I loved them. Stoic old men who keep to themselves, know their instruments and don't get involved in rock 'n' roll drama.
The rhythm section and other backing musicians are always the best people in bands, especially compared to the ego and drama driven singers and lead guitarists.
The band was very solid. Made me wonder if it's Rick Springfield's current band. Of course, if that band was real, they would kick out Ricki as the weak link immediately.
shareAll three of them are incredibly famous musicians that have played with everyone. I think they specifically cast real musicians in that age group because they wanted a real band playing live, not people just miming it.
You can wiki these guys and see their long list of credits (but some include Parliament Funkadelic, Neil Young, Joe Walsh, Tom Petty, Crosby Stills & Nash, The Eagles, etc.)
Bernie Worrell - keyboards
Rick Rosas - bass (died in late 2014)
Joe Vitale - drums
Do you know if they play live in all the songs ?
I thiks yes.
Oscar
Hablo mejor español :)
I don't think all of the playing was live as in "here we all are on stage playing and the songs you hear are coming out of the amps and PA." I say that because in a few places I saw where Meryl clearly missed the strokes. Other times she pulled it off and her strokes were in time with the beat. Remember this was a film made of three pros and an actor trying to make it look real. The only way around it is to over dub the sound on to the video or use the best parts of many repeated live takes in front of the fake bar audience pieced together.
There was also the fake fun they were having on stage while playing. Musicians are serious and don't spend time smiling and laughing back and forth at each other unless they are drunk and being sloppy or are made up. There is plenty of time for banter/cutting up between takes or backstage.
_____
Just try to stay alive and see what the next minute brings.
It was a solid band, but it could have used a better lead singer. I've enjoyed Meryl Streep's vocal performances in the past, but she failed to provide the necessary grit here in my opinion.
shareIn the opening scenes there is another guitar player. What happened? You can see him during the opening credits and at the end of the first song he's in front of Rick Springfield for the last chord. Then, poof...he's gone the be referenced no more. Any info on that?
shareIsn't that the bassist? Long straight hair, old-looking. Keeps reappearing throughout the film.
share