Specimens of Beauty

Last updated
Specimens of Beauty
Directed byDanny Clinch
Starring Phish
Release date
  • June 15, 2004 (2004-06-15)
Running time
26 min

Specimens of Beauty is a documentary about the rock band Phish recording their 2004 album Undermind . Directed by famed photographer Danny Clinch, the film shows the techniques used by the band and album producer Tchad Blake, as Phish records what was to be their final album.

Documentary film nonfictional motion picture

A documentary film is a nonfictional motion picture intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction, education, or maintaining a historical record. "Documentary" has been described as a "filmmaking practice, a cinematic tradition, and mode of audience reception" that is continually evolving and is without clear boundaries. Documentary films were originally called 'actuality' films and were only a minute or less in length. Over time documentaries have evolved to be longer in length and to include more categories, such as educational, observational, and even 'docufiction'. Documentaries are also educational and often used in schools to teach various principles. Social media platforms such as YouTube, have allowed documentary films to improve the ways the films are distributed and able to educate and broaden the reach of people who receive the information.

Phish American rock band

Phish is an American rock band that was founded at the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont in 1983. The band is known for musical improvisation, extended jams, blending of genres, and a dedicated fan base. The band consists of guitarist Trey Anastasio, bassist Mike Gordon, drummer Jon Fishman, and keyboardist Page McConnell, all of whom perform vocals, with Anastasio being the primary lead vocalist.

<i>Undermind</i> (album) 2004 studio album by Phish

Undermind is the eleventh studio album by American rock band Phish, released on June 15, 2004 by Elektra Records. The album was the group's last release before they disbanded in August 2004. It is also their final studio release for Elektra Records; When the band reunited in 2009, their subsequent albums would be released through their own JEMP Records label.

Recorded at Trey Anastasio's recording studio, The Barn, outside Burlington, Vermont, the documentary features Phish in numerous takes of the Undermind track "Crowd Control."

Trey Anastasio American guitarist, composer, and vocalist

Ernest Joseph "Trey" Anastasio III is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and composer best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist for the rock band Phish, which he co-founded in 1983. He is credited by name as composer of 152 Phish original songs, 141 of them as a solo credit, in addition to 41 credits attributed to the band as a whole.

The Barn is a recording studio on the property of Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio, located in the Green Mountains near Burlington, Vermont.

Burlington, Vermont Largest city in Vermont

Burlington is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Vermont and the seat of Chittenden County. It is located 45 miles (72 km) south of the Canada–United States border and 94 miles (151 km) south of Montreal. The city's population was 42,452 according to a 2015 U.S. census estimate. It is the least populous municipality in the United States to be the most populous incorporated area in a state.

Specimens of Beauty was included with early copies of Undermind on a bonus DVD.

DVD Optical disc

DVD is a digital optical disc storage format invented and developed in 1995. The medium can store any kind of digital data and is widely used for software and other computer files as well as video programs watched using DVD players. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than compact discs while having the same dimensions.

Personnel

Page McConnell American musician

Page Samuel McConnell is an American multi-instrumentalist most noted for his work as a songwriter and keyboardist for the band Phish.

Mike Gordon American musician

Michael Eliot "Mike" Gordon is a bass guitar player and vocalist most recognized as a founding member of the band Phish. In addition to bass, Gordon is an accomplished banjo player, and is proficient at piano and guitar. He is also a filmmaker and author. He has released five solo studio albums.

Jon Fishman American musician

Jon Fishman is an American drummer known for his work with the band Phish, which he co-founded in 1983 and was named after him. He is credited with co-writing nineteen Phish songs, eight with a solo credit.


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