The Blues: Godfathers and Sons

Last updated
Godfathers and Sons
Directed by Marc Levin
Produced byDaphne Pinkerson
Marc Levin
StarringMarshall Chess
Chuck D
CinematographyMark Benjamin
Edited byBob Eisenhardt
Release date
  • October 2, 2003 (2003-10-02)
Running time
133 minutes

Godfathers and Sons is a documentary directed by Marc Levin. The film is part of The Blues , a seven part PBS series, with Martin Scorsese as executive producer. [1]

Contents

Synopsis

Godfathers and Sons follows Producer Marshall Chess as he remembers his father Leonard Chess' contribution to Chicago blues history as the co-founder of Chess Records, and his own production of the controversial album Electric Mud . [2] Chess organizes a reunion of the musicians that made Electric Mud to record new versions of Muddy Waters's blues standard "Mannish Boy," with contributions by hip hop artists, including Chuck D of Public Enemy, Common & Kyle Jason. [3] [4] The film includes never-before-seen archival footage of Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, and original performances by Koko Taylor, Otis Rush, Magic Slim, Ike Turner, and Sam Lay.

Critical reception

Variety (September 2, 2003): "Bonus is Levin’s technique — he adds a cinema verite take on the city’s contempo club scene to his blues ‘n’ rap story and adds a few B&W clips from the 1960s that make the blues appear regal, vital and thriving. For story and filmmaking technique alone, “Godfathers & Sons” is the crown jewel in the Scorsese series." [2]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marshall Chess</span> American record producer (born 1942)

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<i>The Howlin Wolf Album</i> 1969 studio album by Howlin Wolf

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Lay</span> American drummer and vocalist (1935–2022)

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References

  1. Goldberg, Michael Alan (September 25, 2003). "Blues All Around Me". Miami New Times. Archived from the original on December 10, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  2. 1 2 Gallo, Phil (September 3, 2003). "Godfathers & Sons". Variety. Archived from the original on December 10, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  3. Harrington, Richard (August 29, 2003). "Blues on Television From ..." Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286. Archived from the original on May 29, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  4. "The Blues A Musical Journey: Godfathers and Sons". Time Out New York. Archived from the original on 2019-12-10. Retrieved 2019-12-10.