Fans of Scott Walker, a rock musician notoriously shrouded in mysteries and dark sunglasses, get a rare opportunity for insight into his career and music through Stephen Kijak’s 2006 documentary Scott Walker: 30 Century Man.

Chronologically delving into the history and legend of this prolific, influential and reclusive musician, the documentary is held together with the commentaries and reflections of Walker himself, as well as various people and musicians who either knew or worked with him, as well as those he inspired including Brian Eno, Jarvis Cocker, Radiohead and David Bowie, who served as the film’s executive producer.

Born Scott Engel, Walker first became famous as a member of the ‘60s pop group The Walker Brothers, which featured three young men who were neither brothers nor named Walker. Here he began writing music, eventually going solo, only to evolve into the musician with the cult following that he is today.

The film features a balance of popular artists, listening to what is assumed to be their favourite Scott Walker songs and reflecting on what his music means to them. The film also includes a recap of his journey in the music industry and a glimpse into the recording sessions that became Walker’s 2006 release, The Drift.

It most notably provides an epic exploration of Walker’s melancholy music from the ‘60s all the way up to his recording studio where we witness his creative use of string orchestras mimicking World War II fighter airplanes, a percussionist playing a slab of raw meat by whacking his fists against it and various other unusual instruments used to create the sounds which provide a background for his deep vibrato voice.

The film’s unwavering attention to Walker’s music over his personal life is likely intentional, as it’s obvious that his fans are just as passionate about his work as he is. From the intricate attention paid to the smallest details, it’s clear why Walker can take up to 10 years to record his albums. Nothing gets past him in the recording studio, and it appears that his fans notice and appreciate the little things he does to make his music uniquely and exquisitely Scott Walker.

Although the visual effects shown intermediately to provide ambience to Walker’s music become tiresome at times, on a whole, this is a documentary that needed to be made and equally needs to be seen by music fans everywhere.

Tickets for the Winnipeg premiere of Scott Walker: 30 Century Man are $7 and include a glass of wine. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

Published in Volume 63, Number 20 of The Uniter (February 12, 2009)