Beware of Mr. Baker

Beware of Mr. Baker strikes a memorable opening note: irate septuagenarian drummer Ginger Baker—filmed at his homestead in South Africa—bloodies the nose of filmmaker Jay Bulger. Even with his lurid biography of heroin addiction, horrible relationships, and career crackups, Baker's musical genius still shines through here. Born in England on the eve of WWII, the flame-haired, impulsive Baker became a percussion phenomenon, mixing with the early Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton, and ultimately playing in the legendary "supergroups" Cream and Blind Faith, as well as his own bands. Baker defined the stereotypically feral heavy-metal rocker (think: Animal from the Muppets), but also participated in a series of high-profile jams with jazz icons (Max Roach, Art Blakey), which confirmed his roots in jazz beats. In 1971, Baker moved to Africa, performed with Fela Kuti, and set up the continent's most advanced recording studio. He also took a fancy to horses and polo, costly pursuits that contributed to his losing fortunes several times over, as gigs dried up and marriages crumbled. Here, Rolling Stone writer Bulger finds Baker at a low point, estranged from family and bitter that as a "mere" drummer he's gone without royalties he deserved as a composer-arranger. Striking animated sequences enhance the great archival rock footage and interviews with admirers ranging from Johnny Rotten to Carlos Santana, providing a fine backbeat to this transfixing and harrowing rock-and-roll saga. An SXSW Grand Jury Prize winner, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady)