2016 saw the loss of great musical icons like Leonard Cohen, Prince, David Bowie, George Michael, Phife Dawg, Merle Haggard & Sharon Jones. 2017 is a new year, and we’re going to take the time to appreciate some of music’s greatest living legends from every corner of the musical spectrum, both homegrown and international.
One such musical icon is the incredibly talented cellist and composer Yo-Yo Ma, celebrated in the newly released documentary THE MUSIC OF STRANGERS: YO-YO MA AND THE SILK ROAD ENSEMBLE, now showing in select Australian Cinemas (view locations).
The Silk Road Ensemble, an international collective created by acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma, exemplifies music’s ability to blur geographical boundaries, blend disparate cultures and inspire hope for both artists and audiences.
From the creators of the Oscar-winning documentary 20 FEET FROM STARDOM and the critically-hailed BEST OF ENEMIES, the film follows an ever-changing lineup of performers drawn from the ensemble’s more than 50 instrumentalists, vocalists, composers, arrangers, visual artists and storytellers as they gather in locations across the world, exploring the ways art can both preserve traditions and shape cultural evolution.
There are also plenty of living legends profiled in fantastic musical documentaries available to watch now on DocPlay. Here are some of our favourites:
Nick Cave: 20,000 Days on Earth
As far as Australian musical icons go, few command the clout of Nick Cave. Harking from Ballarat, but based in Brighton, England, Nick's career with The Birthday Party, The Bad Seeds and Grinderman have left a trail of critically acclaimed songs and performances. Nick is also responsible (alongside frequent collaborator Warren Ellis) for the scores for films including The Proposition, Hell or High Water and The Road.
20,000 DAYS ON EARTH is an experimental documentary, painting a picture of a day in the life of this musical legend.
Paul Kelly: Stories Of Me
Another homegrown hero, Paul Kelly is an iconic singer and songwriter who finds romanticism in the everyday Australian landscape. His songs weave a path through the bars, streets, suburbs and cricket matches we've all lived through, creating magic from the familiar.
PAUL KELLY: STORIES OF ME charts Paul's remarkable life and a career that spans 40 years, in over 350 songs.
Patti Smith: Dreams of Life
Patti Smith - legendary singer, artist and poet. Known as the godmother of punk, Patti Smith emerged in the 1970s, galvanizing the music scene with her unique style of poetic rage, music and trademark swagger.
DREAMS OF LIFE explores spirituality, history & self expression through her spoken words, performances, lyrics, interviews, paintings & photographs, revealing a complicated, charismatic personality who wrestles with life’s many paradoxes.
NAS: Time Is Illmatic
Known as one of the greatest rappers of all time, Nas is a survivor of a scene which has seen many greats taken too early. Coming out of the Queensbridge housing projects in New York in the early 90's, Nas shot to the top of the rap game with his blistering debut album 'Illmatic', hailed by many as the greatest hip hop record ever released.
NAS: TIME IS ILLMATIC delivers an electrifying account of the gestation of this rap milestone, and sheds light on the creative process of this great urban poet.
Glass: A Portrait Of Philip In Twelve Parts
Considered by many as one of the most important composters of the 20th century, Philip Glass is a modern classical genius. He is responsible for numerous operas and musical theatre works, ten symphonies, eleven concertos, solo works, chamber music including seven string quartets and instrumental sonatas. He is also a three time Academy Award nominee for his scores for Kundun, The Hours & Notes On A Scandal.
Directed by Scott Hicks (SHINE), this documentary provides unprecedented access to Glass' working process, presenting a unique glimpse into the life of one of the greatest artists of this or any era.
