Paul McCartney and Wings: One Hand Clapping

a film by David Litchfield

A 1974 rockumentary featuring Wings at the height of their powers, lovingly restored and released 50 years later. With Paul, Linda, Denny Laine, Jimmy McCulloch, Geoff Britton and Howie Casey. A joy to watch from beginning to end. The highlights, if you need any, include Live and Let Die and any bits where Macca sings solo accompanying himself on the piano.

Memoir of a Snail

a film by Adam Elliot

It’s more than refreshing to see a modern animation (or any modern film, for that matter) made entirely by humans. In words of its director,

every prop, set and character in the film has been handmade. There’s no CGI, no AI, everything you see is something real and tangible that you could hold in your hand.

Besides the visuals, I loved the story and its (often, but not always, dark) humour. The voice talents include Sarah Snook, Jacki Weaver, Eric Bana, Dominique Pinon and Nick Cave (yes the Nick Cave).

Bright Size Life

by Pat Metheny

Metheny’s debut LP, released 50 years ago today, remains one of my desert island jazz albums. Almost everything about it is, well, bright. Bob Moses on drums and pre-Weather Report Jaco Pastorius on bass shine throughout, and the man himself is not bad either. I said “almost”. I’m not a fan of “traditional” hollow-body jazz guitar sound which is too dull for my taste. IMHO a purely acoustic guitar or a solid-body electric guitar would make Bright Size Life even brighter. (Later, Metheny would develop the taste for guitar synthesiser which I also don’t care for; luckily, no such abomination here.)

If I had to choose my favourite tracks, I’d go with Midwestern Nights Dream, Ornette Coleman’s Round Trip/Broadway Blues and the title composition.