33 out of 55 people found the following review helpful:

Good revealing docu-film of the golden voiced artist.

PaulaWestwood from , 23rd May, 2007

Now I will start by saying one of my all time favourite tracks is 'No Regrets', and 'Sun Ain't Gonna Shine' and 'Make it Easy on Yourself' aren't too shabby either., and the documentary, though slightly overlong, works well. That said, and the tracks above being really Walker Brothers collaboration, solo I am not sure of the value to the normal man in the street of Walkers catalogue of work. I know this might cause some consternation, but do you know when you have the feeling the artist has dissapeared into his own self indulgent realm, that the output is purely for the performer rather than his audience and the 'art' has taken over the 'artist'... well this appears to be a point in question. Several music notaries (Malc Almond, Bowie, Eno etc), remark on the influential but slow (10 years on 1 album) output, and not to demean the mans work, the oddity of the output since the late 70's leaves you with the strong feeling of a person who has dissapeared up his own you know what !!! Personally, although he says clearly in the film he is not interested in 'commercial' music, I am not a high brow 'muso' but do love music immensely, therefore I feel that we have missed a great output of music that has been soaked up in chordless arty 'noise', and as such I feel cheated of a great talent and his music. Pity... as the voice is pure gold and the early work is still major hall of fame stuff . Sorry fans, hope you get what I am saying - this is still definately worth a watch !

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12 out of 12 people found the following review helpful:

Wonderful but too short

A Customer from London, 12th September, 2007

Great film, lovingly made. But, with all the interviews and scope of Scott's work, it's frustrating that it is only 90 mins. I don't think an extra 10 mins at least would have been too excessive. Oh, and please don't listen to Paula Westwood. Firstly she questions the validity of all of Scott's work next to Walker Brothers, which is pure nonsense and totally ignores his first 5 classic solo albums, which are perfectly palatable to Walker Brothers fans. Walker Brothers were great, but ultimately, barring a few self-written songs, a covers band. Scott's first five albums take the similar concpet of orchestral led ballads but show an amazing songwriter gradually emerging, adding a depth that the Walker Brothers never had. Secondly, she totally dismisses Scott's work since the late 70s. Certainly it is indeed an acquired taste, but I think it is some of the most forward looking, innovative music around. There really is nothing like it. And even if I didn't like it, like Jarvis Cocker says in the film, I'm still glad that someone has gone to these remote musical places and planted a flag to say that they exist. Moreover, Paula seems to think that the artist is obligated to think of the audience when creating. Though not necessarily a bad thing to do, it is in no way a pre-requisite to great art. Most of the best films/books/music etc have been made by people totally uncompromising in their vision. At no point does Scott Waker come across as pretentious or 'up his own you know what', because pretentiousness is doing something just for effect and I believe that Scott means everything he does, that it honestly comes from him. By all means, call it bad music if you think so, but don't call it fake and pretentious.

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10 out of 17 people found the following review helpful:

The Drift

Timothy Branney from Devon, England, 11th September, 2007

A fascinating and expertly made documentary that manages to tell it's story and at the same time create a 'tone' that matches it's subject perfectly. Scott Walker is one of the most revered yet enigmatic musicians alive today, and this film charts his pretty much unique career from 14-year old wannabe, via the teen-scream years with the Walker Brothers, through to his eventual emergence as one of the premier artists of the musical avant-guard. Contributions from the likes of Radiohead, Jarvis Cocker, Brain Eno, David Bowie and many others create cultural context and counterpoint, but the extensive interview with Walker himself, plus unique and fascinating footage of the recording sessions for his recent 4AD album 'The Drift' are the heart and soul of the film. Lovingly made, and highly recommended for anyone with an interest in music, and musicianship, it's trials and triumphs.

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1 out of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Nothing but a documtary

A Customer from Morden, 11th March, 2008

I at least expected to see full length songs. No way. It's a documentary. Songs/original videos playing and people talking over them. Disappointed.

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INSPIRATIONAL FILM/INFLUENTIAL FIGURE

RobertMakin from , 10th January, 2010

From David Bowie and Julian Cope to Jarvis Cocker and recent bands such The Last Shadow Puppets, Scott Walker's music continues to influence each new generation of song writers. Raised in the states and kick starting his career with the immensely successful pop group The Walker Brothers, Scott soon tired of his pop star image, relocated to London and recorded several solo albums that would find him chart success in the U.K and an infallible cult status. Walker's genius lay in his powers of poetic observation and his ability to see the poignancy within everyday life's seemingly dull passing moments. With a fantastic contrast of lyrical realism and epic orchestrations, Walker created some of the most unforgettable music of his time. During the seventies he drifted into obscurity only to emerge as cult icon and mythical figure during the eighties. Constantly experimenting with the recording process, treading new ground and creating beyond his comfort zone, Scott Walker's forward thinking attitude towards music is something to be admired. Featuring rare interviews with the usually reclusive and impenetrable Walker, 30th Century man is an incredibly insightful film detailing the life and creative process of one of musics true mavericks.

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Scott Walker - 30th Century Man (2006)

A Customer from London, England, 25th October, 2009

I at least expected to see full length songs. No way. It's a documentary. Songs/original videos playing and people talking over them. Disappointed.

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Walker

A Customer from EDINBURGH, 26th June, 2009

Fascinating if overlong documentary concerning maverick american music maker scott walker . Personally id like to have heard more about his classic 60s recordings , but it was interesting enough and featured a good interview with the man himself and comments from star admirers .

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A missed opportunity

A Customer from Leicester, 2nd January, 2009

Interesting coverage of the early and late years, but no mention of 'Til the Band Comes In, and the hows and whys of the 'missing years'. It's a reasonable introduction to Walker.

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