Tool frontman shows his winemaking side in 'Blood Into Wine'
I had never heard of Maynard James Keenan before this documentary, but fans of the metal band "Tool" may know him as a singer, songwriter and record producer. Well, you can add winemaker to his list of accomplishments, a career journey he takes quite seriously. He admits he’s only learned the basics, taught to him by his business partner, Eric Glomski, but he’s a quick and humble study, one who is eager to connect with the earth. It’s hard to imagine that this flamboyant frontman performing before thousands of people is the same quiet, soulful farmer who loves hard work, getting his hands dirty and basking in the solitude of Northern Arizona’s Verde Valley. He’s intelligent, well-spoken and driven to succeed in every task he undertakes. This winemaking future is not a gimmick for him, but a way of life and an oasis from the draining road tours of his popular band. You could call him a kind of Renaissance man who finds joy in various pursuits, but insists on living life on his own terms. He’s fascinating and so are his friends. It’s too bad that his documentary filmmakers aren’t as good as he is interesting, but they manage to capture his essence and the struggles of the fledgling Arizona wine industry despite some awkward side trips and their haphazard storytelling skills. For you Tool fans, there is little concert footage (not sure why), so go because of the man, not the music.
