Madman or genius? A new documentary paints a vivid picture of Cream’s Ginger Baker while making a persuasive argument in both directions. It’s not entirely clear what possessed the former model, boxer, and music video director Jay Bulger to fly to South Africa and begin shooting a documentary by moving in with Ginger Baker, one of the most cantankerous figures in all of music history. And why would Baker even agree to such a thing? After all, a story about his tumultuous life would require him to be forthcoming about drumming, drugs, ex-bandmates, ex-wives, triumphs, and tragedies—to actually behave. Intentions aside, the final product, Beware of Mr. Baker, released by Snag Films in early 2013 and the winner of a Grand Jury Award at the 2012 South by Southwest Film Festival, is by turns revealing, informative, hilarious, and a bit sad. It paints Baker as a world-class musician and illuminates […]

May 2013 Issue