David Foster: Off the Record

David Foster is a Legend when it comes to the "glory days" of the 70's/80's L.A music scene..

So many great ways to make a film about this man, despite his imperfections etc..

But this is an embarrassment. What a vain, troubled old man. He clearly had full editorial control over this. And it shows..

His legacy should speak for itself. None of us are perfect. But all this film reminds me of is Eric Clapton's autobiography. Another great man that I admire, bearing his (deeply unpleasant) soul, and "lucking out" in the end with a young, attractive wife who appears to be together emotionally, but let's face it, is marrying an old rich guy with kids way younger than her. With lots of money.

Brilliant on all levels! If you are a lover of music, you must watch this! I was mesmerized from start to finish! Brilliantly told and edited! Brilliant talent all over the place! I knew I'd David but I had no idea just how much he has done and how many artists he had discovered. A must see!

Ok David Foster is arrogant. Yep he's not a great father and he's been a TERRIBLE husband. BUT he is a musical genius! You cannot deny that. How strange that viewers stopped watching because they thought he was too arrogant?! I did not watch the doco to see a humble man...I watched it to see the life story of a musical genius, and I loved it! His life is absolutely fascinating. I took a walk through my childhood as I listened to the songs he has produced. I forgot just how amazing Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You is... And to hear how it was created is phenomenal. The doco was made extremely well, interwining the music David created with the story of his life. Interviews by the people he "found" and worked with was also fascinating.

I loved this documentary and highly recommend. Don't go in there expecting to see a humble man. Go in there with the expectation only of looking at one man's life and the music he made. You will not be disappointed!

The music created by DF was overproduced and syrupy sweet. I'm not qualified to suggest that he is a musical genius. It simply does nothing for me.

It's about as lacking in gravitas as DF is lacking in insight and genuine self reflection. The music is glossy and superficial in my view. Overblown like his ego. The film was annoying and boring to boot.

There were plenty of LA studio musicians that better exemply the culture of inspired and inspiring session players. See the Wrecking Crew and Immediate Family documentaries. Add Muscle Shoals to your doco watch list. Great players and producers.

With the numerous icons he's worked with over 40 years, I really expected to get more of an idea of who this person is. Instead it was mostly him talking about himself.

It's too bad. Real missed opportunity here. A few glimpses of humanity (i.e. Katherine McPhee's thoughts about him and their relationship) overshadowed by ego. The attempt as a documentary was the best it could be considering the few participants outside of himself and his immediate family.

I would've much preferred a history of what he's done narrated by voiceover by someone else. At least then we would've learned or remembered what impact he's had on music as a whole, as well as his talent as a composer - it's a lot, but you'd never know it by watching this.

I give it a 4 for the deserved coverage, but it doesn't get more stars from me, because it should've at least made a dent in his musical accomplishments. Quincy Jones' documentary is SO much better both in terms of format and the human being.