This is a partial list of recommended viewing and reading for my students.  It's in no particular order and I'm always adding to it.  I think all of these will benefit your music and hopefully teach you something...even if it only makes you laugh and helps you find your sense of humor. 

 

 

Films and/or Documentaries:

It Might Get Loud

Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll (Taylor Hackford)

Basquiat

Pollack

Ray (Taylor Hackford)

Les Paul: Chasing Sound

Tom Dowd And The Language Of Music

Standing In The Shadows Of Motown

Jimi Hendrix On The Dick Cavett Show (on DVD)

When We Were Kings

Soul Power

Jazz On A Summer's Day

'Round Midnight

Cadillac Records

Tom Waits - Big Time

Ladies And Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones

Spinal Tap

The Big Picture (and anything by Christopher Guest)

Real Life (Albert Brooks)

Defending Your Life

Fingers (and anything directed and/or written by James Toback)

Smiley Face

Barton Fink

The Apostle

The Shawshank Redemption

Good Fellas

I Walk The Line

The Wrestler

Big Fan

Once

 

Television Shows:

Entourage (HBO)

Louie (FX)

Weeds (HBO)

Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)

Sons of Anarchy (FX)

The Office (NBC)

Arrested Developement (Fox)

The Phil Silvers Show (CBS - easily found on YouTube)

 

Books:

Blues People - LeRoi Jones

Rhythm And The Blues: A Life In American Music - Jerry Wexler

Life - Keith Richards