All We Are Saying

Before I got paid to photograph Hotels and Restaurants (advertising). I spent a good part of the eighty's and ninety's as a photographer in the Music industry. I've traveled with many bands doing tour photography and also was a contributor to many Music magazines. So I've been behind the scenes. Whenever I get a chance to watch these documentaries, esp Vh1 Behind the Music. I sit and watch them to see how much of it is a true realistic look at life in the music industry. I have to admit I think Vh1 Behind the Music is an excellent production (even seen myself in the background a few times). The difference between the Vh1 show and a documentary like All We are Saying (or babbling it should be). Is that Vh1 does their research and gives you an a full history and true account of the artist (good and bad) from beginning to the present. They make it interesting to the viewer to watch. Rosanna Arquette basically just sticks a camera in the faces of these artists and gives them this open forum to ramble on and on and on....30 Min's into it...I thought what is the freakin point of this? I'm falling a sleep here!

I loved hearing Steven Tyler at the very beginning of the film sitting at his mansion complaining about how his record label calls him to tell him his song that was worth a million dollars is now worth 12 cents...cause every ones downloading! But its certainly OK for him to allow the promoters and his record label  to rip his fans off by charging a $150 for an Aerosmith ticket and $20 for a Cd. That's very lame Steven. You have lost my respect.

Many artists in this production I've photographed. I didn't remember them babbling this much when I met them. Maybe..if she would have showed the full interviews or didn't cut away to so many at once. Each interview would have made more sense. The editing in this film is some of the worst I've ever seen. Unless they were trying to make a film that absolutely made no sense whatsoever, and wanted to bore everyone to the point of wanting to slice their wrist to end the pain of watching this very boring film. Then they did a great job...

This film gives you an unusually good look into the creative process, along with frank discussion of the problems and sacrifices that most artists have to deal with and accept in order to keep their creative channels open. The casual use of the cameras facilitates the conversational feel and the directness of the artists communication. Ultimately it allows us to share the experiences of a some great artists in their search for true expression, which is really a universal human need and it certainly evoked some empathy in this writer. Of significance is the clear communication that dedication to their art form, the performance and sharing of their music is much more important to them than the money they earn.

I pretty much agree with glazedham's review. I will add the following...one of the things that I found most annoying is the fact that Arquette is frequently seen holding a camera while another camera is filming her holding the camera. I don't know why, but this was unbelievably aggravating to me. All in all, I was left with the impression that many of these "artists" have just taken way too many drugs. If their lives are so difficult, I recommend that they get off the stage and go to a part of the world where they can witness real suffering. Hopefully they will take Arquette and her hand-held camera with them. Maybe she will eventually use footage from the hand-held camera as it seems to have served absolutely no purpose in this film.

All We Are Saying to me was something I think everyone should see at least once. It had all the great musicians, that had an impact on the music industry, expressing their opinions on how the music has changed. The opinions all seem to stay the same, in thinking that music has lost its flare.. but seeing all those big names from back in the 60's, 70's and 80's to now, makes it all worth it. Not to mention, the in-depth conversations and the words of wisdom. David Crosby said a line, "Britney Spears is being considered for a record over Joni Mitchell, and Britney Spears is about as deep as a bird bath" and to me, is true. If you love, classic rock and new soul music, such as I do, this documentary will inspire you. Talk about better to burn out than fade away, this old timers are going out like a bad-ass firecracker.

Just saw this movie and found it very entertaining. It was great to see so many talented artist (going back to the 60s) all say the same thing, that the music business is a difficult, but a rewarding experience. The only thing that bothered me was that Steven Tyler was a stand out bitter bitch. He had the opportunity to point out how lucky he was, being dropped in the early 80s, and now enjoying a hugely successful career more than 20 years later. Instead he bitched about downloads, and his former manager getting 20%. Wow, sad comments from a guy who owes his sobriety, and second career in the music business to that guy. Having been in the music business, It is great to here so many musicians give songwriting credit to an unexplained force. I have heard many say that they draw from a nebulous well to create, and it was great to here from many brilliant musicians.