Watched these recently, pretty good although the Bowie one was kind of all over the place.

 

 

This is probably the best one I watched all year.

 

 

 

Truth or Dare is so iconic and fascinating because it was the height of Madonna's career... It's such a fascinating snapshot of what's it's like to be the biggest popstar in the world (and what it was like to be the biggest popstar in the world, who would ultimately become the most successful female artist of all time). It's also a fascinating snapshot into the lives of her dancers, whom she spotlighted despite rampant homophobia at the time.

 

For the Record is self explanatory... Easily the best behind the scenes look at one of the greatest comebacks in music history only behind Mariah's Emancipation. Also the only time during her 13 year c-ship that they allowed her to be open and vulnerable... At this time she was truly healthy and hadn't yet faced the traumas that her evil father / team exposed her to. It's tragic now to watch, really... Considering what she went through 

 

Edited November 28, 20223 yr by Miss Show Business

Lisa Left Eye Lopez documentary was everything 

 

When she exposed fraud contracts and explained how you can go broke selling 15M albums worldwide 

 

 

Edited November 28, 20223 yr by naval23

Ah, my area of expertise. The only thing I love better than a good documentary is a good rock doc! 

 

I've watched so many but here's a few that come to mind rn:

 

Truth or Dare aka In Bed with Madonna - let's start with the obvious as it pertains to pop music and pop icons. No need for a debriefing because if you're a fan of pop music, you've most likely seen it. If you haven't seen it then you owe it to yourself to watch it even if you don't like Madonna. 

 

Soundbreaking - a PBS multi-part docu-series about how the technology used to produce music has evolved alongside the different eras of music and the iconic voices that all come together to make music wonderful! Highly recommend if you want a comprehensive look at popular music of the last 100 years.

 

Bitchin: The Sound and Fury of Rick James - one of the Gods of Funk music. He's kinda underrated despite his "cocaine is a helluva drug" meme made courtesy of Dave Chapelle. If you love and respect Funk musc, highly recommend. 

 

20 Feet From Stardom - about the unsung, and often underpaid, heroes of background vocals. Some of the most iconic songs have several of these women holding down the harmonies. If you're interested in the art of harmonies and singing in general, highly recommend.

 

The Last Days of Left Eye - it's quite sad if you know the context but Lisa left this footage and wanted it to be seen for a reason. If you like TLC and respect one of the most underrated femcees, you owe it to yourself to watch. 

 

JANET JACKSON. - the most intimate and comprehensive look you'll ever get about Janet Damita Jo Jackson. Being a stan, I've waited so long for something like this. It coming from the woman herself was endearing because she's a notoriously private person. If you haven't seen it then you owe it to yourself to watch it even if you don't like Janet. Respect the godmothers of pop!

 

Meeting People Is Easy - chronicling the most prescient time in Radiohead's career, the OK Computer era. Cameras follow them on the tour for this watershed album. It really displays how much of a whirlwind it is for artists to go from their "rising" years to the peak years. I can definitely see how mental illness could and often does run rampant in the industry. It's a lot of pressure. If you love Radiohead or an interesting time in Alternative Rock, then highly recommend!

 

Hip Hop Evolution - a very thorough multi-part (16 eps!) look at the history of Hip-Hop and all its pioneers, movers and shakers and different eras. All the way up to the '10s. I was a fan of hip-hop before but this doc made me appreciate and understand the art behind the genre better, even in all its problematic glory. If you're a fan of hip-hop, highly recommend! 

...

 

There's more as I'm kinda obsessed. If there's a documentary and it's pertaining to music/musicians, I'm there. I'll even watch ones about artists/music I don't like all that much. I try to get a better understanding. I know I said if you're a fan of the music or artist, then watch said documentary but you should try to watch docs about music you don't like too. Your opinon might change. I fancy myself a lightweight music historian so I try to take in as much as possible. 

 

I miss VH1 music docs and series so much. It was obvious label PR sometimes but I really miss them. My favorites were The Greatest series and the Behind the Music. Also OP, I'm kinda jealous you've seen Moonage Daydream already. I'm waiting for it come to streaming because I'm still a bit wary of theaters. Only the queen would get me into one with a Renaissance movie lol. I love Bowie but he can wait. 

Edited November 28, 20223 yr by Soda Pop Queen

3 hours ago, Miss Show Business said:

 

 

Truth or Dare is so iconic and fascinating because it was the height of Madonna's career... It's such a fascinating snapshot of what's it's like to be the biggest popstar in the world (and what it was like to be the biggest popstar in the world, who would ultimately become the most successful female artist of all time). It's also a fascinating snapshot into the lives of her dancers, whom she spotlighted despite rampant homophobia at the time.

