September 23, 2004
Talking Heads : Stop Making Sense
So that top 5 thing was a clue to what I was going to rant about next. I completely mean it though. This is absolutely one of the most wonderful things I have ever experienced in my life. And astonishingly enough, I get to re-experience it without ever tiring of it. This is something that is a theme in my list. All the things I hold dear are not just singular events but reaccuring characters in my life that I see fairly frequently. The notion of love is based upon ideas outside of reality. Without getting too philosophical, love is a notion that can be a part of the concept of perfection. These concepts do not exist other than in the mind. However these things are very real to us and are constantly impacting our lives. Now I will tell you why I love this movie and why I think it is perfect.
Stop Making Sense is my definition of music. And though it may sound cliche, I love the fact that it is white people playing harmoniously with black people. It is everybody getting together to make music. And dance. It is music in its bare essense. Not just that, but they are playing music that is heavily influenced by black culture. And I don't mean African American culture. The polyrhythms are straightup African. There is a groove and funk that can be seen with the works of Fela Kuti and with his other Afro Beat contemporaries. Now some might see that these great black musicians seem too happy be be there playing for the Talking Heads and be saddened. I see the same thing. But it makes me happy. Fuck if Steve Scales doesn't have the greatest smile ever. These musicians are doing what they were born to do and lets not forget that they are playing some amazing music. If what they were playing was not musically intellectual, then I might see the arguement. This is no Average White Band. (excuse the pun) Again, some might say why play white man funk? However its fucking Parliament's Bernie Worrell who is playing the funk. And if it is Bernie Worrell playing the funk then the funk is good, son. It is not like they are being pretentous. The one thing about the Talking Heads that makes them one of my favorite bands is that they were so sincere. As would be seen time and time again, especially with Luaka Bop, David Byrne was fiercely into World Music and incorporating both its true structure and essence. The Talking Heads were always awkward but they were were playing their music. What set it apart was that it was good and it had soul. You can not take the musicians away from the music. The Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love is about the dorkiest thing ever (seriously) but its beautiful for that.
Another reason why I love this film so much is because it is a perfect film. It is not just about the music which to its own right makes one of the finest live recordings that I know of. Jonathan Demme did a fantastic job with this film. I consider the image above one of the best in cinematic history. The shot is no trick. It is an amazing technical shot that was planned from the beginning. It feels like the movie was made to create that shot. And it would be worth it if it was. The set pieces are also fantastic. Each song has its own distinct visual flair to it. These range from video art in the background to the simple yet striking dramatic lighting. Even The structure of the film is fantastic --pardon me if I am running out of adjectives. You get to see the skeleton of the film itself as the set is built as the show progresses. I really can't say enough about how great an idea it was to build up one musician at at time. From David playing Psycho Killer "by himself" to the explosion of the full band playing Burning Down The House. David Byrne said it best --he wanted to tell a story. He did --metaphorically and literally.
How many jaw dropping events take place in this film? I only have to say single words. Boombox. Lamp. Suit. Once you have seen this, you will never forget these images. They are part of american music pop culture. Or atleast a part of me.
I have to admit that I have had teary eyes everytime I have seen this film. That makes it in the 30s. I am not kidding. This film captures joy so well that it makes me want to cry. This may sound over the top but I was very serious when I said it was one of my favorite things ever. Even at work at Newbury Comics when I put it on. The first time I played it a man and his 4 year old daughter watched the film for 20 minutes. She was on his shoulders staring in awe. She was only 4 but she understood that they were watching something special. I almost couldn't take it.
Now I fully am aware that what I said before is a charade. David Byrne was a madman at this point and everyone was completely miserable. To this day their relationship is still so bad that the band members had to record the commentary separate from Byrne. Not to mention the obvious drug use that to some can tarnish the accomplishment. I find it very amusing myself. As much as I consider this film pure joy, in reality it was not. But what cannot be taken away is that the end result is magic. It is an example of an extraordinary work of art. David Byrne is a genius and I cannot blame him for protecting his vision. He put his soul into this. I could never imagine a singer putting more effort on stage than what he does here --and lets not forget the whole tour. What he did was create a work of art. Sometime, well many times, it has to be separated from the artist. What is important is that the intention is real. Like with my family, lovers, and self; there are many problems and mixed emotions stirring inside that is the cause of the pain I suffer from. Many times I can't stand it. But when I look back at it I will always see through those things and smile. This is love.
Posted by Fran at September 23, 2004 03:40 PM