Blues Masters (1999)

6.5/10 47 min Documentary Music

Overview

In 1966, CBC Television invited some of North America's greatest blues performers to gather in a studio in Toronto, recording together and individually in sessions that lasted three days. The result was originally televised as part of the CBC "Festival" series, and now the session video tapes have been found, restored and re-edited. The great Muddy Waters and his band perform "You Can't Lose What You Never Had" and "Got My Mojo Workin'," the latter with James Cotton on harmonica. Willie Dixon goes solo on "Bassology" and (helped by a little '90s technology) performs "Crazy for My Baby" with host Colin James. Plus rare appearances by Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, Mable Hillery singing "How Long This Train Been Gone," and delta blues piano player Sunnyland Slim, introducing a whole new generation to this inspiring, soulful music.

Cast

Muddy Waters

Self (archive footage)

B.B. King

Lee Conley Bradley

Buddy Guy

Lead Belly

Bessie Smith

Self (archive footage)

Ethel Waters

Self (archive footage)

Recommendations

Bad 25
Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me
Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition
Michael Jackson: The Life of an Icon
Katy Perry: Part of Me
God Bless Ozzy Osbourne
Becoming Led Zeppelin
Justin Bieber's Believe
Supersonic
The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers: Our Brother, Hillel
The Velvet Underground
Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert
Beastie Boys Story
That's Entertainment!
Elvis on Tour
The Who: The Kids Are Alright
One Direction: This Is Us
That's Entertainment! III
That's Entertainment, Part II
Muscle Shoals