6 - Music to our Ears

By: Grace, Kristen and Leah

 

Witnessing the Magic of Music and Sound
 Sound and music play an important role in films and documentaries. In order to see the importance of sound and music and the role it plays, we saw two films. Those films were Searching for Sugar Man directed by Malik Bendjelloul and Let's Get Lost directed by Bruce Weber. Both these documentaries showcase sound and music very well and throughout both films we can see the importance music plays in both the lives of Sixto Rodriguez and in Chet Baker. By watching these documentaries we were able to learn how music contributes to not only each artist's life but the role they and their music played in society.  

The World of Sugar Man
 Searching for Sugar Man is a 2012 documentary film directed by Malik Bendjelloul that takes place primarily in South Africa and Detroit about two Cape Town fans, Stephen 'Sugar' Segerman and Craig Bartholomew Strydom that were trying to find out whether the rumored death of American musician Sixto Rodriguez was true. If the rumor was false then their goal was to discover what had become of him. The music of Sixto Rodriguez's never took off in the United States, but it had become very popular in South Africa. He was an "American zero, South African hero". Even though his music was so popular, little was known about him in Cape Town or anywhere else. 

I Wonder by Rodriguez:

Throughout the documentary we learn about the life and music of Sixto Rodriguez and how Stephen 'Sugar' Segerman and Craig Bartholomew Strydom found out that he was in fact still alive. This is somewhat of a turning point for the two of them because now they know that they're not looking for information on a dead man but that they might actually be able to get some real answers about Sixto Rodriguez. This movie shows their search, the people they interviewed as well as the history behind the songs. Once they discovered that Sixto Rodriguez was alive, his music is used to depict the life he lived and the things he saw as well as how he feels. This film is very special because instead of composing a soundtrack or using another artist's songs, the documentary uses Sixto Rodriguez's own music. This gives the film a bit more of a personal touch because the songs emphasize an emotion or help us understand the way Sixto Rodriguez felt about certain aspect of his life. For example, the song Crucify Your Mind is playing in the background as we see parts of Detroit. The lyrics of this song paint a sort of sad picture which shows that Sixto Rodriguez did not lead an extravagant life. Also, even though this film was about him, most of the time Sixto Rodriguez wasn't talking about himself or his life. Someone else was always doing the talking.


His songs are presented throughout the film, mostly in the form of a soundtrack; something to put in the background while someone is either talking or an image is being shown which allows the music to inspire ideas and opinions. The songs were never shown as just the song, there was always something else going on while a song was playing. Each one of his songs is unique and was about a different subject. Because the genre of Sixto Rodriguez's music was folk, his songs were were not the loud type of songs; they had a softer sound to them; more relaxed feel. These qualities are typically found in folk music. There were no real harsh sounds like in rock or metal for example. For most of the songs shown in the film the main instrument was guitar. There was occasionally a few other instruments included but there was never a large orchestra which allowed for the pitch to remain low. Also while the songs are playing in the background, sometimes there are people talking about the particular song that is playing or about how this song relates to them or Sixto Rodriguez. A lot of the images shown emphasize what Sixto Rodriguez is saying in his lyrics. The lyrics along with either an interview or an image help bring a better understanding of Sixto Rodriguez himself; about his character, his life and so much more. The way these songs are presented is not just sit and listen to the entire album and then form an opinion, this method of presenting the songs brings insight into what Sixto Rodriguez was thinking and how he felt about certain issues or how he felt about things in his life.

Some of the songs in the film were said to have inspired social movements, band start-ups and especially the search to find out whether Sixto Rodriguez was truly dead or alive. Sounds inspired social movement in Cape Town, South Africa, music gave people hope and insight that they can rebel against their government and social standards. For example the song 'This Is Not A Song, It's An Outburst' or 'The Establishment Blues' gave people hope and from this song they figured out that their life could be better than what it is now and that they don't have to just sit around and feel helpless. This song gave them the courage to rebel and fight for what they want. For some it was just for good listening, for others it was their inspiration to start something that before they never would have thought of starting. Some people even used Sixto Rodriguez's lyrics as clues to finding out the truth about his life. 

