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Before Woodstock and Monterey Pop, there was Festival. From 1963 to 1966, Murray Lerner visited the annual Newport Folk Festival to document a thriving, idealistic musical movement as it reached its peak as a popular phenomenon. Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Howlin'Wolf, Johnny Cash, the Staples Singers, Pete Seeger, Son House, and Peter, Paul and Mary were just a few of the legends who shared the stage at Newport, treating audiences to a range of folk music that encompassed the genre s roots in blues, country, and gospel as well as its newer flirtations with rock 'n' roll. Shooting in gorgeous black and white, Lerner juxtaposes performances with snapshot interviews with artists and their fans, weaving footage from four years of the festival into an intimate record of a pivotal time in music and i

Description

Before Woodstock and Monterey Pop, there was Festival. From 1963 to 1966, Murray Lerner visited the annual Newport Folk Festival to document a thriving, idealistic musical movement as it reached its peak as a popular phenomenon. Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Howlin'Wolf, Johnny Cash, the Staples Singers, Pete Seeger, Son House, and Peter, Paul and Mary were just a few of the legends who shared the stage at Newport, treating audiences to a range of folk music that encompassed the genre s roots in blues, country, and gospel as well as its newer flirtations with rock 'n' roll. Shooting in gorgeous black and white, Lerner juxtaposes performances with snapshot interviews with artists and their fans, weaving footage from four years of the festival into an intimate record of a pivotal time in music and in American culture at large. DIRECTOR-APPROVED BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES - New, restored 2K digital transfer, approved by director Murray Lerner -New reconstruction and remastering of the monaural soundtrack using the original concert and field recordings, approved by Lerner and presented uncompressed - When We Played Newport, a new program featuring archival interviews with Lerner, music festival producer George Wein, and musicians Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Buffy Saint-Marie, Pete Seeger, and Peter Yarrow - Editing Festival, a new program featuring Lerner, associate editor Alan Heim, and assistant editor Gordon Quinn - Selection of complete outtake performances, including Clarence Ashley, Horton Barker, Johnny Cash, John Lee Hooker, and Odetta - PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by critic Amanda Petrusich and artist bios by folk music expert Mary Katherine Aldin

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The power of music connects American musicians with their West African counterparts in a historical concert not seen in over 20 years. In March 1971, several dozen American soul, jazz & gospel artists embarked on a journey to Ghana, West Africa that would change the lives of all involved. For the African American artists, this was a journey about personal roots, history, discovery, loss, pain and joy. The film documents a one-of-a-kind awe-inspiring festival where black American souls connected with black West African souls through the enduring power of music. Directed by Academy AwardⓇ winner Denis Sanders and produced by Tom Mosk & Richard Bock, the resulting concert film/documentary features electrifying performances in front of over 100,000 Ghanaians who were witnessing these legendary artists for the first time. The film was recently restored to the original edit by reconstructing each scene using the high quality 2K transfers from the original film elements, which were shot in the 4:3 aspect ratio. This is a monumental concert film that features artists at the peak of their powers. The Ike & Tina Turner Revue deliver fiery renditions of "River Deep-Mountain High," "Soul to Soul," a cut specifically written for this concert; and Otis Redding's "I've Been Loving You Too Long" [appears as a special Blu-ray outtake]. Wilson Pickett, the most popular American artist known to West Africans at the time, delivers a rousing finale of "In the Midnight Hour," "Funky Broadway," and "Land of a 1000 Dances." Gospel/Soul family group the Staple Singers were on hand to perform "When Will Be We Paid" and "Are You Sure". Les McCann and Eddie Harris introduced many to jazz via spirited performances of "The Price You Gotta Pay to Be Free" and "Hey Jorler," the latter featuring local Ghanaian artist Amoah Azangeo. Santana, with guest percussionist Willie Bobo was the wild card. The group only had one African American member but given its reliance on Afro-Cuban and Latin American rhythm constructs played the most African-sounding music of any with "Black Magic Woman"/"Gypsy Queen" and "Jungle Strut". Bonus Materials Trailer Outtake performance: Ike & Tina Turner – “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” Commentary Track One: Mavis Staples – The Staple Singers Commentary Track Two: Les McCann with Kevin Griffin (The Voices of East Harlem) Commentary Track Three: Producer Tom Mosk with re-issue producers David Peck of Reelin’ In the Years Productions Commentary Track Four: Ike Turner, Michael Shrieve (Santana), Obo Addy (Ghanian drummer), Kevin Griffin and Les McCann. Track Listing Wilson Pickett - In the Midnight Hour Wilson Pickett - Land Of 1000 Dances Santana - Jungle Strut Santana - Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen Ike & Tina Turner - River Deep-Mountain High Ike & Tina Turner - Soul To Soul Ike & Tina Turner - Ooh Poo Pah Doo Ike & Tina Turner - I Smell Trouble The Staple Singers - When Will We Be Paid The Staple Singers - Are You Sure Les McCann & Eddie Harris - The Price You Gotta Pay To Be Free Les McCann & Eddie Harris - Hey Jorler The Voices Of East Harlem - Run, Shaker Life Top About this item Similar From the Brand Questions Reviews Soul To Soul Soul To Soul