The opening sequence for Do U Want It? is a ready-made thesis: percussion and ambient swells set to a panoramic city skyline on the opposing shore of the Mississippi River. Braids of stratocumulus purl through the twilight as an American flag agitates in the lower right-hand corner of the screen. Then, cut to a pile of boiled crawfish in a greasy patina of streetlamp light, a group of people drinking and laughing in a public street, a series of hands reaching into this pile of crawfish and deshelling crustaceans, and a large disorderly crowd in dresses, shorts, and t-shirts are waiting outside a Creole townhouse venue for a funk concert to begin. Welcome to a funk concert in New Orleans.
Do U Want It? is a crumpled-up love letter to New Orleans funk music. This full-length documentary covers the story of Papa Grows Funk — a prolific funk band who served a glorious tour of duty as a house band at the fabled Maple Leaf. This venue has been a generational staple of the scene in New Orleans, and PGF played there every Monday for well over a decade. Their Monday night gig became the unofficial encore show of the NOLA Jazz Fest for years. Many folks have skipped their flight to attend, hearing the scene to be unmissable.
It can be said that Do U Want It? is a documentary that begins with an end. Thirty seconds into the film, we read: The 2013 New Orleans Jazz Fest ended yesterday, and the band Papa Grows Funk is playing at the world-famous Maple Leaf Bar. They’ve had this Monday-night gig at the Leaf for the last 12 years. Tonight is their last one. However, it should be argued that to see it this way would miss the entire point of the film.
In fact, the writer, director, cinematographer, and editor duo Sam Radutzky and Josh Freund, cleverly tee-up the film in this manner to drive home a point that the owner of Maple Leaf summed up quite nicely: There’s only one band in New Orleans and it has 300 members.
Do U Want It? goes further, pushing this notion beyond the city limits of NOLA. It follows the artist’s natural inclination to strive for something more, to be caught up in the allure of fame and distinction. In this documentary we watch Papa Grows Funk emerge with the pervading question of an artist: how do I separate from the scene? How do I become an individual? It is both a cautionary tale and a thoughtful tribute to the plight of an act facing the plightful demands of pop-music, perilous tour schedules, and the need for commercialism.
The tension of the artist’s journey is felt throughout the cadence of the film. This is done masterfully through the rise and fall of the band’s trajectory, one that parallels the monomythic hero’s tale mapped out in Thomas Campbell’s Hero With A Thousand Faces. As the band pushes further in an effort to become a globally touring act, traveling nationally and through Japan, so does the style of their music change — which is reflected in the score of the film that is primarily a soundtrack of the band’s live performances. The funk grooves sedate and the jamming extends, navigating across the frontiers of several neighboring genres. Extended animated scenes that are wickedly compelling frequent the narration, adding to the mythic nature of PGF’s journey. Then, as the band strays too far, it all returns to New Orleans, with a classic blues song, Fat’s Dominoes, “I’m going to New Orleans,” and intimate views of John “Papa” Gros singing to a mesmeric and emotional audience.
Josh Freund says, “A key decision we made in the editing process was to allow Papa Grows Funk’s music to speak for itself. Do U Want It? features a number of long, uninterrupted, intimately shot performances by the band on their final tour. It’s within these musical moments that we invite the audience to feel like they are in the crowd at a Papa Grows Funk show, like they are a part of the Papa Grows Funk community. We also utilize interviews with some of the most influential people in the world of New Orleans music, like George Porter Jr., Quint Davis, and Stanton Moore, to frame Papa Grows Funk’s story within the rich context of New Orleans music culture and history.”
On a larger scale, the film offers insight on the perseverance and community of funk music in a musical industry who’s commercial interests have seemingly moved on. It’s a tale of endearment and a therapeutic account for any artist, as much as a reality check for an ever-changing music industry and audience.
But, ultimately it’s about being a musician in New Orleans. Evenmore, we not only get to know the musicians in this film but the venue owners, the recording engineers and producers, the artists, fans and families that were all involved in the band’s journey. We witness the symbiotic nature between the community and its economic and social need to music. It is one of those rare places in the world where it’s nearly a utility.
The best evidence of this was recounted by the drummer of Papa Grows Funk, Jeffery “Jellybean” Alexander, “After Katrina, man, we were playing here [Maple Leaf] with a generator. You know, I mean, the city was totally black. Cat went out and got some generators, ran the club on generators, and we played here, you know, right when the city opened. I will never forget that. That just carried tons of weight with me. It’s like man, this cat really cares, so I’m gonna give him that same thing. I will always have a special place in my heart for the Maple Leaf.”
It’s a peek through the keyhole into the life of a successful funk band in New Orleans — whatever that means these days. Yet, if you need any further proof of this claim, explain how there are several meaty interviews from George Porter Jr. and Stanton Moore featured in the film.
Sam Radutsky sums up the film as such: “Our intention behind the film was to honor and celebrate the legacy of Papa Grows Funk, a band that was incredibly important to a relatively small group of people, that never found the national acclaim some of its members desired, and to use their story to explore universal themes such as happiness, contentment and the pursuit of success, all the while presenting the greatness that’s ubiquitous within the New Orleans music scene.”
Do U Want It? screened at 15 festivals and won five awards, including the Audience Award at both the New Orleans Film Festival and SF Indiefest. On October 29, the film was released on Apple TV (formerly iTunes), Amazon, and Google Play.
2 Responses
It’s unfortunate that not enough people got to see and hear Papa Grows Funk when they were active. It’s even more unfortunate that not enough people will ever see and hear this spectacular film about a spectacular musical group. But then again, it’s a guilty pleasure to be a member of a secret society informally known as Funk Forever!
Fantastic movie it is that brings out the best of New Orleans. The filmmakers did an amazing job of telling the story of Papa Grows Funk, the quintessential New Orleans funk band and their journey as musicians to local legends in the New Orleans music scene. The directors did a wonderful job of not only telling the story of the band and its members, but also showcasing the band’s music. This film is perfect for all music lovers and has a real New Orleans feel. The film will have you tapping your feet throughout the movie and does an amazing job connecting the audience with the band members. Highly recommend this film to anyone that wants to see the real music scene in New Orleans or anyone who has ever attended a concert on Frenchman street!