Anita O' Day documentary

[mr jazz]

Playing here in DC so I plan to go Wednesday and as it closes Thursday. Has anyone seen it?

www.anitaodaydoc.com

[Van Basten II]

It was discussed in other threads, it's not a great documentary in the cinematographical sense but in terms of knowing and learning about her, it's a hell of a document. I've enjoyed it a lot. There is plenty of great footage.

[BruceH]

Agreed. If you're into Anita O'Day's work at all you should NOT miss it. I'm very glad I saw it.

[clifford_thornton]

I believe it's playing in Austin; will have to check it out.

[Bright Moments]

i thoroughly enjoyed it!

[AllenLowe]

a junkie to the end - my kind of woman -

I was there - I saw her puking in her dressing room at the Blue Note in NYC -

ahh, those were the days -

but seriously, she is my favorite singer - I've just been listening to her 1950 (?) version of Lovesick Blues.

[jlhoots]

Her segment in the Jazz On A Summer Afternoon film is excellent.

[AllenLowe]

I believe that Stereo Jack's photo is from that performance -

[gmonahan]

I believe that Stereo Jack's photo is from that performance -

Hers is still one of my favorite Mosaic sets, and one I return to more often than most of the others.

Greg Mo

[BruceH]

Her segment in the Jazz On A Summer Afternoon film is excellent.

Actually, seeing that years ago in Boston is what sparked my interest in her work.

[vajerzy]

I haven't listened to her Mosaic much- I have to start doing that soon.

[king ubu]

I'd love to see this documentary! Her Mosaic is awesome (well, most of it, the rest is still good to very good), and I just recently watched a short concert performance with the George Arvanitas trio from I think 1970 - quite good, too!

[BruceH]

And she had no uvula!

[mr jazz]

Well, overall I enjoyed the film though too many performances were cut and there were too many commentaries from people who added nothing. I found the Swedish footage from 1964 striking especially as she was evidently high as a kite on junk (what a waste!) though she was also in a similar state, according to her, during Jazz on a Summer's Day. My wife and I both agreed that she doesn't come across as very likable but what a tough life she had; yes, due to her life decisions but rape and poor medical care were hardly her fault. That said, we both thought the film looked bad with most footage very grainy with poor sound; I know my topaz label recordings from the 40s sound better. It's a documentary well worth seeing but maybe wait for the DVD.

[BruceH]

She didn't come across as very likeable during a Fresh Air interview a few years back, either. For all it's flaws, though, I'm glad I saw the documentary on the big screen.

[fomafomic65]

I believe that Stereo Jack's photo is from that performance -

Hers is still one of my favorite Mosaic sets, and one I return to more often than most of the others.

Greg Mo

So am I, a great Mosaic work indeed. The music I discovered in that box was and is wonderful! Her segment in Jazz On A Summer's Day is just as magic as those recordings. Peter Cavolina's documentary work about Anita O'Day is very good, (I saw the Europe's Premiere in 2007, if I remember well) with some wonderful never seen -at last froom me- hystorical video footage.

A work of love I hope to see finally in DVD soon

Edited December 5, 2008 by ArmandoPeraza

[Tjazz]

Was this the LIFE OF A JAZZ SINGER?

It's available on DVD

Does anyone know what's on the Bonus DVD?

There's also a Deluxe version with a hardback book.

[Van Basten II]

I can confirm it is the same , here are more details.

http://anitaodaydoc.com/order_dvd.html

The deluxe edition may not be found easily however the regular one van be found on Amazon for around 24 $

Edited December 27, 2009 by Van Basten II

[Tjazz]

The deluxe version is still available.

Deluxe verson : Amazon

[fomafomic65]

Some months ago, as soon as was released I had the 'luxury' version of 'Anita O'Day - The Life Of A Jazz Singer' documentary. Well, it is fine and well done, a hard cover book, maybe 100 pages, containing the DVDs and essays about the singer's life and work (by Will Friedwald, George Eels -excerpt from the book 'High Times, hard Times'), many well readable articles and pictures from 'Anita's scrapbooks', papers and magazines in chronological order. Touchy suff with fine pictures. Pretty expensive; as I always blessed when I buyed her Mosaic nearly fifteen yers ago I thought it was worth it.

Now after some incredible quality video seen on YouTube (see

) I am waiting to receive her Jazz Icons 4 DVD.

The second DVD offers complete footage of the performances briefly shown on the documentary between the interviews. Anita at her best.

Edited January 1, 2010 by ArmandoPeraza

[JSngry]

Where can one get this DVD "Live In Tokyo '63"?

[Soulstation1]

I just got live in Tokyo from netflix

[B. Goren.]

Today, December 18, is Anita's B-Day.

[Head Man]

Anyone know who's playing the sax solo on this?

[mr jazz]

I just finished High Times, Hard Times. Wow!