Anybody seen "It Might Get Loud"? It's pretty much the coolest music documentary ever. Jimmy Page, Jack White (not to be confused with Jack Black) and The Edge. It's a compilation of their histories intertwined with current footage of the three musicians hanging out together, shooting the breeze and playing music. These guys are a-maz-ing. They absolutely, unequivocally, positively love what they do. Page plays Ramble On, all by himself, 40 years after it's fame as if he just wrote it yesterday. Love. I could go into a play by play of each scene in the movie but how bout you just go watch it.
There are a couple of scenes I must address though.......or what would be the point of this post? At one point Jack White is hanging out with his son, "playing" the guitar and piano. Now, I say "playing" instead of playing because the term can and should be used loosely here. White, although extremely technically proficient, exposes the simple heart of his work. His boy starts to play a little piano and he keeps urging him to play louder and louder, ignoring the notes but capitalizing on the raw, gut wrenching soul of the music.
Now, when I have sat down to my various instruments, I have always been a little timid, not wanting to disturb anyone or cause my neighbor to call the cops. I'll play the electric guitar unplugged or fiddle around on the piano with something pretty, soft and pleasing. Although there is a place for pretty, soft and pleasing, it is not relevant here. Those two were pounding on the keys like they were they were gigantic, poisonous spiders being stomped to death before they could strike. So, they are a little brutal with pianos. How about a fragile guitar? White throws it on the ground and has his kid stomp on it to elicit strange and powerful sounds.
Sound weird? Ok, maybe a little over the top but he is the real deal. No BS. That music erupts from him and is so undeniably sincere that even if you hate it......you gotta love it. That movie made me want to pound and abuse, to not be afraid to get what is in, out. No, I am not going to beat the hell out of my $8000 1DS .......it's a metaphor. I'm not that committed to the craft. But I do aspire to be loud, unafraid.
I don't have a lengthy rant for this next scene. It just kicks ass. That is all.
