Even more:
Wow, this thread is HUGE! I'll add a few things:
What I like most about the documentary is that everyone came off as real, normal people. Especially the phone conversation with Tony and the whole "pointing fingers" argument. It gave me a whole new perspective on them. I got to see them argue, cry, laugh... And they didn't seem phased by the cameras.
Some of my favorite moments were when about his car, Lindsey asked John "How fast does it go?", John's response was...a silent beat, then he said "55". Hahhahahaaa! Great comedic timing! And I love the kick Stevie got out of the singing fish. Reminded me of the big kick my Dad gets out of it! The same reaction.
Lindsey did a good job of diplomatically handling his suggestion that Stevie change the tense of her prose. I can see how it is a delicate situation to make such suggestions to artists.
I think that the backing vocals and harmonies that everyone has been commenting on, yes, probably are just initial rough drafts and that probably were changed or rerecorded later. I would like to have seen that metamorphosis from raw to greatness. Yes, as a barbershopper and community theater actor myself, they should sing standing up. But Lindsey and Stevie are so good at wrapping their voices around each others, I think they just know exactly what to do. One question I have and wish they had touched on is: Do they write out the harmony parts or do they just wing it? Making it up as they go along? I wish the documentary had shown how the songs are actually constructed and written. Books on The Beatles have always been very good at showing that.
The whole mixing controversy was interesting. I wish they had worked with Richard Dashut like they had for 30 years. Why they decided to take a whole new route seems odd to me. Where is Richard?????? I think his presence would have made the songs more layered and polished, ala Out of the Cradle.
Someone commented on Kristen being a snob. I didn't get that. They only showed her for a few seconds. Maybe she is just shy and/or concerned about the kiddos. Maybe she said a lot on camera, but it was edited out.
For the double album, maybe they could have done what Guns and Roses did and issue two albums simultaneouly, Use Your Illusion I and II, hahhahahahaa!
About VH1, yes the editing was a bit choppy, especially when they edited songs being performed. They had way too many shots of the house like The Real World or something and those goofy time elapsed shots. I also didn't like how their logo at the bottom right was blocking some of the informative words on the bottom of the screen. Their logo blocked out the information on the kids singing. And I loved seeing the kids and wanted to know more about them.
Excellent show, though. NEED MORE!!!!!!! (In a slow, low, monster-y voice) Hhahhahahaa!
Chris
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