Barry White’s life started off tragic and unfortunately ended tragically as depicted in the DVD documentary about his life Let The Music Play: The Barry White Story, from Eagle Rock Entertainment. Producer Nick de Grunwald and director George Scott have weaved together interviews with White’s children, his wife Glodean, and record label executives. There are also interviews with music legends such as Smokey Robinson, producer Jack Perry and Love Unlimited member Linda James.

The seventy-three minute film chronicles White’s youthful days of poverty in south central Los Angeles, to his amazing fifteen-mile walk to stand at the corner of Hollywood and Vine where he envisioned one day being employed in the music industry.

The will and creativity of White are humorously displayed in the telling of a story from early in his career in the record industry as a writer and producer. He was told that his first job was to produce a record on a budget of fifty dollars. White not realizing that the statement was a joke went out and did just that. Later he would for the Love Unlimited Orchestra, producing such hits as “Walking In The Rain (With The One I Love).”

We get to share in White’s rise to the top of the charts on the strength of songs such as “You’re The First, The Last, My Everything,” “I’m Gonna Love You, Just A Little Bit More Baby,” and “Let’s Get Together.” The film does an excellent job of exploring the creative genius of Barry White, his sense of rhythm and instincts for great productions. There is a humorous account of White’s self-discovery that he can sing.

Tragedy strikes shortly after White is lured to a rival record company and his songs gather dust. Glodean and White separate although amicably and White suffers two strokes, the second one contributing to his eventual death. The family alleges that his business manager who had the power of attorney would not allow them access to White and went as far as to hire security to deny them, during the last few months of his life as White lay immobilized and unable to take control of his own life.

As you relive the music, it will put a smile on your face, but as you witness how quickly the music industry swept an icon under the carpet you will question why and how this could happen. Most of all you will be left asking how a man once so powerful could be denied so much in the later days of his life. As is poignantly mentioned in the film, a man who spent so much of his life singing about love was denied love in the last days of his life.

Reviewed by Joe Montague for Riveting Riffs (www.rivetingriffs.com)

Reviewed August, 2007

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