Under the Influence of Music and Film

Under the Influence of Music and Film

by Live Music Head

LMH in the Bell Blue Room, Member Appreciation Weekend,
tiff. Bell Lightbox Toronto

My ongoing relationship with...

the Toronto International Film Festival (tiff.),

the organization who's mission statement reads:

"to transform the way people see the world through film"

has been nothing but a positive one. Always.

As a patron,

as a volunteer,

as a ticket agent,

and as a member.

Always positive.

This weekend is Member Appreciation Weekend 

at tiff. Bell Lightbox,
so to further deepen my knowledge of the organization,

I spent my Saturday attending six information seminars.

Seminars with topics such as:

the creative process behind TIFF’s Youtube channel

and the digital team that drives it;

the continuing work going on behind their anniversary-

“defining moments since 1976”;

the sponsorship process, from solicitation to stewardship;

the development opportunities and support 

provided by TIFF for industry professionals;

what goes into the production of major exhibitions,

such as Andy Warhol: Stars of the Silver Screen 

(currently running),

and how the programming team plans their screening season,

presented by the always-entertaining Steve Gravestock,

the programmer for whom I made the suggestion to

of bringing in the 1973 film Jesus Christ Superstar,

along with the cast and director.

That rock opera is very close to my heart

and has been on an anniversary screening tour,

with meet-and-greets at cinemas all over the U.S. of A.

So why not Toronto?

The Lightbox is the best venue to host this kind of celebration,

so I hope it happens! Steve!

Between seminars,

I enjoyed privileged access to the Bell Blue Room,

the member’s lounge where I’m always well fed,

and where I go to get coffee’d up.

This is also the room where they hold

the Festival Poster and Merchandise Clearance Sale.

Upon arrival,

I noticed Keith Richards: Under the Influence 

was on the poster list,

the documentary film 

(directed by Morgan Neville) of which, 

for me,
was the highlite of this year’s festival,

having attended the premiere at the Princess of Wales Theatre,

with the Rolling Stones guitarist,

and epitome of rock star-dom, in attendance.

It was waaaay cool.

Because Richards is cool.

He’s a gentleman, and he knows good music.

And this film celebrates that fact:

his appreciation for the people who make the music...

his influences,

of which he also refers to as gentlemen.

As an aside,

did you see when Richards showed up for 

Willie Nelson’s birthday bash,

and they performed We Had it All as a duet?

It’s part of the dvd released in 2004:

Willie Nelson and Friends: Outlaws and Angels,

and oh, how I love it!

And that’s because rock and roll’s greatest outlaw

bows in respect to country music’s greatest outlaw,

and clearly displays his genuine love for the twang.

Seeing that,

my love for Keith Richards increased a hundred-fold.

Keith Richards: “Rock and roll’s got nothing on these guys.”

As I said, Keith Richards knows good music.

A remarkable song,

remarkable, and oh-so precious,

and I adore Willie Nelson.

Watch it, here...

If you weren’t lucky enough to attend

the TIFF premiere of Under the Influence at the Princess of Wales,

perhaps you viewed it online at Netflix?

That’s where it had its second premiere the very next day.

But if you haven’t seen it at all, 

and you’re a true rock and roller,

then I must ask: 

“What the hell are you waiting for?”

If the very-likable main subject of the film 

isn’t enough for you to get on it,

then how ‘bout the genius otherwise known as 

Tom Waits?

He’s in it, yes.

Waits talks a fair bit about his working relationship with Richards,

and why they’ve been long-standing friends.

The best bit is when the two of them are shown together
in studio performing Last Leaf,

track eleven from Bad as Me,

the Waits album from 2011.

Another remarkable song.

Remarkable, and oh-so precious...

“I fight off the snow.
I fight off the hail.
Nothing makes me go,
I’m like some vestigial tail.
I’ll be here through eternity,
if you want to know how long.
If they cut down this tree,
I’ll show up in a song.
I’m the last leaf on the tree.
The autumn took the rest,

but they won’t take me.”

Seeing them perform this,

even just a snippet,

was the emotional moment in the film for me.

Much of what I experienced watching the film
was also experienced while reading Life,

the book that Keith Richards wrote in 2010,

and dare I say:

the best rock and roll autobiography ever written.

Over the years,

my imagination has run wild at times

with thoughts of hanging out with Tom Waits and Keith Richards.

After all, I am a rock and roll chick!

And one thing I’ve fantasized about was
what it would be like to see Waits and Richards perform live

with Marianne Faithfull... 

at Toronto’s Massey Hall.

Now that, 

I think, 

would be somethin’ to see.

Better yet is my imaginary martini party...

where Gino Vannelli comes, 

and brings the olives.

Iggy Pop is also invited.

Well, until I heard he recorded a Christmas album.

Then I had no choice but to scratch him off the guest list.

But of course Keith Richards comes.

He brings the smokes.

And we get completely smashed...

watching Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts!

But wait, I digresssssssssssss!

“Angela, I must have this poster.” 

But the Senior Coordinator of TIFF Membership replied:

“There was only one of that poster,

and it’s already taken.”

“Doh!”, said I.

“D-O-H!”

But later on in the day,

as I was preparing to head home,

Pierre,

TIFF’s Manager of Membership and Engagement,

and host of all the information seminars,

completely surprised me when he tracked me down and said:

“I’m the one who got that Keith Richards poster,

but I want you to have it.”

“Whaaaaaat?! I said.

“Oh no Pierre, I couldn’t.”

But he insisted.

Because of my passion for the music

and because of my passion for TIFF,

he insisted I have it.

Sigh.

Thank you, Pierre.
You rock!
R-O-C-K!
Only good things happen to me at tiff. Bell Lightbox.

