The Young@Heart Chorus
I'm thinking I should get some money out of all the free PBS advertising I've been putting up of late. But... whatev. It's stuff I like and... aside from the fact this blog is all about ME... Lord knows PBS has a whole helluva lot of critics on the right. So I kinda-sorta feel it's my duty to speak up on their behalf. That's the end of the introductory apologia...
Did any of y'all watch Independent Lens last night? It was good. No, it was great. Watching the Young@Heart Chorus makes one feel pretty good about being a geezer... if you happen to (ahem) be a geezer... and is just pure entertainment no matter what age you are.
Did any of y'all watch Independent Lens last night? It was good. No, it was great. Watching the Young@Heart Chorus makes one feel pretty good about being a geezer... if you happen to (ahem) be a geezer... and is just pure entertainment no matter what age you are.
Here's the trailer:
I had seen the trailer last week and made it a point to mark the date for last evening's performance and I'm glad I did. Here's what PBS has to say about the film (from the blurb accompanying the trailer on YouTube):
The true story of the final weeks of rehearsal for the Young@Heart Chorus in Northampton, MA, whose average age is 81, and many of whom must overcome health adversities to participate. Their music is unexpected, going against the stereotype of their age group, performing songs, for example, by James Brown and Sonic Youth. Although they have toured Europe and sang for royalty, this account focuses on preparing new songs, not an easy endeavor, for a concert in their home town, which succeeds in spite of several real heart breaking events.
There's more on the film at the Independent Lens web site. And more video on YouTube, as well. The official videos have that objectionable "embedding disabled by request" tag, but I really like their cover of Talking Heads "Road to Nowhere"... it's just pretty damned cool. They do a great cover of the Ramones' "I Wanna Be Sedated," too. Go watch.
Saw the show, and it was FANTASTIC! They do a lot of pretty good stuff on Independent Lens. I think that was the show where they chronicled the older folks in Maine greeting every single soldier who comes back to the US via their airport? Great show that was, too.
ReplyDeleteYou're right about the show on the Maine greeters, Jim. I saw that one, too. There are precious few Independent Lens shows I DON'T watch.
ReplyDeleteDidn't have the chance to see it, but the precious youg thing who used to babysit my children (and who is now FORTY!!!, dear Lord) loved this, too. She posted this on her Facebook status: "Watching Independent Lens and working - love this show!YOUNG@HEART | Documentary Film | Independent Lens | PBS
ReplyDeletewww.pbs.org
Documents the true story of the final weeks of rehearsal for the Young@Heart Chorus in Northampton, MA, whose average age is 81.Their music is unexpected, going against the stereotype of their age group, performing songs by James Brown and Sonic Youth."
So, it's apparently not just for geezers, but also for geezers-in-training! I'll check it out!
You'll like it, Moogie. I promise. (The foregoing contains no warranty, express or implied and is void where prohibited by law.)
ReplyDeleteBuck, I've sat here and watched the two vids you recommended and others too ~ these folks are great! Inspiring as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post - and I will tune in next time this is on the PBS.
You're welcome, Staci. The show is superlative. You can tell I was impressed, hunh?
ReplyDeleteHere's some modern Neil Young (smile):
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/neil-young-pants-on-the-ground/17wjmzff4
THAT was interesting!
ReplyDelete