Crumb director Terry Zwigoff’s first film is a true treat: a documentary about the obscure country-blues musician and idiosyncratic visual artist Howard “Louie Bluie” Armstrong, member of the last known black string band in America. As beguiling a raconteur as he is a performer, Louie makes for a wildly entertaining movie subject, and Zwigoff honors him with an unsentimental but endlessly affectionate tribute. Full of infectious music and comedy, Louie Bluie is a humane evocation of the kind of pop-cultural marginalia that Zwigoff would continue to excavate in the coming years. Reviewer: Steve Dollar
Rating (out of 5): ****½ (both)
Louie Bluie
Crumb
Consumed and driven by the bawdy vigor of good old American vernacular culture, the artists who lend their names to this pair of documentaries are such dynamos of idiosyncrasy that no one could have made them up. Newly reissued in a simultaneous one-two punch by the Criterion Collection, Louie Bluie (1985) and Crumb (1995), concern but can barely contain the outsized, wildly original personalities of charismatic African-American string band legend Howard “Louie Bluie” Armstrong, and the cranky underground cartoonist Robert Crumb. These were the first two films made by Terry Zwigoff, a San Francisco government office-worker and obsessive enthusiast for 78 rpm recordings of pre-war American music, who also happened to play saw, mandolin and fiddle in Crumb’s own string combo, R. Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders.
Zwigoff is now more widely known for his later features, Bad Santa and Ghost World, which further articulated the director’s kinship with irascible iconoclasts and socially awkward connoisseurs of cultural arcana. Fans of those entertainments checking out Zwigoff’s back-catalog classics for the first time will find the square root of his aesthetic, with all its irreverence, political incorrectness, and rude zest charging up every frame. They’ll also discover a passion for storytelling and a gift for directorial self-effacement, one that allows these natural-born originals to narrate their own lives so compellingly that its easy to forget there’s a camera and crew involved - even as Zwigoff thoughtfully embroiders the narratives.
Louie Bluie is absolutely essential, and not only for anyone interested in American music, or the black string band tradition that has long been overshadowed, historically, by mainline jazz and blues. Armstrong, who died in 2003 at the ripe old age of 94, was perhaps the last living exponent of a sound that flourished in the 1920s and 30s, faded out by the end of the 1950s, and was enjoying a revival by the time Zwigoff’s film came out. (More recently, new bands like the Carolina Chocolate Drops have begun playing in the style). The film begins after Zwigoff tracked down Armstrong, by then a retired autoworker living in a Detroit suburb, and started filming his recollections. Armstrong, a dapper gent with a pencil-thin moustache, a beret, and spiffy attire, is an indefatigable raconteur whose elegant speech flows with colorful, homey metaphors and rib-tickling twists of folksy logic. Here he is talking about his sidekick, Ted Bogan, as the guitarist sits next to him, barely containing himself.
It’s my greatest hope and fondest joy to talk about Mr. Bogan here, and how I brought him out of the land of the valley of the shadow. But he’s never been anything but a Casanova all of his life. And if I’m lying, I hope something big comes out of the woods and grabs me. The dude, there wasn’t a thing wrong with his looks. Women fell for the dude head over heels. We used to call him Mr. Black Gable. He had that smile, y’know? And some chick bought him a gold crown, and every opportunity he was showing that piece of gold, y’know. Women fell over all kinds a’ways about this dude. He was so greedy after women, he was like a one-eyed cat watching two rat holes.
Zwigoff seamlessly works in vintage recordings - including Armstrong and Bogan’s 1934 version of “State Street Rag” that first got him fixated on the mysterious “Louie Bluie” - archival photographs, and staged performances, along with Armstrong’s own artwork and poetry. But rather than preserve everything like fossilized specimens in the tar pit of museum-ready history, these rudimentary documentary elements are made to dance - animated by Armstrong’s vivid commentary.
An anti-Ken Burns, Zwigoff doesn’t sanctify African-American culture, he lets it speak for itself, and no one is better at cultivating his own extravagant lore than Armstrong. The violinist also is gifted in other media. He introduces the great banjo player Yank Rachell to his opus, The ABCs of Pornography, a homemade “whorehouse bible,” full of ribald stories and illustrations that constitute one man’s field guide to carnal pleasure - including its author’s fascination with the “steatopygic” female form. To paraphrase Sir Mix-a-Lot, he likes big butts and he cannot lie.
