The Wrecking Crew Documentary

[PS]

Sorry if this has been discussed in detail here before (I keep up and saw a few remarks when it was shown publicly, but haven't noticed any thread since the DVD has become available) but:

I just received the Wrecking Crew doc in the mail tonight for my birthday (which was actually yesterday, a date I share with the eminent Mr. Parks) - it was something of a surprise for me, I had read that Denny Tedesco was having music rights issues with theatrical distribution and I didn't realize it had finally become available on DVD (and so now where is the Harry Nilsson doc?)

This film is just absolutely great. I can't remember ANY (non-concert) popular music documentary (including Standing in the Shadows of Motown) that I've ever seen (save for Gimme Shelter, but that is a whole different kind of work, and great for other reasons) that fulfilled EVERYTHING that you could have hoped for - In my view, it covered ALL the bases, all the players, all the major gigs, all the essential aspects of this extraordinary  story with such wit (both verbal and cinematic) and grace (beautifully shot and edited, delightful graphics and excellent mixing in and out of dialogue - group and solo - and song after song) and such detailed, analytical and wonderfully anecdotal insights from almost every interviewee (and some priceless footage of the scene, the studios and some promos, past and present), that I had a smile on my face from the opening credits to Hal's hilarious post-credit tagline joke about trombone players with beepers...and then, to my surprise, even some tears at the end, because of deeply feeling the great fortune to have lived during their time and grown up hearing their (invisible) work on radio and on my turntable, as it was happening, throughout my "wonder" years...

I kept wondering as the film went on: will they talk about Bones Howe and Snuff Garrett, will they talk about The Monkees, Gary Lewis, Sonny and Cher, Herb Alpert and Lou Adler, the TV and movie work, will Hal come through with deeper insights than his rather thin book, will Carol show us some key licks or talk about being the only woman among the guys, will the players have any pop sense of what they've done, and what about The Association, will they give enough cred to the great Earl Palmer, etc. etc. All this, plus the usual suspects (Brian, Spector, Campbell, Gold Star's echo chamber...). An 8 course meal. Historically contextualized, filled with rich (and hilarious) stories that you could listen to all night long, and anchored in a personal memoir. Couldn't be better, unless he did a mini-series...With all the disappointing documents out there with cliched testimonials, rather pedestrian (if admittedly rare) home movie footage, and absurd narrativized re-creations we've all seen and cringed to or have been disappointed by in film after film, at last here is something of true quality and depth - for once, a rare opportunity was not blown, but rose to the occasion and then some. There remains very little else that i would want to ask (which is almost never the case with these things).

What a tribute to a father (Mr. Tedseco was a pisser), and what a great way to honor the music, musicians and the era we all know and love so much here on this board. I am a filmmaker and film professor and I can't recommend this wonderful film highly enough - may be the very best of its kind. This is how it should be done. I feel now, somehow. that I can rest easier, knowing that this chapter in history has been properly preserved and the books have been balanced a bit...

Bravo.

[A Million Units In Jan!]

So did you like it or what?   

[Jonas]

So where can I pick up this bad boy?

[PS]

woops.

It seems that the disc that I received as a birthday gift was indeed, shall we say, a promo copy (though it looked legit to me and was clearly from a first rate source).

I'm certainly not above owning booted films, but I don't ordinarily go shouting about it from the rooftops (or desktops).

My apologies to Denny Tedesco, but I sincerely hope this project finds a legitimate release and sees the light of day, as they say.

[donald]

sh*t!    I was already pulling out my credit card and heading to Amazon.   sh*t, sh*t, sh*t!

[Jonas]

merda!    I was already pulling out my credit card and heading to Amazon.   merda, merda, merda!

Lets goto PS' place for a viewing party.

[jimmyboy]

Sorry but I'm afraid I have one also. It is an outstanding production.I must say.

[49ersphil]

I was determined to see this movie.

I live in Manchester UK and via the movie's website found that there were due to be screenings during a film festival in Glasgow over the weekend of my birthday in February last year but my employer could not spare me so I had to abandon that plan.
I registered on the website for e-mail updates and waited for either an official DVD release or more UK screenings but to no avail so I eventually took the torrent option and watched this wonderful movie that way.
In an e-mail brief Danny is savvy enough to recognise that many people will go down that road and if we've downloaded or shared the film urges us to make a donation which I have done and consider it money well spent.
Every fan of The Beach Boys and 60's music in general should see this movie.

