Irma Thomas Movies
- 2006
Robert Mugge, the music history-centered documentarian who brought the world The Gospel According to Al Green, The Return of Ruben Blades, The Last of the Mississippi Jukes and many (many) others, helms New Orleans Music in Exile - the first nonfiction film to examine the displacement of Cajun, blues, &b, jazz and zydeco music acts following August 2005's Hurricane Katrina. The documentarian intentionally gives short shrift to areas of the catastrophe explored by other films (such as Spike Lee's When the Levees Broke), preferring instead to channel his gaze elsewhere. His focus and emphasis thus lie in three arenas: he traces which acts specifically left the Big Easy and which destinations they chose; how New Orleans compensated for that loss; and who plans to return in the imminent future. Many five-star musicians (intimate with Mugge from prior endeavors) turn up to play electric, mesmerizing numbers and to offer occasional insights into the consequences of Katrina; these include Dr. John (on "Right Place, Wrong Time,"), Papa Grows Funk, Theresa Andersson (who covers a rousing version of "Like a Hurricane,") Irma Thomas, The Iguanas and many others. Mugge also works in interviews with New Orleans club proprietors, music journalists and record label proprietors. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Theresa Andersson, Cyril Neville, (more)
- 2005
- Add From the Big Apple to the Big Easy: The Concert for New Orleans to QueueAdd From the Big Apple to the Big Easy: The Concert for New Orleans to top of Queue
The biggest names in modern music all come together on one stage for this landmark concert organized to raise funds for the relief and rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Katrina and featuring special appearances by a number of New Orleans legends. Featured performers include Aaron Neville, Simon & Garfunkel, Jimmy Buffet, John Fogerty, Elvis Costello, Dave Matthews, Irma Thomas, Buckwheat Zydeco, and Lenny Kravitz. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
It's hard to overestimate the importance of the city of New Orleans in the history of American popular music; New Orleans was where jazz first took root, and the city's rich gumbo of musical influences (African, Caribbean, and French accents mingling with jazz, blues, gospel, and pop structures) helped to steep the creative melting pot that allowed rhythm and blues and rock & roll to grow. There's nothing like the sound of New Orleans jazz, funk, and R&B, and filmmaker Michael Murphy offers living proof in his documentary Make it Funky!, which examines the Crescent City's vibrant musical history while showing some of the city's greatest musicians on stage. Make it Funky! includes concert performances by Allen Toussaint, The Neville Brothers, Lloyd Price, The Meters, Snooks Eaglin, Walter "Wolfman" Washington, and many more. Bonnie Raitt and Keith Richards also make guest appearances and talk about how the New Orleans sound impacted their own music. Make it Funky! went into release in the fall of 2005, just as Hurricane Katrina was devastating New Orleans, making its portrait of the city all the more poignant. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Few states can even come close to rivaling the rich musical heritage of Louisiana. From country to rock & roll to Cajun to zydeco to jazz, and on and on, the roots of American music are in Louisiana. This documentary from director Michael Murphy takes a look at the state's rhythmic history and features live performances by the likes of Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Buckwheat Zydeco, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, the Neville Brothers, and many others. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- 1999
Director Robert Mugge created this documentary about Robert Johnson, one of the most enigmatic pioneers in American music. Created as part of a week-long tribute to the legendary bluesman at Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the film sorts through the numerous myths about Johnson -- most notably that he sold his soul to the devil to become a blues maestro -- and the few extant facts about his life. How he died or where his body is located is simply not known. What does remain from this shadowy figure is a collection of songs that have influenced several generations of artists. Eric Clapton and Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir are just two of the sundry rock and blues musicians that appear in this documentary extolling Johnson's wizardry, which was screened at the 1999 Mills Valley Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Weir, Rob Wasserman, (more)
- 1993
- Add B.B. King: Blues Summit Concert to QueueAdd B.B. King: Blues Summit Concert to top of Queue
One of the great guitarists of postwar blues, B.B. King teams up with an impressive roster of fellow blues legends in this concert video. B.B. King: Blues Summit Concert includes guest appearances by Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, Irma Thomas, Albert Collins, Ruth Brown, and Joe Louis Walker as they perform "The Thrill Is Gone," "T-Bone Shuffle," "I Can't Quit You Baby," "Hey Hey, the Blues Is Alright," "Playing With My Friends," "Call It Stormy Monday," and many more. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- B.B. King
A film that captures the steamy, colorful essence of New Orleans, this crime thriller tells the romantic story of a classy detective whose investigation of a gangland murder lands him in trouble with the city's new District Attorney, a woman with a rigid penchant for following the letter of the law. Despite their differences, the two manage to work together and eventually fall in love. Unfortunately all of this leads them to have to fight for their lives when their investigation into the case and the corruption surrounding it gets them bumped up to the top of a hit man's list. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dennis Quaid, Ellen Barkin, (more)
- 1978
Always for Pleasure is a plotless cinematic celebration of the Mardi Gras. Director Les Blank concentrates less on the parades and such that the tourists get to see, preferring to dwell on the sensual pleasures of the festival. There's music aplenty, modern rock blending effortlessly with jazz and Cajun tunes. Blank has an errant eye for the bizarre and beautiful, and offers us generous portions of both. The only drawback to Always for Pleasure is that's all over in a mere 58 minutes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Professor Longhair, Kid Thomas Valentine, (more)
