Robert OHaire Derek Bailey Playing For Friends on 5th Street (2004)

The camera s movements are casual, and the postproduction efforts meagre. But that is just part of the narrative strategy to convey the sense of intimacy implicit in the title: a small friendly circle of amicable ears and eyes, casually enjoying the music of someone who just happens to be the most celebrated guitar player in the history of adventurous music, but who behaves as if he were just playing a few chords while waiting for his dinner to cook. In between, a few funny stories about the man s past as a guitar teacher in London, some interactions with the public, and even Djangolike interludes and a Penthouse Serenade quote to boot. Both the performance and filmproduction were designed as an intimate portrait: of Bailey and his music, of course, but also of the DMG (Downtown Music Gallery) store in Downtown NY, where several such performances by avant and notsoavant musicians have been hosted before.