204. Echo In The Canyon; movie review

ECHO IN THE CANYON
Cert 12
83 mins
BBFC advice: Contains drug references

I love 60s music but have to show my ignorance and admit that I had never heard of Laurel Canyon.
Consequently, I was fascinated by the connection between the Byrds, Beach Boys and The Mamas And The Papas.
However, it transpires that Andrew Slater's Echo In The Canyon only touches the surface of the artistic volcano which flowed through the valley.
It scarcely mentions Joni Mitchell, The Doors, Carole King or The Monkees and doesn't enter the 70s when The Eagles gained fame.
Nevertheless, host Jakob Dylan (yes, Bob's son), interviews some big names including, David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, Roger McGuinn Michelle Phillips and Brian Wilson and diverts to Ringo Starr from The Beatles because of the influence of the Fab Four at that time.
Some are offended by Ringo's inclusion because they believe it is at the expense of Mitchell, Frank Zappa and others.
Meanwhile, I thought too much time is spent on Dylan navel-gazing with his mates and performing classic Laurel Canyon-based tunes with modern-day artists such as Cat Power and Beck.
They held a decent note but didn't own the songs and, sadly, none of the originals took to the stage where their hits were being performed - even as guests.
Thus, Slater's film created a thirst for more tales from Laurel Canyon.
I wanted to learn more about Peter Tork's famous parties, more about how David Crosby racked off the rest of the Byrds so badly that they sacked him and how Jim Morrison and Frank Zappa fitted into the scene.
And more about the musical legacy which included Steely Dan as well as The Eagles.
Instead, Dylan becomes the focus of the film rather than the commentator - and yet he was only born in 1969 and his dad wasn't even part of the Laurel Canyon story.
Sure, Echo In The Canyon gave me such a flavour of the time that I played three hours of its original music after watching Slater's film.
But I felt as if I was filling a gap rather than complimenting the documentary.
             
Reasons to watch: Some great original music
Reasons to avoid: Would have preferred more footage from the 60s

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 6/10

Did you know?  The Laurel Canyon area was inhabited by the Tongva people, a regional tribe of the indigenous peoples of California, for thousands of years. A spring-fed stream flowed year-round providing water.

The final word. Andrew Slater: "It’s as much about the idea of a simpler time and the sense of community and friendship shared by these musicians at that time, and it pays homage to them plus the idea that all of this music has influenced this generation in the film." Rock Cellar

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