Man in the Sand

Directed by: Kim Hopkins

Woody Gurthrie died long before any artist with an instrument could become a recording artist in their own living room.  As a result, many of his songs went unrecorded; the only record, a few lyrics scribbled or typed on random paper.  Billy Bragg and the band Wilco were granted access to these previously unpublished and unrecorded songs.

"Man in the Sand" documents the development and recording of the "Mermaid Avenue"album, including following Billy Bragg as he traces the footsteps of the different phases of Guthrie's life.  It also shows the different priorities of the artists, and the tensions that arose between them as the album moved toward its final form.

It's a neat little film, but not worth watching if you haven't heard the album.