“It Might Get Loud” Review
on March 17, 2010 at 9:23 amHi, Folks!
Check this out:
Last night I watched “It Might Get Loud,” and as a longtime guitar nut I was enthralled. Likewise, fans of Led Zeppelin, U2, and the White Stripes will also really enjoy this.
The part of the movie where the three guitarists sat in a faux living room and compared notes and played some music together was the highlight of the movie for me. You’ve got guitarists from three different generations and styles, but really that’s no problem for them. They all knew each others’ music, for example, and they compared song-writing tips. In essence, it felt like a million old jam sessions, just some guys having fun.
The personalities picked were great, of course. You’ve got Jimmy Page, who comes across as a sweet-natured, quick-to-smile, grandfatherly type. Then, there’s the Edge, who is eminently amicable, and more talkative than I’ve ever heard him. Then, there’s Jack White, the edgiest of the three, a brilliant musician with a volatile edge. This was all fun for me, because I’ve bought my share of Led Zeppelin, U2, and White Stripes albums.
Part of me expected Jimmy Page to be more like his 70’s persona, dark (and into the dark arts), sinister, and brilliant. Well, he’s still brilliant, but here he was relaxed, affable, and engaged in the process. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile this much.
The Edge was just what I expected: Super serious about music, yet calm, peaceful, and relaxed enough to have some fun. We usually don’t get to hear him talk this much, but then most of his interviews have been with Bono around. (This is not a criticism of Bono—he’s got a big personality, so he takes up more room in most conversations.) I was also pleasantly surprised at how skilled the Edge was when playing slide.
There is a scene of Jack White playing with the Raconteurs, and he’s playing his guitar so hard that he’s cut his hand or fingers. Before long, there is blood smeared over much of the guitar’s face, but that doesn’t stop White from playing. This says something about passion and art that should ring true for all of us. This reminds me of Stevie Ray Vaughn, who played so hard with such big strings that he sometimes shredded his fingers—he often sealed up the injuries with superglue or bandages so he could keep playing.
The three musicians gathered without a chance to meet and compare notes. Additionally, there was no backing band, and they are three guitarists from different schools of playing. First, you’ve got the incredible blues and blues-rock stylings of Jimmy Page, with a hint of Celtic music thrown in for good form. Then, you’ve got a rock minimalist, the Edge, who gives a great deal of attention to his sound. With Jack White, it’s a ragged blues/rock/punk mixture. In short, they had no problem playing together—they all spoke guitar.
Part of the charm of this documentary is that it is really about the guitar itself, not a technical exploration, but a visceral celebration of the instruments feel, smell, and look. If you play guitar long enough, you know there are a very definite different smells to nickel-wound strings, of varnish, or exposed wood, of each instrument’s quirks.
As a bit of a guitar player myself, I give “It Might Get Loud” and A.
Loved it. Being a Page fan since the 70s, it was thrilling to see him in such a relaxed setting. A brilliant documentary and a must see for anyone who’s ever picked up a guitar.
Hi, Bob! I agree totally, of course. Page came off as a real gentleman, and very enthusiastic. I loved the part where you see the early teen Page playing skiffle on British television. I had never seen that!
I almost mentioned “Hammer of the Gods,” but that was snapshot of the sixties through the early 80′s, and they went to great lengths to show that Page was dark deviant and addict. I’ve never felt comfortable with that book’s take on him.
I’ve been in love with guitars since I was 11 and at age 34 (in a month) I still haven’t picked one up to learn to play it. I’ve always been seriously musically inclined but I didn’t feel I had what it took to create music so I went with the other stuff I thought I could do.
Thank God for Rock Band!! Amazingly, I don’t think they have Zeppelin or U2 although they do have The White Stripes and the Raconteurs.
Luckily, you don’t have to play guitar to make great music. I started playing guitar late, at age 24, but I had a bit of native talent that helped me get it. I’ve played around with keyboards and pianos off an on, but I’ve never been committed enough to seriously learn how to play those.
(Man, I just realized I’ve been playing guitar 21 years! You’d think I’d be better by now. Clapton I’m not.)
I know Zeppelin has steadfastly refused to let their songs be used for Guitar Hero. I don’t know about U2, but they have probably resisted too.
What do I actually play? In addition to guitar, I’ve been know to jam with bass guitars, dobros, mandolins, ukeleles, banjukes, and lap steel guitars. I have a house full of this stuff!
Well, I did do all the music for the second Bluewing cartoon. My ex came up with the music for the bit in the first one where Bluewing gives his speech and she expanded on the main theme, but I came up with all the rest. I’ve also done the entire score for my movie project which hardly anyone has seen because of it’s incomplete status thanks to various acts of Satan and people screwing me over. All done on a Yamaha keyboard, all played out in realtime without using any midi composers. I took Robert Rodriguez’s advice to just do it. I would love for you guys to all see the finished product someday if I ever get to complete it.
Jimmy Page “grandfatherly”…!!!!
It’s official. I’m old!