Twenty Feet From Stardom pays homage to some of the obscure, nearly invisible back-ground singers who provide so much to our popular music. This documentary features Darlene Love, who was the un-credited lead voice on some of Phil Spector’s most memorable productions of the 1960s; Merry Clayton, who is the iconic voice on the Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter”; Lisa Fischer, whose voice can be heard on albums by Sting, Tina Turner, and Aretha Franklin; and the Waters Family, who sang with Michael Jackson on Thriller as well as singing on the soundtracks for The Lion King and Avatar. It’s great that these talented artists are finally getting the credit and recognition that they deserve. If you love popular music, you’ll love 20 Feet From Stardom. Check out the soundtrack, too! GRADE: A
TRACK LIST
1 Walk On the Wild Side – Lou Reed (4:13)
2 Slippery People – Talking Heads (4:02)
3 Nobody’s Fault But Mine – Judith Hill (3:07)
4 He’s a Rebel – The Crystals (2:31)
5 Space Captain – Joe Cocker (4:49)
6 Gimme Shelter – Merry Clayton (3:32)
7 Sure On This Shining Night – Lisa Fischer (1:58)
8 Let’s Make a Better World – Judith Hill (3:01)
9 Young Americans – David Bowie (5:13)
10 Southern Man – Merry Clayton (3:14)
11 Desperation – Judith Hill (3:49)
12 A Fine, Fine Boy – Darlene Love (4:20)
13 Lean On Me – Darlene Love (5:10)
So glad Merry Clayton, among others, is getting her day in the sun–some 45 years after her iconic performance on “Gimme Shelter”–she makes that song what it is.
Deb, you’re spot on with Merry Clayton’s contribution to “Gimme Shelter.” Classic!
Looking forward to this one. I’ve been a Darlene Love fan since the ’60s.
I liked this a lot but I wish they had included more background singers.Perhaps a sequel. Very sad stories.
Jeff. you and I share similar feelings about Darlene Love.
Patti, you’re right about the sad stories. I’d go see a sequel in a heartbeat!
This looks great. Thanks, George.
Oh, it’s a film? I thought PBS type documentary. Too bad. Nice that they get recognition but they never really got the money that would have come with it at the time. Still, they were paid to sing on those studio dates and that’s what they expected. Not quite sure why you and Patti say they are sad stories, though. Why sad? What happened to make you think sad?
The woman on the cover / poster looks like she is about to bite someone – hard.
Beth, you’ll love 20 FEET FROM STARDOM. It should be on DVD and Blu-ray shortly. It was only in our “Arts” theater for a week.
Rick, the fame and money of a solo artist are vastly more than the pittance these wonderful background singers are paid. I don’t want to reveal any spoilers but you can probably guess why Patti and I think their stories are sad.