Echo in the Canyon

In this star-studded nostalgic documentary, veteran music industry honcho Andrew Slater (former Capitol Records CEO) recalls a bygone era, focusing on folk rock bands of the 1965-67 Los Angeles music scene. In the early part of the 19th century, bucolic Laurel Canyon—nestled behind Sunset Boulevard in the Hollywood Hills—was full of rustic cabins and hunting lodges. Fifty years later, some of the most memorable music came from its residents, including Roger McGuinn and David Crosby of the Byrds, Michelle Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas, Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, and Stephen Stills of Buffalo Springfield, along with Ringo Starr, John Sebastian, Eric Clapton, and music producer Lou Adler. Jakob Dylan (son of Bob) explains that when eccentric rock star Frank Zappa rented a bungalow on Lookout Mountain, friends enjoyed his wild parties, and settled in the area. But what sealed Laurel Canyon’s ‘60s appeal was The Beatles, specifically George Harrison’s 12-string Rickenbacker guitar which sparked interest in—as McGuinn puts it—“taking an old folk song and souping it up with a Beatle beat.” Tom Petty says they walked the line between “cross-pollination” and “outright theft.” What’s fascinating is how residents dropped in for jam sessions and impromptu parties. Unfortunately, Slater spends too much time pointlessly stargazing at Dylan and there is far too much emphasis on Dylan and his musician friends (Beck, Norah Jones, Cat Power, Regina Spektor) performing karaoke-like covers of the “real” thing. Optional. (S. Granger)