[metal flake paint]

I registered on the website for e-mail updates and waited for either an official DVD release or more UK screenings but to no avail so I eventually took the torrent option and watched this wonderful movie that way.
In an e-mail brief Danny is savvy enough to recognise that many people will go down that road and if we've downloaded or shared the film urges us to make a donation which I have done and consider it money well spent.

I did the same and was greatly entertained by this fine documentary.

However, I was disappointed though that mention was made that the "Wrecking Crew" played on most or virtually all of The Beach Boy's records  . This again perpetuates that myth which has long been debunked by the invaluable investigative work of Jon Stebbins, Craig Slowinski, AGD, et al.

[Jon Stebbins]

I registered on the website for e-mail updates and waited for either an official DVD release or more UK screenings but to no avail so I eventually took the torrent option and watched this wonderful movie that way.
In an e-mail brief Danny is savvy enough to recognise that many people will go down that road and if we've downloaded or shared the film urges us to make a donation which I have done and consider it money well spent.

I did the same and was greatly entertained by this fine documentary.

However, I was disappointed though that mention was made that the "Wrecking Crew" played on most or virtually all of The Beach Boy's records  . This again perpetuates that myth which has long been debunked by the invaluable investigative work of Jon Stebbins, Craig Slowinski, AGD, et al.

This overblown myth, which consistently and incorrectly credits the Wrecking Crew as having replaced the Beach Boys on "All" or "most" or even "the majority" of the Beach Boys hits and classic LP tracks, not only disrespects the massive in-studio instrumental contributions of Brian, Carl, Dennis, Al, David and Bruce, but tarnishes the  great contribution the Wrecking Crew actually made to many of the best Brian Wilson productions. Unfortunately this misguided conventional wisdom has penetrated so deeply that even facts do not successfully tilt the historical balance towards the shared credit these two fine entities each deserve.

[metal flake paint]

I registered on the website for e-mail updates and waited for either an official DVD release or more UK screenings but to no avail so I eventually took the torrent option and watched this wonderful movie that way.
In an e-mail brief Danny is savvy enough to recognise that many people will go down that road and if we've downloaded or shared the film urges us to make a donation which I have done and consider it money well spent.

I did the same and was greatly entertained by this fine documentary.

However, I was disappointed though that mention was made that the "Wrecking Crew" played on most or virtually all of The Beach Boy's records  . This again perpetuates that myth which has long been debunked by the invaluable investigative work of Jon Stebbins, Craig Slowinski, AGD, et al.

This overblown myth, which consistently and incorrectly credits the Wrecking Crew as having replaced the Beach Boys on "All" or "most" or even "the majority" of the Beach Boys hits and classic LP tracks, not only disrespects the massive in-studio instrumental contributions of Brian, Carl, Dennis, Al, David and Bruce, but tarnishes the  great contribution the Wrecking Crew actually made to many of the best Brian Wilson productions. Unfortunately this misguided conventional wisdom has penetrated so deeply that even facts do not successfully tilt the historical balance towards the shared credit these two fine entities each deserve.

Jon, I'm hoping that your upcoming FAQ book will somehow rectify this issue.

[Andrew G. Doe]

To be entirely even handed, The Crew have made their own contributions to the myth - Hal once claimed that Brian started using studio musicians on BB sessions after "Surfin' Safari", and both he & Carol Kaye claim to have played on the "Surfin' USA" 45. They didn't.

[donald]

I've heard at least a couple of extended Hal interviews and it sounded like played on so many sessions...week in and week out, with so many various acts, including Sinatra, that its possible his facts are scrambeled.  Same with carol Kaye.

This happens when old folks recall the past.     Some of us can attest to that

[Pretty Funky]

Just noticed the website seems to have been updated. Interesting out-takes are available if you register your email address plus donations are being asked for to try to make a DVD release possible.

http://www.wreckingcrew.tv/index2.html

[Andrew G. Doe]

I've heard at least a couple of extended Hal interviews and it sounded like played on so many sessions...week in and week out, with so many various acts, including Sinatra, that its possible his facts are scrambeled.  Same with carol Kaye.

This happens when old folks recall the past.     Some of us can attest to that

Session work was their bread & butter - they did two, three 3 hour sessions as day. I'm not that fussed by their being occasionally confused about what they played on (like Donald says, people forget) more about some folks intransigent attitudes when confronted with documentary evidence. 

