Amazon.com

Part concert, part history lesson, part summit meeting, and all blues, Lightning in a Bottle puts a bright spotlight on this quintessential American music. There are some heavy hitters at work here, both behind the camera (Martin Scorsese executive produced, while the film was directed by Antoine Fuqua of Training Day and King Arthur) and especially in front of it, with a superb house band and a mind-boggling array of musicians (including B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, Solomon Burke, Keb' Mo', Macy Gray, the Neville Brothers, Robert Cray, and John Fogerty, to name but a few) performing at New York's Radio City Music Hall in February, 2003. The idea was to trace the music from its beginnings; thus we get an African song (by Angelique Kidjo), some early gospel blues (the great Mavis Staples), acoustic Delta blues, and so on, right up to blues-drenched electric rock and even some rap (a riveting version of Howlin' Wolf's "Killing Floor" by Chuck D.). Virtually all of the immortals who defined the blues (Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, and even Jimi Hendrix, whose fiery style is re-enacted by Buddy Guy) enter the picture, either through vintage film clips or new performances of their songs. One might wish for more insight into the influence of the blues on jazz (Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit," sung here by India.Arie, is a fine song, but it's not a blues tune) or country, but overall, Lightning in a Bottle is an edifying and, most important, highly entertaining portrait of the music and its heritage. --Sam Graham ... Read more

Reviews (6)

the Blues edition of The Last Waltz
Back when The Band was splitting, Mr Scorsese gave us a stage filled with a revolving personnel of the Rock heavies of the day.
This show gives you the same kind of entertainment with a revolving personnel of the absolute Blues masters - plus some bloody entertaining ring-ins.
Video files are perfection. Sound is clear and full.

Tearjerker Stylin' with a Groove and a Happy Ending
People who appreciate this kind of music might still be surprised at the ample, 109 minutes' worth of joyful tears rolling down their faces when they watch this. If that ain't the blues, I don't know what is.

A Great Start To The Year Of The Blues
This memorable concert was filmed at New York's Radio City Music Hall in February 2003. It was the start of the "Year Of the Blues". Martin Scorsese, who gave us the wonderful (but a bit controversial content-wise) series of Blues Films (which took over a year to be screened and available here in Australia) opens the show, after the Blues Year he was also a voice in "Shark's tale"!

There is no denying that this is a memorable and well presented concert. Many of the greatest living Blues players are hear as well as those we might refer to as marginal-transitional people with Blues interests. Some we don't get to hear, Robert Jr Lockwood and Jimmie Vaughan are seen, but not heard. the concert itself represents a musical journey through various Blues styles from African songs, to WC Handy, to music hall styles, women singers, the lone Juke Player right up through B.B. King and Hendrix and, yes, Chuck D trying to stop the Iraq Invasion with "Boom Boom" Rap!

This DVD is most enjoyable and a great and reasonably priced addition to one's music library. Highlights for me include B.B. King's story about "Sweet Sixteen" and his performance. Robert Cray's input, as usual is outstanding with his clean understated guitar work. Honeyboy Edwards, who knew Robert Johnson provides a rare self-penned tune (he mostly did covers during his career), Hubert Sumlin(who has just lost a lung!! And was smoking in the interview!!!! And who I got to meet in 1991) plays a great rendition of "Killing Floor" with the riff he made famous for Howlin' Wolf. Natalie Cole (a comeback?) does a great update of Bessie Smith's "Saint Louis Blues"-reminds me a bit of Janis Joplin-remember she started out sounding like Aretha on "This Will Be". The tune with Natalie, the great Mavis Staples (who does a great version of Blind Lemon Jefferson's "Be Sure My Grave's Kept Clean") Ruth Brown and Bill Cosby "Men Are Like Street Cars" is a great humourous blues. It was horrible to hear the Ruth had suffered a stroke prior to this concert and was still superb (see more of this delightful lady in the "Blues Story" DVD).

Solomon Burke, who I just saw in Australia, was fabluous as usual. His singing is great and he sure knows how to work the crowd (like all great church inspired soul singers). Clarence"Gatemouth" Brown was an awesome talent. This was probably his last recorded performance. His no pick guitar style was unique and classic. His playing is a highlight of the entire DVD!

Macy Gray does a great version of "Hound Dog" in the style of Big Mamma Thronton. It's interesting to see her at the rehearsal a bit perplexed about the whole thing and then transform on stage. Buddy Guy is Buddy Guy, he's great, out front, out of tune, and, to me, stands for what the Blues is all about. He does a rare acoustic version of "I Can't Be Satisfied" in dedication to his mentor Muddy Waters. He also does a bit of Jimi Hendrix's "Red House"-this was great because if purists ran the show this would not have been done. I agree with the previous reviewers the rap, Aerosmith, John Fogarty and rock in general are farther from the blues than Jimi Hendrix, but in a show like this I can stomach anything, for one thing the band is so great.

Another highlight of this show is Odetta, the hippy Black folk singer from the 1960s. She does a great version of Leadbelly's "Jim Crow Blues" and even phrases like Leadbelly! A wonderful effort. The documentary footage between songs, the lighting and effects and the interviews are great. The bonus tracks are suberb as well. Get this if you are a Blues lover!

