The Wrecking Crew

The backstory to this engaging, informative music documentary is almost as fascinating as the film itself, which began as a tribute by Danny Tedesco to his father Tommy, guitarist in the titular group of Los Angeles session players who anonymously performed on many of the pop music classics of the 1960s and ‘70s (not to mention iconic TV and movie themes). Tedesco began filming in 1996, interviewing the musicians themselves (including his father, bassist Carol Kaye, and drummer Hal Blaine), the artists they worked with (Glen Campbell, Herb Alpert, Cher, Nancy Sinatra, Brian Wilson, and others), record producers, engineers, and TV hosts (Dick Clark). By 2008, Tedesco had edited together the interviews, archival material, and loads of song snippets, but he couldn't afford to cover the licensing fees for the music, so—aside from some film festival screenings—the documentary remained in limbo for five years, until a Kickstarter campaign raised the needed cash. At the forefront here are reminiscences by the musicians—backed up with song clips—who often appear seated together at a table, which allows them to fill in, or even correct, the stories. What emerges is an entertaining portrait of a group who are pleased that their contribution to American culture is being belatedly recognized. Sure to appeal to fans of the similarly-themed music documentaries Standing in the Shadows of Motown and Muscle Shoals, this is recommended. [Note: Blu-ray extras include extensive deleted scenes (147 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a fine Blu-ray extras package for a winning music doc.] (F. Swietek)