THE WRECKING CREW, the music documentary that opened the Connecticut Film Festival at the historic Palace Theater in Danbury last evening, was a musical wow. Telling the story of the studio session musicians who backed up some of the recording industry's biggest stars, the film was an eye-opening look at an era when popular musical acts did not necessarily play musical instruments, and these professional back up musicians were not acknowledged.
The documentary, a 12 year labor of love by Denny Tedesco, whose father Tommy Tedesco was a much in-demand guitarist, featured clips and musical numbers that were among the most iconic of the 1960s. The scope of the project and the musical sequences contained in it have been a kind of Catch 22 for the director. "How do you not include the hundreds of recordings that are relevant to the story", Tedesco said at a post-screening question and answer session. "But clearing the rights is another story.....it would cost nearly $400,000 to do that which is alot for a documentary. That has held back distributor interest in the film, although I am hoping for an executive producer angel who will come forward."
No question, the film's soundtrack would be a major hit. To get a sampler, visit the film's website: http://wreckingcrew.tv. Herewith, the film's playlist:
Sandy Mandelberger, Film Connecticut Editor
05.05.2010 | Film Connecticut's blog
Cat. : BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER California Captain Cher Connecticut Connecticut Film Festival Contact Details Dean Martin Denny Tedesco Director executive Family Relation Film Connecticut forward Frank Sinatra Frank Sinatra Gary Lewis guitarist Harry Nilsson Herb Alpert http://wreckingcrew.tv Jan KEEP US TOGETHER Monday, Monday Music Nancy Sinatra Nancy Sinatra Neil Diamond Palace Theater Person Career Producer Quotation Sam Cooke Sandy Mandelberger Sonny & Cher Surf City Tambourine Man Technology Technology The 5th Dimension The Connecticut Film Festival The Mamas & the Papas THE WRECKING CREW The Wrecking Crew Tommy Tedesco Tommy Tedesco FILM