Music documentaries that focus on the context of the stories behind the songs can often be revelations. Peel back the layers and there always seems to be a strange-but-serendipitous cohesive link between the mega, major and unsung stars of the music business which have personified periods of time, communal moments in history that define generations and the historical context.
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For a whole slem of rock legends and royalty, there is one key figure in modern music history and legend that has helped not only define but shape the course and destiny of the music that billions have grown and loved through the decades since the birth of rock and roll.
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Nicky Hopkins is that name with the talent for elevating a number or two – and his legacy and story is explored in Michael Anthony Treen‘s brand-new documentary THE SESSION MAN, which reflects on the life, times and (perhaps) legend of this very talented and unique individual.
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Whilst “Mick N’ Keef” and “John / Paul / George / Ringo” may have got back to where they needed to be in the realm of the American blues influences that took them above and beyond a ‘White Album‘, coupled with The Who trying to speak for their “Generation” and The Kinks getting going under a “Waterloo Sunset“, the iconic tracks that have passed into classic lore would have been a little different if it wasn’t for the magical tinkling of ivories from Mr. Hopkins who somehow managed to elevate songs like ‘Revolution‘ and ‘Sympathy For The Devil‘ into something extraordinary.Â
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The documentary, narrated by DJ legend ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris – whose voice helped elevate THE OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST on BBC2 back in the day and decades ago into a must-see show that pre-dated LATER WITH JOOLS HOLLAND in modern UK schedules – attempts to contextualise and analyse the specifics of craft and production that made many of the records timeless. There’s also contributions from the likes of Nils Lofgren, Glyn Johns, Peter Frampton, Bill Wyman and Greg Philliganes.
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Hopkins also suffered from Crohn’s disease, at a time when little was known about it compared to the significant awareness that has been brought on by better medical practice, something that affected him during his life. It is clear, however, that he was determined to make his mark doing something that had taken him from his training as a teenager at the Royal Academy of Music in London, through many of the key moments with The Stones, The Beatles, The Who, Jefferson Airplane and others, with a discography that would turn many aspiring X-FACTOR wannabees green and blue with envy.
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Reminiscent of Paul Justman‘s STANDING IN THE SHADOWS OF MOTOWN in revealing a hidden but somewhat clearly obvious context, THE SESSION MAN hits the right note throughout.
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