amazing--Walk Hard - Dewey Cox Story(film)

Subject: RE: amazing--Walk Hard - Dewey Cox Story(film)
From: Amergin
Date: 01 Dec 08 - 03:42 AM

God...I love this movie....I even got the sound track for it....and I love how he rips Dylan to shreds.....

Subject: RE: amazing--Dewey Cox Story(film)
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Aug 08 - 07:21 PM

We just watched this; got it from netflix. Thanks for the recommendation, Art! It was hilarious and I did like it better than A Mighty Wind, though it was good, too! This one threw in almost everything but the kitchen sink. Loved the bit with the Beatles!

Subject: RE: Folklore: amazing--Dewey Cox Story(film)
From: semi-submersible
Date: 22 Jun 08 - 12:26 AM

I've heard the phrase enough (on Canada's west coast, rural) to recognise and laugh at "Sweet FA" although I don't think I've seen it reduced to initials. My mother used the term "boom-all" to mean the same thing: "He's done boom-all to help us, and now he wants the credit."

Subject: RE: Folklore: amazing--Dewey Cox Story(film)
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 21 Jun 08 - 09:59 AM

sort of like our expression of "diddly squat"

Subject: RE: Folklore: amazing--Dewey Cox Story(film)
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 20 Jun 08 - 08:14 PM

Art - it literally means "nothing".

"I was busking all day, and I collected SFA."

"I went to buy a beer, and when I put my hand in my pocket for cash I found SFA."

Q. What is between George Bush's ears?

A. SFA.

What does a famine victim get to eat?

SFA.


Seamus

Subject: RE: Folklore: amazing--Dewey Cox Story(film)
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Jun 08 - 06:40 PM

Oh, well, I knew that, but I didn't think that's what Art meant!**bg**

Subject: RE: Folklore: amazing--Dewey Cox Story(film)
From: Art Thieme
Date: 20 Jun 08 - 06:35 PM

'Sweet Fuck All' or even 'Sweet FA' doesn't mean anything to me either. What are you actually saying to someone when you turn to them and say that?

Art

Subject: RE: Folklore: amazing--Dewey Cox Story(film)
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 20 Jun 08 - 10:53 AM

How cute!

Subject: RE: Folklore: amazing--Dewey Cox Story(film)
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 20 Jun 08 - 10:51 AM

Ron, allow me to translate: Sweet FA in Britain means Sweet Fuck All, i.e. nothing.

Kevin, hope you don't mind me speaking for you, unless of course you were referring to the Sweet Football Association, in which case, please accept my apology.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Folklore: amazing--Dewey Cox Story(film)
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Jun 08 - 10:16 AM

"Folk Alliance"

Subject: RE: Folklore: amazing--Dewey Cox Story(film)
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 20 Jun 08 - 09:23 AM

Sweet FA????

Subject: RE: Folklore: amazing--Dewey Cox Story(film)
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 20 Jun 08 - 08:49 AM

"And I do see that a discussion of F.A. isn't for this thread.

Maybe you could call that discussion thread "Sweet FA?"

Subject: RE: Folklore: amazing--Dewey Cox Story(film)
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Jun 08 - 11:06 PM

(katlaughing, chuckling even, at the run on Netflix each time one of us recommends a film, esp. music-related.:-)

Subject: RE: Folklore: amazing--Dewey Cox Story(film)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Jun 08 - 10:58 PM

There have been a couple of recent interviews on Fresh Air recently that discussed or touched on that film. Jenna Fischer was on the program a couple of times, and it was an interview with her that Kat may have heard in early June. I enjoyed that one very much.

I haven't seen the film, but I've been meaning to pick it up. I'll go add it to my queue at NetFlix.

SRS

Subject: RE: Folklore: amazing--Dewey Cox Story(film)
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 19 Jun 08 - 08:14 PM

Art, the description that you gave of the "romance of the road", and all the hardships that went along with it, is the reason why an organization like the Folk Alliance was formed. People like yourself and Woody Guthrie tried to make a living from folk music, and it wasn't easy.   The Folk Alliance is trying to help those that are trying to do the same thing in this day and age - and with the changes in our culture and public tastes.   Unfortunately, the bureacracy today caters to a younger crowd that is playing a style that is reaching a different audience and often forgetting some of the other artists and audiences that are still out there.

