Troubadours

Jan 22 2011 N/A 1h 31m
Documentary, Music

In the wake of the turbulent 1960s, a new style of song and songwriter came to the fore – a style marked by vulnerable introspection and raw, naked emotion. Backed by little more than a lone acoustic guitar or simple piano, these exciting voices descended upon Los Angeles, now emerging as the center of the American music scene. Their epicenter for self-expression became an old beatnik folk club and a fitting name: The Troubadour. TROUBADOURS traces Carole King, James Taylor and the singer/songwriter scene during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The film also interweaves the intriguing story of the 'world famous' Troubadour club that cemented their musical legacy, the mercurial impresario named Doug Weston who ran it, and the performing careers of some of the best songwriters of their generation – and perhaps any generation: Carole King and James Taylor, as well as Jackson Browne, David Crosby, Joni Mitchell, Kris Kristofferson, Bonnie Raitt, Eagles and many others.

Plot

Examines the California singer/songwriter movement of the early 1970s, as seen through the eyes of two of its brightest lights: Carole King and James Taylor. Intimately tracking King and Taylor's artistic developments and enduring partnership, the film also interweaves the intriguing story of the 'world famous' Troubadour club that cemented their musical legacy. Run by a mercurial impresario named Doug Weston, the Troubadour was, for a time, the premier launching pad for the likes of King, Taylor, and other soon-to-be-boldfaced names: Jackson Browne; Elton John; Kris Kristofferson; David Crosby; even Steve Martin and Cheech & Chong. But 'Troubadors' also chronicles the dark side of the burgeoning L.A. music industry, evinced by hard drugs, critical opprobrium, and the eventual decay of the Troubadour itself. (Taken from Troubadours: Carole King/James Taylor & the Rise of the Singer-Songwriter)

Written by

N/A

Directed by

Morgan Neville

Cast

Lou Adler, Peter Asher, Lester Bangs

Crew

View crew

Production Companies

Tremolo Productions

Languages

English

Awards

1 win & 2 nominations

Scores
# of Votes
103
Average Rating
6.9 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA