Listen Up: The Lives Of Quincy Jones (1990/Warner DVD)
Picture: C+
Sound: C Extras: B- Film: B
So much
has been said about Quincy Jones and his amazing musical and entertainment
legacy, but Ellen Weissbrod’s Listen Up:
The Lives Of Quincy Jones (1990) is a uniquely done documentary biography
work that tries not to be strait-jacketed into the usual chronological traps
and show the subject with much depth and the participation of literally some of
the most important names in the history of the music business. It begins with Jones visiting his childhood
home in Chicago many decades after leaving it and offers some stark,
self-reflective moments. Then this film
goes on to be a deep character study of the man and his art.
Q, as he
is also known, began his life in poverty and under tough living and family
conditions. Eventually, he turned to
music full time early on and it eventually became his life, saved his life and
changed the world of media art creating influential works in Jazz, Pop Music (he
produced Leslie Gore’s classic hit “It’s
My Party”), Movie Soundtracks, TV music, Soul Music and so much more. He also moved into producing films and
television, with more hits than failures.
With Ella Fitzgerald (who does an a Capella version of Jones’ theme to Sanford & Son that you have to here
to believe), Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Barbra Streisand and so many others
you will sit stunned, it is a must-see film more than worth your time. In addition, since so much has happened in the
nearly two decades since its release, new extras have been added updating the
film.
The 1.33
X 1 full frame image is a little soft and needs an HD upgrade, but looks
good for the format and transfer considering.
The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo sound has problematic Pro Logic surrounds
and even troublesome two-channel playback, so expect audio limits and watch
playback levels, though that is not a problem on the extras that include 3 new
documentaries (Q: The Man, Quincy Remembers, Hangin’ With Quincy & Gilberto Gil) and the original theatrical
trailer.
- Nicholas Sheffo
