Learning to Live Together: The Return of Mad Dogs & Englishmen

This is a mind-blowingly great documentary blending the historic 1970 tour with its recreation in 2015 spearheaded by Tedeschi Trucks, including visual split-screens of the song being performed simultaneously in both eras. As of 2024 this is thankfully available on the Criterion Channel, but it's such a crime that it's not universally in the public consciousness. This is about timeless music dating back to the birth of R&B but played and captured with 21st century film and editing tools & techniques.

This is Scorsese-level filmmaking as far as I'm concerned - about an historic Woodstock-like musical collective - and it being successfully recreated in the present.

It so wonderfully conveys bandleader Leon - and how he loves chaos and the unknown - which is sure speakin my language, and boy he'd fit right in with the Merry Pranksters.

Unlike some movies where I'm clock-watching for it to be over - I didn't want this to ever end. And as soon as it did, I hit refresh and watched it again!

This shoulda been Oscar nominated. And boy, would this be a party to see in a theater!

This documentary is indeed uplifting and inspiring. The parts with Leon Russell are particularly memorable, and the back-and-forth between the past and present is expertly woven together. The film showcases the legendary 1970 Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour, which was a musical experiment that brought together a diverse group of artists, including Joe Cocker, Leon Russell, Rita Coolidge, and Claudia Lennear, among others.

The documentary also features a reunion show with the Tedeschi Trucks Band, which includes 12 of the original Mad Dogs, as well as guest performers like Chris Robinson and Dave Mason. The performances are energetic and heartfelt, and the archival footage and interviews provide a fascinating look at the history of the tour.

One of the strengths of the documentary is its ability to balance the different aspects of the story, including the original concert, the reunion show, and the history of the tour. While some critics have noted that the historical aspect of the film could have been explored more deeply, overall, the documentary is a compelling and entertaining tribute to a pivotal moment in music history.

If you're a fan of classic rock or just looking for an inspiring story about the power of music, I highly recommend checking out Learning to Live Together: The Return of Mad Dogs & Englishmen.