JIMMY CARTER: ROCK & ROLL PRESIDENT
D: Mary Wharton (2020) ¢ ¢ ¢ 1/2
The first American president to attract the attention of the rock-&-roll generation was probably JFK, who died before most rockers could vote. The first president with a genuine interest and appreciation for the music was Jimmy Carter, who claims Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan and Greg Allman as friends, and credits the Allman Brothers with helping him get elected in the first place. Others in the lineup in this documentary include Ray Charles, Paul Simon, Roseanne Cash, Aretha Franklin, Garth Brooks, Sarah Vaughan and Bono, and that's just a partial list. There's even footage of Rosalynn Carter singing harmony with Willie (sort of) and Jimmy providing vocals for Dizzy Gillespie (more or less). You also get Carter, looking spry in his 90s, talking with obvious affection about the people whose music has inspired him, and it's clear from the other talking-head witnesses that the feeling is mutual. Carter's presidency had its share of flaws and failures, along with some notable accomplishments, but his life and work after leaving the White House set a standard for public service that may never be matched. That, and an unbeatable playlist.
Jimmy Carter
(1924-2024)
