Five’ll Get You Six

This is in response to Robert Hilburn’s article regarding his top five rock ‘n’ roll movies and his inclusion into that select group of the new movie “High Fidelity” (“A New Entry to the Top 5,” April 15). Knowing what music supervisors bring to the creative process of making a movie, I think “High Fidelity” music supervisor Kathy Nelson made a terrific contribution to a very, very well-made movie.

That being said, I have a left-handed argument to Hilburn’s list. Back in 1991, Alan Parker directed “The Commitments.” Granted it was about the formation of a Dublin band whose goal was to sing American R&B;, but I think you should know what another director, Tony Bill, said to the music supervisor on that film, G. Marq Roswell, who just happens to be my brother.

After seeing the film and having a clear understanding of Marq’s collaboration with Parker, Bill said, “If they gave an Academy Award for what you do, you’d win it for this movie.” Bill also said he thought “The Commitments” was “the best rock ‘n’ roll movie since ‘A Hard Day’s Night.’ ” You can imagine the size of my brother’s head after hearing that accolade.

Is “The Commitments” a story about rock ‘n’ roll? As much so as “High Fidelity,” I think. It touches on fandom with fans wanting autographs after one of the band’s early gigs. It most certainly tracks the frustrations, conflict and humor of how bad a band can be before it gets good. And, finally, it chronicles a rise in popularity (not unlike a great garage band becoming a mega-hit group--the Doors as an example?) and what ensues when divergent personalities get a real taste of fame and success.

I think Hilburn’s list should, at very least, be expanded to six. A biased opinion, to be sure, but I believe a valid one.

RICK ROSWELL

Los Angeles

Hilburn states, “There are lots of easy ways to stereotype people . . . but nothing quite tells as much about someone as taste in music. Tell me now: If someone informs you that his favorite act of all time is Gino Vanelli, wouldn’t you think the guy is a couple of steps slow?”

Actually, Bob, your lofty dismissal of other people’s tastes reveals you as musically quite provincial, joining the circle of inveterate musical snobs like singer-pianist Michael Feinstein (who never heard a rock ‘n’ roll song he liked) and recent Counterpunch letter writer David Was (rigid in his contempt of anything written before 1980).

Good music spans genres and generational divides. As a female in her 50s deeply in love with the Beatles, Mozart and Beethoven, Benny Goodman, Rodgers & Hart, Gilbert & Sullivan, the Pretenders, Puccini operas, surf guitar and Bruce Springsteen, I’m curious to know how Hilburn would stereotype me.

BONNIE SLOANE

Los Angeles