Customer Reviews

Chicago Blues Featuring Muddy Waters, Johnnie Lewis, Buddy Guy, Junior Well, J. B. Hutto

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

While not of a singluar music event, this film takes you on a look of not only blues music in Chicago but a look at life in the Chiago ghettoes in 1972. Well--known bluesmen such as Muddy Waters and Junior Wells perform as well as talk about their life, music , and what it all represents (Muddy in particular is quite articulate and locquaious) and we have some addditional insights from Dick Gregory. Like it's west coast cousin "Wattstax," "Chicago Blues" is a good sociological, as well as musical document.

Pros
- great live performances by Buddy Guy, JB Hutto and John Lewis
- interesting Muddy Waters interview and partial performance
- Maxwell Street footage
- Bonus Material: voice over commentary by filmmakers (it was great this is included; provides context)

Cons
- Socio-Political oriented agenda overwhelms the editing, narration (eg, a lot of shots of gritty urban Chicago c.1970, many times editied into a live performance by a great musician)
- Grainy visuals (hey this footage is 40 years old)
- Bonus Material: voice over commentary by filmmakers (put me to sleep in spots)

While this DVD contains a number of impressive performances, it's much more than a "music video". It drives to the core of a music that is deeply evocative and poignant. The artists included are not manufactured by PR flacks like the majority of what's available in today's pallid musical scene. There is also incisive commentary by the musicians themselves and other social commentators including Dick Gregory and Bob Koester of Delmark records. If you want a deep look at what this music is really all about, buy it and appreciate it.

Great insight into Chicago Blues at the time.
Can anyone tell me who the artist is that plays the groovin' instrumental during the freeway scene in this film?

It's a hard core 1960's blacksploitation style commentary. Interesting as a cultural anachronism, but of no interest to anyone interested in listening to music.

If you're a Muddy fan you will enjoy this set. This is Muddy at his best, just what you would expect of him. It is great to also see Junior Wells, & Buddy Guy there always excellent together. We also get to see J.B. Hutto another treat, this is a well produced dvd with great sound quality too. This is well worth watching, an excellent all-star cast try it.