9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
We're all monks..., May 22, 2009
This review is from: Monks: The Transatlantic Feedback (DVD)
Like many, I am a relative newcomer to The Monks, first hearing "Complication" on the Nuggets box set a few years back and wondering "Huh??!!" - The Monks story goes to prove that hindsight is indeed 20/20, and what is ahead of its time deserves to have its due, and preferably while the instigators are around to catch the accolades. They were indeed architects of something new and uncharted in music, it just took time for the rest of us to catch up to it!
The film is lovingly and rather reverently made, the inclusion of quite a lot of interviews in German with English subtitles points up the unusual setting and circumstances in which the Monks story unfolded. For anyone wanting to know just what could be behind this unusual, discordant, two-headed cousin of rock, the extensive interviews with all 5 monks go a long way in setting the stage and carrying the viewer along. It's especially poignant since drummer Roger Johnston and rock's only electric banjoist Dave Day both passed away since the interviews were conducted. Their post-monk lives seem, by all accounts, to have contained the most tragedy and unevenness, and it is quite bittersweet to see them in later years living their lives comfortably, especially Dave.
The film delves into the mindset of the monk members and their visionary managers (neither of whom are in the film), the machinations of what could arguably be rock music's first attempt at total corporate [and lifestyle] branding, the basic differences between Americans and Germans of the 1960s, and putting together something different in an atmosphere of sameness. Forget American Idol and Diddy's "Making The Band" (yeah, right), this is the real deal, real creativity and execution.
The DVD is so jam-packed with content I thought it would leak from the player! In addition to a beautiful booklet in the DVD slimcase, the disc has a wealth of bonus material including the full clips of the monks from German TV that have been seen on YouTube, but in much higher quality. There is also a full electric banjo "master class" as Dave Day goes thru each song on Black Monk Time and reflects on how he approached playing each tune and how the sound of his banjo fit in alongside the demented organ of Larry Clark and the guitar feedback pioneering of Gary Burger.
Whether a die-hard monks fan, a fan or scholar of rock music in general, or someone who wants to get into something different, this DVD is a must-have. Watch it with good speakers for the full effect. This is important stuff, even if it was not successful in its own time. I am just happy that the monks did enjoy a resurgence, got to actually perform in the US (finally, in 1999), and know that their music did in fact make an impact. They are worthy of a good documentary, and this one is the one. Also make haste and buy bassist Eddie Shaw's book, also called "black monk time", and get more first-hand insight into the singular story of the monks.
Dietmar and Lucia, fantastic job! Highly recommended and highly enjoyable.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's Monk Time., May 8, 2009
This review is from: Monks: The Transatlantic Feedback (DVD)
I'm glad this has been made available through Amazon. I was going to the Play Loud! website regularly to find out when it was coming out.
It's the documentary we've all been waiting for, and a real revelation. So little is known about the Monks, especially in the US -- just that they had a seminal sound and dark, weird presentation. And they were slightly funny, too. Most of all,they influenced all kinds of other bands and have been called the precursor to punk.
My only regret is that the producers were unable to interview the managers of the Monks who set them into motion and were such an influence on their sound and presentation. However, on the plus side, I'm glad they were able to interview all the Monks as two of them have passed away since this documentary was in production.
It's about time that someone made this film.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Monks FINALLY added to the roots/inspirations of Punk/Alt./Prog./Psychedelia Rock!!, June 10, 2009
This review is from: Monks: The Transatlantic Feedback (DVD)
Great-GREAT Doc.!! If you want to know and understand more about the roots of any alternative music since the early 60's.
The Monks are a virtually unknown name (but a VERY important band) in the pantheon of alt. rock pioneers, and SHOULD BE next to influential bands like; The Velvet Underground,The Wailers,The Sonics,The Beatles,The Stones,Pink Floyd,Can,Faust,MC5,The Stooges,Pretty Things,Throbbing Gristle,Exit,Frank Zappa,Capt. Beefheart,etc.,etc...
A MUST SEE!!!
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