 

For the Record is self explanatory... Easily the best behind the scenes look at one of the greatest comebacks in music history only behind Mariah's Emancipation. Also the only time during her 13 year c-ship that they allowed her to be open and vulnerable... At this time she was truly healthy and hadn't yet faced the traumas that her evil father / team exposed her to. It's tragic now to watch, really... Considering what she went through 

 

I saw For The Record as a kid and it was really sad to watch, even then. Truth or Dare is a classic. 

28 minutes ago, naval23 said:

Lisa Left Eye Lopez documentary was everything 

 

When she exposed fraud contracts and explained how you can go broke selling 15M albums worldwide 

 

 

RIP

16 minutes ago, Soda Pop Queen said:

Ah, my area of expertise. The only thing I love better than a good documentary is a good rock doc! 

 

I've watched so many but here's a few that come to mind rn:

 

Truth or Dare aka In Bed with Madonna - let's start with the obvious as it pertains to pop music and pop icons. No need for a debriefing because if you're a fan of pop music, you've most likely seen it. If you haven't seen it then you owe it to yourself to watch it even if you don't like Madonna. 

 

Soundbreaking - a PBS multi-part docu-series about how the technology used to produce music has evolved alongside the different eras of music and the iconic voices that all come together to make music wonderful! Highly recommend if you want a comprehensive look at popular music of the last 100 years.

 

Bitchin: The Sound and Fury of Rick James - one of the Gods of Funk music. He's kinda underrated. If you love and respect Funk musc, highly recommend. 

 

20 Feet Behind Stardom - about the unsung, and often underpaid, heroes of background vocals. Some of the most iconic songs have several of these women holding down the harmonies. If you're interested in the art of harmonies and singing in general, highly recommend.

 

The Last Days of Left Eye - it's quite sad if you know the context but Lisa left this footage and wanted to be seen for a reason. If you like TLC and respect one of the most underrated femcees, you owe it to yourself to watch. 

 

JANET JACKSON. - the most intimate and comprehensive look you'll ever get about Janet Damita Jo Jackson. Being a stan, I've waited so long for something like this. It coming from the woman herself was endearing because she's a notoriously private person. If you haven't seen it then you owe it to yourself to watch it even if you don't like Janet. Respect the godmothers of pop!

 

Meeting People Is Easy - chronicling the most prescient time in Radiohead's career, the OK Computer era. Cameras follow them on the tour for this watershed album. It really displays how much of a whirlwind it is for artists to go from their "rising" years to the peak years. I can definitely see how mental illness could and often does run rampant in the industry. It's a lot of pressure. If you love Radiohead or an interesting time in Alternative Rock, then highly recommend!

 

Hip Hop Evolution - a very thorough multi-part (16 eps!) look at the history of Hip-Hop and all its pioneers, movers and shakers and different eras. All the way up to the '10s. I was a fan of hip-hop before but this doc made me appreciate and understand the art behind the genre better, even in all its problematic glory. If you're a fan of hip-hop, highly recommend! 

...

 

There's more as I'm kinda obsessed. If there's a documentary and it's pertaining to music/musicians. I'll even watch ones about artists/music I don't like all that much. I try to get a better understanding. I know I said if you're a fan of the music or artist, then watch said documentary but you should try to watch docs about music you don't like too. Your opinon might change. I fancy myself a lightweight music historian so I try to take in as much as possible. 

 

I miss VH1 music docs and series so much. It was obvious label PR sometimes but I really miss them. My favorites were The Greatest series and the Behind the Music. Also OP, I'm kinda jealous you've seen Moonage Daydream already. I'm waiting for it come to streaming because I'm still a bit wary of theaters. Only the queen would get me into one with a Renaissance movie lol. I love Bowie but he can wait. 

I've seen these except Meeting People Is Easy, I'm not big on Radiohead but from your description it sounds like a must watch. PBS has a bulk of the best ones I've seen (Martin Scorsese's The Blues, Ken Burns' Jazz, Ken Burns' Country Music). And other smaller scale ones that are worth watching. 

 

Hip Hop Evolution was good, but I can't help but be kinda bothered by most Hip Hop history accounts that largely leave out the guys that pre-date Kool Herc or even overcredit him, etc,. It's actually a big topic of debate in that neighborhood of The Bronx with folks that never moved away. 

 

Bitchin' was an interesting watch, although I kinda expected more from it.

 

Moonage Daydream is now on Amazon Prime Video for rental, so it's available elsewhere 

Edited November 28, 20223 yr by Wicked

2 minutes ago, Wicked said:

I saw For The Record as a kid and it was really sad to watch, even then. Truth or Dare is a classic. 

RIP

I've seen these except Meeting People Is Easy, I'm not big on Radiohead but from your description it sounds like a must watch. PBS has a bulk of the best ones I've seen (Martin Scorsese's The Blues, Ken Burns' Jazz, Ken Burns' Country Music). And other smaller scale ones that are worth watching. 

