Rating:
Genre:
Blues
Release Date: 05/20/2008
Writer/director
Mark Finkelpearl's documentary film
Jon Dee Graham: Swept Away is a biography of Graham, the Austin-based singer/songwriter who is a former member of
the True Believers and a legendary figure in the local music scene. Following Graham around town,
Finkelpearl catches his subject adding air to a car tire, smoking on the back porch of his house while waxing philosophical, visiting a local music store, and, most important, performing many of his trenchant folk-rock songs in his gravelly baritone over his stinging guitar playing. Testimonials are offered by a radio personality (
Katherine Cole), a rock critic (
Geoffrey Himes), and musical associates including another former member of
the True Believers and legendary figure in the local music scene,
Alejandro Escovedo. Balding and middle-aged, Graham describes himself as a minor poet who has long since passed his opportunity to become a real rock star. But
Finkelpearl successfully valorizes him as the best sort of popular musician, one willing to visit every Motel 6 in America to play his songs to the people who want to hear them. Watching the film is liable to make a Graham fan of any viewer who is a fan of the Texas songwriter tradition of which Graham is a notable, if lesser known member.
~William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
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