Cadillac Records
2008-12-08 10:41:00
I went to the movies over the weekend for the first time in several years. Larry and I went to see Cadillac Records the story of Muddy Waters and Chess Studios. I loved it. This is just about the only movie that I can remember where there was real applause at the end.
(The picture at left is the real Little Walter at Theresa's just before he died.)
I didn't know who Beyonce is before going to see the movie, but I have to say she is great, and she did a wonderful job capturing the spirit of the Etta James songs while adding her own style and interpretation to the classics.
Don't go expecting historical accuracy, though. This is a drama based on the real events, but not a documentary. It is story of Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Leonard Chess and Etta James. The narrator is Willie Dixon, although he does not enter into the plot. Howling Wolf shows up, but only as caricature of this great and complex genius. Missing are Buddy Guy, Otis Spann, Sonny Boy Williams II, Bo Diddley and Leonard Chess's brother, Phil.
When the music starts, the first thing you think is That's not Muddy. The whole sound track is new artists performing the old standards. I can't complain too much, though. Living artists need the money.
I hope that young black musicians discover their blues roots because of this movie. Black music has returned to the days of the Race charts. Chuck Berry and Etta James crossed over, but modern Rap and Hip Hop has crossed back, producing music targeted for a largely black audience.
The roots of modern rock, jazz and pop is the blues that came out of Chess Studios. It is my sincere hope that the movie Cadillac Records will remind people of this and music will be enjoyed because it is good and not because it is associated with limited racial or sociological group.
The negative side of this is that I've already noticed an increase in traffic here at JT30.com. There are entirely TOO MANY HARP PLAYERS, already. It looks like this movie will inspire a few more lost souls to pursue the elusive blues harp muse.
There is a funny scene where Muddy's musicians are making fun of the name of Wolf's sideman, Hubert Sumlin. The real Hubert Sumlin is sitting next to the actor playing him.
comments
2009-10-01 14:03:59
Rob
When this movie came on directTV, I watched it about 6 times! I loved it too! I agree, its not a documentary but made a great story on how the blues music came about in our history. I highly recommend watching it. One question that stands out for me is when in the movie, Muddy was playing a Les Paul gold top with a stop bar tail piece. Then a little ways down the line in the movie when the songs became hits and Len Chess gave Little Walter a car the year read 1952. Well, not to get too nit picky, the Gibson Les Paul didn't make its debut until 1952 and it sported a trapiez or hollow body guitar tail piece. I just laughed...
Great movie!
