Product Details

• Actors: Alberta Hunter
• Format: Color, DVD, 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
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: SHANACHIE
• DVD Release Date: March 8, 2005
• Run Time: 57 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00073K8BQ
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #56,439 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Alberta Hunter made her debut as a cabaret singer at the age of 11, during the presidency of Teddy Roosevelt, and by the early 1920s was already a seasoned performer and best-selling recording star. She sang her sly double-entendre blues in Chicago nightclubs, on Broadway stages and European bistros, and went on to record with such jazz greats as Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet and Fats Waller. In this concert she performs her old repertoire with a spirited energy that belies her age. Selections include "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out," "My Castle's Rockin'," "My Handy Man," "Down Hearted Blues," and many more classics.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Her Castle's Rocking, January 28, 2009

By	Alfred Johnson (boston, ma) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The ideas in the first couple of paragraphs have been used elsewhere in this space in reviewing the works of other women of the early blues period.

One of the interesting facts about the development of the blues is that in the early days the recorded music and the bulk of the live performances were done by women, at least they were the most popular exponents of the genre. That time, the early 1920's to the 1930's, was the classic age of women blues performers. Of course, when one thinks about that period the name that comes up is the legendary Bessie Smith. Beyond that, maybe some know Ethel Waters. And beyond that-a blank.

Yet the blues singer under review, Alberta Hunter, probably had almost as a productive career (with a long gap in between while pursuing a nursing career after the death of her mother) as either of the above-mentioned names. That `second' career got a big boost by her performance in the Geraldine Chaplin film "Remember My Name". And here is the kicker. If you were to ask today's leading women blues singers about influences they will, naturally, give the obligatory Bessie response, but perhaps more surprisingly will also praise Ms. Alberta, as well.

This nice little archival DVD compilation, while not technically the best, will explain the why of the above paragraph. Alberta worked the cabaret circuit with many back up players over the years, some good some bad, but her style and her energy carried most of the production. She, like Memphis Minnie and others, was the mistress of the double entendre so popular in old time blues- you know phrases like `put a little sugar in my bowl'. Here we have a late performance in 1982 by Alberta Hunter just a few years before her death. While she had lost a few steps her voice held up well here, and more importantly, that little sparkle in her eyes and in her devil-may-care manner carry this effort.

So what sticks out here? Well, a nice interview with Alberta between sets for one. As for the songs how about the now appropriate "Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out". Bessie's "Down Hearted Blues" works. As does "My Castle's Rocking" and the salacious "My Handy Man". A nice hour for those who love the old women blues singers.

5.0 out of 5 stars Alberta Hunter DVD, October 21, 2008

By	Irving N. Wade - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Love this DVD.. Alberta really lights up the stage with her performance. Wish she was still with us, but The Big Stage needs a voice like hers now!! Thank you for this experience!!! GOD BLESS

Irving

2 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars disappointed in the shanachie company, January 9, 2007

By	Katharine A. Johnson "(Music Addict)" (Cranford, NJ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After returning this dvd to amazon because it would not play on my laptop, I received This dvd which still will not play on my laptop but later I found out that it will only play on a regular DVD player. I wanted to show it to some of my friends in their own homes who do not have a regular dvd player but cannot due to the way this dvd was recorded or produced - I am extemely dissappointed in the product. I've never had a problem such as this with any other dvd I've purchased from anyone, anywhere!