“Guys and Dolls (aka Love Me Love My Doll)” dir. Nick Holt (2007 BBC documentary)

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Dave's Strange World

http://documentarystorm.com/guys-and-dolls/

One of the most fascinating, bizarre, creepy, and sad documentaries I’ve seen recently is director Nick Holt’s 2007 BBC documentary called “Guys and Dolls” (or as it is also known, “Love Me Love My Doll”). The documentary is about the growing popularity of “Real Dolls,” which are realistic sex dolls made of silicone, PVC, and steel. Their individual cost is in the thousands, but for some men, the cost is miniscule compared to the physical and emotional companionship these dolls provide.

Despite the sensationalistic subject matter, director Holt handles this material soberly. While “Guys and Dolls” looks at the manufacturers and repairers of such dolls, the film mainly focuses on four Real Doll owners. Despite the fact that their individual psychological quirks could fill volumes, the film doesn’t make fun of the doll owners. Two of the four men come off as otherwise decent people, albeit with a lot of social problems which has led them to find companionship in an artificial being instead of a human one. However, the other two individuals do come off as genuinely creepy and it’s not a shock to realize why no woman (decent or otherwise) would go near them. There’s one scene towards the end where one of the gentleman introduces his dolls to a woman he’s dating and watching this scene unfold is undoubtedly more hair-raising and uncomfortable to watch than any horror film.

The full documentary is available at the link above.

“I’m Not Sayin'” – Nico / Gordon Lightfoot

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“I’m Not Sayin'” was an early pre-Velvet Underground single cut by Nico for Andrew Loog Oldham’s Immediate Records in Britain around 1965 or so. It’s pretty boss mid-1960s folk pop with some great acoustic strumming by none other than Jimmy Page.

Nico’s version has a certain hip cachet these days, but not many people realize this is actually a cover of a Gordon Lightfoot song that was a hit in Canada the same year. The Lightfoot version is also highly recommended and included here as well.

“I’ll Keep it With Mine” – Nico

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Nico’s version of “I’ll Keep it With Mine” from her 1967 “Chelsea Girl” album is one of my all-time favorite Bob Dylan covers. The acoustic guitars and strings that permeate the song (and album) make this a great rainy afternoon choice.

“I Ain’t Superstitious” – Jeff Beck Group (with Rod Stewart on vocals)

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Slammin’, concussion-producing, metallic blues one year before Led Zeppelin’s debut. It’s songs like this that make you lament the direction Rod Stewart went from the mid-1970s until today. Until that time, Stewart was one of the finest (if not THE finest) rock vocalist of the era. This cover of Willie Dixon’s blues classic was also put to great use in Martin Scorsese’s “Casino” when the casino boss played by Robert DeNiro and his crew zero in on a scam taking place out at the tables.

“Histoire De Melody Nelson” – Serge Gainsbourg

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In its entirety, here’s the 28 minute long form music video French pop legend Serge Gainsbourg created for his mini-rock opera “Histoire De Melody Nelson” back in 1971. Visually and aurally light years ahead of it time, you can smell the whiskey and cigarette smoke through the screen. And because there’s lots of nude artwork throughout the piece, this is not safe for work. The woman playing Melodie was Ganisbourg’s then-wife Jane Birkin. Gainsbourg and Birkin’s daughter Charlotte Gainsbourg is now a respected actress, who won the 2009 Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival for her intense role in Lars Von Trier’s “Anti Christ.”

“Acid Queen” – Tina Turner (from Ken Russell’s 1975 film of the “The Who’s Tommy”)

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From Ken Russell’s wonderfully bats–t crazy and psychedelic visualization of The Who’s rock opera “Tommy,” is Tina Turner’s wild version of “Acid Queen.” Even wilder was that both David Bowie and Lou Reed were considered for the part eventually played by Turner. Due to heavy drug and sex references, not safe for work. However, I should note that this was a PG-rated film back in 1975. My how things have changed.

“Perfect Day” – Lou Reed (as used in the 1996 film “Trainspotting” dir. Danny Boyle)

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Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day” has many interpretations. The beautiful melody and instrumentation does lead one to believe this is a love song. Though, the last line “You’re going to reap just what you sow” is extremely eerie. Some people think this is a song Reed wrote about his relationship with his then-wife and his internal conflicts with his sexuality, drug use, and ego. And that interpretation isn’t without merit.

However, many people (me included) believe “Perfect Day” is actually about Reed’s love/hate relationship with drugs. The lines “You made me forget myself,” “I thought I was someone else … someone good,” and the last line mentioned earlier really hammer the point home.

Director Danny Boyle seems to be in agreement with the 2nd interpretation and brilliantly used “Perfect Day” in his 1996 film “Trainspotting” for the scene where Ewan McGregor’s character OD’s. It’s a particularly unnerving scene not only for the visuals, but because Reed’s song is so beautiful-sounding, it makes what’s happening even more tragic. One of the best uses of pop music in a film ever.

“White Lines” – Grandmaster Melle Mel

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Probably my favorite song from the early days of hip-hop, “White Lines” by Grandmaster Melle Mel was originally written as an ironic commentary on cocaine-fueled party lifestyles, but later added the “Don’t do it!” line throughout so radio programmers wouldn’t can it for being pro-drug. Though, Melle Mel can’t help but add an additional “Don’t” before “Don’t do it” to add further irony. And, to push the irony further, Melle Mel advises you shouldn’t do it because so many people are doing cocaine, he finds it difficult to buy now.

The accompanying video was directed by then-NYU film student Spike Lee. It’s not particularly remarkable, but it’s kind of cool to see an early work by a now stellar director. Laurence Fishburne plays the drug dealer in the video. Be warned, the picture quality really stinks.

The famous bassline was borrowed by post-punk band Liquid Liquid from their song Cavern, also included here.

“Sugar Sugar” – The Germs

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From one of the Germs’ first live performances (if not, their first live performance ever) at LA’s Whiskey-a-Go-Go in 1977, comes a cover of the Archies’ “Sugar Sugar” that needs to be heard to be believed. It’s the aural equivalent of a slow-motion car accident. Please know that they did get a LOT better as a band, but this is still worth hearing. This may be the worst thing you’ll ever hear, but I guarantee you won’t forget it. Lead singer Darby Crash inserts lots of bad language into this one, so not safe for work.

Trivia note: Belinda Carlisle was briefly a member of the Germs before they made their live debut.

All Hail Ellen Foley!!!!

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Dave's Strange World

Judge A Song By Its Cover.

My compadre from the Old Country, Loose Handlebars, just posted an awesome cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Stupid Girl” sung by Ellen Foley at the link above (“Judge a Song By Its Cover”). For those who don’t know Ms. Foley, she was the female vocalist of Meat Loaf’s “Paradise by the Dashboard Light,” sang backup for several artists (from Ian Hunter to the Clash), was a regular on the quintessential 1980s TV show “Night Court,” had a supporting role in 1987’s “Fatal Attraction,” and was the subject of the Clash’s 1982 classic “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” (she was dating the Clash’s Mick Jones at the time).

And while you’re at it, check out Mr. Handlebar’s other terrific posts about music, film, and other fine pop cultural artifacts:

http://loosehandlebars.wordpress.com/