While San Diego lost one of its long held impresarios in 2018, his legacy lives on his work, collections, and lasting impressions on many important musicians. Lou Curtiss was a long-time resident of San Diego and one of the foundational members of the San Diego Folk Music Society. Fans of folk music and some locals of the area will recognize the society for its yearly music festivals that have attracted such big names as Tom Waits and Elizabeth Cotton over the years. Curtiss was a prolific collector of early American records and would play them daily on his radio station, Jazz 88.3.
The film begins with Curtiss’ early life and describes his first journeys into music, sneaking into bars as a 14-year-old to watch jazz and blues concerts. He began collecting records at about the same time and amassed enough to fill up a house that acted as his record store for decades. Dozens of locals, musicians, and music scholars are interviewed and give intimate descriptions of a man who did almost as much for roots music preservation as John and Alan Lomax.
Curtiss seemed a beloved cornerstone of the San Diego music scene until his passing. His influence lives on in those whom he trusted his work and shared his love of music with. Notable musicians in the 60s folk scene give their impressions of meeting Curtiss, some as mere teens. They paint a picture of a withdrawn but passionate man who would happily share his knowledge and collection with others he found to share that passion.
These stories are shown side-by-side with interview footage of Curtiss in his shop and home in 2013: He enthusiastically discusses early recording history and roots music with the documentarian as he points to various records and artifacts that fill the room. Anyone who loves blues, folk, roots, and jazz music will find this documentary stimulating and informative. Recordically Yours is a fantastic biography of a San Diego folk music icon. Highly Recommended.
What type of film series could use this title?
Recordially Yours would fit into any folk or roots music documentary series.
Where does this title belong on public library shelves?
Recordially Yours, Lou Curtiss would fit perfectly into music and biography documentary collections.