Fresh
It's refreshing to watch a music doc, especially one with such intimate access to its subject, in which barely anyone is unreservedly polite about the person in question.
Dave Calhoun, Time Out
Beware of Mr. Baker
2012 · 1h 40m · Not Rated
Documentary, Music
Directed by
Jay Bulger
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Beware of Mr. Baker
Overview
Ginger Baker is known for playing in Cream and Blind Faith, but the world's greatest drummer didn’t hit his stride until 1972, when he arrived in Nigeria and discovered Fela Kuti's Afrobeat. After leaving Nigeria, Ginger returned to his pattern of drug-induced self-destruction, and countless groundbreaking musical works, eventually settling in South Africa, where the 73-year-old lives with his young bride and 39 polo ponies. This documentary includes interviews with Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Carlos Santana and more. Beware of Mr. Baker! With every smash of the drum is a man smashing his way through life.
Director and cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
98%
Tomatometer
Fresh
Ginger Baker has been revealed as a major talent, an innovator and an unlikely survivor. And a not very nice guy.
Tom Long, Detroit News
Fresh
Ginger Baker is, and was, a train wreck. Yet this film, like Baker's onstage playing, is always riveting, and something you can't look away from.
Charles Cross, Seattle Times
Fresh
"Beware of Mr. Baker" is comprehensive, if somewhat overly glowing.
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
Fresh
The takeaway: great musician, deficient family man, taxing friend and bandmate, excellent documentary subject.
Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times
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