Music Box: Yacht Rock: A DOCKumentary

"Yacht Rock" is a made up musical genre descriptor introduced in 2005 on an online comedy series of the same name.  It refers to soft rock offerings from folks like Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins, both of whom appear in this year's Yacht Rock: A DOCKumentary.  West coast music you might hear on some rich guy's boat while he's sipping champagne.  I've long been an unapologetic fan of the music, and this comprehensive, educational, and frequently hilarious documentary does it justice.

 

McDonald is the undisputed voice of yacht rock, lending background vocals to several other artists' tracks, including Christopher Cross, who also appears.  He reminisces that he heard Barbra Streisand was pissed that he beat her at the Grammys.  And that he only had one hit album, his debut.  But his love for the craft allowed for twelve more.  McDonald recalls his trajectory from obscurity to Doobie Brothers lead singer to solo artist.  Along the way he collaborated with Loggins, who also has tales to tell. 

You might also know that Mike lent his unique voice to the background of Steely Dan songs.  Refreshingly, the Dan gets respect across the board here.  Even from music critics who admitted that they initially dismissed Donald Fagen and Walter Becker's output as music listened to by old men.  The likes of Questlove and Thundercat sing their praises.  Steely Dan, ala a busy graphic, are shown as the epicenter of yacht rock, not so much a part of it but rather having their many session players go off and create what would eventually earn this moniker.

This "DOCKumentary", which premiered on HBO late last month, does an excellent job of tracing the history and even at times giving us a inside view of the making of the music, always described as more complex than casual listenings might reveal.  The influence of jazz and R & B often cited.  I was surprised to learn that members of Toto worked on Michael Jackson's Thriller.  I had several moments like that.  

It also defines what yacht rock is and what it is not.  Which artists may have made music that sounds like YR.  Like, The Eagles - too country.  And Hall and Oates - they were from Philly.   The debates will continue.

Dyed in the wool fans may lament the absence of several yacht rock artists, but who and what are here are sublime.  Even Fagen shows up.  Er, but not until the end.  And, over the phone.  And, he, um lets director Garret Price know how he feels about the "yacht rock" designation.   The cherry on top of this entertaining doc.