Jimmy Scott: If You Only Knew (2002)
Like many, I imagine, I got to hear the voice of
Little Jimmy Scott when seeing him sing in David Lynch’s
“Twin Peaks.” Scott’s signature falsetto voice and stilted
cadence work in eerie conjunction with Angelo Badalamenti’s
haunting music and Lynch’s own creepy lyrics. It’s a
marvelous introduction to Scott.
Scott’s life is an amazing story too. Director
Matthew Buzzell covers seemingly every aspect of the
singer’s work, with the surprisingly glaring exception
of his foray into films. Scott, extraordinarily, also
appears in Adam Goldberg’s rarely seen “Scotch and Milk”
(albeit playing himself) and in Ethan Hawke’s “Chelsea
Walls” (which screened along with this documentary at
SXSW2002).
Born in 1925 in Cleveland, Scott’s trademark voice
comes from a rare disorder known as Kellmann’s disease.
Basically, Scott never went through puberty. His mother,
who had 9 other children including another son with
the same problem, decided to not let the boys become
guinea pigs and did not allow experimental treatment.
Hence, Scott is now a 77-year-old vocalist with a beautiful
falsetto.
Scott’s family and friends are interviewed for
the film. Although married several times, it is rare
we here from anyone with specific knowledge of his marital
problems here. Heresy is usually exposed by interviews
with Scott’s biographer David Ritz, a stuttering talking
head who seems to have some sort of “condition” himself.
Scott’s musical history is traced from his beginnings,
singing for family, to his recent upsurge in popularity.
Along the way, there’s stops to mention Lionel Hampton,
Doc Pomus, Charlie Parker, Charles Mingus, Ray Charles,
Redd Foxx, Nancy Wilson and Sire Records maven Seymour
Stein. In the 40’s Scott signed with Savoy records and
a contractual obligation forced the removal of two of
his later albums from record stores. These works are
considered two of Scott’s finest records and two of
the most valued rarities in jazz history: “Falling in
Love is Wonderful” and “The Source.”
Shot on video and running a mere 75 minutes, Buzzell
manages to capture Scott and bring us several emotional
songs in their entirety. Buzzell allows the story to
unfold much like a TV biography (I saw one on cable
TV that pretty much covered the same turf a year or
so ago) but infuses it with wonderful dialogue by the
now aged and popular Scott. Hearing much of the story
in Scott’s own words is wonderful. His speaking voice
is the same lumbering staccato that he also sings with.
And when he sings: Wow! This film is worth seeing alone
to hear Scott sing in concert. His rendition of “Pennies
from Heaven” is lush and lustrous.
Scott is a revered superstar now and “If You Only
Knew” serves as a reminder of how much talent was wasted
by these stupid contracts that many poor talented souls
signed in the 40’s and 50’s. Scott’s story becomes nothing
less than a triumph, however, because of his longevity
and spirit. The film captures him on a Japanese tour
and his adoring fans elevate Scott to cult superstar
status. His life proves that good things come to the
patient.
Buzzell ends the film with a wonderful shot of
the aging singer on a Japanese markletplace street.
A cute Asian infant smiles at him and Scott waves back
and eventually entices the 3 year old to shake his hand.
The innocent youth then toddles on down the street.
He doesn’t know he’s been graced by briefly touching
one of the most marvelous jazz singers the world has
ever known. It reminds us of just how close we came
to missing out on Scott’s mastery due to negligence
and stupid business dealings. Luckily, we don’t have
to travel off in the same ignorance as the Asian toddler.
Luckily, we recognize greatness when it touches us.
Note:
Seen at
SXSW 2002.
|
Report
Card
Content:
A-
Completeness: A-
Cinematography\Lighting: B+
Special Effects\Make Up: C
Music: A+
Final
Grade: A-
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