 

Hip Hop Evolution was good, but I can't help but be kinda bothered by most Hip Hop history accounts that largely leave out the guys that pre-date Kool Herc or even overcredit him, etc,. It's actually a big topic of debate in that neighborhood of The Bronx with folks that never moved away. 

 

Bitchin' was an interesting watch, although I kinda expected more from it.

 

Moonage Daydream is now on Amazon Prime Video for rental, so it's available elsewhere 

I was reading through your post then saw this. I had to stop and try to go buy Moonage Daydream but forgot I'm broke until I get paid this week LOL

 

when did it become available? I read it wasn't gonna be available for streaming until January?

@Wicked

 

and yes, PBS is a GOLDMINE of interesting documentaries, not just on music but everything. They also have a youtube channel for just for music called SoundField (https://www.youtube.com/@SoundFieldPBS). It has many music video essays on different things. They haven't uploaded in a little bit but have new content coming.

 

also, on the Kool Herc being overcredited thing. Do you think this is an effort to try to slowly move credit of the invention of Hip-Hop away from black americans? I know several jamaicans, etc were in close proximity to the genre back then as they were in the same neighborhoods but Hip-Hop, like the vast majority of American music genres, was invented by Black Americans. 

 

Edited November 28, 20223 yr by Soda Pop Queen

3 minutes ago, Soda Pop Queen said:

@Wicked

 

and yes, PBS is a GOLDMINE of interesting documentaries, not just on music but everything. They also have a youtube channel for just for music called SoundField (https://www.youtube.com/@SoundFieldPBS). It has many music video essays on different things. They haven't uploaded in a little bit but have new content coming.

 

also, on the Kool Herc being overcredited thing. Do you think this is an effort to try to slowly move credit of the invention of Hip-Hop away from black americans? I know several jamaicans, etc were in close proximity to the genre back then as they were in the same neighborhoods but Hip-Hop, like the vast majority of American music genres, was invented by Black Americans. 

 

Yeah I subscribe to SoundField, I wish they would make content more often though! I love directing their Blues video to people. 

 

Yeah, absolutely, I agree with that statement. It's driven even more bc Kool Herc himself has denied a lot of claims placed on him, I just wish it could be discussed without devolving into a diaspora war. It's not to take away from Caribbean Americans involvement ofc, just to clear up confusion.

 

-

D'Angelo's Devils Pie documentary (you'll have to search a bit since it's not officially streaming) was kind of a sad watch, women did the most and damn near scared that man into retirement. There's an added element to it because the doc is directed by a woman to, through a womans gaze, which is parallel to his career. I usually look for more all encompassing docs about genres or specific moments in music, but individual ones can be eye opening.

 

23 minutes ago, Wicked said:

Yeah I subscribe to SoundField, I wish they would make content more often though! I love directing their Blues video to people. 

 

Yeah, absolutely, I agree with that statement. It's driven even more bc Kool Herc himself has denied a lot of claims placed on him, I just wish it could be discussed without devolving into a diaspora war. It's not to take away from Caribbean Americans involvement ofc, just to clear up confusion.

 

-

D'Angelo's Devils Pie documentary (you'll have to search a bit since it's not officially streaming) was kind of a sad watch, women did the most and damn near scared that man into retirement. There's an added element to it because the doc is directed by a woman to, through a womans gaze, which is parallel to his career. I usually look for more all encompassing docs about genres or specific moments in music, but individual ones can be eye opening.

 

I've heard about this. I'll have to look the doc up. Every artist, no matter how successful they are, aren't built for the crazed fandom and the machine that comes with that. Even the ones that welcome it always end up regretting it on some level. The industry/public can take a toll on mental health and spirit and the younger you are, the worse it can be. I know D'angelo was quite young when he debuted too. I think this is kinda what happened with Lauryn Hill as well. Like, of course she had problems with the label and before that, Wyclef but I just didn't think she wanted to deal with the circus so she opted out while she still could.

Edited November 28, 20223 yr by Soda Pop Queen

17 hours ago, Miss Show Business said:

 

 

Truth or Dare is so iconic and fascinating because it was the height of Madonna's career... It's such a fascinating snapshot of what's it's like to be the biggest popstar in the world (and what it was like to be the biggest popstar in the world, who would ultimately become the most successful female artist of all time). It's also a fascinating snapshot into the lives of her dancers, whom she spotlighted despite rampant homophobia at the time.

 

For the Record is self explanatory... Easily the best behind the scenes look at one of the greatest comebacks in music history only behind Mariah's Emancipation. Also the only time during her 13 year c-ship that they allowed her to be open and vulnerable... At this time she was truly healthy and hadn't yet faced the traumas that her evil father / team exposed her to. It's tragic now to watch, really... Considering what she went through 

 

I was about to say; This is ATRL.

Truth or Dare and For the Record are the Old and New Testament for us pop stans.

The rest can settle for 3 and below