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October 2003 Feature Story

The Blues on PBS

Martin Scorsese’s much talked about PBS series “The Blues” began last month, and airs again this month on NW public television. Each filmmaker has a different impressionistic take on the blues, motivated by a central theme-how the blues evolved from parochial folk tunes into a universal language. Each episode is directed by a different world-famous director including Academy Award winners Clint Eastwood (Piano Blues), and Martin Scorsese himself (Feel Like Going Home), plus Wim Wenders (The Soul Of A Man), Richard Pearce (The Road To Memphis), Charles Burnett (Warming By The Devil’s Fire), Marc Levin (Godfathers and Sons), and Mike Figgis (Red, White & Blues).

The different interpretations by different directors may throw some public broadcasting fans off a bit, but I advise you to hang in there, because if you watch all seven you’ll see there’s a reason for each one. May you please have a favorite because that means you are connected to this music and are responding with ‘yeah, me too!’. That is the ultimate goal of a film director and a blues artist--to get their audience to respond to their blues with ‘yeah, me too!’.

Do not expect documentaries, but great storytelling from some of the mediums finest. Seven films for seven nights, a non-commercial nightly blues movie marathon thru October 4th, at 9pm, on KCTS ch. 9 and again for seven nights in a row, on KBTC ch.28 beginning October 6th, at 9pm. You can also see additional video clips, plus an interview with Wim Wenders (Soul Of A Man) and more, plus great descriptions at pbs.org or go to yearoftheblues.com
THE BLUES 13-PART RADIO SERIES is hosted by Keb’ Mo’ and produced by EMP’s own blues expert Robert Santelli and Ben Manilla Productions. This hour long program is more in the documentary style most fans are expecting. The series is presented by WGBH radio in Boston and airs in Seattle on KUOW, 94.9 FM Saturday’s at 2pm, and also on KPLU, 88.5 FM in Tacoma, Saturday’s, at 11am.

The 13 weeks cover the following topics:
Episode 1 - The Origins of the Blues
Locale: Ghana
Episode 2 - Goin’ Up The Country
Locale: Mississippi Delta
Episode 3 - Tain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do
Locale: Harlem, NY
Episode 4 - Standin’ at the Crossroads
Locale: Mississippi Delta
Episode 5 - From Country to City Memphis and the Making of Modern Blues
Locale: Memphis
Episode 6 - Sweet Home Chicago
Locale: Chicago
Episode 7 - The Folk Revival
Locale: Newport, R.I.
Episode 8 - Union Jack Blues
Locale: London, England
Episode 9 - Blues Rock
Locale: San Francisco
Episode 10 - The ‘70s: The Hard Years
Locale: Chicago
Episode 11 - The Blues Revival
Locale: Austin, Texas
Episode 12 - Celebrating the Blues Today
Locale: New Orleans
Episode 13 - Future Blues
Locale: Seattle, Washington

THE BLUES THE BOOK is on Harper Collins. You’ll see DVD’s and CD Soundtracks for each of the PBS broadcasts with over 40 new recordings made for the project, plus compilation CD’s.

A special note for High School English, social studies and music TEACHERS who can access blues lesson plans, teaching strategies, exercises and resource materials, with 20,000 print guides that include a CD of blues songs being mailed to high school department heads. (see more for teachers in next article, too!) Hey Blind Lemon Cucumber!...Get your own cool blues name thanks to WFYI.org

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