When I was a kid, my grandmother was involved in a senior center choral and dance group. Every year there was a recital, and we had to go. Think 20–30 old women and three old men singing and dancing. The highlight was the restaurant we went to afterward — an Italian restaurant that served individual pizzas and was located in a strip mall with Old West décor. (Because Passaic, N.J. had a big frontier history.) However, if my grandmother’s group had been anything like Young@Heart, I suspect I would have enjoyed the recitals a little more.
Young@Heart is a Northampton-based chorus composed of senior citizens, currently ranging in age from 72 to 88. (They’ve had members as old as 100!) They’ve been around since 1982, and have been on a dozen international tours. What distinguishes them from the traditional old-lady chorus is that rather than sing the standards, they sing current and classic rock, pop and punk songs. And I’m not just talking about gentle Beatles songs. I’m talking about
the Ramones‘ “I Wanna Be Sedated” and Sonic Youth‘s “Schizophrenia.”
They’re the subject of a documentary screening this week at Sundance and scheduled for theatrical release in April.
You really have to see them for yourself though. Here’s the trailer:
And a synopsis of the movie:
“Prepare to be entertained by the inspiring individuals of ‘Young@Heart,’ a New England senior citizens chorus that has delighted audiences worldwide with their covers of songs by everyone from The Clash to Coldplay. As Stephen Walker’s documentary begins, the retirees, led by their strict musical director, are rehearsing their new show, struggling with a discordant Sonic Youth number and giving new meaning to James Brown’s ‘I Feel Good.’ What ultimately emerges is a funny and unexpectedly moving testament to the simple things these seniors value: old friendships, new challenges and a little time in the spotlight.”
I can make two predictions about this documentary. (Or, actually, about how I will react to it.) (1) It will likely be my favorite documentary of the year. (2) It will make me cry. I’m easily moved and inspired by stories of older folks who are adventurous and full of life (think Ruth Gordon as the grandmother in My Bodyguard), and by anyone not limited by obvious limitations.
These folks certainly seem to have a sense of fun, and the movie is said to have its share of poignant moments. Apparently, the scene of them performing “Forever Young” to an audience of prison inmates is particularly moving. As is their performance of
Coldplay‘s “Fix You.” Coldplay has always left me … well, cold. But this cover sent me in search of tissues.
Jody Rosen at Slate
put it quite well:
“It sounds like a gimmick, and a cheap one at that, but the ‘Fix You’ clip was extraordinary, not least because of the grave, graceful lead vocal performance by Fred Knittle, who has a heart condition and sang with a breathing tube attached to his nose. Y@H’s ‘Fix You’ is touching and dignified. Most importantly, it’s a fine piece of music.”
Given that my parents are approaching the age of the chorus members, I’m prepared to find some bittersweet inspiration from the movie. (And given that the chorus members hail from Northampton, I’m looking forward to playing “spot the elderly lesbian.”) So, I’ll be keeping an eye out for the Fox Searchlight release this spring, and I hope that some of you are looking forward to this movie as much as I am.
