Blues Movies

Blues-rock guitar hero Stevie Ray Vaughan made two appearances on the acclaimed PBS music showcase Austin City Limits before his tragic death in 1990, and this video collects highlights from each show. His 1983 appearance coincided with the release of his debut album, Texas Flood, and captures him in tough, rough-and-ready form. A later set from 1989, after Vaughan had kicked a life-threatening drug and alcohol habit, finds him in more studied and mature form, but sounding no less skillful or passionate. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

The late Muddy Waters was one of the finest and most influential blues performers of all time -- just ask The Rolling Stones, who took their name from one of his songs. On this video, Muddy was captured in fine form onstage at the Chicago Blues Festival, with friend and collaborator Johnny Winter sitting in on guitar; songs include Mannish Boy and I'm A King Bee. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Eric Clapton performs 15 acoustic songs in this outstanding entry from the MTV "Unplugged" series. Included is the ode to his late son "Tears In Heaven," and selections from Clapton's three decades plus of recordings. Musicians contributing are Nathan East on bass, Steve Ferrone on drums, Chuck Leavell on keyboards, Andy Fairweather Low on guitar, and Ray Cooper on percussion. Backing vocals are provided by Tessa Niles, Katie Kissoon and Nathan East. Songs written by such blues heroes as Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and Bo Diddley are included in this award winning 1992 performance. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

Sessions at West 54th is an hour-long program taped at Sony Music Studios in New York City that features live performances from an eclectic group of musicians in various musical styles. In this edition, blues artist Keb Mo performs 15 songs before a live studio audience. The intimate concert setting with 200 fans was recorded June 10, 1997. Also included is an offstage interview with the two-time Grammy winner. ~ Laura Mahnken, Rovi

It's an all-star blues extravaganza as legendary guitarist B.B. King brings a whole host of popular performers to the stage for a magical night of music captured live at the Ebony Showcase Theater on April 15, 1987. In addition to such classics as "The Thrill Is Gone" and "In the Midnight Hour," King is joined by such talented contemporaries as Eric Clapton, Etta James, Dr. John, Phil Collins, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King, Billy Ocean, and Chaka Kahn in performing nine more songs including "Ain't Nobody's Business," "The Sky Is Crying," and "Let the Good Times Roll." ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

In the riveting concert film B.B. King: Standing Room Only, the legendary bluesman King performs eleven of his most popular standards before a rapt crowd at the Trump Marina Hotel on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Selections include: "Let the Good Times Roll," "I'll Still Be Around," "Cost to be the Boss," "I'm a Poor Man But I'm a Good Man," "Ain't Nobody's Business What I Do," "Ain't Got Nothing But the Blues," "Why I Sing the Blues," "The Thrill is Gone," "When Love Comes to Town," "Someone Loves You," and "Peace to the World." ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

Blues legend B.B. King performs a number of classic tunes including "When the Saints Go Marching In," "Downhearted," "Nobody Loves Me But My Mother," and "The Thrill Is Gone," over the course of this concert film. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Alexis Korner was perhaps the greatest unsung hero of the British blues scene. Born in 1928, Korner heard a Jimmy Yancy record while waiting out a German air raid at the age of 12, and from that moment on he was obsessed with American blues and jazz music. Korner began playing guitar with a jazz combo in 1949 and, in 1962, he formed Blues Incorporated, one of the first notable electric blues outfits in the United Kingdom. He and a friend even started their own nightclub when London venues proved resistant to their new sound. Over the years, Korner's band became a launching pad for such artists as John Mayall, Ian Stewart and Charlie Watts (of the Rolling Stones), Steve Mariott (the Small Faces), Jack Bruce (Cream), Manfred Mann, and literally dozens of other notable blues and rock talents. Alexis Korner and Friends preserves a performance by Korner recorded only a few months before his untimely death in 1984. Backed by a band including Bill Wyman, Watts, and Stewart of the Stones, Korner and his pals roll through a set of classic blues tunes, including "Blue Monday," "I'd Rather Go Blind," "Lawdy Miss Clawdy," "Hoochie Koochie Man," and more. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

This film documents a 2001 concert by guitar legend Eric Clapton held in Los Angeles' Staples Center. Nearly two dozen songs are performed, including "Hoochie Coochie Man," "Layla," "Tears in Heaven," "Cocaine," "Sunshine of Your Love," and "Change the World." ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

The European music program Ohne Filter -- Musik Pur prides itself on allowing performers from various genres to play the music for which they are best known. This video contains an appearance by the jazz artist Robben Ford. The songs include "The Brother," "Tell Me I'm Your Man," "Talk to Your Daughter," and "Step on It"." ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Fats Domino and Ricky Nelson both became early stars in the history of Rock and Roll. Rockin' With Rick & Fats captures an August 22, 1985 concert that teamed these two legends. Nelson delivers over a half-dozen songs including "Travelin' Man," "Garden Party," "Hello Mary Lou," and "That's All Right." Fats serves up rollicking versions of "Blueberry Hill," "Ain't That a Shame," "I'm Ready," and more. The two join forces on "I'm Walkin'." ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Anchored by the virtuoso harmonica work of John Popper, Blues Traveler are among the most visable veterans of the jam band scene, and they've developed a reputation for playing an annual Fourth of July concert for their loyal fans at the beautiful Red Rocks Ampitheater in Colorado. For their 2003 Fourth of July gig, Blues Traveler brought along a camera crew to capture the sounds and images of their show, and this concert video is the result. Blues Traveler: Live - Thinnest of Air includes the songs "Hook", "Save His Soul", "Crystal Flame", "Crash and Burn", "The Mountains Win Again", and many more. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi