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Review Schedule:
Tues: The Agony & The Ecstasy (screening Thurs @ The Southern Theater -- 7:30)
Wed: Wheedle's Groove (screening Thurs @ Trylon -- 8:45)
Thur: Ride Rise Roar (screening Fri @ The Southern Theater -- 8:00)
Fri: Everyday Sunshine (screening Sat @ Trylon -- 5:00)
Fri: Who Is Harry Nilsson? (screening Sat @ Southern Theater -- 8:00)
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Creating a documentary on a moment in time 40 years ago that received no national attention is one of the more daunting challenges a filmmaker can accept. Oftentimes it’s impossible to find footage or get in contact with any major players to convince any audience member this story is worth their time. That’s not the case with Wheedle’s Groove.
The filmmakers track down musicians that comprised Seattle’s burgeoning funk/r&b scene that started in the late 60’s and ended with the start of the disco era. Having been away from the limelight for over 30 years, everyone was eager to talk about their music, their community and the other groups that made this scene so vibrant. The quality of the music being churned out by during this era is very apparant. Song after song, the film takes it’s time demonstrating just how deep Seattle’s catalogue of “hits” goes.
That leads us to our film’s main argument. Wheedle’s Groove contends that Seattle’s late 60’s/early 70’s soul/r&b movement should be noted in history alongside the city’s other notable musical movements and even among other local scenes that altered the sound of the entire industry. There’s no doubt that these artists are talented and made great tunes, but it’s unclear how Seattle’s soul scene stacked up against other cities like Philadelphia or Memphis. Everyone feels there own community’s a special one deserving of more attention. However, it’s our ability to identify with that feeling that makes the movie work well. It doesn’t matter if these groups are as good as they say they are, but it’s their belief in themselves that draws you into the story.
The other selling point for this movie is its version of the struggling artist trying to make it big. I don’t know of any musician friends naive enough to believe that the industry typically rewards quality musicianship with stardom. Yet musician after musician interviewed believed with the whole of his heart that his group would make it onto the national scene in a big way. Maybe that’s just a reflection of a different time, but I find it surprising that not one of them held doubts about their larger-than-life ambition. None of them look back on their time with disappointment, however, as they acknowledge their time in music still made for the best years of their lives. It’s hard for them to be regretful of their mistakes when they simply had no way of knowing how things would turn out. They’ve been able to find importance in ways outside of celebrity, or just redefined their idea of celebrity.
And that’s what keeps this film bouncy and positive. It’s the story of funk and R&B for Christ’s sake! Who could feel down for too long about unfufilled dreams when the soundtrack is this infectious. Like the London DJ who recently breathed new life into a song all but forgotten by the gospel singer who recorded it 30 years earlier, the fact that this documentary exists demonstrates that the potential for these songs and this movement to find a new audience is still there.
That leads us to our film’s main argument. Wheedle’s Groove contends that Seattle’s late 60’s/early 70’s soul/r&b movement should be noted in history alongside the city’s other notable musical movements and even among other local scenes that altered the sound of the entire industry. There’s no doubt that these artists are talented and made great tunes, but it’s unclear how Seattle’s soul scene stacked up against other cities like Philadelphia or Memphis. Everyone feels there own community’s a special one deserving of more attention. However, it’s our ability to identify with that feeling that makes the movie work well. It doesn’t matter if these groups are as good as they say they are, but it’s their belief in themselves that draws you into the story.
The other selling point for this movie is its version of the struggling artist trying to make it big. I don’t know of any musician friends naive enough to believe that the industry typically rewards quality musicianship with stardom. Yet musician after musician interviewed believed with the whole of his heart that his group would make it onto the national scene in a big way. Maybe that’s just a reflection of a different time, but I find it surprising that not one of them held doubts about their larger-than-life ambition. None of them look back on their time with disappointment, however, as they acknowledge their time in music still made for the best years of their lives. It’s hard for them to be regretful of their mistakes when they simply had no way of knowing how things would turn out. They’ve been able to find importance in ways outside of celebrity, or just redefined their idea of celebrity.
And that’s what keeps this film bouncy and positive. It’s the story of funk and R&B for Christ’s sake! Who could feel down for too long about unfufilled dreams when the soundtrack is this infectious. Like the London DJ who recently breathed new life into a song all but forgotten by the gospel singer who recorded it 30 years earlier, the fact that this documentary exists demonstrates that the potential for these songs and this movement to find a new audience is still there.
-Tom Schmidt
Wheedle's Groove screens at the Trylon this Thursday at 8:45
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