AMERICAN FOLK BLUES FESTIVAL 1962-1969

January 22, 2012 by
Filed under: blues festivals 

A mini-feature (running time 6:30) about an annual event that featured the cream of American blues musicians barnstorming their way across Western Europe every Fall from 1962 through 1966. These historic and unseen performances filmed with superb camera work and pristine sound, the festivals featured a dazzling array of talent that included such greats as Howlin Wolf, Willie Dixon, and playing alongside other legends such as T-Bone Walker, Lightnin Hopkins, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Memphis Slim and Big Mama Thornton to create the most significant group of blues artists ever assembled!

Unearthed some 40 years after the fact, our production takes the viewer through an extraordinary lineup of bluesmen and women. Thanks to a couple of young promoters who brought the musicians to Europe–where they were treated with a good deal more respect and dignity than in America– Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, Sippie Wallace… the list goes on. Their concert performances (several in stagy but effective down-home settings) before a rather formal but appreciative German audience have them playing in some cool combinations (T-Bone Walker backing Memphis Slim, Otis Rush with Junior Wells), introducing one another (Williamson on guitarist Lonnie Johnson, an elder statesman on the tour: “A very nice musician”)–and all with great sound (mono, but still flawless) and visuals (in black and white). This is one for blues fans to treasure.

Duration : 0:6:30


[youtube tjsZjTe0Ams]


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Comments

4 Comments on AMERICAN FOLK BLUES FESTIVAL 1962-1969

  1. n2dabloo on Wed, 1st Dec 2010 9:22 pm

    2. America was asleep …
    America was asleep at the wheel, in denial while the Limey’s studied this music. Hence, the British Invasion. Gotta love the Brits!

  2. sonnyboywalter on Wed, 1st Dec 2010 9:22 pm

    3. Hi Have just come …
    Hi Have just come across this vid -takes me back to when I went to see these guys in Bristol 62/63? and have never forgotten it. I’ve been on and off playing and listening to blues ever since. I count myself really lucky to have met some of them backstage and still have their autographs. Willie Dixon and Sonny Boy still hang on my wall! Thanks for posting!

  3. arjhendrix on Wed, 1st Dec 2010 9:22 pm

    4. RIP BMT
    et. al

    …
    RIP BMT
    et. al

    thanks NewEyeTV
    ibl8

  4. thomasmantellwilliam on Wed, 1st Dec 2010 9:22 pm

    5. Damn those guys can …
    those guys can PLAY!

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