TERRIFIC, ONCE IN A LIFETIME, BLUES CONCERT
Martin Scorsese executive produced and Antoine Fuqua ("King Arthur") directedLIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE (Sony), the vibrant blues concert at Radio City Music hall that is nothing less than a compressed celebration and history on the hundredth anniversary of this uniquely American art form.

Legendary performers from the roots of rock, jazz and gospel gather for a once-in-a-lifetime concert to benefit musical education.B.B. King, Mavis Staples, Macey Gray, Keb Mo, Buddy Guy, Mos Def, Bonnie Raitt, India Arie ( she sings Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit"), the Neville Brothers, John Fogerty and more perform vintage and modern material in an exceptional looking and sounding digital recording.

I especially enjoyed the African song (by Angelique Kidjo), the early gospel blues and the haunting acoustic delta blues.

A sort of History of The Blues...
Great HD - transfer.If you have an HDTV you will really enjoy this. Audio / video was superb.All DVD concerts should be of this quality.Except for a few "rap" style tracks - it was a great show. There were a few tracks in the "bonus" portion that should have been included or swapped out for the "rap" tracks.This was a blues history concert with some fabulous musicians and singers - except for the "rap"...If your interested in blues music from the "roots" you will enjoy this... ... Read more

Amazon.com

Dennis Quaid's delightfully over-the-top performance dominates this 1989 biopic about the life, times, and music of rocker Jerry Lee "the Killer" Lewis. It's all here: his snazzy threads, his devil-may-care Southern charm, his mane of golden hair, his underage girlfriends (Lewis's infamous marriage to his 13-year-old cousin, played here by Winona Ryder, and its effect on his career is a big part of the story), his fascination with "the devil's music" (much to the chagrin of cousin Jimmy Swaggart, portrayed by Alec Baldwin), and of course the classic tunes like "Great Balls of Fire" and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On." Director Jim McBride plays the whole thing broadly, for laughs, much like Quaid plays Lewis. The result is tongue-in-cheek entertainment with a strong musical component, made all the more so by the fact that all the singing and playing on the soundtrack is done by Lewis himself. --Sam Graham ... Read more

Reviews (41)

I can't believe it's not fiction!
Goodness, gracious.. Great Balls of Fire is one of the best movies I have ever seen. Based on the life of Jerry Lee Lewis, responsible for such classic oldies as (obviously) "Great Balls of Fire," and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," it truly keeps your eyes glued to the screen. Dennis Quaid stars as 'The Killer' himself and portrays the ups and downs of Lewis' rocky road to success quite superbly. Staying with relatives, Jerry Lee meets and quickly moves in on his thirteen year old cousin, Myra (played by Winona Ryder, who gives Quaid a run for his money with her own stunning performance), immediately after his first song plays on the radio. People automatically love the song, and so begins the story of unbelievable success, love, and scandals -- every plot twist and turn that you would expect from a soap opera -- but these events actually DID happen! Keeping that in mind throughout the movie only makes it that much better. At times quite serious and dramatic, Great Balls of Fire keeps it just light enough to be absolutely hilarious at just the right times. In addition to the quite intriguing plot, this movie is also an in-depth look into the lifestyle of the fifties and sixties, and how what we don't give as much as a second thought to these days is what made heads spin back then. A definite must-see for fans AND non-fans of Jerry Lee Lewis, as it is a very informative and extremely entertaining movie.

Nice actor performances, GREAT MUSIC ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Well, I gave the movie five stars, because of The Killer's great soundtrack. Dennis Quaid, Winona Ryder and the others did a fine job as actors, but I think the movie gives you a wrong picture of Jerry Lee Lewis. I strongly recommend Jerry Lee's soundtrack GREAT BALLS OF FIRE! under Polydor Records...It leaves you BREATHLESS!

Not bad, but then not good
This is okay. Dennis Quaid is rather over the top and Winona Ryder is her usual humdrum self. Looks good and there are some good comedic touches.

However, rather than his career being trashed by the scandal depicted here, in that he marries his 13 year old cousin, and then she gets pregnant, and slaps her about, he should have been jailed. Sorry, distasteful is not the word for it.

The best movie I ever saw
Great Ball's of fire has everything anyone could ever want in a movie! it's got action, drama, romance,comedy and truth. Dennis Quaid is marvelous as 'The Killer' and Winona Ryder was amazing as 'Myra' what make's this movie even better is that it is a true story. I think every one should have this in their collection.

sexy denniis quaid you so fine
I think that this movie was great.and dennis quaid did a grat job as being jerry lee lewis and winnona wryder did an great job as being his cousin but I think that I would have been better because I think that I look better than her. and all she did in the movie was wnine but other than that I loved the movie and that's why I gave the movie five stars. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Already a legend among musicians, Stevie Ray Vaughan was bringing new relevance and popularity to the blues when his career was cut short in a fatal helicopter accident following a 1990 concert appearance. His music offered the drama and sheer firepower of rock, and his flamboyant live shows likewise proved well suited to arena-sized crowds, yet there was little argument that Vaughan's fealty to the blues remained at the core of his style.This 1996 concert tribute underscores that common denominator through muscular performances from contemporary blues masters who readily (and appropriately) confirm the Texas guitarist as a true peer--it's no small matter that bona fide influences Buddy Guy and B.B. King cite the honoree on an equal plane with Vaughan's most obvious rock forebear, Jimi Hendrix.