Subject: RE: Folklore: amazing--Dewey Cox Story(film)
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Jun 08 - 08:01 PM

`I remember hearing a review of this on NPR, Art. Now, with your recommendation, I'll have to see it! Thanks.

Subject: RE: Folklore: amazing--Dewey Cox Story(film)
From: Art Thieme
Date: 19 Jun 08 - 06:21 PM

Ron, your points are all good ones. And I do see that a discussion of F.A. isn't for this thread. Individually I love a lot of the people there. I'm content to lurk and cluck my tongue at 'em once in a while.

The "biz of acoustic music" is a good way to see it. Thanks for that idea. My baggage and resentments are from the somewhat similar "Arts In The Schools" programs I worked with where the bureaucracy got huge and unwieldy---top-heavy to the point where all the cash went to pay for fancy digs at a prestigious address---while the fees paid to artists---folk and all others to boot----remained terribly minimal. I guess we all see the progressions in terms of our past experiences--and that isn't always a fair way to look at it.

Working out of my car, records melting in the trunk, and hustling my own gigs. Hopefully, filling the calendar--not to mention the gas tank;---all of THAT combined with the romance of the road and the westering instincts we got from Woody and Joe Hill and Boxcar Bertha etc; That was plenty to fill my life with inspiration and meaning for the first 20 years---probably a few more. Some time after that, the road got old along with my body, until, one day, it dawned on me (Dracula's last words) that the six baby rabbits walking backwards on my head were not from a hallucinogen---they were just a receding hare line.

"Dewey Cox" sounds to me like the guy who took 5 Viagra pills and punched a hole in the water-bed -- and drowned. Come to think of it, that was sort of how the film should've ended.

Best regards,
Art

Subject: RE: Folklore: amazing--Dewey Cox Story(film)
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 19 Jun 08 - 04:54 PM

Yes, the film is actually called "Walk Hard". I really did not see many connections to "folk" - although there is a funny scene about learning the blues. "A Mighty Wind" was more in tune with folk references than this one. The Cash biopic does seem to be the main source of inspiration, but if you watch closely you will see the other films - for instance, the scene about Dewey's brother is a spin on "Ray". As Dewey goes through various phases, there are elements of other bio films and rock stars.

Art, not to drift this thread too much, I do see your issues with Folk Alliance. It really is about the "business" of acoustic music. The reference to "show biz" conjurs up images of trying to create stars, and from what I see at Folk Alliance is an emphasis on making a living and smoothing out paths for those that wish to pursue the music in that direction. Granted, they have a lot of work to do toward perpetuating the traditional arts - but I think there are other organizations that can provide that direction.   It's not for everyone, but I don't think they are trying to encourage people to become the next Dewey Cox.

Subject: RE: Folklore: amazing--Dewey Cox Story(film)
From: Art Thieme
Date: 19 Jun 08 - 03:34 PM

Ron, I didn't even think of those bio films when I was watching it. I DID think of all the machinations and changes in the REAL LIVES of those and so many more people living out their lives in those unique times and places. The CHANGES were spot on. And very funny---much more-so than Mighty Wind I felt. But that might be just me...

About Folk Alliance, I do wish them well, even though I think "they know not what they do"---tossing away the baby and keeping the wash water to drink. I had just about decided that they were not answering my musical needs and passions at all--and was about to not re-up my membership when, lo and behold, friends got me a lifetime membership. I do stay get the on-line e-mail digest--just to keep my adrenalin level up.

Art

Subject: RE: Folklore: amazing--Dewey Cox Story(film)
From: Def Shepard
Date: 19 Jun 08 - 03:21 PM

Poppa, the film's actual title is WALK HARD: The Dewey Cox Story

Subject: RE: Folklore: amazing--Dewey Cox Story(film)
From: PoppaGator
Date: 19 Jun 08 - 03:19 PM

I saw previews for this film months ago, and figured I could skip the theatrical showings and catch it when it would come out on DVD and/or cable TV. I guess that time has come.

