The Story of the Blues: From Blind Lemon Jefferson to B.B. King Quantum Leap DVD (2004) $19.95

Like many recent documentaries, it employs the practice of panning over still photographic images (sometimes reminiscent in style to Ken Burns's work); many attractive photographs of blues landmarks and musicians are included. Moving images are also incorporated into the film -- a guitarist's hands, a firing gun and a dangling hangman's noose feature prominently -- but these are recycled with such great frequency as to veritably scream "budgetary constraints". Although some early blues musicians were rarely if ever filmed, I wish that there were more footage of musicians in action; even reenactments of classic performances would have provided welcome visual accompaniment. An occasional "artistic" colorization treatment of images borders on psychedelia, a nod to the DVD's target "rock fan -- blues neophyte" audience that seems unnecessary (and somewhat dated).

If you can get past these visual problems, Story of the Blues has a lot to offer, both in terms of its perspective on blues history and as a purely musical document. Rather than take a strictly chronological approach, the filmmakers chart several strands of blues activity. While this causes artists to appear multiple times at different points in the film -- it's somewhat curious that Duke Ellington appears surprisingly early, on only to re-emerge later -- it is an effective way to discuss multiple facets of the blues. The evolution of blues form is chronicled, including an introduction to its musical elements, basic chord progressions and phrase structure. A section on "Country Blues" charts the genre's rural origins in post-Civil War America, while a corresponding section on "Urban Blues" chronicles its journey into cities. Both sections discuss the relationship of specific songs' thematic material to the challenging conditions that faced African Americans in the 19th and 20th centuries: discrimination, poverty and racial violence. "Electric Blues" links the blues tradition to contemporary performers like B.B. King, as well as demonstrating the blues tradition's influence on rock music.

There are some terrific performances here. I was particularly grateful that a number of songs by Bill Broonzy, a particular favorite of mine who is not nearly as well known as he should be, were incorporated into the soundtrack. The Duke Ellington selections are effective as well, showing the strong connection between blues and early jazz. Also stirring are performances by Blind Lemon Jefferson, Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson. Fortunately, the film often allows musical selections to run without truncation instead of "sound-biting", although I could do without the occasional sound effects "help" of train whistles and gunfire. While some of these are vintage recordings, the sound is for the most part quite well done.

Story of the Blues is a tantalizing glimpse into an important part of America's musical heritage. I only wish that its production values were a bit more consistent, as the DVD would then be an excellent resource for both classroom use and home entertainment. As it stands, the film is still an entertaining, if occasionally campy, document that will leave its audience better informed about the great variety and musical riches of the blues.

-- Christian Carey