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Netflix Pick: 20 Feet from Stardom

For a while last year, it seemed like every news source I turned to was talking about this awesome film.  I also heard the raw vocal recording of Merry Clayton belting out on "Gimme Shelter" while Mick Jagger exclaims in the background, and knew I HAD to see this. 

And I really liked it. Even if it didn't endear me to most of the singers featured.  It really just got me to thinking about how success is defined by many people.  If you're well known, make a lot of money and garner a lot of respect, then you're considered successful.  But to some, success is more measured in terms of waking up every morning and feeling good about who you are and what you do.  Accolades or not.  I really dig that attitude.

Which made me quickly fall in love with Lisa Fischer, one of the singers featured in this film.  You may not know her name, but you definitely know her voice.  She's had a lot of success.  Is well-known by the music community and performed with many of its great artists.  She even had her own solo career.  So why don't you hear her on the radio?  Well, watch the movie and you'll find out that you have.....even if you didn't know it.

I felt sad for some of the artists featured in 20 Feet because it was apparent that they felt somewhat cheated by how their musical careers just didn't pan out as they expected.  That's what I mean about not feeling endeared.  But this movie was really great at showing us the profound voices that made up the great hits of and before our time.  And that unveiling is pretty spectacular all own its own.

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