#1. Deep Blues (1991)

Storyline: While some successful blues acts sell out arenas and tour around the world, many of the best blues artists remain relatively unknown, playing in small clubs or, in some cases, just in their own yards. Filmmaker Robert Mugge and music scholar Robert Palmer take an enthusiastic look at these lesser-known blues artists, showcasing incredible music from talented players who have never been signed to major labels and generally have not received the recognition they have deserved.

Plot Keywords: filmmaker, musician, critic, bluesman, fascinating, spirited, america ...

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#2. Lightning in a Bottle (2004)

Storyline: Beginning with a stirring African folk song (Zélié performed by Angélique Kidjo) the roots are established and rapidly swell into a trunk thickened by the hardships of the Great Depression (Gamblin' Man performed by David 'Honeyboy' Edwards) and the oppression of segregation (Jim Crow Blues performed by Odetta). Finally, this Blues family tree shows off vibrant new growth as it reveals the Blues' influence on our modern wealth of talented musicians (Midnight Special performed by John Fogerty and Hound Dog done by Macy Gray). Ruth Brown gives Blll Cosby a full-throttle serenade (and a playful smoldering gaze), along with Mavis Staples and Natalie Cole. Angélique Kidjo persuades Buddy Guy to an unforgettable rendition of 'Voodoo Child,' shortly before Bonnie Raitt and Robert Cray accompany B.B. King and Lucille for the final number, 'Paying the Cost to be the Boss.' This documentary presents to the audience, with authority and candor, an authentic history of this musical form. The highly esteemed elders of this musical family are exemplary in their humbleness toward one another, rich with decades of shared memories; and their performances are of a quality rarely seen in modern times. These men and women are true artisans, yet they continue to generously pass their legacy down to select members of each musical generation. Those who grew up on this music find themselves performing on the stage with the very heroes who served as their earliest inspiration. Legends, such as Ruth Brown, Honeyboy Edwards, Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown, B.B. King, Howling Wolf, and Buddy Guy, gave the world a double helping of their genius-first with song and secondly as the spirit which supplies the continuation of their art: in such artists as Natalie Cole, Jimmie Vaughan, John Fogerty, Macy Gray, Alison Krause, and Bonnie Raitt.—Annie Campos

Plot Keywords: musician, singer, guitarist, bassist, inspiring, spirited, stage ...

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#3. Joe Cocker: Mad Dog with Soul (2017)

Storyline: The turbulent life of soul and blues singer, the late Joe Cocker. A former gas fitter from Sheffield , catapulted to world stardom in 1969 at Woodstock with his legendary performance of the Beatles song,"A Little Help from My Friends". But in the early 1970s, Joe Cocker's inner demons nearly killed him. Overcoming his struggles with alcohol and drugs, he rebuilt his reputation as "one of the great primal rock and roll vocalists of all time" (Billy Joel's description). The film mixes Joe Cocker's own words, with rare archive. His family, friends and the legendary songwriters and musicians he collaborated with, tell Joe Cocker's story. The film has raw, electric performance footage throughout.—John Edginton

Plot Keywords: blues singer, wife, musician, singer-songwriter, interviewee, inspiring, fascinating ...

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#4. Leadbelly (1975)

Storyline: The life of Blues and folk singer Huddie Leadbetter, nicknamed Leadbelly is recounted. Covering the good times and bad from his 20s to 40s. Much of that time was spent on chain gangs in the south. Even in prison he became well known for the songs he had composed and sung during and before the time he spent there.—Brian W Martz <B.Martz@Genie.com>

Plot Keywords: blues singer, musician, prisoner, friend, engaging, intense, louisiana ...

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#5. Mali Blues (2016)

Storyline: Mali's Music defines the country's cultural identity. Radical Islamists are threatening the musicians. Together with the stars of Malian Global Pop - Fatoumata Diawara, Bassekou Kouyaté Master Soumy and Ahmed Ag Kaedi - we embark on a musical journey to Mali's agitated heart. Can their music reconcile the country?

Plot Keywords: african, speaker, musician, emotional, inspiring, creative, powerful ...

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#6. Django (2017)

Storyline: Django Reinhardt was one of the most brilliant pioneers of European jazz and the father of Gypsy Swing. "Django" grippingly portrays one chapter in the musician's eventful life and is a poignant tale of survival. Constant danger, flight and the atrocities committed against his family could not make him stop playing.—Berlinale

Plot Keywords: composer, guitarist, band member, gypsy, nazi, girlfriend, gripping ...

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#7. Louie Bluie (1985)

Storyline: This documentary focuses on William Howard Taft Armstrong, (better known as Louie Bluie), a Tennessee blues musician and folk artist known for his ability to play just about every stringed instrument known to man. He recounts the old days of the '30s and '40s, engaging in lively reminiscences with his friends and fellow musicians. When words are not enough, Louie pulls out his sketchpad and illustrates his thoughts with quickly executed drawings.

Plot Keywords: singer, guitarist, poet, friend, artist, passionate, endearing ...

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