Marc Levin's "Godfathers and Sons" is another blues documentary in the series "Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues". Still far from perfect, but enjoyable piece. Just like "Feel Like Going Home" (Scorsese's part) its first half is very good and the second one bores the hell out of me. "Godfathers and Sons" is built around Marshall Chess, son of Chess Records founder, and a rapper called Chuck D. Don't ask! The original idea of the movie was telling me how similar blues and hip-hop cultures are. As you probably already figured out, they are not and that was a very bad idea.
"Godfathers" - meaning Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf - are inspiring "Sons", here black hip-hop singers. There's a lot of talk about "the worst blues album of all time", "Electric Mud" by Muddy Waters: the band that made it gets back to the studio after all this years and records new stuff with Chuck D and Common, two contemporary rappers. Chuck D tells us how he adores Muddy and transforms his persona into rap music, we can even see a short part of his concert and that's really pathetic. Anyway, Marshall Chess is telling stories from Chess Records and Chicago blues scene and we get a fair share of performances. Koko Taylor with Magic Slim are rocking a small club, Sam Lay and Pinetop Perkins play at the Chicago Blues Fest and, from archival footage from Chess' archives, we can see Bo Diddley, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Willie Dixon and Sonny Boy Williamson II. The last one was the most interesting for me, playing harp without hands... wow. His teeth also knocked me out ;)
There was also a nice scene with a quote about Paul Butterfield (white bluesman) who "would be into the blues even if he was a tuna sandwich"... That was cool. Mentioned were Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones, for whom Marshall Chess was working in the 70s.
And the movie... well. Marshall Chess sucked at being a record producer and his stories could be better: he was the man who witnessed so many great sessions! And those young hip-hop stars aren't the brightest people I've ever seen, not to mention they didn't sound good on blues records. It isn't the first or the last idea of mixing blues with hip-hop, though: the Black Keys tried (Blakroc) and their efforts were better.
A good movie, but again I just don't understand how the hell it got so many "great" reviews from critics... It's not worth it, but if you're a Chicago blues enthusiast, go and see it.
Amused,
ReplyDeleteThis is Mr DJA from the IORR site which is how I found you. I just read your review of "Godfather's & Son's" and couldn't agree with you more. Although I believe that the intentions were in the right place, they missed the mark all together. Just curious, did you ever see "The Soul Of A Man" from the same series? By far my favorite. Also the favorite of one of my songwriting partners... who happens to be a rapper. Who also couldn't stand the "Godfather's And Son's" movie. He's convinced we were doing a better job in my living room than Chuck D was in Chicago. I can only hope. I'll explore your site more. I just wanted to say "hi". See you at IORR.
Peace,
Mr DJA
For some reason this guy Marshall Chess is credited for what? Just what has this guy done? He never had a feel for any music at all. And if he did experience any of those sessions, believe me, nothing registered, except what ever his memory serves him to feed into the attention he has been getting since his first awakening that:"Oh, I guess that rock n' roll had an gotten their influence from Chess Records. This guy in '67 or whatever yr. woodstock happened hadn't a clue as how to get us in, not one clue after we'd driven from Chicago. Only for him to be "winging" it w/ the Rolling Stones two yrs later and all of a sudden this guy was a God. That should explain a lot. He's nothing but a sham, a big sham. But there are those out there who well know better. He was an embarrassment. I was ashamed of him. As was his father. But the father just didn't even bother w/ him at all. Just disregarded him altogether.
ReplyDeleteThe above comment was typed by Marshall's first wife, Diane Chess. She knows a lot and a lot of what is true. And she is right in everything he claims. He should be ashamed of himself.
ReplyDeleteYa, what great sessions did Marshall Chess experience? He is so full of shit he's delusional and desperate for attention he never got from his father, the father was well aware of just what a complete looser his kid was. Marshall has taken over the roll of being hie father. Yes,he's that delusional. He was doing the perfect job for his qualifications and that was "telling over glossed stories" on the radio. Every other venture, and there were a lot, all failed. The guy is a joke, but he gets his glory thru his last name. But if the father had a choice, he would not choose Marshall for his son. As awful as that may sound, it's true. He's never done one thing on his own all he does is ride on the success of others. And he doesn't even know it. He's too pathetic. And as his father said:"he doesn't have it".
ReplyDeleteI commented on this article before reading the article. All I have to see is the name:"Marshall Chess" and I automatically assume that it's some glossed over, convoluted, complete incapability of any self-effacement from anything which comes out of Marshall Chess's mouth. A person who had every opportunity to self achieve, yet hasn't the capability of ever achieving one thing on his own.
ReplyDeleteYour review is so right on the money and beautifully covert. At times, simply w/ a few words or punctuations. You are an intuitive, unimpressed and knowledgeable person regarding what you write about.
It was mighty impressive and unfortunately very rare on this particular subject.
You are no one's fool.