Watch Slim & I

Slim & I is a 2020 Australian documentary that tells the story of Joy McKean, the wife and creative partner of Australian country music legend Slim Dusty. Directed by Kriv Stenders, the documentary features interviews with Joy McKean, as well as renowned musicians such as Keith Urban, Kasey Chambers, and Troy Cassar-Daley, among others.

The documentary gives a detailed overview of Joy McKean’s life, starting with her upbringing in rural Queensland, where she developed a love for music at a young age. We hear about how she met Slim Dusty when she was just 15 years old and started performing with him soon after. Together, they toured the country and released countless albums, becoming Australia’s most successful husband-and-wife team.

One of the key themes of the documentary is the role that Joy played in Slim Dusty’s career. While Slim is widely considered to be one of Australia’s greatest songwriters and performers, Joy was in many ways the engine behind his success. She wrote many of his most famous songs, including “Lights on the Hill” and “The Biggest Disappointment,” and in doing so helped to shape the sound of Australian country music. She was also instrumental in promoting Slim’s music and organizing his tours, taking care of all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into making a career in music.

The documentary does a great job of showcasing the impact that Joy and Slim had on Australian music in general. We hear from numerous musicians who were influenced by Slim’s music, and who felt a special connection with the couple as people. Keith Urban, in particular, speaks eloquently about the way that Slim’s music captured the spirit of Australia, and how Joy played a crucial role in making that happen.

One of the most fascinating parts of the documentary is the way that it brings to light some of the less well-known aspects of Joy’s career. For instance, we learn that she wrote a number of film scores, including the soundtrack for the classic Australian movie The Tracker. We also hear about the book she wrote in the early 1980s called I’ve Been There, and the influence it had on women across Australia.

Throughout the documentary, we see glimpses of Joy and Slim’s personal lives, including their marriage and the challenges they faced as a couple. We also see footage of them performing together, and it’s clear that they had a deep connection both on and off stage. At the same time, the documentary also shows us the toll that the music industry can take on a person’s life. Joy talks at length about the sacrifices she made in order to support her husband’s career, and the difficult decisions she had to make along the way.

Overall, Slim & I is a moving and insightful look at the life of one of Australia’s most important musical figures. Through interviews with Joy McKean and a host of other musicians, it captures the spirit of Australian country music and the impact that Joy and Slim had on the genre. It’s a must-watch for fans of Slim Dusty’s music and for anyone interested in the history of Australian music.

Slim & I is a 2021 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9.