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Four Strings Good

CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF MO FOSTER

SYNOPSIS

 

Four Strings Good is a feature documentary of a night celebrating the music and life of renowned UK session musician Mo Foster who passed away in 2023. Joined by Ray Russell, Simon Phillips, Tony Hymas, Judie Tzuke, Deborah Bonham, Jimmy Helms, Kim Goody, Moon Williams, Phil Hilborne and others, the event served as a celebration of Mo's enduring influence, musical legacy and great humour, bringing together friends, fans, and fellow musicians to honour his memory.

 

Mo was a revered figure in the London music scene playing with artists such as Jeff Beck, Gil Evans, Phil Collins, Gerry Rafferty, Joan Armatrading and Gary Moore.  He established himself as a prominent session musician during the vibrant era of the 1960s and continuing to captivate audiences until his death. His contributions to the music industry spanned decades, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of many.

 

Ray Russell, his closest friend and fellow session legend who shared the stage with Mo in the esteemed RMS, took the initiative to commemorate his legacy orchestrating an evening filled with live performances, showcasing music that defined Mo's career. This film captures that event as well as filmed interviews and events that Mo hosted. 

DIRECTORS BIOGRAPHY

Alan D Boyd, a British/Canadian director, musician, composer and has a long career in music and film production having worked for the BBC, C4, Discovery, FOX and many other networks worldwide. With notable compositions for television and film. He has interviewed many notable names such as Hans Zimmer, Wynton Marsalis, Ronnie Wood, Steve Reich, Jackie Cheung, and Andy Lau. Currently, Alan is focused on a documentary spotlighting the contributions of UK session musicians, showing their often-overlooked role within the industry as well as a film on the songwriter Bill Fay. Through his knowledge of music making, Alan engages with his subjects to bring stories that resonate with authenticity and depth.

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Performers

Featured Artists

Mo Foster
Ray Russell
Simon Phillips
Tony Hymas
 
Jimmy Helms
Judie Tzuke
Phil Hilborne
Deborah Bonham
Kim Goody
Moon Williams

Musicians

Lawrence Cottle
Jim Watson
Malcolm Edmonstone
Nic France
Chris Biscoe
Corrina Sylvester
George Baldwin
Ian Palmer
Julian Littman
Denny McCaffery
Johnny Thirkell
Chris Bowden
Tim Whithead
Graham Preskett
Brian Bennett
Clem Cattini
Mark Isham
Henry Lowther
Malcom Griffiths
Ronnie Aspry

SPECIFICATIONS

Project Type: Documentary, Other

Genres: Music, Performance, Concert

Runtime: 1 hour 27 minutes

Production Budget: >£20k GBP
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Country of Filming: United Kingdom
Language: English
Shooting Format: 4K
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Film Color: Color
First-time Filmmaker: Yes
Student Project: No

CREW

Director: Alan D Boyd

Editor: Charlene Rule

Executive Producers: Alan D Boyd, Ray Russell & Kim Goody

Producers: Alan D Boyd & Charlene Rule

Associate Producers: Paul Brett & David Stark 

Director of Photography: Conor Connolly

Camera: Alan D Boyd, Angelos Tzouanakis, Pedro Castro & Charlene Rule

Concert Master: Ray Russell

Front of House Sound: Alessandro Bonifacio

Monitors: Sebastian Smith

Sound Mix: Soho Square Studios

Sound Mixer: Simon Capes

Live Lighting: Lisa Mulas

Colour & Online: dock10 

Colour Grade: Sam Wiles

Online Edit: Penny Starr

Photography: Christina Jansen

Artwork: Kim Brett

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Directors Statement

Four Strings Good is a film that pays homage to the musical legacy of Mo Foster, featuring performances by his friends and colleagues from the UK music scene. As someone who had the privilege of knowing Mo for over two decades, his death in 2023 impacted me and in response I decided to make this film of his memorial celebration.

 

My journey with Mo began two decades ago when he introduced me to the vibrant history of the London music scene of the 50s to 80s. Our collaboration extended beyond our friendship, as Mo played a pivotal role in connecting me with other musicians, ultimately leading to the inception of One More Time, a documentary about the session musicians of the UK scene, which has been a labor of love since 2012.

 

With Four Strings Good, we hope to not only celebrate Mo's remarkable career but also raise awareness for One More Time and the need for additional funding to complete the project - especially the clearance of the hits these musicians played on. Through Mo's legacy it is my sincere hope that this film will serve as a catalyst for finishing One More Time and preserving the stories of these legendary musicians for future generations to enjoy.

 

As the director of this film, my goal was to create a cinematic experience that honours Mo's memory while also celebrating the music that brought us together. It is my hope that audiences will be inspired by the performances captured on screen and gain a deeper appreciation for the man behind the music.

Contact

If you are interested in this film please contact us via email or the phone number here.

UK: +44 7 808 588 689

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