Big Joe Turner Movies
- 1993
- Add Masters of American Music: Bluesland - A Portrait of American Music to QueueAdd Masters of American Music: Bluesland - A Portrait of American Music to top of Queue
Bluesland: A Portrait of American Music presents a swinging look at the history and highlights of a rich musical heritage. Rare footage and concert films fill out this 90-minute documentary. As the soundtrack for the downtrodden, the blues has blossomed in folk circles. The characters that populate its landscape are both brilliant and tragic. Such artists making appearances in Bluesland: A Portrait of American Music are Bessie Smith, B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Dinah Washington, Leadbelly, Big Bill Broonzy, and Sonny Boy Williamson. Writers Albert Murray and Robert Palmer discuss the evolution of the blues. ~ Sarah Ing, All Movie Guide
- 1980
- Add The Last of the Blue Devils: The Kansas City Jazz Story to QueueAdd The Last of the Blue Devils: The Kansas City Jazz Story to top of Queue
Last of the Blue Devils is an affectionate backward glance at the Kansas City "blues" scene of the 1930s. Established as a mecca for jazz musicians during the Prohibition Era, K.C. spawned some of the best musical talent of the era. The film's nostalgia is leavened with mild outrage in noting that, while many of the best blues men were permitted to strut their stuff before white audiences, none were allowed to utilize anything other than "colored only" facilities. Count Basie is the biggest "name" represented in the film, though this should not diminish the contribution of such dynamos as Big Joe Turner, Walter Page and Jay McShann. Last of the Blue Devils was produced and directed by Bruce Ricker, who later turned out a praiseworthy documentary on Thelonious Monk. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Count Basie and His Orchestra, Big Joe Turner, (more)
- 1974
This long-unseen concert film depicts the meeting of two - jazz giants: Count Basie and Oscar Peterson - at the Prague Jazz Festival in November 1974. It features numerous selections performed by Basie's big band (with guest stars Curtis Fuller and Al Grey), Peterson (by himself and with accompaniment) and Danish bassist Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen, plus various combinations of the said artists. Selections include "Just Friends," "I Love You," "Mack the Knife," and many more. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Oscar Peterson, Count Basie, (more)
- 1973
"Memory Lane Blues," "Feeling Happy," "Shake, Rattle and Roll" and "Teddy's Blues" are among the songs performed during this live concert. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1957
The endearingly awful Shake, Rattle and Rock! serves as a showcase for four top rock-and-roll talents of the 1950s. Fats Domino heads the cast as "himself", performing "I'm in Love Again", "Ain't it a Shame" and "Honey Chile". Likewise, Joe Turner offers renditions of "Feelin' Happy" and "Lipstick, Powder and Paint", while Tommy Charles and Annita Ray let loose with "Sweet Love on My Mind" and "Rockin' on Saturday Night". The plot is one of the oldest known to man: a quartet of buttinsky do-gooders, played by screen veterans Douglass Dumbrille, Margaret Dumont, Raymond Hatton and Percy Helton, try to impose a ban on rock-and-roll, while TV producer Touch (later Mike) Connors does his best to convince the "squares" that the new musical style is harmless fun. Sterling Holloway is a riot as Connors' jive-talking assistant, who lays on the hipster slang so heavily in one scene that he requires English subtitles! Shake, Rattle and Rock was (sort of) remade for TV in 1994 as one of Showtime Cable's "Rebel Highway" entries. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Fats Domino, Lisa Gaye, (more)
- 1955
Filmmakers Joseph Kohn and Leonard Reed assemble this patchwork collection of kinescopes featuring such legendary musicians as Sarah Vaughn, Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Nipsey Russell, and Lionel Hampton. Master of Ceremonies Willie Bryant offers a stirring rendition of "Bad Bad Whiskey". ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1955
Master of ceremonies Willie Bryant hosts an eventful evening of music and comedy captured live at the Apollo Theater and featuring such popular artists as Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington, the Clovers, Dinah Washington, Martha Davis, and Mantan Moreland. Rhythm and blues, jazz, tap dancing, and comedy performances make this a treat for audiences of all ages. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
A 6 volume rock 'n' roll video series with Volume 5 featuring artists Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers and Big Joe Turner. ~ All Movie Guide
