Review of Piano Blues

Introduction

This is one of seven films that comprise the complete: `Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues: A Musical Journey`. It was an interesting concept. Scorsese initiated and curated the project, and indeed directed one of the movies. But he also gave six other Directors a set of DV-Cams, a limited budget for archive material and post-production - and carte blanche to go discover the blues for themselves. "Our goal was never to produce a definitive work on the blues. It was to create highly personal and impressionistic films," states Martin Scorsese. Released here and in the US as either individual movies, or as a deluxe box set comprising all 7 DVD`s that each include the movie and a variety of compelling extras. There`s been a lot of interest in these releases since they first aired in the USA (on PBS - the channel for culture-vultures) in 2003 and between them they contain a veritable treasure trove of information, passion and atmosphere that will thrill blues fans.

Clint Eastwood`s `Piano Blues` adopts a format that couldn`t be simpler for a documentary. Clint chats to a variety of Bluesmen sitting at a variety of pianos in a variety of studios. Added to this basic ingredient are some sterling performances, both from the various interviewees, as well as a healthy proportion of wonderful archive recordings. And that`s it. The conversations are often very laid back, and Clint proves to have a remarkable trait as an interviewer; he`s quite prepared to kickback and listen. His enthusiasm for blues and jazz piano is evident here, though there are moments when he seems quietly desperate to convey his own knowledge of playing, which is clearly limited. In fact, the disc opens with him pawing his way unconvincingly through a slow blues, which, if the rest of the programme wasn`t so damn good, might be cause for embarrassment. The overall style and feel of the programme isn`t a patch on the all-together more accomplished film by Richard Pearce (`Road to Memphis`) but there is plenty to enjoy.

The programme kicks off with Clint talking to Ray Charles who sounds (sadly) out of breath as he recounts his early years and influences. It`s when he breaks into song that the breathlessness of his conversation is replaced by real magic.

The programme explores a kind of Blues/Jazz lineage as all the piano playing greats are analysed and discussed (and represented with archive recordings).
For those that want to know, this means you get a bit of Duke Ellington, followed by perhaps the unrivalled master of Jazz piano, Art Tatum - onto Oscar Peterson, who Ray Charles calls `The closest thing I ever heard to Art`.
Many might be surprised at the inclusion amongst the `piano greats` of Nat King Cole who, prior to becoming schmaltzy crooner of the century, was one of the finest Jazz-playing pianists of his era (Nat King Cole Trio).

There`s a beautiful interlude with an aged looking Dave Brubek playing a slow under stated Gershwin style blues that`ll melt your heart. Clint gazes on with suitable admiration.

Next stop is New Orleans (home of Fats Domino, Jelly Roll Morton and Professor Longhair) with a meet up with the inimitable Dr. John. Now I`m a big fan of the man, and I really love to hear him play and sing, but listening to him talk is sheer magic! He runs through a couple of great tunes too and for fans this is a unique experience to watch him play solo piano. Nice!

Clint then hauls his weary frame to Chicago, arguably the home of the Blues, and we get footage of Pinetop Perkins (if you think the name`s are great, you should listen to the music…), and Jay McShann, Thelonius Monk and Pete Jolly who plays a slow nightclub blues with great aplomb.

The programme ends with a contemporary Ray Charles running his way through a jaw-dropping version of `America the Beautiful`, no trace of the old guys breathing difficulties or frailty here. Any one else`s version of this would be a jingoistic toe-curler, but the sheer spirit of the man is incredible. It`s a fine ending to a simple and unpretentious programme.

Video

Naturally, archive picture quality varies though, generally, it`s of a good quality throughout. New footage is crisply transferred.

Audio

There`s a choice of audio here and, whilst vintage audio quality is variable, the contemporary pieces are of a very fine quality. Clint`s a little quiet sometimes, almost shy, so I was constantly pumping the remote but that`s a small gripe really when you consider the wonderful array of audio treats that this disc contains.

Features

Unlike others in the series, there are actually very few extras here. There`s a Director`s biography; a Director`s Filmography (both on screen text) - and a couple of web-links.

Conclusion

One of seven DVD`s that make-up the Martin Scorsese produced `Presents the Blues` series, directed and produced by jazz loving Clint Eastwood (remember his Charlie Parker movie, `Bird`?), this is an unpretentious, incredibly straight-forward documentary. It`s a no-frills production with precious little production-value, and it really amounts to little more than a series of interesting conversations between enthusiast and practioners, but the wealth of archive material, as well as some unique contemporary performances from Ray Charles, Dr. John and Dave Brubek amongst others will make this an essential purchase for fans of `Piano Blues`.