It Might Get Loud

January of 2008 3 guitarists with unique takes on the instrument and music in general came together and talked about their craft and also made what may now be my 2nd favorite music based movie (hard to beat "This is Spinal Tap").

It is a fairly simple doc... Jimmy Page, The Edge and Jack White get together and talk and play music and speak of their lives. We open with Jack White using an amp, some 2X4's, a coke bottle and some wire to make an actual playable guitar with the quote: "Who says you need to buy a guitar?"

We learn how The Edge relies heavily on effects to create his "Clean" sound and how Jack White uses the most minimal equipment yet has the dirtiest sound and Jimmy Page is somewhere in between.

Each player gets a back story treatment in both animations and in archive footage. We hear about Page starting as a session musician and hear some of his early recording, we hear about Edge's war torn home land and we learn that White slept in a 7 square foot room with no bed, but 2 drum kits and a reel to reel. We see them talk about their favorite guitars and how they were designed or how they were acquired. We get to hear their feelings on their songwriting contributions to their bands and of course their influences.

The best thing is when they are separated at their homes and you can see the true love of their music in their eyes, seeing Page smile while he plays his favorite LPs is a true joy, as is seeing White play in a barn with a 9 year old child who is supposed to be a young version of Jack. Edge is also shown at his home, however his emotion is so much more staid then the other 2, he is not joyless, just not as emotional.

We also get to see each play some riffs of their own and teach them to each other, it is interesting to see Edge correct Jimmy Page, just something you don't expect. Then they just jam on other songs by their bands which is a lot looser and fun. We end with the 3 playing The Bands "The Weight", not really a guitar song, but a fun little jam to end things.

The only complaint would be that my personal favorite, Eddie Van Halen was not there, his style was so influential and unique I think he would have been a perfect fit... Oh well... Maybe a sequel can fix that.

Over all and interesting must see for any rock fan. I caught it on cable but I think I may have to find the Blu Ray for even better sound and to always have it to go back to.

8/10

-G