Chuck says:
I was lucky growing up. My father had eclectic taste in music so I was exposed to a wide variety of genres and artists that helped me establish an appreciation and understanding of music that my peers lacked. Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash records butted up against the work of Artie Shaw which was next to the work of Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis and Richard Wagner. I never knew what he was going to spin next but more times than not, loving some of it right away, never coming around to others.
There were a few artists whose work I continued to follow after going off on my own, Cash and Sinatra among them as well as Herb Alpert, trumpet player extraordinaire and leader of the ever-hip Tijuana Brass. What was unique about the musician was that his influence spanned generations, my father a fan due to The Lonely Bull, South of the Border and Alpert’s other early work, while I began to refamiliarize myself with him thanks to his massive 1979 comeback album Rise.
John Scheinfeld’s documentary Herb Alpert is… is a joyous celebration of Herb Alpert’s life and career as it examines his roots not only as a musician but as a painter, sculptor, businessman and philanthropist. Utilizing archival footage as well as anecdotes from his contemporaries, including Burt Bacharach, Richard Carpenter, Sergio Mendes, Quincy Jones, Sting and Paul Williams, the movie is a fascinating look back at the music scene of the 1960’s, the man who created A&M Records and the artists he mentored.
However, there’s much more at play here as we learn a great deal about Alpert’s private life as he proves incredibly open about his early life, his failings and doubts, and the credit he gives to those who helped him to success. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more modest millionaire, his demeanor never overbearing but constantly giving praise to those who helped him along the way.
There’s a genuine joy for life about Alpert that’s obvious as we see him paint, work on abstract sculpture and, of course, make music. Scheinfeld takes a deep dive into the musician’s legacy, reminding the viewer how distinctive his sound is, the massive success he struggled to deal with in the mid-1960’s and the generosity he showed other artists by signing them to his A&M record label and allowing them a great deal of latitude to find their voice.
From the various anecdotes of those who worked with him, it’s obvious he’s held in high regard by his peers and those whose careers he jumpstarted. There’s likely not a more respected man in the business and while he has enjoyed great success, it becomes evident that he’s most proud of his philanthropic acts. Seeing him tour a school of the arts in Los Angeles he saved, you see a man who has found his purpose, using his art and money to help others express themselves. Music was his lifeline – now, he’s extending it to others and having a good time doing it. 4 Stars. Not Rated. 113 minutes.
