The Blues

Name: The Blues
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2003-09-28
Rating: 7.5

ENDED1 Season7 Episodes★ 7.5

The Blues is a documentary series on PBS that premiered in 2003, ending after 1 season and 7 episodes.

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NetworkPBS

First AiredSep 28, 2003

Last AiredOct 4, 2003

GenreDocumentary

Runtime90 min

Created ByMartin Scorsese

LanguageEnglish

CountryUnited States

ProductionVulcan Productions, Road Movies, Jigsaw Productions

The Blues (2003) is a seven-part documentary series produced by Martin Scorsese that explores the history and influence of blues music. Each episode, directed by a different filmmaker, traces a unique aspect of the genre’s evolution—from its African roots to its global impact. Originally airing on PBS, the series includes Scorsese’s Feel Like Going Home, Wim Wenders’ The Soul of a Man, Richard Pearce’s The Road to Memphis, Charles Burnett’s Warming by the Devil’s Fire, Marc Levin’s Godfathers and Sons, Mike Figgis’ Red, White and Blues, and Clint Eastwood’s Piano Blues.

Seasons & Episodes1 season · 7 episodes

0% complete

E1Feel Like Going Home

Sep 28, 200390m★ 8.0

Director Martin Scorsese pays homage to the Delta blues. Musician Corey Harris travels through Mississippi and on to West Africa, exploring the roots of the music. The film celebrates the early Delta bluesmen through original performances (including Willie King, Taj Mahal, Otha Turner, and Ali Farka Toure) and rare archival footage (featuring Son House, Muddy Waters, and John Lee Hooker).

E2Soul of a Man

Sep 29, 200390m

The film explores the musical careers of blues musicians Skip James, Blind Willie Johnson and J. B. Lenoir.

E3The Road To Memphis

Sep 30, 200390m

The film follows the career of Blues musician B.B. King. It features performances by B.B. King, Bobby Rush, Rosco Gordon and Ike Turner, as well as historical footage of Howlin' Wolf and Rufus Thomas.

E4Warming by the Devil's Fire

Oct 1, 200390m

Director Charles Burnett presents a tale about a young boy's encounter with his family in Mississippi in the 1950s, and intergenerational tensions between the heavenly strains of gospel and the devilish moans of the blues.

E5Godfathers and Sons

Oct 2, 200390m

Director Marc Levin travels to Chicago with hip-hop legend Chuck D (of Public Enemy) and Marshall Chess (son of Leonard Chess and heir to the Chess Records legacy) to explore the heyday of Chicago blues as they unite to produce an album that seeks to bring veteran blues players together with contemporary hip hop musicians. Along with never-before-seen archival footage of Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, are original performances by Koko Taylor, Otis Rush, Magic Slim, Ike Turner, and Sam Lay.

E6Red, White and Blues

Oct 3, 200390m

Director Mike Figgis joins musicians such as Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Tom Jones, performing and talking about the music of the early sixties British invasion that reintroduced the blues sound to America.

E7Piano Blues

Oct 4, 200390m

The film features interviews and live performances of piano players Ray Charles, Dave Brubeck, Dr. John and Marcia Ball. Eastwood interviews artists as Ray Charles, Dr. John, Marcia Ball, Pinetop Perkins, Dave Brubeck, Jay McShann, Henry Gray and shows archival performances of Fats Domino, Otis Spann, Art Tatum, Albert Simmons, Pete Johnson, Jay McShann, Big Joe Turner, Nat King Cole, Martha Davis, Professor Longhair, Charles Brown and Duke Ellington. Remarkable are two early performances of the Chess Records houseband with Otis Spann, Willie Dixon and, probably, Fred Below.

About The Blues

The Blues is a documentary series on PBS. The show first aired on Sep 28, 2003 and currently has 1 season and 7 episodes. The Blues has ended. It has a rating of 7.5/10 based on 21 votes. Created by Martin Scorsese.