The Magic of the Music in 'A Star is Born'
If like me, you have friends who are obsessed with Lady Gaga, you may have been dragged to the cinema to see 'A Star is Born'. I don't really know what I thought I was expecting, but I wasn't expecting a masterpiece.
I went to see it pretty much as soon as it came out, so I didn't know it would go on to gather all these nominations – I didn't know Bradley Cooper would be so good as a musician, I didn't know Gaga would be so good as an actress, and I didn't know the ride I'd be taken on.
I don't really tear up over movies generally, and I didn't over this one either. I sobbed. I cried like a baby. I don't think I can ever watch this movie ever again, just because I don't know if I can withstand the emotional rollercoaster. The music is so good. The story is so good. It's exactly what a movie should be.
And then, presumably as a part of the award season, Cooper surprised Gaga's audience at a recent performance of hers, and it all just came back to me.
It's just unbelievable.
This video explains how Bradley Cooper just "learned to become a musician" for the sake of this film, like that is something one just does and how the music always had to be performed by 'real musicians' (as opposed to casting actors for the band) – and how the process of directing the movie and bringing the storyline of the film also begat the sound itself, including the opening track 'Black Eyes' which Cooper himself wrote.
Then Gaga goes on to explain how as she and Mark Ronson started writing 'Shallow' from "Ally's (her character in the movie) perspective" they didn't realise what a part of the narrative every sentence performed musically would become – and also how writing "as Ally" brought out this new style of songwriting and voice that was unlike any of her other work.
The level of talent and skill at play here is just of the highest possible level. It's truly magical how the music and the movie come together to tell a story that has been told and retold since 1937.
The video is from Lady Gaga's ENIGMA residency in Vegas which runs through 2019.
Not sure if Bradley Cooper will show up again though, based on how reluctant he was to get on stage.
No upcoming events
what else is on our Radar?
-
Postmodern Jukebox
Don't Stop Believing - in style
A gorgeous one take video
Wed Apr 18 2018 14:19
-
what is up with that?
The Biggest Bands Are British & Biggest Solo Artists American
PLAYLIST: And also, what is up with that?
Fri Apr 06 2018 14:27
-
MTV Unplugged
Uncut Nirvana MTV Unplugged (1993)
Some live performances live on. This is one of them.
Thu Apr 05 2018 12:46
-
knighted by Prince William
It's SIR Ringo to you, from now on
Richard Starkey was knighted today by her majesty, Queen Elizabeth II for his contribution to... well... fab.
Tue Mar 20 2018 15:48
-
Alice Merton
NO ROOTS
It's a little bit scary when you come across a debut from an artist that is so good that you worry how she's ever going to follow it up.
Mon Mar 19 2018 21:53
-
simply stellar
The Soundtrack to Space Exploration
They're travelling over the back side of the Moon now // Continuing to monitor, this is Apollo Control, Houston
Fri Feb 16 2018 10:34
- in Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY From Concert Hall to Basketball Field in 8 Hours! Sometimes it's a basketball field, and sometimes an ice rink for hockey, or even a massive stage. In the same space! Wed Feb 14 2018 14:50
-
'Alaska' by Maggie Rogers
Breakout Song of the Year Has to Be 'Alaska' by Maggie Rogers
the song, the story, the fact that she kinda looks like a Danish student... obsession was bound to ensue
Wed Dec 13 2017 15:37
-
Spotify's End of Year Data Fest is Here
2017 Wrapped
Find Out Your Top Songs of the Year
Tue Dec 05 2017 11:00
-
as if by magic
Backstage at NYC's Met Opera
as if by magic
Mon Nov 20 2017 15:39