HOME   News   Reviews   Adv Search   Features   My DVD   About   Apps   Stats     Search:
  Directed by
  Starring
  Specs
  • Full Frame
  Languages
  • English: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
  Subtitles
  • None
  Extras
  • 4 Teaser trailer
Bluesland - A Portrait in American Music
Umbrella Entertainment/AV Channel . R4 . B&W . 85 mins . E . PAL

  Feature
Contract

First came the slaves from West Africa to America. They brought their rhythms and tribal chanting. And they found outlet for their misery in what quickly evolved into the blues.

This documentary uses rare early footage and modern interviews to trace the history of the blues. A recurring theme is just how much in American contemporary music was first created by the blacks, then claimed as their own by the white Americans.

Watch and listen to these early blues singers, notably performers such as Big Joe Turner, and you can hear just where pale imitators such as Bill Haley and the Comets found their style. It was only when the British groups such as The Who and The Rolling Stones started listening to the blues and artists such as Muddy Waters, that American musicians in turn opened their eyes and ears and began to acknowledge their debt.

This is a worthwhile introduction to a fascinating musical genre; it's already made me sift through stacks of old LPs to rediscover Muddy Waters, Big Bill Broonzy and their ilk...

  Video
  Audio
  Extras
Contract

The historical material varies immensely in quality and vintage, but is always viewable. Watch out for the rare clip of Leadbelly shot in very primitive colour - it's almost surrealistic in its colour-flaring brilliance.

Sound varies as well. Although it's been processed into Dolby Digital 5.1 surround for a bit more depth and warmth, it is of course limited by the shape the sources were in. But again, the overall condition is just fine for an historical documentary of this sort.

There are no real extras here, just four Umbrella 'propaganda' trailers for other DVDs, featuring Charlie Parker, Count Basie, Thelonious Monk and Ray Charles.


  • LINK: http://www.dvd.net.au/review.cgi?review_id=3972
  • Send to a friend.
  • Do YOU want to be a DVDnet reviewer? If so, click here

    Cast your vote here: You must enable cookies to vote.
  •   And I quote...
    "A short but fact-packed documentary of the blues, which shows just how rock 'n' roll evolved."
    - Anthony Clarke
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
          Panasonic A330
    • TV:
          Loewe Profil Plus 3272 68cm
      Recent Reviews:
    by Anthony Clarke

    A Fistful of Dollars (Sony)
    "An essential Spaghetti-Western, given deluxe treatment by MGM."

    Stripes
    "Falls short of being a classic, but it gives us Bill Murray, so it just has to be seen."

    Creature Comforts - Series 1: Vol. 2
    "Delicious comic idea given the right-royal Aardman treatment. "

    The General (Buster Keaton)
    "Forget that this is a silent movie. This 1927 classic has more expression, movement and sheer beauty (along with its comedy) than 99 per cent of films made today."

    Dr Who - Claws Of Axos
    "Is it Worzel Gummidge? No, it's Jon Pertwee in his other great television role, as the good Doctor battling all kinds of evil on our behalf."

      Related Links
      None listed

     

    Search for Title/Actor/Director:
    Google Web dvd.net.au
       Copyright © DVDnet. All rights reserved. Site Design by RED 5   
    rss