meriksen
I'm born in 1972 which makes me post-Gasolin'. When I got interested in music in the eighties, it was all over. So I'm not disturbed by my own conception of Gasolin'. Seeing Anders Østergaards documentary "Gasolin'" is a superb experience. I especially like three aspects:First of all it is a joy to watch a documentary on a technically level that is equal to the best movies. It is obvious that Østergaard has spent a lot of energy and dedication (and money) in the making. Secondly it is a joy to listen to the music and lyrics of Gasolin', which works well with the pictures of Østergaard. Thirdly it is a good story. The focus is mainly on the interactions within the band and not on Gasolins influence on the surrounding society. For non-Danes it could be a story about a garage-band that dissolved many years ago. Until you feel the magic.... Partly generated by Østergaard, but also by the four musicians and the music.
skagarack
Gasolin' is without doubt the greatest rock band Denmark has ever had. Not due to supreme talents by the band's members, but due to a strong will within the band, and also thanks to British producer Roy Thomas Baker who pushed the band beyond what they thought was possible of doing. In this documentary the band members tell us of the hard beginning in 1969 and all the success they gained since. They tell us of all the disagreements that occurred, especially between Kim and Franz.They tell us very briefly of their American tour in 1976.... and that's it... For people not caring enough to want this kind of information, that may be fine, but for a longtime Gas' fan such as myself, that just ain't good enough. We get to know that band's first songs were in English, then they switched to Danish... and then all of a sudden after Gas 5 they wanted to try in English again.... that's basically what you are told in this film, and Gas fans know that this is not true. Their 3rd album was recorded in an English version for the British market and also the 4th album... none of them were successful in any way, but Gasolin' nonetheless came to England and played in different clubs. On the back cover of the Gas 5 album you can actually see on the band standing on the Tottenham train station (don't recall its exact name).This is the movie's cons.... they focus way too little on the English material of the band.... and this may be due to the fact that most Danes rather instantly dislike the English material.... especially due to Kim Larsen's Danish accent... But if you read Peder Bundgaard's book about Gasolin', it's pretty clear that international success was a more important goal to the band than this movie expresses...The movie is not bad at all, but it could easily have been an hour longer so all aspects of Gasolin' could have been documented in it. The material recorded is good though. Very good actually. There's just something lacking.Bonus material on the DVD is BTW top notch!