Title: This Ain't No Mouse Music!
Year: 2013
Director: Chris Simon
Country: Canada
Language: English
This Ain’t No Mouse Music! (2013) is an intriguing
documentary by co-directors Chris Simon and Maureen Gosling. Their
subject is Chris Strachwitz, a now-elderly record label owner with a
fierce passion for music, particularly blues and folk. The story begins
in 1960, where Strachwitz meets legendary musician Lightnin’ Hopkins,
and ends about half a century later.
The subject of this documentary, Strachwitz, is a charismatic man who
tells entertaining stories about his life in music. He has unbridled
energy: no word that comes out of his mouth is dull, and every sentence
has great importance. His knowledge of music is impressive, his love for
it contagious.
Like most passionate people, Strachwitz has a grumpy and anger-prone
side to him: there are certain musical acts which he absolutely detests,
but overall he is a great man with a big heart. I left the picture with
a greater appreciation for all of the people involved in making
Arhoolie Records a profitable company.
Though the film is limited due to lack of archival material, there
are many still images that capture the various eras examined throughout
the film. The background music also gives us a sense of what Strachwitz
heard on a daily basis. The directors expose us to a massive library of
work, which spans multiple eras and genres, ultimately giving the viewer
a greater sense of culture and the various problems that have been
present in America.
Overall the documentary is remarkable. We are given an impressive
amount of detail regarding the growth of American music and Strachwitz
does a wonderful job of emphasizing the importance of this art. This Ain’t No Mouse Music! will inspire you to drop the Bieber and get with the blues.
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