It's hard to believe that Carl Perkins, father of 'rockabilly' music, bought his first guitar (for $3) and a chicken and then went on to compose that great antithesis of barnyard music "Blue Suede Shoes." (It helps to know that he spelled it "swade" until corrected by a music publisher and never owned any such shoes himself). This video features Carl Perkins and Paul McCartney on a backstage set, reminiscing about the good old days and occasionally playing guitar duets together. McCartney relates how the Liverpool lads used to drive around town looking for anyone with a Carl Perkins record, which they would then borrow to learn the chords. Later, the Beatles paid homage to the songwriter by recording seven of his tunes ("Blue Suede Shoes," "Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby," "Honey Don't" and others), more than any other songwriter covered by the Beatles. Although Perkins tunes gave birth to the phrase "crossover hit" (in fact, he wrote music covered by Elvis, Roy Orbison, Patsy Cline, Tom Petty, Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash), he was never a household name. With his passing in January of this year, Miramar has released this uncritical and loving appreciation, which is not really a biography, nor a concert film, but is nonetheless pleasant to watch. And the final tune, "My Old Friend," is a deeply sentimental and moving fusion of bluegrass and gospel and, in spite of a few glitches and blue notes between the two men, truthful and beautiful and well worth the wait. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (R. Ray)
My Old Friend
(1998) 46 min. $19.98. Miramar Productions. Color cover. Vol. 13, Issue 4
My Old Friend
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