It was to say the least incredible inspiring , educational and how to be and how not to be..
I had no idea he had kids and what a fucked up father he was.
Had no idea of his time in South Africa, His love of Polo which helped to bring his life down.
Well who cares about that the kids the wives the musicians any one he came into contact with were just there to be a part in the Ginger Baker whirlwind life tour.
I do respect that and man he had the life, I had know idea about his polo career and how that helped to be the beginning of his downfall.
The film was also beautiful stylistically, and the animation by Tatia Rosenthal was off the charts, well directed and edited just the right length although I would love more of footage of ginger playing.
that was when it shined, his life behind the drums was magic and when not was the painful part to watch.
I was delivered to my youth with glimpses of my favorite music and musicians some of which I still listen to daily.
The Blind Faith concert footage had me in awe as it always does.
Bonnie Bramlet being interviewed ( Delaney and Bonnie and friends one of the best bands ever) They had Eric Clapton which was the band he left Blind Faith for, George harrison, Dave mason and others. They could sing and write and were just cool.
The cream footage the earlier stuff with Alex Korner (some call him the father of Blues music in England) damn I was in heaven.
His playing with the great Fela and how the Polo separated him from all the musicians he was enjoying playing with in Africa as the people that enjoyed Polo were like colonialists and were against the people and all that Fela was fighting against. (politics seperating musicians)
Gingers love of Jazz and for his entire life wanting to be known as a great Jazz Drummer and composer and how he never wanted to be put in a box which I personally have always hated!
There is footage of him bringing his Jazz band from Colorado to the Irridium in NYC with Max Roach in the audience and after his final drum solo the tears in his eyes as he played the best solo of his life (so he say's ) and that one of his idols was listening,
He started to tear and cry when Talking in south Africa about the Jazz drummers he said he could call true friends, as i write this it brings a cool shiver to my body.
The footage of his Drum Battles with Art Blakey, Elvin Jones, Max Roach and the others was just fantastic, There was a moment where he and his son were jamming back and forth and they both looked so happy. Then his son tells all the tales of how his father told him he was the worst drummer ever.
All the Musicians that were interviewed had a deep respect an admiration for his genius and some saying how he was the reason they played the drums.
At one point Jay asks Ginger to take off his glasses and when he did you saw a dead person drugged out and gone, not the demon in control angry cool tough guy but a faded junkie like being who's time on earth seemed over.
Lesson here always where sun glasses they make you cool....Ha.... Really I mean it ...Ha
So sad It left me feeling inspired not about his fame and life but what is really important is friends, family, people, and leaving wherever you are or are with better then when you got there, that yes his genius is admirable and legendary and needed for the rest of us but I would rather live in harmony and quiet and in awe at the simple things. Which I actually think he was deep down, he loved his horses and dogs and mentioned how they will never let you down and for people who know me know that animals, plants, kids and people in creation are all that matters "Humans" as I call adults are usually so self centered, childish,and boring that I have to look at them like there 5 years old and then I can see them as perfect and child like.
ginger baker wikapedia page
Ginger Baker Discography
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