GKarsEye
Regular
PBS is now airing a series of films/documentaries about blues music. Each film is directed by someone else, one of whom is Martin Scorsese, who also is the executive producer.
Three have been shown so far, at least where I am. Check local listing to find out when is what.
I missed the first one, Scorsese's. I watched the 2nd one last night, directed by a German dude. Instead of a dry documentary, it was a loving tribute to the director's three favorite blues men: Blind Lemon Jefferson, Skip James, and J.B. Lenoir.
The film is narrated by Laurence Fishburn as Blind Lemon talking to you from space (his song Soul of a Man is on that record on Voyager). They recreate the image of Blind Lemon and a young Skip James singing by using actors synched to the songs and filming it in an old-timey style. Footage of the real Skip James when he was older and Lenoir is also used.
The remarkable tale of Skip having recorded all his songs in 1931 only to face dissappointing record sales during the Great Depression (people don't buy music during economic hardship, are you listening RIAA?), giving up music for the church, and then being rediscoverd in the 60s(!) is outlined dramatically.
Very highly recommended for any film lover or anyone remotely interested in American music.
The one I recorded last night and will try to watch tonight is about BB King and is supposedly more of a straight-ahead documentary.
Three have been shown so far, at least where I am. Check local listing to find out when is what.
I missed the first one, Scorsese's. I watched the 2nd one last night, directed by a German dude. Instead of a dry documentary, it was a loving tribute to the director's three favorite blues men: Blind Lemon Jefferson, Skip James, and J.B. Lenoir.
The film is narrated by Laurence Fishburn as Blind Lemon talking to you from space (his song Soul of a Man is on that record on Voyager). They recreate the image of Blind Lemon and a young Skip James singing by using actors synched to the songs and filming it in an old-timey style. Footage of the real Skip James when he was older and Lenoir is also used.
The remarkable tale of Skip having recorded all his songs in 1931 only to face dissappointing record sales during the Great Depression (people don't buy music during economic hardship, are you listening RIAA?), giving up music for the church, and then being rediscoverd in the 60s(!) is outlined dramatically.
Very highly recommended for any film lover or anyone remotely interested in American music.
The one I recorded last night and will try to watch tonight is about BB King and is supposedly more of a straight-ahead documentary.