The Blues

The Blues

Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues - A Musical Journey

Ended First aired 28/Sep/2003 United States English 2 season(s) 42 episode(s)
Documentary
The Blues (2003) is a seven-part documentary series produced by Martin Scorsese that explores the history and influence of blues music. Each episode, directed by a different filmmaker, traces a unique aspect of the genre’s evolution—from its African roots to its global impact. Originally airing on PBS, the series includes Scorsese’s Feel Like Going Home, Wim Wenders’ The Soul of a Man, Richard Pearce’s The Road to Memphis, Charles Burnett’s Warming by the Devil’s Fire, Marc Levin’s Godfathers and Sons, Mike Figgis’ Red, White and Blues, and Clint Eastwood’s Piano Blues.
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TimeScore 33% Skip It
Binge Meter 48% Slow Burn
Episode Pulse Quiet 40% activity score
Drop Rate 0% Very Low

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Seasons & Episodes

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Season 1 · Season 1
7 episode(s) · Air date: 28/Sep/2003
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Season Overview

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S1E7
Piano Blues
Air date: 04/Oct/2003 · Runtime: 90 min
Summary

The film features interviews and live performances of piano players Ray Charles, Dave Brubeck, Dr. John and Marcia Ball. Eastwood interviews artists as Ray Charles, Dr. John, Marcia Ball, Pinetop Perkins, Dave Brubeck, Jay McShann, Henry Gray and shows archival performances of Fats Domino, Otis Spann, Art Tatum, Albert Simmons, Pete Johnson, Jay McShann, Big Joe Turner, Nat King Cole, Martha Davis, Professor Longhair, Charles Brown and Duke Ellington. Remarkable are two early performances of the Chess Records houseband with Otis Spann, Willie Dixon and, probably, Fred Below.

Summary

The film features interviews and live performances of piano players Ray Charles, Dave Brubeck, Dr. John and Marcia Ball. Eastwood interviews artists as Ray Charles, Dr. John, Marcia Ball, Pinetop Perkins, Dave Brubeck, Jay McShann, Henry Gray and shows archival performances of Fats Domino, Otis Spann, Art Tatum, Albert Simmons, Pete Johnson, Jay McShann, Big Joe Turner, Nat King Cole, Martha Davis, Professor Longhair, Charles Brown and Duke Ellington. Remarkable are two early performances of the Chess Records houseband with Otis Spann, Willie Dixon and, probably, Fred Below.

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S1E6
Red, White and Blues
Air date: 03/Oct/2003 · Runtime: 90 min
Summary

Director Mike Figgis joins musicians such as Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Tom Jones, performing and talking about the music of the early sixties British invasion that reintroduced the blues sound to America.

Summary

Director Mike Figgis joins musicians such as Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Tom Jones, performing and talking about the music of the early sixties British invasion that reintroduced the blues sound to America.

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S1E5
Godfathers and Sons
Air date: 02/Oct/2003 · Runtime: 90 min
Summary

Director Marc Levin travels to Chicago with hip-hop legend Chuck D (of Public Enemy) and Marshall Chess (son of Leonard Chess and heir to the Chess Records legacy) to explore the heyday of Chicago blues as they unite to produce an album that seeks to bring veteran blues players together with contemporary hip hop musicians. Along with never-before-seen archival footage of Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, are original performances by Koko Taylor, Otis Rush, Magic Slim, Ike Turner, and Sam Lay.

Summary

Director Marc Levin travels to Chicago with hip-hop legend Chuck D (of Public Enemy) and Marshall Chess (son of Leonard Chess and heir to the Chess Records legacy) to explore the heyday of Chicago blues as they unite to produce an album that seeks to bring veteran blues players together with contemporary hip hop musicians. Along with never-before-seen archival footage of Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, are original performances by Koko Taylor, Otis Rush, Magic Slim, Ike Turner, and Sam Lay.

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S1E4
Warming by the Devil's Fire
Air date: 01/Oct/2003 · Runtime: 90 min
Summary

Director Charles Burnett presents a tale about a young boy's encounter with his family in Mississippi in the 1950s, and intergenerational tensions between the heavenly strains of gospel and the devilish moans of the blues.

Summary

Director Charles Burnett presents a tale about a young boy's encounter with his family in Mississippi in the 1950s, and intergenerational tensions between the heavenly strains of gospel and the devilish moans of the blues.

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S1E3
The Road To Memphis
Air date: 30/Sep/2003 · Runtime: 90 min
Summary

The film follows the career of Blues musician B.B. King. It features performances by B.B. King, Bobby Rush, Rosco Gordon and Ike Turner, as well as historical footage of Howlin' Wolf and Rufus Thomas.

Summary

The film follows the career of Blues musician B.B. King. It features performances by B.B. King, Bobby Rush, Rosco Gordon and Ike Turner, as well as historical footage of Howlin' Wolf and Rufus Thomas.

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S1E1
Feel Like Going Home
Air date: 28/Sep/2003 · Runtime: 90 min
Summary

Director Martin Scorsese pays homage to the Delta blues. Musician Corey Harris travels through Mississippi and on to West Africa, exploring the roots of the music. The film celebrates the early Delta bluesmen through original performances (including Willie King, Taj Mahal, Otha Turner, and Ali Farka Toure) and rare archival footage (featuring Son House, Muddy Waters, and John Lee Hooker).

Summary

Director Martin Scorsese pays homage to the Delta blues. Musician Corey Harris travels through Mississippi and on to West Africa, exploring the roots of the music. The film celebrates the early Delta bluesmen through original performances (including Willie King, Taj Mahal, Otha Turner, and Ali Farka Toure) and rare archival footage (featuring Son House, Muddy Waters, and John Lee Hooker).

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Season 0 · Specials
35 episode(s)
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Cast

Main cast members.

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Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal
Self
B.B. King
B.B. King
Self
No Photo
Marcia Ball
Self
Ike Turner
Ike Turner
Self
Salif Keita
Salif Keita
Self
Ray Charles
Ray Charles
Self
No Photo
Ali Farka Touré
Self
No Photo
Rosco Gordon
Self (archive footage)
John Lee Hooker
John Lee Hooker
Self (archive footage)
Roy Hawkins
Roy Hawkins
Self (archive footage)
No Photo
Sam Carr
Self
Toumani Diabate
Toumani Diabate
Self
No Photo
Corey Harris
Self
No Photo
Son House
Self (archive footage)
No Photo
Willie King
Self
No Photo
Habib Koité
Self
Lead Belly
Lead Belly
Self (archive footage)
Keb' Mo'
Keb' Mo'
Self

Crew

Creators, directors, writers, and production crew.

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Arthur Jafa
Arthur Jafa
Director of Photography
No Photo
John L. Demps Jr.
Director of Photography
Lisa Rinzler
Lisa Rinzler
Director of Photography
No Photo
Mark Benjamin
Director of Photography
Richard Pearce
Richard Pearce
Director, Director of Photography
No Photo
Vic Losick
Director of Photography
Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood
Director, Producer
Marc Levin
Marc Levin
Director
No Photo
Mike Figgis
Director
Bob Eisenhardt
Bob Eisenhardt
Editor
No Photo
Charlton McMillan
Editor
No Photo
David Martin
Editor

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