Backup singers live in a world that lies just beyond the spotlight. Their voices bring harmony to the biggest bands in popular music, but we have had no idea who these singers are or what lives they lead, until now.
Throughout this documentary, there is a racial component, primarily because the artists featured had a background as gospel and choir singers. But there is that constant theme that backup singers are black women, from the opening with Lou Reed to the closing...
The backup story was interesting, but I liked the other things it uncovered more: how Phil Spector was hosing people, such as Darlene Love. And the Luther Vandross, David Bowie and Bruce Springsteen connections. Those are three guys I did not know hung out together.
How this won the Oscar is beyond me, unless they just like awarding entertainers. As good as this movie is (and it really is quite good), it has nothing compared to the impact of "The Square" or "Act of Killing", and I think is a bit of sad choice...
Throughout this documentary, there is a racial component, primarily because the artists featured had a background as gospel and choir singers. But there is that constant theme that backup singers are black women, from the opening with Lou Reed to the closing...
The backup story was interesting, but I liked the other things it uncovered more: how Phil Spector was hosing people, such as Darlene Love. And the Luther Vandross, David Bowie and Bruce Springsteen connections. Those are three guys I did not know hung out together.
How this won the Oscar is beyond me, unless they just like awarding entertainers. As good as this movie is (and it really is quite good), it has nothing compared to the impact of "The Square" or "Act of Killing", and I think is a bit of sad choice...