In the early 90s, things were radically changing for music. After a decade where music in the mainstream was often beholden to production excess, gated drums, and where there was ofte more polish on a recording than on a hospital floor, underground bands (for a time) brought things back to basics in the wider arena. Guitar riffs, hooks, and volume became the norm again (for a time). So, how did a film about a group of Dublin youths playing tough 1960s soul – as well as its soundtrack – become one of the biggest phenomenons around in 1991, the same year as Nevermind?
Welcome to episode 137 of See Hear....sort of.
In early July, Kerry and I recorded an episode of Reel Britannia with our dear friends Scott and Tom (of the Banned Biographies podcast). I knew Scott was recording an episode dedicated to Alan Parker's 1991 film The Commitments, and I pushed Kerry and my way onto the episode.....this is one of my favourite films ever, and knew we had to be part of the conversation. Scott has very graciously allowed me to put this episode on the See Hear feed as well. We will be welcoming the RB crew for an episode of See Hear in September, so it's a cross pollination thing going, you see.
At the time of recording, it was a mere few weeks before the tragic death of Glen Hansard who was part of the Commitments ensemble. Because of its recording date, there is obviously no mention or tribute to this great musician (and from all accounts, a wonderful human being). We now dedicate this episode to his memory.
We have a wonderful conversation about the power of music to bring people together, and the power of ego to tear the apart. Despite the film having a string element of social realism, this is no dire tale of the hardship of existence. Jimmy Rabbitte is a young music fan (played by Robert Arkins, not Argyle as I stupidly say in the podcast) who puts together a soul band – the music of the working class in his estimation – to bring joy to Dublin. What follows is an exercise in what happens when he brings 11 people together to play some of the most joyous and heartbreaking popular music of the 20th century. They form a microcosm of society who can achieve greatness and tear at each other. These youth learn to have aspirations greater than the hand that their hard lives have dealt them. Sounds serious, right? Nup – it's as funny as all get out, while still making some serious points about how people can love and hate each other all at once. Oh...did I say, it has the most brilliant (if jukebox) soundtrack?
Kerry and I had an amazing time with Scott and Tom, and hope you enjoy. You can download the show from our feed or you can subscribe to Reel Britannia and get it there. It's always a treat to listen to their discussions about British cinema (and yes, we know The Commitments is Irish – we justify its place on RB).
You can find RB at https://reelbritannia.libsyn.com/ or wherever you get podcasts.
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Download episode 137 from here.