King and Guy are among the stars who interpret Vaughan's own songbook in live performances backed by either his old band, Double Trouble, or the larger Tilt-a-Whirl Band.Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Robert Cray,Dr. John, and the late guitarslinger's big brother, Jimmie Vaughan (himselfa major figure since his days with the Fabulous Thunderbirds) all pay gritty musical homage noteworthy for powerhouse guitar work. Whether clad in coveralls (Guy) or Armani (Clapton, of course), each reaches the same common ground in the soul-deep language of the blues; equally important, the choice of material points up Vaughan's sure sense of blues song form and a penchant for tough, frequently witty lyrics that fit snugly into blues traditions.The 80-minute concert also intersperses brief interviews with the principals, with the music building toward a satisfying climax in three high-octane jams featuring the headliners in lively exchanges.The DVD optimizes the full-frame visuals of the original videotaped special, and the 5.1 audio mix likewise fine-tunes the straightforward stereo mix with some added ambience. --Sam Sutherland ... Read more

Reviews (17)

One of all time greatest
Please notice that I'm from Denmark and that my english probably ain't perfect, sorry !-But I would like to say that a Tribute to SRV. are one of all time greatest tribute concerts - to a man who really deserves it ! SRV is and will always be the king of blues. And the musicians who honours him on this concert are delivering some of their greatest perfomances ! Of course it's bound to be so , with all that great material Stevie left them ! Despite what many people might mean , the clips between the songs are lovely !The short ( all to short )concert moments with Stevie himself is a gift to all SRV. Lovers - they really shows what a great player and performer he was ! And it makes it easy to everyone to see and feel his greatness ! He was really one of a kind ! This video which also is available on CD is a must to all SRV. Fans / lovers - Buy it now ! You won't regret it ! The video is also filled with comments from the artists who plays on it !Those are very lovefull moments and a joy to hear and watch ! - And to Stevie - while you're probably sitting on a cloud playing the Blues with a big smile on your face : You and your music will live forever - Thanks for all what you gave us ! Keep playing - PEACE BROTHER - from a dedicated fan .

Electrifying!!
This film, shot in Texas in June of 1995, features a whole host of talented musicians. The littany of names is enthralling. Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Jimmy Vaughan, Robert Cray and Eric Clapton, who was nominated for best male rock performance in 1997 at the Grammys for his performance. Each musician performs his own incredible piece and the film also includes each performer's reflections on Stevie and all culminating to an incredible blues guitar jam with each musician having a solo. Filled with beautiful slides, riffs and solos and heartfelt thoughts each artist pays tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan in his own way. A befitting tribute to a once in a life time bluesman.

Almost great
Well the list of guitarists is something to be expected considering they are paying homage to one of the greatest guitar players of all time. However it seems that his brother Jimmie in this DVD uses this as an opportunity to play with the greats. Instead of allowing the great guitarists play their hearts out they seem to be in the background of a sub par guitarist. The first thing I thought when I saw this was Stevie would have been furious seeing these great guitarists playing behind his brother. These people needed to be showcased instead of dropped in the background. Once you get used to this the interviews are really nice hearing these great blues players talk about Stevie. There playing was really cool, it is definitely something to watch and enjoy, and the last song SRV Shuffle on the DVD is really fun to watch. It would have been better if Jimmie had got out of the way though. Would have been a five star if he would have just let the better musicians play in the spotlight instead of trying to steal the spotlight.

Stevie Played Stevie Better
"A Tribute To Stevie Ray Vaughan" shows some marvelous performances of Vaughan's work by some of the great bluesman and guitarists. Clapton, Cray, Guy, Raitt, King and even Vaughan's very talented brother crank through the better known Stevie Ray tunes with incredible musical mastery.

Interupting some great jams, unfortunately, is a bunch of interviews. They are interesting, but kill the flow of the concert. It seems like a PBS special.

I recommend "A Tribute To Stevie Ray Vaughan," but get one of Stevie Ray's concert CDs or DVDs instead if you are looking to hear top Vaughan blues.

Or, get a BB King or Buddy Guy CD. If you buy this one, fast forward through the interviews.

Anthony Trendl

JIMMI HENDRICKS PLAYED ROCK BUT STEVIE PLAYS THE BLUES
Both guitarists were on an equal plane. Stevie learned from jimmi and countless other blues players few know about. He did things with a guitar few could follow. You can't judge him on this one dvd. You have to collect all his CDs and see him "Austin City Limits" to really appreciate his gifted talents. People outside the US and in the US were not exposed to him as much. He was an unknown. He did some guitar work for David Bowie"Lets Dance"album. David took most of the credit for that record that peaked his career.Few knew stevie then. He was just getting exposure in the US when he died even though he had been around a long time. A rising star not forgotten!!! pick up a guitar and try to play like him if you can. ... Read more