June 13 2012 – For the 18th year in a row North By Northeast (NXNE) is happening in Toronto from June 11th to the 17th 2012. NXNE is a music festival, conference, and even a film festival all rolled into one. Today we review a documentary that had it’s world premiere at NXNE entitled Dan’s Chelsea Guitars.
Every city has one. You know, that counter culture store of randomness nestled awkwardly into a street filled with monied boutiques. Its entrenched Bohemian stylings bellow a constant reminder to all store owners within visual that the conformity kool-aid will not be enjoyed here. In an out of the way Chelsea New York neighbourhood the joys of musical non conformity can always be found at Dan’s Chelsea Guitars – A Neighbourhood Music Store for The Whole World. Part guitar historian and part therapist, big Dan Courtenay dispensed witticisms of life and Americana during his two decades in business.
In an era of ROI’s and dwindling margins it is refreshing to immerse oneself in a business that values life lessons and guitar lessons equally, and nothing echoes old school like manual receipts in the age of e-payment. Dan’s legions of loyal customers seem to illuminate as they hold court segwaying from story to story like the milestones of their lives. To some, Dan’s Chelsea Guitars is more like a pilgrimage to guitar Mecca, where the Messiah (Dan) also holds court immersed in collectibles, curios and some really fine guitars.
They really don’t makes music stores like this anymore and that’s a shame as the corporatization of businesses grinds the independents into bankruptcy. 220 West 23rd Street has rolled with the economic punches for two decades and that’s all due to Dan. And even though it closed on December 31, 2009 . . . it soon reopened 50 feet to the right of it original location giving a new vantage to all who though they had finally seen the last of Dan Courtenay. Not so fast, the second act just got started.
Verdict – 4 / 5 stars. Dan’s Chelsea Guitars let’s you into a world that few tread. This insightful, and poignant documentary gives you the unvarnished look at an era of music store that should be required viewing for anyone with a love of music.
Review by: John Dash
