Film Connecticut

THE WRECKING CREW, the music documentary that opened the Connecticut Film Festival at the historic Palace Theater in Danbury last evening, was a musical wow. Telling the story of the studio session musicians who backed up some of the recording industry's biggest stars, the film was an eye-opening look at an era when popular musical acts did not necessarily play musical instruments, and these professional back up musicians were not acknowledged.

The documentary, a 12 year labor of love by Denny Tedesco, whose father Tommy Tedesco was a much in-demand guitarist, featured clips and musical numbers that were among the most iconic of the 1960s. The scope of the project and the musical sequences contained in it have been a kind of Catch 22 for the director. "How do you not include the hundreds of recordings that are relevant to the story", Tedesco said at a post-screening question and  answer session. "But clearing the rights is another story.....it would cost nearly $400,000 to do that which is alot for a documentary. That has held back distributor interest in the film, although I am hoping for an executive producer angel who will come forward."

No question, the film's soundtrack would be a major hit. To get a sampler, visit the film's website: http://wreckingcrew.tv. Herewith, the film's playlist:

• A LITTLE LESS CONVERSATION (Elvis Presley)
• AQUARIUS/LET THE SUNSHINE IN (The Fifth Dimension)
• BE MY BABY (The Ronettes)
• THE BEAT GOES ON (Sonny and Cher)
• BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER (Simon And Garfunkel)
• CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' (The Mamas And The Papas)
• CLOSE TO YOU (The Carpenters)
• EVERYBODY LOVES A CLOWN (Gary Lewis And The Playboys)
• EVERYBODY LOVES SOMEBODY (Dean Martin)
• EVERYBODY'S TALKING (Harry Nilsson)
• GOOD VIBRATIONS (The Beach Boys)
• HELP ME RHONDA (The Beach Boys)
• I GOT YOU BABE (Sonny And Cher)
• LOVE WILL KEEP US TOGETHER (The Captain And Tenille)
• MONDAY, MONDAY (The Mamas and The Papas)
• MR. TAMBOURINE MAN (The Byrds)
• MRS. ROBINSON (Simon and Garfunkel)
• ONE LESS BELL TO ANSWER (The Fifth Dimension)
• SOMETHING STUPID (Frank and Nancy Sinatra)
• SONG SUNG BLUE (Neil Diamond)
• STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT (Frank Sinatra)
• SURF CITY (Jan and Dean)
• TASTE OF HONEY (Herb Alpert)
• THE CHIPMUNK SONG (The Chipmunks)
• THEN HE KISSED ME (The Crystals)
• THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKING (Nancy Sinatra)
• TWISTING THE NIGHT AWAY (Sam Cooke)
• UP UP AND AWAY (The Fifth Dimension)
• WINDY (The Association)
• YOU'VE LOST THAT LOVIN' FEELIN' (The Righteous Brothers)

Sandy Mandelberger, Film Connecticut Editor