Reviews & Ratings for
The History of Rock 'N' Roll, Vol. 4 (TV) More at IMDbPro »

2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
'Soul Music' At Its Peak, 6 March 2009
Author: ccthemovieman-1 from United States

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

There were some very nice tributes in this episode, such as the ones for Hall Of Fame singers James Brown, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin. "James Brown was the funkiest man in the United States," laughed Teddy Prendergast. "He was an original."

As for comments, I thought Smokey Robinson and Quincy Jones had some of the best and unbiased points and I enjoyed hearing Gladys Knight and Luther Vandross reminisce; In this episode, we get definitions of "soul music" and plenty of examples of it. We learn the history of it, mainly from gospel and blues roots, and we get a good picture of it from Detroit to Philadelphia or Memphis to wherever it blossomed (which was pretty much everywhere, including Europe.)

The second half of this episode concentrated on Motown, the sound out of Detroit. The big hangout was a place called, "Hitsville, USA," a studio where many of the singers hung out and recorded. It was begun by Berry Gordon.

We see The Four Tops perform "I Can't Help Myself;" along with The Miracles (with Smokey Robinson) doing "Ooh Baby Baby;" The Supremes' "Come See About Me;" The Temptations, "My Girl;" Marvin Gaye, "Ain't That Peculiar;" a tiny and young Michael Jackson leading the Jackson Five in "I Want You Back;" In the first half hour we see/hear goodies such as Arthur Conley's "Sweet Soul Music;" Ray Charles' "Georgia;" James Brown dancing and singing "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag;" Sam Cooke's famous ballad, "You Send Me;" Jackie Wilson "Baby Work Out;" Ray Charles "What'd I Say;" Wilson Pickett "In the Midnight Hour;" Aretha Franklin, "Dr. Feelgood;" Gladys Knight and the Pips, "I Heard It Through The Grapevine."

Quite a lineup, eh?

I'm tellin' ya: I may be biased but I think the best and most memorable "rock 'n roll" was made in the '50s and '60s and early '70s. This episode is another demonstration of why I say that: they just don't sing songs like this today.

interesting foray into R&B, 16 April 2007

Author: postmanwhoalwaysringstwice from usa

The ten episode series of documentaries, "The History of Rock & Roll" continues with a foray into the world of R&B and Soul with the fourth episode "The Sounds of Soul". There are certain purists that won't consider this particular episode relatable to the rock music form, however given prior episodes' discussion of the roots of rock music as well as significant black performers such as Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry and Fats Domino the similarities should be recognizable. Here the discussion is on artists such as James Brown (the godfather of Soul) and the motor city sound of the Motown artists, as well as the other R&B movements simultaneously occurring in Philadelphia, Memphis, and other major cities. The discussion of the independent nature of many of the record labels, who worked tirelessly to get this music out to listeners, is quite fascinating. The historical significance of this music to the civil right's movement makes this one an especially interesting and important installment in the series.

0 out of 1 people found the following review useful:
Episode 4: The Sounds of Soul, 22 October 2005

Author: ebiros2 from United States

While the Beatles was innovating rock music, black artists were making their own headway in the pop music scene.

Second wave of black artists were starting to dominate the scene. Most notable being Ray Charles, Aritha Franklin, the Supremes, and James Brown.

Formulation of Motown as a record label, and other musicians such as the Temptations, and Jackie Wilson innovating the traditional blues and gospel music, black music found its own footing in rock culture.

This episode is about development of black R&B music making its way into mainstream rock n roll music.

Add another review

Related Links