i just added a bunch of music-related documentaries to my netflix queue. from what i can tell, i have some real gems and maybe a couple stinkers coming. which is ok, but a peer-filter system might be nice too.

so here's my list. let me know your thoughts and if you've seen any other'ns you think i should check out:

new york doll (new york dolls)
we jam econo (minutemen)
kill your idols (sonic youth, et al)
can: DVD
NYHC
hellhounds on my trail
billy childish: is dead
inside the smiths
the cure: rock case studies
captain beefheart: under review
loudQUIETloud: a film about the pixies
joy division: under review
jandek on corwood
iron maiden: the early days
lou reeds berlin
i am trying to break your heart
heavy metal in baghdad
afro-punk
american hardcore
the story of the who
imagine: john lennon
shine a light
the rolling stones: gimme shelter
anvil: the story of anvil
the devil and daniel johnston
joe strummer: the future is unwritten
leonard cohen: im your man
pixies
sigur ros: heima
luna: tell me do you miss me
woodstock: three days of peace and music
heavy metal parking lot
jazz: 10 pt series
theremin: an electronic odyssey
talking heads: stop making sense
the who: the kids are alright
the last waltz



go!

New York Doll is one of the best documentaries I've seen all year. Really can't recommend it enough.

LoudQUIETloud was utterly compelling if only for a look into what a joke of a trainwreck the drummer's life had derailed into following the original demise of the band...

particularly looking forward to those two

and im a bit ashamed i haven't seen 'stop making sense' already

The Devil and Daniel Johnston was really really good.

i am trying to break your heart
A bit slow. But if you are a Wilco fan, you'll enjoy it.

the devil and daniel johnston
Interesting and sad. As a music doc it's for fans only. But as the story of a broken man and how he got that way, it is utterly compelling.

woodstock: three days of peace and music
Stone-cold classic. A bit over-long, but worth it.

theremin: an electronic odyssey
Outstanding. Contains a really uncomfortable (and unintentionally hillarious) interview with Brian Wilson.

If you are already a fan:
Watch Me Jumpstart
The history of and behind-the-scenes look at Guided By Voices.

No matter what, you NEED to see:
The Decline Of Western Civilization (vol. 1)
Amazing interviews with and live footage of X, Fear, Black Flag, and -- most memorably -- The Germs!

Nico Icon
Incredibly depressing look at a beautiful woman and how she was destroyed by fame.

Also, I hear that Decline... (vol. 2 - The Metal Years) is pretty great, too. But I have yet to see it.

I'll probably think of more, later.

Oh, then there is THIS ONE that I have yet to see, but am dying to!

my parents watched that. it was interesting to listen to their take, because they're squeaky clean musician types and don't really get the 'outsider art' thing. i had to send them some jad fair to try to put it in a bit of context

I'm not a fan of Johnston or that kind of music at all, but it's still an interesting story.

Last waltz . . classic
The Who . . . classic
Luna(a bit slow, but interesting story)
Wilco(cliche'd but suspenseful at times, a fanumentary)
Devil and... just a good story, heartbreaking for the parents

Also look for:

The Daddy Of Rock 'n' Roll - fun, heartbreaking, ultra low budget doc on Wesley Willis

Fallen Angel - similar in a way to the above - extremely sad but oddly uplifting doc on Gram Parsons

Another True Story of My Miserable Fucked Up Life - cool and interesting doc on Carlos Guitarlos, from his early days as an up'n'comer among the L.A. punk scene to his present as a homeless junkie street busker.

These two are excellent.

American Hardcore is good too, but Western Civilization (I) is better.

And I'm sure you realize that some of those on your list aren't really documentaries, but are concert films.

Jandek on Corwood is totally fascinating and I own it, although I find his music horrific...

any strong feelings on the "under review" or "case studies: series?

i've never heard of them and they seem like some sort of half-baked boilerplate series, but with some decent subject matter

thanks

I really didn't like this at all. It's like it went a long way to show a lot of discord and fighting, and whether it's true or not it made for a depressing film. Blech.

Yeah, shame on you.

Oh, and its less a documentary and more a concert film but I liked Ashes of American Flags more than I Am Trying To Break Your Heart I think.

Standing In the Shadows of Motown
Maybe a little too PBS for some here, but that does not make it any less awesome. A profile of some of the best musicians that the world has never heard OF -- but everybody has heard.

some artists/scenes/eras i'd really like to see a dedicated doc on (some of which may already be covered in the list above)

-proto punk (suicide, pere ubu, residents, et al)
-proto proto punk (link wray, hasil adkins, et al)
-detroit circa late 60s
-80s era transgressive/decon (throbbing gristle, blixa bargeld, etc)
-nick cave
-early australia in general (crime and the city solution, birthday party, these immortal souls)
-pub rock in general (brinsley schwarz, ian dury, et al)
-LA/UK death rock circa 1980 (christian death, alien sex fiend, 45 grave, et al)
-the batcave scene
-wire
-the fall
-nikki sudden
-lydia lunch
-betty davis
-bitches brew era miles davis
-any band on 4AD from the early to mid 80s

There's MC5: A True Testimonial, which is hard to find since it was blocked for legal reasons. But it's out there. I've got a copy and it's totally awesome.


There's also the doc on Johnny Thunders called Born To Lose, which I've got sitting on my desk right now but haven't watched yet.

Full review when you do watch it plzthx

found A True Testimonial (although it only offered the Save option)

only thing i could find on johnny thunders was the eve of destruction concert film.

recommend?