Blues Masters - The Essential History of the Blues |  | Actors: Leadbelly, Bessie Smith
Studio: Rhino / Wea
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.98
Buy New: $17.99
as of 3/12/2010 17:49 EST details
You Save: $1.99 (10%)
New (18) Used (3) from $13.25
Seller: Amazon.com
Rating:  15 reviews
Sales Rank: 36561
Format: Black & White, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 103 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
UPC: 603497607525
EAN: 0603497607525
ASIN: B000065U3M
Release Date: May 28, 2002
Shipping: Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
| |
| Similar Items:
| |
| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 15
 Black history , beautifully told! November 9, 2002
89 out of 96 found this review helpful
This documentary does what so many others on Black Music failed to do, it discusses the music in the context of black struggle in America. The reason this DVD was such a breath of fresh air to me is because I purchased it after returning a documentary (American Roots Music) that did the exact opposite. Where American Roots Music teases the viewer with one or two seconds of it's "rare footage", Blues Masters shows rare sessions with Son House, Leadbelly, Bessie Smith and many more virtually uncut. Where American Roots Music attempts to handle the music as if it exists in a vacuum; Blues Masters doesn't separate the music from the people who created it. The latter even makes mention and shows footage of self-determined Black leaders such as Marcus Garvey and Father Divine, who both were very influential among common Black folks of the time. It discusses the "Racist Regime of America" and it's deep mistreatment of Blacks and alludes to the fact that this deep seated oppression and pain had to be an element of what actually drove Black folks to create the blues in the first place. This DVD is a must have. Buy two copies, just in case one of your friends decide to borrow it and never give it back.
Going down to the River May 8, 2006
Q (my office)
29 out of 29 found this review helpful
This is an absolutely fantastic DVD of historic Blues performances. There are COMPLETE (not clips) song performances by many great Blues greats including Leadbelly, Son House, Bessie Smith, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and several others. The performance by Leadbelly is galvanizing. All of the clips are highly entertaining, many of them in unusual formats, such as the imaginative Jimmy Rushing dramatization of his song. Jazz-blues performances by performers such as Billie Holiday and Count Basie are also included. In between the performances, the narrator tells about key episodes in African-American history and the history of the Blues. Accompanying the narration are historic photos, video clips, and more music. As a college teacher, I find this an ideal video for classes on African-American culture and literature.
Unlike many documentaries, there are NO talking heads, NO pretentious "musicologists" boring us with their large vocabularies. The heart of this video is the music and the cultural background. Kudos to the producers of this excellent video. All producers of music history films should be forced to view this model music documentary.
ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL February 16, 2006
Denise (Salt Lake City Best Snow on Earth)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful
For ardent blues aficionados and neophytes, this is an excellent foray into what makes the blues the blues. Many people like to gloss over the arduous road black musicians had to surmount in order to even be heard by an audience outside their own neighborhoods---not here. We all need to be schooled by those who not only paved the way for those to follow, but to remember that they cleared the land, leveled the path, mixed the asphalt and never missed a beat into the bargain. Here are people who would have played to a cat on the front porch, much like the musicians in the equally excellent "Buena Vista Social Club". They play for the simple reason that the music is in them and needs to get out! No telling can be entirely comprehensive, and this one is not. But is sheds unflinching light on music that triumphs. The archival footage is its true treasure. Just to see these inimitable musicians in their own metier is worth the price of admission. This dvd is akin to an art history course. sometimes, we look at a painting and say, "I hate it!" But when you understand some of what the artist was living through, you can appreciate it---perhaps, even come to like it. Same with the blues. You might not like it at first, but when you hear and learn what the artists were living through at the time, you come to respect their expression. Kudos to all involved with this project. It bears up over several viewings as well.
Informative March 4, 2005
L. Klosner (Garden City, Mi. USA)
12 out of 15 found this review helpful
I've been into Blues & a collecter for yrs & just got this DVD & it's not just the great performers on it but it also tells what & where the Blues come from. Anyone who just got started with the Blues or is a longtimer with the Blues in anyway should have this DVD. I know I'll be seein' it over & over again. L.K.
Blues Masters Video cd January 16, 2009
Leroy A. Jones
This blues dvd displays some of the only video recordings of the early blues founders,like; Bessie Smith, Sun House, and others. It is a very good dvd for blues and music lovers.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 15
|
|
|