[joe_blow]

I registered on the website for e-mail updates and waited for either an official DVD release or more UK screenings but to no avail so I eventually took the torrent option and watched this wonderful movie that way.
In an e-mail brief Danny is savvy enough to recognise that many people will go down that road and if we've downloaded or shared the film urges us to make a donation which I have done and consider it money well spent.

I did the same and was greatly entertained by this fine documentary.

However, I was disappointed though that mention was made that the "Wrecking Crew" played on most or virtually all of The Beach Boy's records  . This again perpetuates that myth which has long been debunked by the invaluable investigative work of Jon Stebbins, Craig Slowinski, AGD, et al.

This overblown myth, which consistently and incorrectly credits the Wrecking Crew as having replaced the Beach Boys on "All" or "most" or even "the majority" of the Beach Boys hits and classic LP tracks, not only disrespects the massive in-studio instrumental contributions of Brian, Carl, Dennis, Al, David and Bruce, but tarnishes the  great contribution the Wrecking Crew actually made to many of the best Brian Wilson productions. Unfortunately this misguided conventional wisdom has penetrated so deeply that even facts do not successfully tilt the historical balance towards the shared credit these two fine entities each deserve.

If it's any consolation, I noticed in the credits of Wrecking Crew and Friends it does mention Carl and Al on guitar as well as Bruce on keyboards. No mention of the other Beach Boys. Have any of the Wrecking Crew ever been confronted with the fact of them non crediting the Beach Boys as players? If so, what type of response has been given?

[Andrew G. Doe]

I've heard at least a couple of extended Hal interviews and it sounded like played on so many sessions...week in and week out, with so many various acts, including Sinatra, that its possible his facts are scrambeled.  Same with carol Kaye.

This happens when old folks recall the past.     Some of us can attest to that

Session work was their bread & butter - they did two, three 3 hour sessions as day. I'm not that fussed by their being occasionally confused about what they played on (like Donald says, people forget) more about some folks intransigent attitudes when confronted with documentary evidence. 

Also, some of the AFM sheets on the WC doc website credited as being BB sessions are spurious - they're for sessions for The Catalinas Fun Fun, Fun LP, The Knights Rod High and The Hollyridge Strings Beach Boys Songbook. The Catalinas session is particularly interesting, as one of the songs they recorded (at another session) was "Surfin' USA"...

[JimC1702]

I guess I don't understand the business.  I don't get why they don't just release this thing already.  It's never going to be in wide-spread theatrical release.  They've already pressed DVD's.  Just make some more and sell the damn things.

[Rich Panteluk]

Hey JimC1702,

Licencing the necessary material, which involves the cooperation, and compensation of a great many and varied record companies is the problem.  In order to legally release the movie, in which the music is not only integral it is the very point of the film, many hurdles need to be overcome and the music rights and fees have to be paid.  This is the reason the movie has not been able to secure a dvd distribution deal as it is very costly to secure all the rights.

Having said that, it is well worth it and I wish the Tedesco family much success.  For my part I saw the movie twice and sent in my donation.  It was a pleasure to watch and especially to have Mr. Tedesco present to give a Q & A after the film (for its screening at the Calgary Film Fest).

I hope for a legit dvd release with a ton of special features and bonus material.  What a wonderful film and a great tribute to his father and his work.

[guitarfool2002]

The fees and usage rights are holding up the Wrecking Crew film's full release yet YouTube has made millions in click-based advertising revenue by people clicking on and watching the very same songs (while viewing an ad or banner), in some cases millions of times, and it's contradictions like that I'll never understand.

In one corner the Wrecking Crew film and its creators are doing it as a tribute and historical document first and foremost, with family ties, and not looking to make a huge profit. In the other corner, the YouTube folks are getting money every time someone clicks on a copyrighted song or performance that is posted, and they don't care what that song is or who owns it until they're contacted by Sony, WMG, et al and asked to block it.

I love YouTube and am thankful for it but that is such a double standard! 

[Pearlfisher David]

I took a bunch of 1st Year music students to the Glasgow Film Theatre not too long after that movie came out. These were 17/18 year old folks weaned on Nirvana thru Muse and Kings Of Leon. It was a true joy to look along the line of cinema seats as each new The Beat Goes On or Wouldn't It Be Nice came pumping out and see those young chins hit the floor. I'm not sure any of them realised quite how hard pop music can rock...