The “Socalled” Movie

There are a ton of movies coming out in 2010 that I know I want to see.  Many of them will be blockbusters and will be the cause of my wallet feeling a little thin but it is always worth it.  I love being visually entertained almost as much as I love listening to music.

I recently was given a heads up about a movie, rather a documentary, about a guy who goes by the name of Socalled.

Socalled?  Yes.  I even have a picture of him…

So who is Socalled?  Well looking at him he looks just like a normal Joe (ok, maybe not completely) but if you read the below synopsis you will find out he is far from just a regular guy.

Meet Socalled. He’s unstoppable. A pianist, singer, arranger, rapper, producer and composer (and also a magician, filmmaker, and visual artist), he’s blasting through the boundaries that separate music from different cultures, eras, and generations.

Socalled is a musical alchemist, always looking for the next old thing to make new again. The “socalled” Movie shows him introducing funk trombone legend Fred Wesley (of James Brown fame) to klezmer music, while wowing Wesley with his knowledge of funk. When Dolgin comes across LP’s from the 1950’s by lounge pianist Irving Fields, he looks up 94-year-old Fields and inspires him to pen a new hit song.

Shot in Socalled’s Montreal neighbourhood where Hasidic Jews and hipsters crowd the sidewalks, and in New York, France and the Ukraine, The “Socalled” Movie is a cinematic multi-faceted depiction of inspiration, collaboration and transformation.

Socalled defies category and refuses limitations. The “Socalled” Movie examines his energy from all angles and transmits the urgent creative spark to everyone watching: now’s your chance – go out there and make something!

Here is a trailer for the video that will be available for rent (??? rent ???) on YouTube thanks to the National Film Board of Canada:

Some of the guest musicians this guy has gotten to play with him is just insane!  I can not wait to see the whole documentary.

For more info check out:

http://www.nfb.ca/socalled
http://www.youtube.com/socalledmovie
http://www.myspace.com/socalled

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