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:
B.B. King,
Laurence Fishburne,
Tommy Hicks,
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Clint Eastwood,
Martin Scorsese,
Richard Pearce,
more...
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: Sony, Legacy/Columbia Music Video
: Documentary, Music, Documentary, Music
: English
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The Blues ep.1: Feel Like Going Home (2003)
Part of The Blues documentary film series on PBS, Feel Like Going Home is directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Peter Guralnick. This installment looks at the roots of the music in the Mississippi Delta and in the traditions of Africa. Modern blues guitarist Corey Harris travels to Senatobia, MS, and talks with legendary fife player Othar Turner on his front porch. Harris then travels to Mali, West Africa, and talks with artists like Ali Farka Toure, Habib Koité, and Salif Keita. Other featured performers include Taj Mahal, Willie King, and Keb' Mo'. Archival footage features Son House, John Lee Hooker, and Leadbelly. This feature-length documentary was originally broadcast by PBS on September 28, 2003. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
The Blues ep.2: The Soul of a Man (2003)
Part of The Blues documentary series on PBS, The Soul of a Man is written and directed by Wim Wenders and narrated by Laurence Fishburne. This installment explores the work of the filmmaker's personal musical heroes: Skip James, Blind Willie Johnson, and J.B. Lenoir. Through reenactments and archive footage, Wenders tells the personal stories of these highly influential and often underappreciated artists. Their musical legacy is interpreted through live performances by contemporary musicians like Bonnie Raitt, Cassandra Wilson, Lou Reed, Nick Cave, Lucinda Williams, Beck, and the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. He also incorporates rare clips from two 16 mm films shot during the '60s by Steve and Rönnog Seaberg. The Soul of a Man was originally broadcast by PBS on September 29, 2003. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
The Blues ep.3: The Road to Memphis (2003)
Part of The Blues documentary film series on PBS, The Road to Memphis is directed by Richard Pearce. This installment explores the movement from the Mississippi Delta to Memphis, TN, during the early '50s. This generation of artists went from working in the cotton fields to playing on the radio and performing in clubs. The Memphis style is exemplified by the work of blues legend B.B. King, who has since become an American icon. The filmmakers follow the contemporary touring musician Bobby Rush, who enjoys a successful career outside of the mainstream recording industry. Includes archival footage by Rufus Thomas and Howlin' Wolf, along with original performances and interviews by Rosco Gordon and Ike Turner. The Road to Memphis was originally broadcast by PBS on September 30, 2003. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
The Blues ep.4: Warming by the Devil's Fire (2003)
Part of The Blues documentary film series on PBS, Warming by the Devil's Fire is written and directed by Charles Burnett and narrated by Carl Lumbly. This installment explores the tension between the gospel and the blues through the semi-autobiographic tale of a young boy (played by Nathaniel Lee Jr.) who is kidnapped by his blues-loving Uncle Buddy (Tommy Hicks) right before he's about to be saved. Burnett investigates some of the blues women who defied the church by singing racy songs, like Lucille Bogan, Mamie Smith, Ma Rainey, and Bessie Smith. Includes archival performances by Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Reverend Gary Davis, blues performers who managed to work within the church's jurisdiction. Burnett also discusses his fascination with W.C. Handy and Blind Lemon Jefferson. Warming by the Devil's Fire was originally broadcast by PBS on October 1, 2003. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
The Blues ep.5: Godfathers & Sons (2003)
Part of The Blues documentary film series on PBS, Godfathers and Sons is directed by Marc Levin. This installment explores the Chicago blues, the influence of Chess Records, and the connection between blues and hip-hop. Revolutionary rap group Public Enemy notes the 1968 Muddy Waters album Electric Mud as a major influence on the development of their sound. Working closely with Chess Records heir Marshall Chess, along with Public Enemy's Chuck D, Levin travels to Chicago to make a record with contemporary hip-hop artists and veteran blues musicians. Modern electric blues rockers Sam Lay, Magic Slim, and Koko Taylor provide performances and interviews. Includes archival footage of Bo Diddley, Howlin' Wolf, and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Godfathers and Sons was originally broadcast by PBS on October 2, 2003. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
The Blues ep.6: Red, White & Blues (2003)
Part of The Blues documentary film series on PBS, Red, White & Blues is directed by British filmmaker Mike Figgis. This installment explores the impact of black American blues music on mostly white audiences in the U.K., who then reintroduced the style to mainstream America during the British invasion of the early '60s. Kids from London, Birmingham, Manchester, and other parts of England were heavily influenced by the "race music" that middle-class white America largely ignored. Figgis himself was involved in the British blues music scene in one of Bryan Ferry's early bands. Tom Jones, Jeff Beck, Van Morrison, and Lulu come together for a live improvised recording session at Abbey Road Studios. Eric Clapton, John Mayall, Mick Fleetwood, and Steve Winwood offer commentary in interview segments. Red, White & Blues was originally broadcast by PBS on October 3, 2003. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
The Blues ep.7: Piano Blues (2003)
Part of The Blues documentary film series on PBS, Piano Blues is directed by actor, filmmaker, and pianist Clint Eastwood. This installment explores the director's fascination with piano blues and jazz, starting with Fats Waller and the early stride piano sound. The sound evolved into boogie-woogie with expressive players like Albert Ammons and Meade Lux Lewis. Includes the classic "How Long Blues" as interpreted through the generations by Jimmy Yancey, the Count Basie Orchestra, and Dr. John. Features performances by Marcia Ball, Pinetop Perkins, Dave Brubeck, and Jay McShann. Piano Blues was originally broadcast by PBS on October 4, 2003. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
FEEL LIKE GOING HOME: Director Martin Scorsese winds his way from the banks of the Niger River in Mali to the cotton fields and juke joints of the Mississippi Delta to trace the origins of the blues in a lyrical combination of original performances (including Corey Harris, Willie King, Taj Mahal, Keb' Mo', Otha Turner, Habib Koite, Salif Keita and Ali Farka Toure) and rare archive footage. Says Scorsese: "I've always felt an affinity for blues music -- the culture of storytelling through music is incredibly fascinating and appealing to me. The blues have great emotional resonance and are the foundation for American popular music."
Special features: - New & extended performances not seen in the film:
- Taj Mahal & Corey Harris: "Sitting on Top of the World
- Willie King & the Liberators: "Spoonful"
- Keb' Mo' & Corey Harris: "Sweet Home Chicago"
- Otha Turner & Corey Harris: "Sitting on Top of the World"
- Salif Keita: "Folon"
- Corey Harris: "Honeysuckle"
- Interview with Martin Scorsese
- Director Biography & Filmography
- Special menu option to scan for all music performances
- THE BLUES trailer
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