I got out Can's DVD this week.
It features a 1972 performance, plus an archive documentary, plus a suite of recent interviews, plus Brian Eno's hilarious tribute film, plus an audio CD of recent music by Can members, plus... a few other bits and pieces.
It's all a bit daunting, frankly. I was initially put off the concert video by Damo Suzuki's one-piece disco 'suit', which revealed the curves of his buttocks and the lump at his groin a little too keenly. (Holy Mick Jagger, Batman!) Eventually I managed to get beyond this to find the film fascinating for its disjointed eccentricity (two thirds of the way in, appropos of nothing, there's footage from after the concert is over), which captures the nature of Can perfectly.
The documentary was quite good, highlighting the many phases of the band. Early German TV footage of the group was a bit of a swizz, with the band not having much to say for themselves. They looked a bit creepy early on, too. It was only in the mid 1970s when Holger went grey and Irmin put on weight that they started to seem human. (Of course Jaki Liebezeit has more the appearence of a puzzled coroner than a human, but you get the idea.)
The best bit in the documentary is Can's performance on the BBC's Old Grey Whistle Test in 1975. Irmin looks like Elvis in chainmail, his immense sideburns puffed and righteous. Holger plays bass wearing immaculate white gloves. Michael looks intent and undemonstrative. Jaki blisters on the drums, looking like he's wondering if he left the oven on.
If the footage of Rite Time period Can seems a bit self-indulgent (in the south of France, indeed!), there is something charming about it. And even if the Sacrilege project was just a transparent attempt to get some much-deserved kudos, you do get to see our now well middle-aged boys get out and get some recognition.
The 2003 interviews are also good, and rather poignant for the absence of Michael Karoli, who died in 2001. Irmin is urbane, Jaki is shy and modest, and Holger is bonkers, although not as bonkers as his website suggests. There was something wonderfully grandparenty about them, but at the same time you get no sense that they have got cosy or are looking at calling it a day. They may not be what they were at their best (and may I forcefully say they were the greatest rock band of all time, without question!), but they're still active and passionate about music.
Posted by stuart at March 23, 2005 4:39 PM