The Artist's Profile
Suzanne Ciani
Alex de Grassi
Michael Hedges
Michael Manring
Ecliptic Productions (1999)

Video may have killed the radio star, but it managed to do a number on expansive, insightful music documentaries, too. The impact of MTV on how they are edited, processed and presented cannot be understated. Most of today's televised music profiles are a blur of whirlwind edits and cuts that sacrifice content, quality and emotion in the name of priming viewers for the next assault of 15-second cola and taco blipverts. Further, the subjects and topics explored on series such as VH-1's ubiquitous Behind the Music are often tabloid-focused, rarely music-related, and offer little to no explanation of artistic motive and intent. But there is hope.

Brian Malone's Artist's Profile series represents a long-needed return to substance and depth in music documentary making. The Colorado-based videographer has put together several impressive pieces featuring the likes of pianist Suzanne Ciani, bassist Michael Manring and guitarists Alex de Grassi and Michael Hedges. Unlike his mass media counterparts, Malone doesn't just get "behind the music." He drills deep down into the music, creative process, history, influences and upbringing that made these unique and influential artists who they are today. Malone takes a refreshing, ego-free approach and lets the artists do all of the talking. The programs also include superb concert footage.

These videos are well worth chasing down for fans of these artists, as well as anyone interested in music programming that's unafraid of being probing without veering into the intrusive. Half-hour versions of these shows are airing on PBS in the U.S., but the one-hour home video counterparts described here contain significantly more performance content. - Anil Prasad (Mountain View, CA)