Review: Burning to Shine
The CBC documentary "Burning to Shine" featuring rapper k-os (and previously mentioned here) is now available for viewing online at the following address:
Burning to Shine
Note: You must scroll down to where it says "Watch"
Here is a brief review of it from yours truly:
k-os is not the most talented artist in the hip hop world. That much is evident in the CBC’s new documentary “Burning to Shine,” available for viewing on their website. The program places k-os in unfamiliar territory, having to collaborate with true musicians to compose a song. Unfortunately for the Toronto-based emcee, both the finished product and the film itself do little to help his image.
Shot mostly in black in white, the documentary chronicles the 40 days in which k-os and the CBC Radio Orchestra were given to create and arrange a song. The program is enjoyable in that it documents one individual’s creative process, and how it can become skewed and challenged when others enter the equation.
Throughout the process, k-os shows that his musical capabilities are sub-par at best. He unapologetically says lines directly to the audience that would make fellow musicians cringe. “I come up with the ideas, they come up with the chords,” he utters nonchalantly in one scene. “Here’s a bunch of charts, I can’t read them,” he admits upon receiving the finished arrangement in his hands. The expressions on the face of Bill Coon, the individual responsible for arranging the orchestra’s parts, are priceless. At first he is excited about the project, and the opportunities it might bring to North America’s last remaining radio orchestra. As the program continues, however, Coon seems less engaged in the process, and less impressed by the abilities and discipline of his cohort.
Perhaps the most resounding statement made in the film is from k-os’ own guitarist Russel Klyne, who suggests that he has missed a tremendous opportunity to grow. The emcee’s own self-absorption and concern for creative control prevented him from crafting something that could have been incredible. Instead, his insecurities and second guessing forced the entire group to be rushed and create on a deadline.
In the end, although the track is recorded, it fails to live up to the expectations of both the viewer and the members of the orchestra. Despite the faults that become evident throughout “Burning to Shine,” k-os remains a capable and credible hip hop musician. He recognizes that he may not share the talent of other musicians, but his passion is sufficient, for now.
Burning to Shine
Note: You must scroll down to where it says "Watch"
Here is a brief review of it from yours truly:
k-os is not the most talented artist in the hip hop world. That much is evident in the CBC’s new documentary “Burning to Shine,” available for viewing on their website. The program places k-os in unfamiliar territory, having to collaborate with true musicians to compose a song. Unfortunately for the Toronto-based emcee, both the finished product and the film itself do little to help his image.
Shot mostly in black in white, the documentary chronicles the 40 days in which k-os and the CBC Radio Orchestra were given to create and arrange a song. The program is enjoyable in that it documents one individual’s creative process, and how it can become skewed and challenged when others enter the equation.
Throughout the process, k-os shows that his musical capabilities are sub-par at best. He unapologetically says lines directly to the audience that would make fellow musicians cringe. “I come up with the ideas, they come up with the chords,” he utters nonchalantly in one scene. “Here’s a bunch of charts, I can’t read them,” he admits upon receiving the finished arrangement in his hands. The expressions on the face of Bill Coon, the individual responsible for arranging the orchestra’s parts, are priceless. At first he is excited about the project, and the opportunities it might bring to North America’s last remaining radio orchestra. As the program continues, however, Coon seems less engaged in the process, and less impressed by the abilities and discipline of his cohort.
Perhaps the most resounding statement made in the film is from k-os’ own guitarist Russel Klyne, who suggests that he has missed a tremendous opportunity to grow. The emcee’s own self-absorption and concern for creative control prevented him from crafting something that could have been incredible. Instead, his insecurities and second guessing forced the entire group to be rushed and create on a deadline.
In the end, although the track is recorded, it fails to live up to the expectations of both the viewer and the members of the orchestra. Despite the faults that become evident throughout “Burning to Shine,” k-os remains a capable and credible hip hop musician. He recognizes that he may not share the talent of other musicians, but his passion is sufficient, for now.
posted by ....that guy @ 12:02 a.m.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home