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Post by DPK on Oct 10, 2004 0:12:43 GMT -5
I had the pleasure last weekend of viewing on the big screen the movie, The Howlin' Wolf Story. The screening was just a part of the fifth year's offering by the Minneapolis film arts community's "Sound Unseen" festival. Films and performances of under exposed musical acts and what not.
This 90min movie offered a special insight to the life and music of Chester Burnett, the nature of the blues and the impact it has had on music evolution. I can now imagine with a perfect visualization what it must have been like for Lowell to be told to "F'off" by this giant of a man. Part of the movie is a full viewing of his only appearance on national TV that also includes a very young Mick Jagger that is worth every penny of admission. It's a hoot!
It includes extensive commentary by Hubert Sumlin and The Wolf's daughters, as well as content offered by Son House, music producers etc.
It's out on DVD and can be found on Amazon. I recommend it to anyone who shares a love of the blues.
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Post by jashley on Oct 13, 2004 17:19:15 GMT -5
Anyone who thinks that the "Blues" is a narrow genre of music should listen to the Wolf's body of work. He did everything from what is considered downhome blues to calypso to some stuff that you would think is the earliest rock and roll, and believe me he listened to the jazz players of his day. Kind of reminds me of this band, oh what were thier names, oh yea, Little Feat. Lowell had to love the Wolf, they were kindred spirits and if there is a heaven they're sittin' around jammin' right now.
Peace
j ashley
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Post by threebeards on Apr 1, 2005 21:31:34 GMT -5
I have a copy of the film on video tape that my neighbor (and 75 year-old music swapping buddy) nipped off of his satellite dish. It is fantastic and I'll be looking for the DVD now that I know it's available. I teach American History at the high school level and I'm putting together a unit on how black Americans influenced our culture through jazz and blues. I'll get started with a taste of ragtime and early W.C. Handy and then do some roots music of the 1920s (both blues and jazz). From there it will be the pre-WWII era (Robert Johnson, Son House, etc. and swing jazz and big bands like Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Post war will move into bebop (Bird Parker and pals) and electric blues like Muddy Waters and Elmore James. The modern (1960s onward) era will branch out into more rock oriented blues as well as attempts to sell the blues as a countrified art form (remember "the real folk blues" albums?) and the myriad branches of jazz including latin jazz, afro-cuban, cool (I feel a Miles Davis attack coming on) and so on. I'll make sure to include the blues queens of the 1920s (Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith) and more contemporary blues divas like Billie Holiday and Etta James. The final segment should drive my major point home, that these early artists had a profound effect on modern music, when I pair an original (or at least early version of a song) with its much newer cover by a band in recent times. Imagine my 16 year-old kids' surprise to hear Ledbelly do "Gallows Pole" followed by Led Zeppelin cranking out the same tune. Should be a hoot! I'll finish the unit off with the Howlin' Wolf video. They'll want to vote me president after this!
TB
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Post by Mike on Apr 1, 2005 21:46:56 GMT -5
What a great deal! Just a suggestion but, this is so well planned and evolved, that perhaps you should make your own "documentary" as you go.
By far, my favorite "catagory" of music is some good ole greasy Blues-Rock. It's amazing to think of how it's evolved from someone like Muddy or Robert Johnson to the juiced format of today from people like Clapton, SRV, Mick Taylor, Page, Beck, Barrere, Montoya .......
Heck, I'll vote for ya! ;D
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Post by threebeards on Apr 8, 2005 16:56:46 GMT -5
This is my first go 'round with the Blues/Jazz thing (I'm toying with the title All Jazzed Up & Singing the Blues) but I could forsee it evolving into more of a documentary style presentation. There is some digital video technology I would have to get a handle on but it could be do-able. Thanks for the suggestion.
I also share your passion for blues/rock. It is what makes my world go 'round.
TB
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Post by threebeards on Apr 8, 2005 16:58:59 GMT -5
I forgot to mention that my septigenarian (if I spelled that right it's a miracle) neighbor just delivered to me another taped show covering Jimi Hendrix's transition from The Experience to Band of Gypsies. Talk about blues/rock!
TB
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Post by Mike on Apr 8, 2005 18:31:38 GMT -5
Just 3 days ago I recieved my DVDs of Eric Claptons "Crossroads Guitar Festival" recorded live at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas last year, from amazon ($20). It holds me spellbound for over 3 hours with every blues guitar player Clapton ever wanted to hear. There are some pretty fierce guitar slingers on it, but the only vintage player is Hubert Sumlin. BB King doesn't qualify as vintage yet in my book.
You might find a good place for it in you project.
I consider it one the best $20s I've ever spent.
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Post by DPK on Apr 11, 2005 21:51:24 GMT -5
Just 3 days ago I recieved my DVDs of Eric Claptons "Crossroads Guitar Festival" recorded live at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas last year, from amazon ($20). It holds me spellbound for over 3 hours with every blues guitar player Clapton ever wanted to hear. There are some pretty fierce guitar slingers on it, but the only vintage player is Hubert Sumlin. BB King doesn't qualify as vintage yet in my book. You might find a good place for it in you project. I consider it one the best $20s I've ever spent. QFT (quoted for truth) |
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