This film shows us that success does not always come easy but for those that are able to achieve it there is so much they could do with it. It also shows that not everyone that becomes famous becomes arrogant and selfish and that it is possible to live a humble life. His life was very modest; he worked a day job, walked to and from work, He even lived in the same home he has for forty years and he tried running for mayor. The money he earned from his concerts he gave most to his family and friends. Fame was not something he was used to. For example when he arrived in South Africa for his concert he saw a limo waiting outside the airplane and he thought that the limo was for someone else when in fact the limo was for him. Also whenever Sixto Rodriguez was being interviewed he always seemed very shy and that even though he was famous these interviews were not something he was used to. Music played an important role in the life of Sixto Rodriguez. He used his music as a form of expression. He used his music to convey to the listeners some of the sights he saw in his life as well as some of his life experiences. His music inspired many people and encouraged them to pursue what they wanted.

Interview with Malik Bendjelloul:

 

Expanding Your Music Library
Additional Screening: Let’s Get Lost

Music in film plays as much a part as the actors do in the film. Music sets the tone and mood, or makes a statement that leads you to interpret scenes in ways that without music could be interpreted differently. It is a source of emotion, as it usually has the role of emphasizing the emotional content in a scene. In the 1988 American documentary film Let’s Get Lost, director Bruce Weber, a long time fan of musician Chet Baker, creates a 115 minute black and white collage of interviews, old photographs and music that tells the history of Baker. Music in this film shows us how Baker was a person filled with pain and hurt. He was simply unable to function in the world, except by expressing himself through music. By watching the film unfold, we come to understand how the delicate, fragile phrasing of Baker’s music reflects the fragility of his character. This music therefore enhances the film, and helps portray this somber atmosphere.

Let’s Get Lost Official Trailer:

There are many still pictures reproduced in this film. Since there is no such thing as a “still” sound as sound must be recorded continuously, the music in this film helps create continuity to support the images. The music is what makes the still image come alive. As sound sets both time and space, the music also creates a sense that time is passing. This is better referred to as parallel sound, as it is actual, synchronous and connected with the image. For example, there are several points in the film where there are trumpet solos playing in the background. Most often, this music is played in scenes shared with images of young Chet holding his trumpet. As said above, as the music and image relate, the music brings the image to life. The theme between the music and image therefore make it easier to switch from image to image. Towards the end of the film, Baker’s song “Blame It on My Youth” plays as the images of each of his family members sad faces are shown on the screen. As Baker was always distant from his family as he did not visit them often, I believe that this song is about his absence in their lives; specifically the life of his wife. One of the lines played in the background of this scene is “don’t blame it on my heart, blame it on my youth”. The song therefore supports the images, and therefore creates continuity.

However as time went on, Baker began his downward spiral. Baker was already a materialistic man from the start, as he was all about fame and money. He was always seen with a pretty girl and an expensive car. Aside from knowing how to get lost in his music, Baker was very good at getting lost when he took off on the road, or when abusing drugs. This happened quite often. While watching, we therefore receive the impression that Baker was a master manipulator, and an unreliable friend and father.

Although many people, such as friends and family members were bothered by Baker’s downfall, writer and director Bruce Weber admired Chet Baker. He portrays Baker with warmth and dignity throughout the film. Even though the many interviews with Baker’s family and ex girlfriend show how he was a self-centered man, Bruce Weber manages to show how they were all quite affectionate towards him. As explained in the link below, Weber first became interested in Chet when he saw his photograph at age sixteen. As Weber is also a famous photographer and was in photography school at the time, the photo of Baker “struck a chord in [him]”. As a filmmaker, he uses many images of the charming young Baker to explain his story and the glamour of jazz in the 1950’s.

I Fall in Love too Easily by Chet Baker:

 
How We Read the Music

The directors of these two films, Malik Bendjelloul (Searching for Sugarman) and Bruce Weber (Let’s Get Lost) did a wonderful job incorporating the subject’s own music into the background of the movies, giving the documentaries a much more personal atmosphere. Especially when overlapping important lyrics with significant scenes. For example, in Let’s Get Lost as Chet Baker sings his iconic song ‘Let’s get Lost’, the camera zooms in on a picture of a young Chet, spiraling intimately into his eye. This reinforces the narrator’s voice saying how charming and romantic Chet could be. The camera tries to recreate how people adored Chet, lost in his eyes. Their music was so influential because it is such a personal part for both Chet and Rodriguez. Eugene Ionesco said, "all art aspires to the condition of music". Both Chet and Sixto demonstrate this quote beautifully. Like silk worms, musicians turn raw material into something beautiful, representing the human spirit and endless possibilities.

