- Font Size:
- Default font size
- Larger font size
BY TIM SHELLBERG
Times Correspondent | Sunday, September 28, 2003 | (No comments posted.)
Beginning its seven-part run tonight with the Martin Scorsese-directed "Feel Like Going Home," PBS' "The Blues" is by no means a juke-joint version of Ken Burns' 2000 "Jazz" series.
"It's not a chronological history of the blues," said Chris Kreiser, managing editor of the Salem, W. Va.-based Blues Revue. "It's been described as more of an impressionistic look at the blues."
The brainchild of Scorsese in honor of the 100th anniversary of the genre, "Feel Like Going Home" does, in fact, trace the origins of the blues to its roots in the Niger River and the Mississippi Delta. After that, it ventures off the traditional documentary course.
For example, Monday's "The Soul of A Man," directed by Wim Wenders ("Wings of Desire"), chronicles a trio of blues pioneers whose lives were largely unheralded by the masses -- Skip James, Blind Willie Johnson and J.B. Lenoir. Tuesday's "The Road To Memphis," directed by "Woodstock" cinematographer Richard Pearce, pays tribute to both the city and one of its primary players, B.B. King. The Oct. 4 conclusion is "Piano Blues," directed by Clint Eastwood.
"A lot of the directors, I think, picked the music that they could connect with, that was important to them personally," Kreiser said. "Then they developed the larger blues story around that."
"The Blues" also is making its way to music stores in a way that makes Burns' multidisc "Jazz" pale in comparison. Record company behemoths Sony and Universal teamed up to release nearly two dozen greatest hits compilations of blues artists ranging from Robert Johnson to Muddy Waters to Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Additionally, a five-disc history of the blues, "Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues -- a Musical Journey," is being released, featuring everyone from pioneers such as Blind Willie McTell to newcomers such as Susan Tedeschi. Also, seven audio companions to each of the individual films in the documentary have been released.
"Everybody in the blues community is kind of holding our breath," Kreiser said. "We're very hopeful that this (series) is going to have a positive impact on the blues, particularly on record sales, which across the board are down."
Given its historical ties to the music, it's not surprising that the city of Chicago has been celebrating all things blues this year. Along with the annual Chicago Blues Festival, the city is showcasing the Chicago Blues Exchange at the Chicago Tourism Center, 72 E. Randolph Street.
Featuring photographs and artifacts donated by everyone from the Library of Congress to blues legends Buddy Guy and Koko Taylor, the Chicago Blues Exchange also is presenting free concerts at noon on Mondays and Wednesdays and at 5:30 p.m. Fridays until the end of February.
"It basically sketches out the history of the blues coming out of the Delta and migrating to Chicago," said Barry Dolins, deputy director of the Mayor's Office of Special Events.
Dolins helped facilitate "Slam" director Mark Levin's filming of the 2001 Chicago Blues Festival for his segment in the PBS series, "Godfathers and Sons." Slated to air Thursday, "Godfathers and Sons" captures the history of Chicago Blues and features footage of performances by artists from that year's festival, including Otis Rush and Ike Turner.
"I don't think people should be looking to see an encyclopedic history of the blues (with the series)," Dolins said. "There certainly is going to be an educational component to it as a result of the series. It's a very positive and informative piece that will hopefully enlighten the general public to the significance of blues in America."
The Chicago Blues Exchange is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call (312) 744-6630.
Tune in
"Feel Like Going Home," the first installment of PBS' "The Blues," airs at 8 tonight on WTTW
Tune in
"Feel Like Going Home," the first installment of PBS' "The Blues," airs at 8 tonight on WTTW
Back to story No comments posted.
- It wasn't clear, concise or focused on the topic in the story.
- It was a personal attack, vulgar, explicit or degrading, used actual or implied profanity or contained potentially libelous statements.
- It accused someone of being guilty of a crime.
- It promoted violence or illegal acts.
- It contained telephone numbers or street addresses, or e-mail addresses and links to Web sites other than nwi.com or government agencies.
In no way do these comments represent the views of The Times or Lee Enterprises.
Passionate views, pointed criticism and critical thinking are welcome. Name-calling, crude and profane language and personal abuse are not welcome.
Reader comments will not be edited - they will be approved or declined. They may be used in the print edition of the newspaper.
If you feel a posted comment has violated these guidelines, please email our New Media team the commenter's name, the comment and a link to the article.
For more information please read our Terms of Service.
Post a comment Once your comments are approved, they will appear here.
» More Arts & Entertainment Stories