The Blues: Godfathers and Sons
| Godfathers and Sons | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Marc Levin |
| Produced by | Daphne Pinkerson Marc Levin |
| Starring | Marshall Chess Chuck D |
| Cinematography | Mark Benjamin |
| Edited by | Bob Eisenhardt |
Release date |
|
Running time | 133 minutes |
Godfathers and Sons is a documentary directed by Marc Levin. The film is part of The Blues, a seven part PBS series, with Martin Scorsese as executive producer.[1]
Synopsis[edit]
Godfathers and Sons follows Producer Marshall Chess as he remembers his father Leonard Chess' contribution to Chicago blues history as the co-founder of Chess Records, and his own production of the controversial album Electric Mud.[2] Chess organizes a reunion of the musicians that made Electric Mud to record new versions of Muddy Waters's blues standard "Mannish Boy," with contributions by hip hop artists, including Chuck D of Public Enemy, Common & Kyle Jason.[3][4] The film includes never-before-seen archival footage of Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, and original performances by Koko Taylor, Otis Rush, Magic Slim, Ike Turner, and Sam Lay.
soundtracks[edit]
- You can't lose what you ain't never had. Written and performed by Muddy Waters.[5]
- Gambling blues. written by Magic Slim and performed by Magic Slim and The Teardrops.[6]
- Wang dang doodle. Written by Willie Dixon and performed by Koko Taylor.[7]
- Sit and cry by Willie Dixon and performed by Buddy Guy.[8]
- Mannish boy by Bo Diddley, Melvin London and Muddy Waters and performed by Muddy Waters.[9]
- Rollin stone written and performed by Muddy Waters.[10]
Critical reception[edit]
Variety (September 2, 2003): "Bonus is Levin’s technique — he adds a cinema verite take on the city’s contempo club scene to his blues ‘n’ rap story and adds a few B&W clips from the 1960s that make the blues appear regal, vital and thriving. For story and filmmaking technique alone, “Godfathers & Sons” is the crown jewel in the Scorsese series."[2]
References[edit]
- ^ Goldberg, Michael Alan (September 25, 2003). "Blues All Around Me". Miami New Times.
- ^ a b Gallo, Phil (September 3, 2003). "Godfathers & Sons". Variety.
- ^ Harrington, Richard (August 29, 2003). "Blues on Television From ..." Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286.
- ^ "The Blues A Musical Journey: Godfathers and Sons". Time Out New York. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
- ^ "The Blues" Godfathers and Sons (TV Episode 2003) - Soundtracks - IMDb. Retrieved 2024-05-28 – via m.imdb.com.
- ^ "The Blues" Godfathers and Sons (TV Episode 2003) - Soundtracks - IMDb. Retrieved 2024-05-28 – via m.imdb.com.
- ^ "The Blues" Godfathers and Sons (TV Episode 2003) - Soundtracks - IMDb. Retrieved 2024-05-28 – via m.imdb.com.
- ^ "The Blues" Godfathers and Sons (TV Episode 2003) - Soundtracks - IMDb. Retrieved 2024-05-28 – via m.imdb.com.
- ^ "The Blues" Godfathers and Sons (TV Episode 2003) - Soundtracks - IMDb. Retrieved 2024-05-28 – via m.imdb.com.
- ^ "The Blues" Godfathers and Sons (TV Episode 2003) - Soundtracks - IMDb. Retrieved 2024-05-28 – via m.imdb.com.