Always.

Because of the people who work there.

And because it's where my love of music 

meets my love of film.

The trailer for Keith Richards: Under the Influence...

The Toronto International Film Festival (tiff.)

http://tiff.net/

The Aristocats

The Aristocats

(1970 American animated musical film,
produced by Walt Disney)

tiff. Bell Lightbox, Toronto

March 21, 2015

by Live Music Head

"Everybody wants to be a cat.

Because a cat's the only cat who knows where it's at.

Everybody's pickin' up on that feline beat,

'cause everything else is obsolete.

Now a square with a horn makes you wish you weren't born,

every time he plays.

With a square in the act,

you can set music back to the caveman days.

I've heard some corny birds who tried to sing,

but a cat's the only cat who knows how to swing.

Who wants to dig a long-haired gig or stuff like that,

when everybody wants to be a cat?

A square with a horn makes you wish you weren't born,

every time he plays.

With a square in the act,

you could set music back to the caveman days.

Everybody wants to be a cat.

Because a cat's the only cat who knows where it's at.

While playin' jazz you always has a welcome mat,

'cause everybody digs a swingin' cat.

Duchess: 'Let's swing it!

If you want to turn me on, play your horn,

don't spare the tone,

and blow a little soul into the tune.'

Thomas O'Malley:

'Let's take it to another key, modulate, and wait for me.

I'll take a few ad-libs and pretty soon...

the other cats will all commence,

congregatin' on the fence,

beneath the alley's only light.'

Duchess: 'Where every note is out of sight.'

Everybody wants to be a cat!

Everybody wants to be a cat!

Everybody wants to be a cat!"

~ Scatman Crothers, Phil Harris, Thurl Ravenscroft,
Vito Scotti, Paul Winchell

When I arrived home to tell Banjo my favourite part was
when the feral Thomas O’Malley first appeared, 

struttin’ his manly alleycat stuff around the countryside of France 
to rescue and charm the elegant, well-spoken Duchess,
a damsel in distress and mother of three cute kittens
(Toulouse, Marie, Berlioz),

he was not impressed.  

Banjo: “How come I don’t have a ticket stub? 

Some people don’t take me to the movies. 

And I’m the manliest, most charming, struttin’ cat of ‘em all!” 

Then I told him about the first appearance 
of Abigail and Amelia Gabble, 

the high-society twin geese from England
with an Uncle Waldo who drinks.
LMH: “Boy, them geese didn’t strut,
they waddlin’ into the picture to form a single line.” 

He was still not impressed. 

Then I told Banjo about Scat, 

the trumpet playin’ cat 
and his swingin' band of jazz-playin' alleycats
that stole it with their show tune, 
Everybody Wants To Be A Cat.
LMH: “I’m not sure if it was Toulose or Berlioz who said: 

‘It ain’t Beethoven mama, but it sure bounces!’ 

And it did. 

Then Duchess said: ‘Let's swing it!
If you want to turn me on, play your horn. 

Don’t spare the tone, and blow a little soul into the tune.’ 
Banjo: “I’m pissed off you didn’t get me a ticket. 

I’m gonna throw up on your bed.”

Everybody Wants To Be A Cat
performed by Scatman Crothers as Scat Cat 
with his polyethnic jazz band
in the Walt Disney motion picture classic, The Aristocats...

Rufus Wainwright at tiff. Bell Lightbox

LMH w/Rufus Wainwright, tiff. Bell Lightbox, Toronto  June 13, 2012

 

Rufus Wainwright at tiff. Bell Lightbox
by Live Music Head

I had arrived late 

so I was in a hurry to get my popcorn. 

The fella in front of me was still ordering when he turned back 

and yelled out:

“What does Rufus want?” 

I thought, ah, 

he must’ve named his kid after Wainwright. 

Isn’t that cute?

We were at tiff. Bell Lightbox to see

the new documentary film about the life 

and death 

of Kate McGarrigle. 

(That, for those who do not know,

is Rufus Wainwright's mom.)

But then this same fella turned back and yelled out

to someone at the back of the concession line:

“What about Martha? Does she want anything?” 

It was on the tip of my tongue to say:

“Hey, did you name your kids after the Wainwrights?” 

when the fella moved off 

and I proceeded with my order instead. 

With a large bag of buttered popcorn in hand, 

I turned and started toward the theatre 

when I just about stopped dead in my tracks.

Martha Wainwright was standing at the cinema door.

“Ahhh! You’re here!” I said. 

I usually know in advance if I’m going to a screening 

with talent in attendance.

Clearly, I gapped. 

Inside the theatre, 

I sat down in a seat about five rows back.

Just as I was getting comfortable, 

guess who wandered into the same row 

and plopped down about three seats away from me? 

Rufus. 

I can’t now remember what he was saying to his companions, 

but it was funny.

Of course it was!

Moments later, 

Martha plopped down in the row in front of me,

the lights went down 

and the movie began. 

Now, 

this film has got to be one of the most moving, 

emotionally impactful films 

I have ever seen. 

Heartwrenching!

So occasionally I stole a sideways glance at Rufus

as he watched himself up there on the big screen, 

in tears,
singing,

as his mother lay dying.
Heartwrenching!

But it's what I love about this family.

That they put it all out there.

And in such a beautifully honest way. 

It's a must-see film.

The music is glorious!

After the screening, Martha and Rufus
(along with Kate's sister Anna)
took to the stage to talk about it...

The official website of Rufus Wainwright...
 http://www.rufuswainwright.com/

The official website of Martha Wainwright...
 http://www.marthawainwright.com/

tiff. Bell Lightbox...
http://tiff.net/