Watch George Clinton - Live at Montreux
- 2014
- 56 min
George Clinton - Live at Montreux is a concert film of a legendary musician and his band performing at the world-renowned Montreux Jazz Festival. George Clinton is the leader of the funk music revolution, known for his wild costumes, over-the-top theatrics, and innovative musical style. This movie captures the essence of his performance where he and the band turn the stage into a party with their diverse influences of funk, soul, and rock nâ roll.
The film begins with the band members walking on stage, introducing themselves, and taking their places. George Clinton is dressed in traditional black robes with colorful patterns and a white top hat. As soon as the music starts, the audience is transported into a realm of funk, with an infectious energy that permeates the entire show. Clintonâs voice is still as soulful as ever and the band dishes out the iconic grooves, with an ease and precision that is hard to come by.
Throughout the show, the audience is treated to a range of the bandâs biggest hits, including âFlashlight,â âTear the Roof off the Sucker,â and âAtomic Dog.â The crowd is ecstatic, dancing and singing along with each song. The concert rests heavily in a funky style, featuring the use of synthesizers, intricate vocal harmonies and electric guitar and bass work.
The musicians are highly skilled, and each one gets to showcase their talents in extended solos that are full of funkadelic goodness. The concert is also highly visual, with the band members incorporating CGI and light effects in their performance.
Clintonâs stage presence is unparalleled, and itâs impressive to see how well he is able to get the audience involved. He gyrates on stage and engages in a lot of schtick which is equal parts amusing and awe-inspiring to watch; whether he is dancing, barking or striking theatrical poses, no one seems able to keep up with his unstoppable energy.
Apart from the music, the film pays homage to the talented crew behind the scenes who ensure everything runs smoothly by giving credit where credit is due. Interviews with the band members also showcase the work that goes into perfecting a show of this caliber.
Not only does the film showcase George Clintonâs music and his bandâs, but it also represents funk music as the driving force behind a whole generation of people. The audience sees an insightful portrait of the impact that the music had on society, both socially and politically, so itâs not only a great music experience but also an opportunity to learn about the cultural and social history of the era.
The highlight of the film is the encore performance where Clinton brings out his iconic spaceship, an elaborate float that resembles a UFO, to blast off to a new planet. The spaceship is complete with flashing lights and smoke, providing the perfect visual representation of this otherworldly funk.
In conclusion, George Clinton - Live at Montreux is a must-watch for music enthusiasts, especially those who appreciate funk and soul performances. The film captures the essence of the era, the groundbreaking music that revolutionized the genre, and the sheer joy of Clintonâs energetic level of performance for the audience to experience. The concert was monumental in all aspects, and itâs only fitting that they were able to capture it for posterity so a wider audience can witness the continued energy and power of one of the greatest bands of all time on stage.