Music documentaries are any music fans favourite. They can suck you right into the life of your most loved musicians.
What is more, music documentaries go beyond simple soundtracks. Hence, giving you the opportunity to enjoy music with a great story around it.
As a matter of fact, none of these music documentaries have won Oscar Awards or are totally life-changing. But do they have to be?
Maybe it is enough from time to time to unwind and enjoy a simpler time.
Some musicians even aim at becoming directors themself. Dave Grohl is a good example of a musician turned documentary director.
Granted that you look forward to a chill weekend on your couch, these docus about music will set the right stage for a proper chill-out. They are all a little bit overlooked and underrated but that makes the charm of them.
Without further ado, here are the 3 best documentaries for a chill weekend!
‘What’s love got to do with it’
Let’ get the cheesiest out of the way first. ‘What’s love got to do with it’ tells the story of Tina Turner.
By all means, it centres around her development from being the beaten up victim of domestic violence to finally making the jump to one of the most successful solo artists of all time.
Is it a cinematic experience of the century? Probably not.
Is the storytelling oscar-worthy? No. You can see that the movie is produced with a loyal fan base in mind.
However, the story in itself grips you quite quickly. ‘What’s love got to do with it’ is a strong example of what many women face in their everyday life.
And what female musicians have to endure at times to make their dream come true. In other words, a tale of self-empowerment that is more actual than ever.
You are on the lookout for more chill music stuff to do on your weekend? Try improving your hearing!
‘Standing in the Shadows of Motown’
Likewise, here is another docu that didn’t make it to the Oscars. What is more, you won’t find stars in it.
Because it is exactly about this, the session musicians who were standing in the shadow. Notably, producing the most hits a group has ever achieved, the so-called Funk Brothers were the vital backbone of the famous Motown genre.
Based in Detroit, Motown set out to change music history forever. Legends like Chaka Khan, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, Diana Ross, The Temptations, Steve Wonder and Michael Jackson are just some of the famous label roster.
The documentary makes a stark point to portray the hidden figures behind this unprecedented success.
For fourteen years, the Funk Brothers were the driving force of Motown Records. In this case, they played on more hits than The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones, Elvis and The Beatles – combined!
‘Standing in the shadow of Motown’ uses old footages, photographs, interviews and re-creation scenes to tell the amazing story.
Namely coupled with 20 Motown original songs and twelve new live performances of old-favourites, the Funk Brothers reunited one last time to perform with current artists.
‘Sound City’, music documentaries can make it to Sundance Film Festival
‘Sound City’ is a documentary/film about the famous recording studio in San Fernando Valley/California. As a result, from 1969 to its closure in 2011 it was the place of creation of many famous recordings such as Nirvana, Kyuss, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fleetwood Mac or Neil Young.
“In his directing debut, Dave Grohl shows the instincts of a real filmmaker. Sound City hits you like a shot in the heart.”
*source, Rolling Stone
What is more, in ‘Sound City’ Dave Grohl is meeting up with many artists involved with the long history of the studio.
Grohl was the drummer in Nirvana before he founded Foo Fighters. In this case, it helps the storytelling a lot that he has actually his own remembrance of the place.
What is more, after the demolition of the Sound City studio, he bought the famous Neve mix table. Subsequently placing it in his own studio 606. “The soundtrack album, subtitled Real to Reel, includes the rabble-rousing “Cut Me Some Slack,” performed by McCartney, Grohl and former Nirvana bandmates Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear.” (Rolling Stone)
Film critics were really happy with Dave Grohl’s work on the documentary. Notably, it premiered at the renowned Sundance Film Festival.
Hopefully, with these music documentaries, you’ll have a chill weekend!