The Blues - A new documetary on PBS

Scott F. · « **on:** 31 Aug 2003, 02:11 pm »

Mornin’ guys,

I was just reading the (internet) paper and ran across this article at Yahoo Entertainment.

It seems after the recent success of the Ken Burns Jazz series, the powers that be have decided to produce a seven part series on The Blues. The series will air on PBS starting September 28th and will complete it’s run on October 4th. Each of the 7 parts will be directed by a different director (boy…that reads poorly, doesn’t it?). Here’s a clip from the PBS site;

Quote

“Under the guiding vision of Executive Producer Martin Scorsese, seven directors will explore the blues through their own personal styles and perspectives. The films in the series are motivated by a central theme: how the blues evolved from parochial folk tunes to a universal language.”

Here are a couple of links if you want to read up on the series.

http://www.pbs.org/theblues/
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=769&ncid=768&e=3&u=/nm/20030831/music_nm/music_blues_dc

Also, it seems that the series will also be available on DVD on September 30th form Sony/UME.

Thought you might want to know.

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #1 on:** 31 Aug 2003, 03:07 pm »

Odd timing, but music direct is accepting pre-orders for a 5CD set (available Sept. 9...i.e. BEFORE the series starts???)

http://www.amusicdirect.com/products/detail.asp?sku=CHIPO39523-5

Thump553 · « **Reply #2 on:** 2 Sep 2003, 01:49 pm »

Could be good-too bad Burns isn't doing the series though.

I'm guessing this will be part of a fund raising bonanza. It seems like their music specials always are.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #3 on:** 2 Sep 2003, 07:38 pm »

It does seem odd to be taking preorders before the show airs; I also noticed that there's a "Best Of" CD already in stores.

I may have to try to catch that one. Sounds pretty interesting, and hopefully there'll be a good amount of info on the founders of blues, particularly Robert Johnson. Aside from the Cross Roads legend, I don't know much about him.

Scott F. · « **Reply #4 on:** 3 Sep 2003, 12:32 am »

Hi Rob,

Quote from: Rob Babcock

It does seem odd to be taking preorders before the show airs; I also noticed that there's a "Best Of" CD already in stores.

That is kinda strange but then again that's pretty typical of the marketing gurus. Try to make a stir before the actual programs air. They are capitalists after all.

Quote from: Rob Babcock

I may have to try to catch that one. Sounds pretty interesting, and hopefully there'll be a good amount of info on the founders of blues, particularly Robert Johnson. Aside from the Cross Roads legend, I don't know much about him.

Here's a few of the artists that PBS has listed on their website. I am only assuming that these guys (and gals) will be spotlighted during the series. When you read the PBS page, some of them fit and others make you go hmmmm.....
http://www.pbs.org/theblues/songsartists/songsbioalpha.html

and women. Looks like it should be a pretty good series.

mgalusha · « **Reply #5 on:** 3 Sep 2003, 12:45 am »

Thanks for posting this Scott. I'm a big blues fan and this could prove to be quite good. Of course, depending on the individual director parts of may be less than stellar.

Mike

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #6 on:** 14 Sep 2003, 10:33 am »

Another musicdirect e-mail lists even MORE cd's related to the series (some of which are quite cheap @ $9.99).
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Martin Scorsese"Presents The Blues" Series CDs

Jimi Hendrix - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues (MCA) $11.99
One of the most influential guitarist of all-time, Jimi Hendrix was as much at home displaying awesome guitar pyrotechnics as he was playing the blues. This collection features 10 tracks from Jimi's career with two of them being previously unreleased!

Feel Like Going Home - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues (Sony) $14.99
This soundtrack to the Martin Scorsese film features 6 never before released tracks by Keb' Mo' & Corey Harris, Taj Ma hal, Salif Keita, Othar Turner & Willie King!

Taj Ma hal - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues (Sony) $9.99
His three-decade recording career has produced works of humor, passion, pathos and surprise. This collection contains 15 tracks representing the many high points of that career.

Stevie Ray Vaughn - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues (Sony) $9.99
Following the trail blazed by Mike Bloomfield, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and others, Vaughan was the last in a line of virtuoso electric guitarists who revitalized the blues in a contemporary rock context. 15 songs including 6 live tracks!

