Product Details

• Actors: Alberta Hunter, Billy Taylor, John Hammond, Barney Joesphson, Chris Albertson
• Directors: Stuart Goldman
• Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: V.I.E.W. Video
• DVD Release Date: October 30, 2001
• Run Time: 57 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00005O6OK
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #106,583 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This engaging documentary captures the legendary blues vocalist and Broadway and film star Alberta Hunter (1895-1984) with a small combo at The Cookery in New York's Greenwich Village in the early 1980s. This performance was taped during her "comeback," which she launched at 82 after her 20-year retirement from show business to become a registered nurse. Hunter's urbane, no-nonsense, and quick-as-a-wit stage demeanor is full of down-home double entendre. She revisits many of her classic jazz standbys, including "Darktown Strutters Ball," the naughty "Handy Man," and the bouncy title track. Narrated by jazz pianist/educator Billy Taylor, My Castle's Rockin' also features interview clips and archival photographs detailing Hunter's childhood in Memphis and Chicago, the Harlem Renaissance, Paul Robeson, and her work overseas. Alberta Hunter is proof positive that good jazz, like fine wine, gets better with age. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Product Description

An American Film Festival Winner, this performance documentary DVD, Alberta Hunter: My Castle's Rockin', explores the life, times, and music of a Blues and Jazz pioneer, singer Alberta Hunter. Complete with a full-length concert live from the Cookery in Greenwich Village, as well as rare vintage footage and interviews, this DVD captures the spirit of the 'Jazz Age,' while simultaneously showcasing Alberta Hunter's timeless vocals and music. Narrated by renowned pianist Billy Taylor, and with appearances Jazz Impresario Barney Joesphson and Record Producers such as Chris Albertson and John Hammond, this DVD features the music of her friends Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith, King Oliver, Paul Robeson and Fats Waller, among others.

After achieving success for over 40 years with starring roles on Broadway, international tours, and more than a dozen hits, including Downhearted Blues, which became Bessie Smith's biggest hit in 1923, Alberta left show business at age 62 to become a nurse. Twenty years later, she was forced to retire. Still full of energy, and known for her independent spirit and often naughty lyrics, she returned to singing with a critically acclaimed comeback, making her more popular then in her heyday.

For this important film, Alberta opened her personal archives to Producer / Director Stuart Goldman, sharing materials never seen before in public and giving her last filmed interview prior to her death at age 89. Featuring her own provocative and witty performances, this DVD is a wonderful and fitting tribute, preserving the iconic legacy of an American original, Alberta Hunter.

Selections include:
1. My Castle's Rockin'
2. Two-Fisted Double-Jointed Rough and Ready Man
3. Darktown Strutters Ball
4. Downhearted Blues
5. I've Got a Mind to Ramble
6. Black Shadows
7. I'm Havin' a Good Time
8. Handy Man
9. You're Welcome to Come Home
10. The Love I Have For You

DVD BONUS FEATURES:
Alberta Hunter Biography
Four Bonus Audio Tracks
Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Digitally Mastered Audio & Video
Instant Access to Songs

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Award Winning Performance Documentary!, July 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: My Castles Rockin [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This award-winning performance documentary, which includes a full-length concert from The Cookery in Greenwich Village, tells the story of a legendary singer/songwriter who retired at 62 and made a comeback at 82. The Los Angeles Times called it "an exhilarating, moving portrait of an extraordinary woman."

#1331 (60 min, Hi-Fi Stereo)

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It won awards? Glad to hear that., September 9, 2008

By 

Chris Albertson (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: ALBERTA HUNTER: My Castle's Rockin' (DVD)

Since I wrote script Billy Taylor reads in this documentary (which, by the way, is a documentary and not, as stated above, a concert film) I am delighted to see that it won awards! Odd that I had to find that out here, isn't it? Anyway, Alberta was a wonderful person who led a fascinating life and had a long career. One hour was really not enough to say all there was to say, but I hope the documentary is a good summation. It is sad that Alberta did not live to see the end result. She passed away as we were producing it.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm so glad I bought this on amazon.com, January 11, 2006

By 

Chris bct "music everyday" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Castles Rockin [VHS] (VHS Tape)

There's actually 4 records: 1977's Remember My Name, a soundtrack she wrote the songs for apparently and sang when she was 82, her first release since her last record, I guess, at age 62. Her second album is Amtrak Blues from 1978 age 83, then The Glory of Alberta Hunter 1981 age 86 and, finally, Look for the Silver Lining from 1982 at age 87. There is also a CD called Downhearted Blues Live at the Cookery. She also has another live release Jazz live at the Smithsonian. Yow.

Her voice is so wonderful at this later age. Similar, to me, with Johnny Cash where I prefer his voice in his last decade much more than his first 2 or 3 decades. Same with Alberta Hunter. I don't really care for her work from the 20's through 40's. But this stuff is stunning. She has so much gusto and presence and to have the chance to see her live show here is a real treat. [e-mail]