Lightning in a Bottle (2004)

Documentary, General Film, History, Music, Rhonda Recommended

Director: Antoine Fuqua

Starring: Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Buddy Guy, Solomon Burke, India Arie, James “Blood” Ulmer, Ruth Brown, Natalie Cole, Shemekia Copeland, Bill Cosby, Robert Cray, Chuck D., David “Honeyboy” Edwards, Gregg Allman, Dr. John, John Fogerty, Angélique Kidjo, Mavis Staples, Jimmie Vaughn, Keb’ Mo’, Danny Kortchmar, Steve Jordan, Odetta, Kim Wilson, Levon Helm, Allison Krause, Macy Gray, Larry Johnson, Bonnie Raitt, Steve Perry, Steven Tyler, Hubert Sumlin, David Johansen, The Neville Brothers, Vernon Reid, B.B. King

Synopsis: Blending performance and recollections from some of the world’s foremost blues performers, this documentary focuses on a rich American musical tradition. Among those profiled are R.L. Burnside, T-Model Ford and other charismatic bluesmen, who explain the origins of their art and the struggles for black performers who came of age in the Jim Crow South. Several of movie’s elderly subjects died around the time of its release, making their on-screen presence all the more poignant.

Release Date: August 5, 2004 (Germany) | Length: 103 min | Genre: History, Music | MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for brief strong language.

Note: Cast list is from the documentary.