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About the Film:
"Some of my best discoveries have been made in what may be the greatest record collector store in the world: Village Music in Mill Valley"
- Elvis Costello
Village Music: Last of The Great Record Stores is a compelling music documentary that celebrates the life of an American musical institution and the tremendous impact it had on the famous (and not-so-famous) patrons who were part of it's unique history. The film includes candid interviews, rare archival performances, exclusive in-store appearances and all-star tribute concerts. With over thirty artists featured, the film interweaves Village Music's vibrant past and rich musical community with the final six months of its existence ñ marking the true end of an era. In doing so, it also tells the larger story of the many changes the music business has undergone and the direction it's heading - a world where listeners download invisible music and the album is considered a dying art. Even though Village Music is now closed, the film has preserved this extraordinary, one-of-a-kind chapter in music history for generations to come.
Recent article in the San Francisco Chronicle >>>
About the Store:
Village Music was a cultural institution in Mill Valley, California for over five decades, but on September 30th, 2007 it closed its well-worn Dutch door for good. Often referred to as ìthe greatest record store in the worldî, Village has been a repository for local musicians and record collectors as well as some of the biggest names in pop, rock, jazz, rhythm & blues. Director, George Lucas researched the soundtrack for "American Graffiti" at the store and B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Sammy Hagar, Ry Cooder, Cab Calloway, Jerry Garcia, Huey Lewis and Elvis Costello are among the many stars that have hung out and shopped there over the years. One could always discover something new in this enclave of vintage vinyl and vast memorabilia ñ enough to rival any respectable American cultural museum.
What made Village Music so unique was its proprietor, John Goddard, a one-of-a-kind music historian and collector who bought the shop in 1968, after working there as a teenager. For countless musicians, John has been a tremendous resource, mentor and friend as well as a nexus for the entire musical community ñ reviving the careers of forgotten artists and staging some of the most unforgettable concert parties at the legendary Sweetwater saloon. But like so many other independents, Village and John fell victim to the economic shifts of the town and the music industry, unable to compete in the iPod era, the rise of the CD and changes in taste among young music buyers.
Featured Artists:
BB King,
Elvis Costello,
Ry Cooder,
Bonnie Raitt,
Sammy Hagar,
Bob Weir,
Huey Lewis,
DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist,
Jerry Garcia,
David Grisman,
John Sebastian,
Maria Muldaur,
Sugar Pie DeSanto,
Bettye Levette,
Jimmy McCracklin,
The Collins Kids,
Roy Rogers,
Peter Coyote,
Joel Selvin,
Ben Fong, Torres,
Carla Thomas,
Frankie Ford,
Narada Michael Walden,
Dan Vickrey (Counting Crows,
Jonathan Korty (Vinyl),
Scott Mathews,
Nick Lowe,
Peter Rowan,
Dan Hicks,
Little Jimmy Scott,
Rob, Wasserman,
Peter Rowan,
John Lee Hooker,
Ruth Brown & Otis Clay
About the Filmmakers:
Director - Gillian Grisman
Gillian Grisman is an accomplished bay area filmmaker whose credits include Grateful Dawg, her award-winning theatrical debut about the musical friendship between the late Jerry Garcia and her father, mandolinist David Grisman.
She also directed the critically acclaimed Sundance Channel music series Keeping Time, numerous concert dvds and two other feature-length music documentaries: Press On - featuring pedal-steel phenomenon, Robert Randolph and My Secret Record or How I Learned to Stop Worrying & Love the Biz about the marketing of Rob Thomasís Billboard history making solo debut.
Producer - Monroe Grisman
Monroe Grisman is an accomplished veteran in the bay area music scene, working in artist relations and merchandising. One of his first jobs while in high school was working as an employee at Village Music.
Monroe is currently an independent producer and consultant in merchandising and new technology, and a live performing guitarist for several popular San Francisco Bay Area bands.
About the Dreamworks Theater:
Gene Takahashi, A/V Supervisor at DreamWorks PDI, will be on hand to give a brief talk about the technical aspects of this newly constructed theater.
Gene Takahashi was born and lived in Tokyo, Japan before moving to the Bay Area as a young child. He earned his BA & MA in Music from Cal State East Bay as well as an electronic degree from Chabot College. He also holds a recording arts degree from Full Sail Center for the Recording Arts in Florida.
Over the last 20 years he has held technical positions at Larrabee Sound Studios, Warner Bros, Pixar and Dreamworks Animation studios. He currently manages the audio-video team at DreamWorks Redwood City Studio and is responsible for design, integration, maintenance and support of audio video equipment used throughout the studio.
Address & Directions:
DreamWorks
1400A Seaport Blvd., Redwood City, CA
View Larger Map
From San Francisco:
101 South, 25 miles
Take CA-84 W/Woodside Rd exit, EXIT 408, toward Seaport Blvd.
Keep left to take the ramp toward Seaport Boulevard.
Merge onto Woodside Rd.
Woodside Rd becomes Seaport Blvd.
1.4 miles, Turn right to stay on Seaport Blvd.
From East Bay:
From I-880, take Marsh Rd/CA-84. (Dumbarton Bridge)
Merge onto US-101 N/CA-84 W toward San Francisco.
Take the CA-84 W/Woodside Rd exit, EXIT 408, toward Seaport Blvd.
Keep right to take the ramp toward Seaport Blvd.
Merge onto Woodside Rd.
Woodside Rd becomes Seaport Blvd.
Turn right to stay on Seaport Blvd.
Parking:
There is plenty of parking in front and around the building.
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