Iconic album cover of iconic singer Grace Jones #popsinger #gracejones #documentary
Last Friday evening, two girlfriends and I went to see the new documentary release about singer Grace Jones, which was followed by a live Q & A from Norway with the Director.
Called Bloodlight and Bami, filmed and edited over 5 years by Sophie Fiennes, it was certainly different. Non-linear, following Grace on a visit home to confront family skeletons in Jamaica, interspersed with incredible live concert footage, and viewed from a ‘fly on the wall’ perspective, it was fascinating.
Plus a bit annoying.
Sometimes the sound was too muffled, or I just wanted someone to sit down facing the camera directly, keep still, and tell me exactly what was going on.
But that’s not Grace is it? Nor the way she lived/lives her life; this 1-minute film trailer gives you a taste of the docos style.
One of the first albums I ever bought in 1982 #gracejones #livingmylife #nostalgia #memories #over50
I absolutely loved Grace Jones as I grew up in England, with her background of reggae and punk combining with in-yer-face attitude and androgynous daring: such a contrast to my quiet, small, skinny, serious white girl reality.
I knew some of her troubles, but not the full extent, and this film made me want to read the accompanying biography. I saw her live in Sydney many years ago at a big New Year’s Eve party at Hordern Pavilion; she came on stage 2 hours late, clearly off her brain somehow, and writhed around on a huge black leather chair for 20 minutes before stalking off never to be seen again… the documentary gave me some insight into perhaps why.
She’s going to be 70 in May, and the film was shot between 2005 and 2009; she looks AMAZING. And fierce! One long scene shot inside an expensive hotel bathroom shows her ongoing struggle against tour operators/producers, and gave me the perfect quote for the title of this post, as we 3 drove home in the tropical rain, reflecting on her tale.
Why indeed?
In gratitude for iconic music and music makers, even if some of them don’t answer their phone or turn up at the recording sessions till late, G xO
bone&silver 
I’ve always liked Grace Jones from a distance–her cover of The Police’s “Demolition Man” is epic…but this may prod me to learn more.
Rock and roll!
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She is SO rock and roll Matt; enjoy the discovery that awaits (I’ve always been a huge reggae fan too, which she leans towards)
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Thanks for the heads-up on the documentary!
We saw her last month at the Adelaide Festival. She was a mild (for a diva) 45 minutes late on stage and played a great show, strutting around that stage playing new and old stuff, wearing mainly a lick of body paint, elaborate head-dresses, and at the end a corset to help with hula-hooping. She is, as you mentioned, 69.
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You’re welcome Peter. I wish I’d seen her; she deserves every success. Her book sounds like it’s worth a read too. Thanks for reading and commenting : ) xO
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She is a myth,can’t believe she is 70.
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Yes! Watch the film- she’s unbelievable
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Now I must to😎
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I went to see Grace Jones live last week at the Adelaide fringe…It was the most amazing concert ever!! I left there absolutely in AWE of that woman!! I have always like her but OMG seeing her live was an incredible experience.
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I am SO jealous Jad!! I would love to have been there; you should definitely check out the doco- her attitude and energy never really switch off
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I will check it out for sure!!
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I always loved her and have a couple of her albums from about 1995. I’m glad to hear she’s alive and looking great and performing.
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She’s is still rocking it big time, I assure you- did you watch the 1 min clip? Her power lives on 💪🏼💪🏼
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I didn’t see the video but will.
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Wow, really interesting Gabrielle. I don’t know much about Grace. Thanks! Bet it was educational. Many blessings and have a great week – I’m about to go see my partner he just returned from Sydney 🙂 Debbie
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Thanks Debbie- enjoy the reconnecting- did he bring you some Vegemite?? 😜😈
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Ha ha, no. He bought me a print of a piece of art he really liked though. 🙂 🙂
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Grace kinda terrified me too when I was younger. 🙂
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But in a good way yeah?
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After a couple of, ‘whoa!’ moments … absolutely! 😀
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I think I wore her album out with constant playing, and I loved the image, statuesque and other worldly and (scary) sexy beyond belief … 🙂 Thanks for posting!
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You’re so welcome, and I hope you get the chance to catch the film- she remains other worldly and definitely a bit scary…
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I will definitely keep an eye out for it …. speaking of eyes, just had a divine twenty minutes checking her out on YouTube. And old Johny Carson interview, James Bond clips, “I’ve see that face before” music vid …. boy how I loved that song (mad Francophile here). Thanks for inspiring my evening entertainment! 🙂
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I’m glad she’s still alive!
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Me too : )
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I’m so excited, I think I just wet myself a little. I adored Grace Jones in the 80s and I still have some of the albums…
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She is/was SO HOT and wild! Dig out the albums- she doesn’t age- and the doco is a crazy ride. Enjoy x
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