• From: Germany
  • Registered: 2006-05-31
  • Posts: 489

Topic: Martin Scorsese's Blues - Your Opinion

Well, well, some time ago I ordered the box set in form of a guitar, including 7 movies about the blues.
I knew that Scorsese was damn good at making movies about the Mafia, so I was a little sceptical about this series, although there were other great directors contributing to this project.

I watched the complete series in 7 days and my feelings about it are very mixed. Honestly, I had expected something else, something like Larry Garner's Blues series that featured these real old blues musicians that truly live for that music. This series was highly original, but the Scorsese thing seems so damn constructed. Especially the first movie with Corey Harris is so full of Klischees! I mean, you take a black guy and bring him back to Africa - the idea could be good, but the African musicians in this movie leave the impression as if they had no connection with the American scene nor did I think that they were really interested in this project.

All in all it is good to have such a series, because the blues in not being featured well in the past few years. I still like watching it ( especially the Wim Wenders movie Soul Of A Man ) from time to time, but I can not get rid of the feeling that the commercial background and the financial intentions ( Sony and so on.... ) was more important than keeping the Blues alive and doing something for the musicians.

How do you judge this series and did anyone of you ever see the Larry Garner series "Talking Blues"??? 

By the way, I highly appreciate such projects as Joe recently did - The blues in schools.

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  • From: Harrison, Arkansas
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 3,155

Re: Martin Scorsese's Blues - Your Opinion

It was a wasted opportunity. Scorsese is a true blues fan, but he took an opportunity to have a very detailed historical documentary on the blues, from the Delta to Britain to Texas to the present day, and he turned it into an art film. Now, The Soul Of A Man and the one with BB in it are very good, I enjoyed those. But overall, it was a waste. I would much more have appreciated something like Ken Burns's Jazz series.

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make"

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  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 15

Re: Martin Scorsese's Blues - Your Opinion

A good blues dvd for your collection would be "Antones Home of the Blues". Clifford Antone who passed away this past spring, had this put together of some of the greatest performances at his Austin, Texas club for their 28th anniversary. It features everyone from BB King, to Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, Hubert Sumlin, Stevie Ray Vaughn & Pinetop Perkins.

  • From: Washington State
  • Registered: 2006-03-30
  • Posts: 1,593

Re: Martin Scorsese's Blues - Your Opinion

Scorsese lost me when he featured Tom Jones in the "Red, White and Blues" segment about the British Blues Invasion. What an **** clown, dropping f-bombs and acting like he was "One of the boys" with Jeff Beck and Van Morrison. I don't know about you, but nothing says "British Blues" like Tom Jones, right?

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Martin Scorsese's Blues - Your Opinion

I own Red, White, & Blues.......and I was left wanting something more than what I just watched.  Especially for the price.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
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  • From: San Diego, CA
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 221

Re: Martin Scorsese's Blues - Your Opinion

The Reelin' In The Years series is pretty good. Definitely worth checking out if you're looking for more blues.

http://www.reelinintheyears.com/dvd_releases/

The blues isn't about a look or a specific sound, the blues is something deep within. But the sound doesn't hurt things, you know? ~ Ben Hernandez

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  • From: Green Bay,Wisconsin
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 122

Re: Martin Scorsese's Blues - Your Opinion

Jane H. wrote:

If i remember correctly the release of all that Scorsese stuff kinda screwed up Blues Deluxe going to # 1 on the blues charts too.... hmm

Well, that's enough for me to lose my interest.
Can't  be any good if it screws ANYthing up for Joe...
sad
Julie in Green Bay

8 Reply by All-Original SG (edited by All-Original SG 2006-07-14 09:57:59)

  • Registered: 2006-04-25
  • Posts: 40

Re: Martin Scorsese's Blues - Your Opinion

I enjoyed the Scorcese series. I think we just need to keep in mind that it was made for the mainstream general public, and those of us who consider ourselves blues connoiseurs or purists are naturally going to think that it wasn't deep enough or good enough to appease our appetites for a great blues series. Nothing new if you already know the story.

I'm sure a lot of non-blues fans watched it and gained an appreciation for the blues. I think that's a good thing.

  • From: DC
  • Registered: 2006-07-07
  • Posts: 313

Re: Martin Scorsese's Blues - Your Opinion

I thought it had its moments, although I questioned a lot of the artists he picked to showcase. Not something I'd buy, but I'd like to check it out again in a few years.

I stick to reading books on the blues...thats where all the good info is.  There are some awesome books out there.

Nothin But Love,
Chris

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