From what I could see in the trailers, the film seemed to be primarily a pretty obvious takeoff on the Johnny Cash bioflick "Walk the Line," right down to casting the same actress (I think?) as the hero's girlfriend/musical partner. I noticed a scene or two that echoed other films about musical personalities (like Buddy Holly), but didn't notice anything specifically connected to folk music.

Of course, that's based only on seeing the Coming Attractions. I'll take Art's word for its references to folk, since he watched the whole thing. However, I still feel pretty sure that "Dewey Cox" couldn't possibly be any more folk-specific than "Mighty Wind."

By the way: isn't "The Dewey Cox Story" this movie's subtitle? I can't recall the exact main title, but I believe its some kind of takoff on "Walk the Line."

Subject: RE: Folklore: amazing--Dewey Cox Story(film)
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 19 Jun 08 - 02:55 PM

Not as good (IMO) as A Mighty Wind, which really did a number on the folkies, but very entertaining nonetheless.

Ol'Dewey lampoons all across the board, folk, rock, punk, psychedelic, and the drugs just change with each 'progression'.

The music spoofs were spot on, too.

Seamus

Hey Art, I'm not sure I'd like them doing a spoof of OUR life-stories!

Subject: Lyr Add: LET'S DUET (from 'Walk Hard/Dewey Cox')
From: Def Shepard
Date: 19 Jun 08 - 01:20 PM

My favourite song from the film :-D

LET'S DUET

Cox: Hello, Darlene.
Darlene: Hello, Mr. Cox.
Cox: Are you ready to sing one?
Darlene: I'm always ready.
Cox: Alright. In my dreams you're blowing me...some kisses.
Darlene: That's one of my favorite things to do.
Cox: You and I could go down...in history.
Darlene: That's what I'm praying to do with you.

Together: Let's duet, in ways that make us feel good.
Let's duet, and make that sacred sound,
Put two and two together, perfect harmony we found.
We know it's only natural, let's duet!

Cox: I'm going to beat off...all my demons.
Darlene: That's what loving Jesus's all about.
Cox: Looking in your eyes, I start believing.
Darlene: Let's bring this whisper to shout.

Together: Let's duet, in ways that make us feel good.
Let's duet, and make that sacred sound,
Put two and two together, perfect harmony we found.
We know it's only natural, let's duet!

Cox: Did I hear you sighing?
Darlene: What are you implying?
Cox: Look a little tired.
Darlene: Music's got me wired.
Cox: Pretty good looking.
Darlene: Boy we're really cooking.
Together: Now!

Cox: I just want to make out...what you're saying.
Darlene: Read my lips. It's what you're looking for.
Cox: Here I am a-sneaking... behind ya.
Darlene: You can always come in my back door.

Together: Let's duet, in ways that make us feel good.
Let's duet, and make that sacred sound,
Put two and two together, perfect harmony we found.
We know it's only natural.
Of course it's only natural.
God knows it's only natural.
Let's duet.

Subject: RE: Folklore: amazing--Dewey Cox Story(film)
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 19 Jun 08 - 12:32 PM

While I disagree about the perception of Folk Alliance=Show Biz, I do agree with Art that Dewey Cox is very good. It is great send-up of all the bio flicks - from the Buddy Holly Story to Walk the Line.

The running gag of Dewey walking in on his bandmate doing different drugs really got me!

Great script, great cast, and good music!

Subject: Folklore: amazing--Dewey Cox Story(film)
From: Art Thieme
Date: 19 Jun 08 - 11:55 AM

People,

Tonight I watched a DVD of the film The Dewey Cox Story.

Given: To many people, we live in an era where everything goes as folk music now! This HILARIOUS and insightful movie lampoons EVERY aspect of our Folk Alliance show-biz mentality in a way that prompted me this morning to try to convey the goings-on of the film to me wife, Carol. There is no way words can do the job!!!

I suspect that the only way to grasp what I'm trying to say here is to GO OUT AND SEE IT FOR YOURSELF.

Be ready for an over-the-top R-rated view of pop culture as it applies to our music business in recent times.

Has anyone else seen this? What do you feel about it!?
(I did do a Forum Search for this film before starting the thread!)

Art Thieme