Son House - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues (Sony) $9.99
A pioneering blues musician from the Mississippi Delta, House was one of the greatest bluesmen that ever lived. On this collection he invites you into his serious, intimate and joyous world, alive with truth on 14 tracks.

Bessie Smith - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues (Sony) $9.99
Smith embodied all the virtues of the classic blues style and then transcended its limits. Her voice as huge, her intonation prefect and expressiveness breathtaking. Experience them all on this 15-song collection.

Robert Johnson - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues (Sony) $9.99
Enter the world of a singer/guitarist in his mid-twenties from Mississippi in the mid-1930s. Features 14 Robert Johnson classics, plus emotional versions of Johnson's songs by Keb' Mo' and Cassandra Wilson.

Keb Mo’ - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues (Sony) $9.99
A collection of 16 songs from the contemporary blues singer/guitarist. This CD includes a brand new song from Keb', released here for the first time.

J.B. Lenoir - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues (Chess) $11.99
Newcomers to his considerable legacy could be forgiven for questioning J.B. Lenoir's gender upon first hearing his rocking waxings. Lenoir's exceptionally high-pitched vocal range is deceptive, but it only adds to the singular appeal of his music. This 15-song set features music from throughout J.B. Lenoir's career.

Eric Clapton - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues (Polydor) $11.99
A contemporary of Jimi Hendrix and Mike Bloomfied, Clapton helped revitalize and redefine the blues influence in rock 'n roll. This collection features music from his days with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominos as well as duets with Howlin' Wolf and Duane Allman!

Muddy Waters - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues (Chess) $11.99
Muddy Waters was renowned for his blues-playing prowess (particularly slide guitar) across the Delta, but that was about it until 1943, when he left for the bright lights of Chicago. There he defined the Chicago Blues sound that would influence generations of musicians. This is a 16-song collection of his best work.

The Allman Brothers Band - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues (Mercury) $11.99
A southern-rock band rooted as much in the Delta as in the South, the Allman Brothers have been a consistent blues-rock force for over three decades. This collection contains 11 songs featuring 7 live tracks!

B.B. King - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues (Hippo) $11.99
Universally hailed as the reigning king of the blues, the legendary B.B. King is without a doubt the single most important electric guitarist of the last half century. A collection of 12 King classics!

Warming By The Devil’s Fire: A Film By Charles Burnett - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues(Sony) $14.99
Director Charles Burnett (Killer of Sheep, My Brother's Wedding, To Sleep with Anger) presents a tale about a young boy's encounter with his family in Mississippi in the 1950s, and intergenerational tensions between the heavenly strains of gospel and the devilish moans of the blues.

The Soul Of A Man: A Film By Wim Wenders - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues (Sony) $14.99
A film by director Wim Wenders, this soundtrack includes 16 never before released tracks by Bonnie Raitt, Lou Reed, Cassandra Wilson, Los Lobos and more!

Piano Blues: A Film By Clint Eastwood - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues (Sony) $14.99
Directed by Clint Eastwood, this soundtrack focuses on the masters of the piano blues. Features 20 tracks from artists like Ray Charles, Little Richard, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and more!

Red, White And Blues: A Film By Mike Figgis - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues (Hippo) $14.99
Director Mike Figgis (Leaving Las Vegas, Timecode) joins musicians such as Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Tom Jones performing and talking about the music of the early 60’s British invasion that reintroduced the blues sound to America.

The Road To Memphis: A Film By Richard Pearce And Robert Kenner - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues (Chess) $14.99
Director Richard Pearce traces the musical odyssey of blues legend B.B. King in a film that pays tribute to the city that gave birth to a new style of blues. Features original performances by B.B. King, Bobby Rushy, Rosco Gordon and Ike Turner as well as historical footage of Howlin' Wolf and Fats Domino.

Godfathers And Sons: A Film By Marc Levin - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues(Hippo) $14.99
Director Marc Levin travels to Chicago to explore the heyday of Chicago Blues and unite veteran blues players with contemporary hip-hop musicians.

Martin Scorsese Presents - The Blues: A Musical Journey (5cd) (Hippo) $59.99
This 5-CD deluxe boxed set includes a comprehensive collection of the music from the seven films airing on PBS. The music is a definitive overview of blues recordings spanning over 80 years! This incredible set features 116 tracks and includes the most popular blues songs of all time from the giants of blues! Also included is a 60-page Collector's Booklet filled with stunning photos and illuminating essays.