Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense

[Kail]

Just got this film, after not having seen it in MANY years,and I think it really holds up. The band is in it's glory days, very theatrical staging, and a really big suit. David Byrne was just amazing to watch. He really cracked me up, and was NEVER boring. I loved the concept, bringing out one band member at a time and building the set one piece at a time.I loved it.

What do you think?

 

[Messianni]

Stop Making Sense is probably my favorite concert film. After all, it was directed by Jonathan Demme.

I have the film and the "soundtrack" to it and there are a bunch of songs that I actually prefer live over their original album versions, "This Must Be The Place" being a great example. I just got into Talking Heads a few years ago. Seeing as I'm 22, I wasn't even born when they were really in their peak.

 

[J.T.B.]

Just got this film, after not having seen it in MANY years,and I think it really holds up. The band is in it's glory days, very theatrical staging, and a really big suit. David Byrne was just amazing to watch. He really cracked me up, and was NEVER boring. I loved the concept, bringing out one band member at a time and building the set one piece at a time.I loved it.

What do you think?

I remember seeing it in a tiny "art house" cinema in 1984 and being absolutely blown away. I was already a fan, but that movie was just wonderful. The progression from just Byrne to the four piece to the full touring band, and then finally showing the audience in "Take Me To The River" is just so effective. That band with Alex Weir and Bernie Worrell was so great.

I think most people my age (~40) think of the movie soundtrack versions of "Psycho Killer" and "Life During Wartime" as the "definitve" versions. "Once In A Lifetime," too, maybe.

The only thing that seems a little dated is the jogging in "Life During Wartime." But it holds up great, I agree. The only other serious contender for greatest concert film is The Last Waltz, which is also great, but it loses a little focus with all the "special guest" appearances, I think.

I have seen David Byrne many times, and Tom Tom Club a couple of times, once with Jerry Harrison, but I never saw Talking Heads live, a big regret.

--Justin