Best Music Documentaries of 2011

The madly talented musicians of Fishbone defied genre with their intoxicating blend of funk and punk, hard rock and soul, and with their intensely original, sometimes startling performances. This documentary by filmmakers Lev Anderson and Chris Metzler chroncles the band from its originals to the present, showing how its composition changed with the comings and goings of personnel, and the introduction of new business models and social paradigms. The characters are fascinating, their conflicts gripping and the music is electrifying!

In His biodoc about George Harrison, filmmaker Martin Scorsese presents a brilliant tribute to the former Beatle. The film is up close and personal revelation of the man, his music and mission, with many clips from interviews with Harrison and those who knew him best, as well as wonderful footage of his performances. Scorsese expresses unabashed adoration for Harrison, and that's just fine with me.

Filmmaker Jon Chu follows Justin Beiber on tour, giving us an intimate glimpse at the on and off stage life of the global superstar and showing how the most popular child on the planet copes with his singular fame and fortune, as well as the ordinary pressures and pleasures of becoming an adult.

Finnish filmmaker Mika Kaurismaki focuses on the life and career of singer Miriam Makeba who, when exiled by the South African government for appearing in a 1959 documentary about apartheid, became a huge international star and political activist. Known as Mama Africa, she was a force of art, raising consciousness around the world about apartheid and influencing generations of musicians not only in Africa, but around the world. The well made film is a tribute to Makeba, who embodies the power of music.

Directed by Bob Connolly and Sophie Raymond, this coming of age documentary is set at a girls' school in Sydney, Australia, where Karen Carey, the extraordinarily skilled and dedicated music teacher, prepares the students to perform in a classical concert at the famous Sydney Opera House. Charming, coaxing, cajoling and, when necessary, bullying her charges, Mrs. Carey challenges each to do her best and, in doing so, helps them to conquer their self doubts and teen angst, and cope with issues they have at home. Music is inspirational, and so is this film.

In the aftermath of the 9-11 terrorist attacks on New York's World Trade Center, Paul McCartney, who happened to be in New York at the time, organized a huge concert to memorialize those who had lost their lives, to boost the spirits of New Yorkers and all Americans, and to raise funds to help the victims and their families. Filmmakers Albert Maysles and Bradley Kaplan followed McCartney as he reached out to New Yorkers and organized the concert. Then, they documented the once only concert in which McCartney and a collection of his A-list musician friends and colleagues performed before thousands of men and women, many of whom had survived the attacks, lost their beloved family members or friends, or were on the job at Ground Zero as relief, rescue and clean up workers. The inspriational film underscores the importance of music in people's lives.

Phil Ochs epitomized the singer/songwriter as political activist during the Vietnam War era. Ochs could turn any news item into a song that stirred public awareness and spurred people to take a stand on causes such as soldiers' rights, civil rights, workers' rights and other issues. He was loved by the public. Kenneth Bowser's affecting documentary reveals the inner Ochs, a man who suffered from disabling mental illness and ruinous alchoholism, a man who could not survive his own inner demons. As presented by Bowser, Ochs' story is gripping and his music galvanizing. This documentary leaves no doubt that music can move the masses.

A great musician needs an equally great musical instrument, and this documentary makes sure you know what that means when it comes to pianos. As chief tuner for Steinway Pianos, Stephan Knüpfer has made sure the instruments being played by the world's leading concert pianists are properly -- no!perfectly -- tuned for warmth and richness of sound. As filmmakers Robert Cibis and Lilian Franck follow him around, we get to hear him play as he tunes, and we get to hear his celebrated clients test his tuning, too. The film is as highly entertaining as it is educational.

Filmmaker Don McGlynn reaches into the very heart and soul of gospel music with this rousing documentary that captures the genre's spirit and chronicles its 200-year history. The performance clips of world-class performances and interviews with Smokey Robinson, Andraé Crouch, Bill Carpenter, Marie Knight, Darrell Petties, The Selvy Family, Mavis Staples and other greats makes this epic about music a must see.

AKA Jamie Foxx Presents Thunder Soul, filmmaker Mark Landman's documentary chronicles the reunion of students who played in the band at Kashmere High School, an inner city school in Houston, Texas, during the 1970s, when they won numerous competitions across the U.S. and set records with their unique music and performing style. Now in their 50s and 60s, the former students pick up their instruments for the first time in years to pay tribute to Prof Johnson, the innovative and demanding teacher and band leader who transformed their lives through music. If you don't love this film, there's something wrong with you!