… or not? It sounds like there is something to this Storyville narrative, but either way, an appreciation or even an interest in the HJHs is not required.
Personally I think the argument wasn’t really developed convincingly, and more than once they refer to the religious-like devotion to the band, which seems to kind of miss the whole point. Also, there was too much about the fanatics, which just made me think of that Alan Partridge episode when he meets his fan.
But leaving all that aside, there were some interesting aspects which make this worth checking out:
– the fascinating details of how to make bootleg records from discarded x-rays
– equally fascinating, how to make a guitar and amp combo by mass vandalism of phone boxes and tannoy speakers
– how the supposed Communist regime embraced official bootleg vinyl production to cash in
– how many rock docs feature Sergei Ivanov (Russian Deputy Prime Minister)?
Overall the main message for me was how state-enforced sterility is ultimately and gloriously weaker than young people’s devotion and passion for a better life. Normally it turns my stomach to hear this term used for a TV programme, but I did genuinely find it life-affirming.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00ml582/storyville-how-the-beatles-rocked-the-kremlin
DogFacedBoy says
If you liked this I recommend the documentary ‘Chuck Norris v Communism’ detailing the bootleg Western films smuggled into Romania in the 1980s.
dai says
And David Hasselhof brought down the Berlin Wall. FACT!!
Moose the Mooche says
Some Russians used to like us. The past is such a weird place.
NigelT says
It is fascinating indeed…who knew??! I had heard a little about this, and McCartney’s CHOBA B CCCP album was released only in the USSR at first as a sort of acknowledgement, but the lengths they went to to hear the music was extraordinary!
Tiggerlion says
Time was any thread mentioning The Beatles would run and run to hundreds of comments. What’s happening to us?
Moose the Mooche says
We’ve had our heads turned by that cool high-stepping fool Guy Garvey.
minibreakfast says
Perhaps in these days of telly time-shifting we haven’t watched it yet. Me included.
Moose the Mooche says
It’s a repeat ! I watched this docco years ago. And that’s ME. If you look up the expression “out of touch” you will simply find a picture of my face. What are you people doing on Friday nights…. going out?