The Everly Brothers: Harmonies from Heaven

The unique career of the Everly Brothers is covered in filmmaker George Scott's informative BBC Four-aired documentary. Since his brother Phil passed away in 2014, Don Everly speaks for the duo, who grew up in a coal mining town in Kentucky with a father who taught them to play guitar. After moving to Iowa, Everly senior formed the Everly Family, who performed on the radio daily, bringing the boys to the attention of guitarist Chet Atkins (the lads also took inspiration from the rhythmic playing of Bo Diddley). With Atkins's help, the Everly Brothers found a niche in Nashville working with songwriters Boudleaux and Felice Bryant, scoring a hit with the Bryants' "Bye Bye Love," after which they were off and running. As Keith Richards puts it, "They were the country side of rock and roll." The pair continued to rack up hits as they moved from Cadence Records to Warner Brothers. A minor controversy arose with the Boston ban of "Wake Up Little Susie," even though Felice, in a 1998 interview, explains that she softened the original lyrics (composer Tim Rice calls the song "daft, but brilliant"). And then Don and Phil served in the Marines, fell out with their publishing company, and proved no match for the British Invasion. The duo broke up in 1973, went their separate ways, and reunited in 1983. Don admits that he and Phil never got along, but also says that he misses him. Other speakers include Graham Nash and Art Garfunkel. A bonus DVD adds a 14-song Australian set from 1968 that proves the Everlys could rock as hard as anyone, even if their star had dimmed a bit by then. Presented in DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1 and LPCM stereo on Blu-ray, extras include additional interviews and Jake Bugg performing “Cathy's Clown” and “Cryin' in the Rain.” Recommended. (K. Fennessy)