went to dinner with a friend on Friday evening who is a musician; she had seen a rough cut of The Wrecking Crew years ago, along with a panel discussion with several members of the TWC. She was very disappointed with the final product, btw, she said much of the material she was interested in as a musician had been cut. During the Q&A at the end of the screening she asked one of the panelists (she couldn't remember the name) if he remembered working on any song he instantly knew would be a hit--he said "Help Me, Rhonda."

Oh, PS: Discussing with my friend on Friday night, she said something I agree with wholeheartedly--TWC certainly gave me a respect for Glen Campbell I didn't have before. As a singer songwriter he was possibly the whitest white man I've ever heard (the Eagles gave him a run for his money), but his chops on guitar were unassailable.

The musician friend I mentioned absolutely loved "The Wrecking Crew". He was a drummer in a band that was the opening act for The Beach Boys on a tour in 1969. He knew all the BB, especially Dennis Wilson. He loved the film so much that he has been bugging me weekly for updates on the Blu Ray release. He also knew Glen Campbell, who he has referred to as a musical savant. And he said Carol Kaye was the one that the studio musicians themselves were most in awe of. The story of her asking producers, "Do you want me to use the Beach Boys pick?" had me in stitches.

The thing to keep in mind about "The Wrecking Crew": It started out as a tribute by Denny Tedesco to his Dad. It was originally made and screened in 2008. Then a Kickstarter campaign to revise it and include more interviews with some of the other Wrecking Crew musicians happened last year, and Magnolia Pictures (Mark Cuban) picked it up for theatrical distribution and DVD release. Yet, the some of the focus on Tommy Tedesco remains in the film. He definitely gets the most screen time and is the most lovingly remembered.

But, the best music documentary I have seen in years is "Who is Harry Nilsson and Why is Everybody Talking About Him?". Directed by John Scheinfeld, who you may recall from Sally's parties.

azjazzman · Post by **azjazzman** » Wed Jul 01, 2015 11:44 pm

Frederica wrote: I went to dinner with a friend on Friday evening who is a musician; she had seen a rough cut of The Wrecking Crew years ago, along with a panel discussion with several members of the TWC. She was very disappointed with the final product, btw, she said much of the material she was interested in as a musician had been cut. During the Q&A at the end of the screening she asked one of the panelists (she couldn't remember the name) if he remembered working on any song he instantly knew would be a hit--he said "Help Me, Rhonda."

BTW, the Blu Ray of "The Wrecking Crew" has a ton of bonus material, including a bunch of deleted interviews. They are grouped into categories of "Songs", "Themes" and "Musician Jokes".

The "Songs" include interviews about the creation and production of songs such as California Dreamin', You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling", Aquarius, Sloop John B, Close to You and Strangers in the Night, etc. "Themes" are things like "Film vs Records", "First Time On The Radio", "Working with Phil Spector", "Work Ethic", "Sonny and Cher", "Working with Sinatra", etc.

"Musician Jokes" is self explanatory.

Maybe some of the deleted interviews your friend was referring to are included in the bonus features.

azjazzman · Post by **azjazzman** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:07 am

Frederica wrote:
Mike Gebert wrote:Just got back from seeing Love & Mercy (which is somehow both a Lifetime movie and the 2001 of music biopics, and genuinely moving if you care about the Beach Boys, or creativity or America or anything). Anyway, it too has the Wrecking Crew portrayed prominently, and each is undoubtedly an essential companion piece to the other.
That one is on my list. There was a mini-series biopic of the Beach Boys some time ago, I saw it but remember very little about it.

Also, P.S. Footage in the doc proves conclusively that Leon Russell was once quite young.

I saw the Beach Boys TV movie/mini-series and thought it was quite good, as those things go. Kevin Dunn was scary good as Murry Wilson.

But would you have known that still was Leon Russell if they didn't identify him via subtitle? I wouldn't have.

Frederica · Post by **Frederica** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 9:14 am

azjazzman wrote:
But would you have known that still was Leon Russell if they didn't identify him via subtitle? I wouldn't have.

Sure didn't. I got all spluttery and muttered "that's not Leon Russell!" Then I went to google and found the same photos. Hunh, you learn something every day.

Jim Reid · Post by **Jim Reid** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 3:31 pm

I'm from the same hometown (Tulsa) as Leon. In high school I worked the early Sunday morning shift at the local McDonalds. He was a regular right after we opened just every Sunday. I also just recently read a magazine article about the Sugar Shack. It was a really nasty bar on the backside of our neighborhood Red Bud Grocery store. Turns out it was a favorite place for Leon to jam in the middle of the night with friends Eric Clapton & George Harrison! Who knew?

azjazzman · Post by **azjazzman** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 8:36 pm

A youngish Leon Russell all but steals the documentary "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" (1971) from Joe Cocker. Leon is not as young as the photos in The Wrecking Crew, but still young.

Frederica · Post by **Frederica** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 10:08 pm

azjazzman wrote:A youngish Leon Russell all but steals the documentary "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" (1971) from Joe Cocker. Leon is not as young as the photos in The Wrecking Crew, but still young.

As much as I love Leon Russell, he didn't steal the live concert. But there were 147 people on stage so it was hard for one person to stand out. Even Joe Cocker.

azjazzman · Post by **azjazzman** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 11:29 pm

Frederica wrote:
azjazzman wrote:A youngish Leon Russell all but steals the documentary "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" (1971) from Joe Cocker. Leon is not as young as the photos in The Wrecking Crew, but still young.
As much as I love Leon Russell, he didn't steal the live concert. But there were 147 people on stage so it was hard for one person to stand out. Even Joe Cocker.

I actually was referring more to the non-concert footage. It becomes pretty obvious that Leon was the musical director and the creative force behind the whole tour, and his off stage personality is pretty powerful.

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