The director’s mix of parallel (actual and synchronous) and contrapuntal (commentative and asynchronous) sounds added depth to the films, drawing us in and captivating our attention. However, the use of silence was also a very clever and effective technique. As we saw at the end of Searching for Sugarman, Rodriguez walks onto stage for his first show in Africa and the crowd goes absolutely berserk, screaming and crying and waving with affection. There is no music playing during this scene because there is no need for it. The pure noise of the adoring audience is a huge and impactful force all on its own. When these techniques are put together with images and interviews from various significant people, two incredible documentaries emerged.

Searching for Sugarman shows us that success does not always come easy but for those that are able to achieve it there is so much they could do with it. Rodriguez's life was very modest; he worked a day job, walked to and from work, He even lived in the same home he has for forty years and he tried running for mayor. The money he earned from his concerts he gave most to his family and friends. Fame was not something he was used to. For example when he arrived in South Africa for his concert he saw a limo waiting outside the airplane and he thought that the limo was for someone else when in fact the limo was for him. Also whenever Sixto Rodriguez was being interviewed he always seemed very shy and that even though he was famous these interviews were not something he was used to. This shows that not everyone that becomes famous becomes arrogant and selfish, and that it is possible to live a humble life even when you're a legend. 

After viewing these documentary films about two very talented musicians, a subtle yet real lesson is apparent in both. The two musicians’ lives were very complementary to each other. From rags to riches, Rodriguez was resurrected from an average life to become a superstar in Cape Town, South Africa. And from riches to rags, Chet’s stupendous jazz career withered away because of drugs, cigarettes and manipulating lies. From these stories, we learn that now more than ever we have to invest in critical thinking, because in today’s world there are infinite ways to deceive and mislead people. This is visible in the way Chet lied about why he was beaten up by five men one night, and in the way the amount of rumors spread surrounding Rodriquez’s “suicide”. We see the need to question everything we hear, especially the media. Rodriguez is a wonderful example of why we have to question the media. In Cape Town, all the information on the news, in libraries and on the radio was strictly censored, and his music opened the city's eyes. The citizens had no clue about the developing world around them.

Interview with Bruce Weber

We also realize the need to question our understanding of the world and our society. Why are stereotypes set the way they are? And who decided them? Our society is extremely materialistic and it is easy to get caught up in the glamour like Chet did. We have to remember our roots, morals and the importance of our family. Rodriguez was a beautiful demonstration of this because even after his rise to fame in Africa, he continued to live in the same house that he had been in for the past 40 years and he gave away all the money from his concerts to his loved ones. Our society also creates a very influential image that those in Hollywood are America’s version of royalty. Our generation seems to worship actors, singers and anyone else with fame, without first considering how those people are any different from us. People do not see any problem with their favorite TV star advertising make-up or hair products to them because they do not consider the star’s actual credentials. The only reason the ad is so effective, is because of the star’s popularity. We have to question why exactly people are famous and if their actions deserve that fame. These films acted as a window into two musicians' lives to show how their situations are similar to our own. The music unites us. We listen to music in our cars, on our phones, iPods, television and it even acts as our alarm to wake us up in the morning. It surrounds us almost 24/7, so people do not realize how little silence is left in our lives. Despite their music, both men dealt with ambition, financial issues and started a family. We learn that everyone is only human, and even our idols can succumb to average pitfalls like everyone else. We have to disregard society’s stereotype of who we should use as role models and create our own interpretations.

The End of the Song

After watching both Searching for Sugar Man and Let’s Get Lost, we can see how music plays an important role in film. In both of these documentaries the sound is parallel to the images, connecting them as continuously as the music playing. It is the music that makes the images come alive. In film, images can be edited in many different ways. However the addition of sound emphasizes the images and brings out our emotion, manipulating our feelings into exactly the way the director imagined. And by using the subject’s own compositions, it opens our eyes even more into exactly what the musician was feeling as we watch the story of their lives unfold on screen.