VIFF Review: The Wrecking Crew

The Wrecking Crew
Granville 7 Theatre 2
Friday, September 26 2008 9:30pm

This documentary is director Denny Tedesco's loving homage to his father guitarist Tommy Tedesco and the musicians he worked with—collectively nicknamed the Wrecking Crew. The name was given to this loose group of 30-40 musicians by older session musicians from a more formal time who were not so appreciative of their casual dress and behaviour.

The Wrecking Crew occupied a unique period in American popular music. During the formative golden age of rock and roll in 1960s Los Angeles, these talented studio musicians created many of the great hits of the era. Older and more experienced than the bands that they recorded for, they had the skills to create performances which combined with the image of the band that would sell the records. While the record labels were happy to produce the next one hit wonder, the more talented bands could learn to play the music that was created for them and move beyond to really establish themselves. The Wrecking Crew were in effect mentors to the bands.

Tedesco interviews and showcases several surviving Wrecking Crew members as well as the stars they worked with. Nancy Sinatra could not have made her boots walk without the Wrecking Crew. Brian Wilson used the Wrecking Crew for the Beach Boys albums most notably to greatest effect on Pet Sounds. Phil Spector's signature "Wall of Sound" was shaped by the Wrecking Crew.

They not only worked in rock and roll, but also TV and movies. Tommy Tedesco's guitar can be heard on the Hawaii Five-O theme. Carol Kaye's electric bass on the Mission Impossible theme. Plas Johnson's saxophone on the Pink Panther theme.

Most of the musicians worked in obscurity. Only Glen Campbell broke out to became a country music star. The Wrecking Crew's glory days were numbered with the changing style of popular music as more mature bands entered the system who could perform their own music.

The credits for the music reads like a greatest hits of the 60s collection. At the time, they had no idea that they were creating the sound of a generation. Some who were jazz musicians looked down on the simplistic music. It was just a job, but a very lucrative job. Being a studio musician paid well enough to buy expensive houses, cars, and boats. For the musicians, it really was the golden age of rock and roll.

Tedesco has done a great service to the memory of his father and all the musicians who anonymously created some of the greatest music of their time.

Stay until the end after the credits for a little bonus feature.