So, of course, does Robert Crumb, whose boundless fetishism and its pervasive, prolific expression in his warts-and-all comic book panels is a dominant theme of Crumb. Though Zwigoff also focuses extensively on the artist’s working-class and tragically dysfunctional family, which included two talented brothers and two sisters who are absent from the film, the Amazonian excess and graphic, exaggerated sexuality of Crumb’s copious work inspires an epic running gag and an overflow of discourse. “He made it OK for me to have a butt,” testifies one adoring, plus-size model, while art critic Robert Hughes lavishes praise on the creator of Mr. Natural, who shares some of “Goya’s sense of monstrosity.” Pity the lone feminist that Zwigoff flushes out to wag a finger at Crumb’s misogyny and his “arrested juvenile vision.” More revealing of the spindly, reclusive artist is his wife Aline Kominsky-Crumb’s recollection: “My mother thought he was retarded when she met him.”
Released in 1995, and shot as the Crumbs were plotting an imminent relocation to rural France, Crumb thrives on the intimate revelations of a subject mostly known for being unknowable. A true refusenik, Crumb rejects just about everything that surrounds him, including the potential celebrity that might have been his as his various comic properties became pop culture icons. He hated hippies, who elected Mr. Natural their symbolic father. And when Felix the Cat was made into an animated feature against his wishes, he had the horny feline murdered with an ice pick to the brain. As if to scare society away, his comics plunged deeper into the extremes of sex and self-loathing, keyed to peculiar sort of psychic and emotional vomiting up of trauma, dread and bile - all fat asses and dripping spleen. And, I’ll say as someone whose adolescent discovery of Crumb was as transformative as reading Kerouac or dropping LSD, absolutely fucking brilliant.
Crumb finds the source of all this in childhood tortures, and somewhere under the Attack of the 50-Foot Woman sex fantasies taps into a well of melancholy that isn’t so well masked by Crumb’s too-easy chuckles when he revisits his family. Discussing his love for old 78s, he explains how: “You hear the best part of the soul of the common people, y’know … Modern music doesn’t have that sense of calamitous loss.” Zwigoff also establishes a wonderful crosstalk between the actual panels drawn by Crumb and some of the women who inspired them. Rewatching the documentary for the first time since its theatrical release, I was struck by its “old girlfriends” sub-plot, which plays a bit like Broken Flowers, with the weedy, goggle-lensed Crumb in the Bill Murray role. Except that they all seem to like him. Maybe it’s because none of their other suitors asked for a piggyback ride?
“Sex with Robert,” allows Dian Hanson, the suitably Amazonian editrix of men’s magazines Juggs and Leg Show, “was never normal.”
{ 60 } Comments
[urdvdmag] hells yeah!
[urdvdmag] hells yeah!
[urdvdmag] hells yeah!
[urdvdmag] he’s the original Carl Pilkington!
[urdvdmag] he’s the original Carl Pilkington!
[urdvdmag] he’s the original Carl Pilkington!
[urdvdmag] he’s the original Carl Pilkington!
[urdvdmag] he’s the original Carl Pilkington!
[urdvdmag] he’s the original Carl Pilkington!
[urdvdmag] he’s the original Carl Pilkington!
[urdvdmag] Great documentary!!!!!!!!!!!!
[urdvdmag] Great documentary!!!!!!!!!!!!
[urdvdmag] Great documentary!!!!!!!!!!!!
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] In art he is best known for his book of illustations , that is popular outside the U.S. and It is not a Children’s book by no means. reason is, his style of painting was already conceived by other black artists. On the other hand, his musician-ship is untouchable and brought about historic recording of the string band goldenage era. love the full uncut documentary.
[urdvdmag] Howard Louie Bluie Armstrong is my first cousin on my grandmother’s side. I’m proud to have found my connection to him.
[urdvdmag] Howard Louie Bluie Armstrong is my first cousin on my grandmother’s side. I’m proud to have found my connection to him.
[urdvdmag] Howard Louie Bluie Armstrong is my first cousin on my grandmother’s side. I’m proud to have found my connection to him.
[urdvdmag] Howard Louie Bluie Armstrong is my first cousin on my grandmother’s side. I’m proud to have found my connection to him.
[urdvdmag] Howard Louie Bluie Armstrong is my first cousin on my grandmother’s side. I’m proud to have found my connection to him.
[urdvdmag] Howard Louie Bluie Armstrong is my first cousin on my grandmother’s side. I’m proud to have found my connection to him.
[urdvdmag] Howard Louie Bluie Armstrong is my first cousin on my grandmother’s side. I’m proud to have found my connection to him.
Post a Comment