Deep Blues: A Musical Pilgrimage to The Crossroads A Film By Robert Mugge

I've been a big fan of the work of the late great blues historian/folklorist, Robert Palmer, for sometime now. His book, DEEP BLUES, is generally regarded as the definitive reference on the Delta tradition... and rightly so (needless to say, if you don't have it... get it). What a treat to finally get a chance to meet the guy... albeit, on my TV screen.In this eponymous documentary, Palmer assumes the role of the proverbial veteran "tour guide," casually offering us expert commentary, laced with entertaining anecdotes and served up with dry Southern wit. While we do hear and see a great deal of Palmer, the film never loses its main focus-- the blues and the musicians who keep this important element of American musical heritage alive and kicking. Each of the featured artists performs one or two songs in their entirety-- in sharp contrast to so many other music documentaries, which par down their musical selections to excerpted sound bites to make room for talk, talk and more talk.Here we find everything from down-home guitars and mouth harps being played on farm house porches to full bands--influnced by the modern Chicago-style, yet still distinctly "Pure Delta"--playing in dark, smoke-filled juke joints. True to the blues tradition, the music is hot and sweaty. You can't watch this film and sit still--you gotta shake something. Highlights: cane fife player Napoleon Strickland (you can hear more of this wonderful pre-blues tradition on TRAVELING THROUGH THE JUNGLE: NEGRO FIFE AND DRUM MUSIC FROM THE DEEP SOUTH, an album on the TESTAMENT label, and several ARHOOLIE compilations); the totally stylin' Jessie Mae Hemphill (granddaughter of Blind Sid Hemphill, the pre-blues style fiddler/quills [panpipes] player documented in the Lomax field recordings); harp player Bud Spires telling a folktale about the devil, accompanied by Jack Owen's soulful guitar picking in the cranky, individualistic Bentonia style, popularized by the early bluesman, Skip James; and Lonnie Pitchford's intense singing as he accompanies himself on the diddley bow (a raised metal string nailed to the side of a house, which you pluck with a plectrum and note with a slide).

Deep Blues: as created in southern Mississippi, absolutely awesome video display of the southern basic Blues music, DVD is just like being there in person. All individual performers are not only super great but striking in their simple playing. Their nimble fingers pluck a wonderful sound on various great sounding instruments, Facial expressions, eyes, bright clothing, body movements all compliment their playing. A must purchase if you want to know, hear, see and experience what the Original Blues sound is all about. This DVD features many different performers but too many to list here. Buy this and wind up your ears and senses for a great experience. They each perform in their own simplicity yet with a strong conviction of how the Blues really were back then. Also touches on the Devil Blues story of Robert Johnson.

This is a terrific documentary and I endorse everything the reviewers below say - especially Steve Kaplan, who was actually in the film! Well done Steve! For me the highlight was Lonnie Pickford's virtuoso, but utterly faithful, take on Robert Johnson's Come On In My Kitchen and If I Had Possession Over Judgment Day. Eerie though it is to listen to a recording of Johnson's original item, it does require some imagination to get through the poor recording quality - it is definitely rewarding to hear (and see) it played freshly and crisply in front of your very eyes. Lonnie definitely goes on my list of Must Buys.The only nitpicks have nothing to do with the music, but firstly the curious decision to film everything (including the interview out takes) in Black and White and secondly the (happily brief) appearances of that doyen of Mississippi blues, Sunderland's own Dave Stewart, founder of the Eurythmics and, even more credibly, the Spiritual Cowboys.I suppose we have Dave to thank for having the film at all; seemingly he bank-rolled it - and in fairness he did have the sense to leave it for the most part to Robert Palmer (no, not THAT Robert Palmer) and the artists. But the vision of this anaemic little guy with a silly beard, dyed black hair, and faux rock star get-up when it appears amongst this totally down-home, real-life music - and even JOINING IN at one stage, god forbid - is pure Spinal Tap.As is the interview segment of the DVD, which inexplicably feeatures a clip of the Eurythmics playing Missionary Man live in its entirety, and concludes with Mr Dave summing up his views on the blues in the following fashion:"It's like - Shakespeare. How can you ever not have, um, Blues Music?"Derek Smalls could not have put it better.

Because of this documentary, seen on a vhs back in the 90s, I and a friend went to Clarksdale. All of the artists on the doc were still alive and I was lucky to see them perform, also meet them. I love the blues, thank you for this piece of history.

Deep Blues is an amazing trip through the South to find true blues singers, some on back porches, others in other venues. It is the only true research I have ever seen on the subject, and it was extremely well done. Its length maintains the viewers attention throughout. It leaves a haunting feeling that without this work, true blues may never have been documented and they may not be played in the same way again. The research was excellent.

This was old and beat up, but it is a rare title, so I took a chance. Indeed the last 12-15 minutes wouldn't play. When I complained to the vendor, they instantly refunded, and didn't ask for the disc to be returned. So based on that I would get it again.

Leider kann ich den Inhalt des Filmes nicht bewerten, da er mit einem Regionalcode geliefert wird, der von Playern in Deutschland nicht abgespielt werden kann.

For quite a few years I only had the CD soundtrack of this documentary. It exposed me to (then) relatively unknown artists and styles that is now one of my go to blues styles. You can hear and see what may have inspired The Black Keys and other newer acts. Also, since many of the artists have now passed on, and their recordings have become more available, this is a chance to see them like most people will never have had. Highly Recommended.

Ottimo titolo per appassionati del genere! Peccato che non si trovi col codice region 2 o free region, il chè ti obbliga a vederlo su lettori appositi

Si vous êtes comme je le suis un passionné de Blues cet apport éssentiel de la communauté Afro-americaine à la culture de leur pays fondement de la musique modernele latin du Rock ! fonçez ce document est à posséder de toute urgence

It was an enjoyable watch to see some of the lesser know blues performers. Product came when expected and was in new condition!