In the heated months of 1969, a series of energetic music performances took place in New York during the Summer of Love.
However, we're not talking about Woodstock. The Harlem Cultural Festival, which took place over six summer Sundays featured Nina Samone, Stevie Wonder, The Fifth Dimension, Sly and the Family Stone, B.B. King and Gladys Knight & the Pips in top form.
Mostly forgotten in time, Questlove (The Roots) has rescued the film footage, most of which has never been publicly seen, and created a two-hour film (Peter Jackson, take notice) showcasing the amazing performances as well as poignant stories from the artists.
Gladys Knight reminisces about the early days of Motown, and Mavis about the sheer awe of singing with Mahalia. Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. of Fifth Dimension who had been called "not black enough," detail the power of their performance that day.
And there's the music. Stevie Wonder on drums (really), David Ruffin solo, and Nina Samone hypnotizing listeners with "Backlash Blues.”
In a nutshell: A lovingly assembled timepiece and an essential look at performers in their prime.
Award potential. Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) has been nominated for Best Documentary at the Academy Awards.
Where to see it: Hulu
The Ten Buck Review: Worth ten bucks.
Mostly forgotten in time, Questlove (The Roots) has rescued the film footage, most of which has never been publicly seen, and created a two-hour film (Peter Jackson, take notice) showcasing the amazing performances as well as poignant stories from the artists.
Gladys Knight reminisces about the early days of Motown, and Mavis about the sheer awe of singing with Mahalia. Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. of Fifth Dimension who had been called "not black enough," detail the power of their performance that day.
And there's the music. Stevie Wonder on drums (really), David Ruffin solo, and Nina Samone hypnotizing listeners with "Backlash Blues.”
In a nutshell: A lovingly assembled timepiece and an essential look at performers in their prime.
Award potential. Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) has been nominated for Best Documentary at the Academy Awards.
Where to see it: Hulu
The Ten Buck Review: Worth ten bucks.
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