|
Lightning in a Bottle (2004) 7.5
Antoine Fuqua's documentary on the blues, shot at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Director:Antoine Fuqua |
| Watch Trailer 0Share... |
User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Share this Rating
Title: Lightning in a Bottle (2004)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
Edit
Cast
| Credited cast: | |||
 |
Aerosmith | ... |
Themselves
|
| Gregg Allman | ... |
Himself
|
|
|
|
James Blood Ulmer | ... |
Himself
|
|
|
Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown | ... |
Himself
|
|
|
Ruth Brown | ... |
Herself
|
| Solomon Burke | ... |
Himself
|
|
| Natalie Cole | ... |
Herself
|
|
|
|
Shemekia Copeland | ... |
Herself
|
| Bill Cosby | ... |
Himself
|
|
|
|
Robert Cray | ... |
Himself
|
| Chuck D. | ... |
Himself
|
|
| Dr. John | ... |
Himself
|
|
|
|
Honeyboy Edwards | ... |
Himself
|
| John Fogerty | ... |
Himself
|
|
| Macy Gray | ... |
Herself
|
|
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
Beginning with a stirring African folk song (Zélié performed by Angélique Kidjo) the roots are established and rapidly swell into a trunk thickened by the hardships of the Great Depression (Gamblin' Man performed by David 'Honeyboy' Edwards) and the oppression of segregation (Jim Crow Blues performed by Odetta). Finally, this Blues family tree shows off vibrant new growth as it reveals the Blues' influence on our modern wealth of talented musicians (Midnight Special performed by John Fogerty and Hound Dog done by Macy Gray). Ruth Brown gives Blll Cosby a full-throttle serenade (and a playful smoldering gaze), along with Mavis Staples and Natalie Cole. Angélique Kidjo persuades Buddy Guy to an unforgettable rendition of 'Voodoo Child,' shortly before Bonnie Raitt and Robert Cray accompany B.B. King and Lucille for the final number, 'Paying the Cost to be the Boss.' This documentary presents to the audience, with authority and candor, an authentic history of this musical form. The ... Written by Annie Campos
Plot Keywords:
new york city | blues music | historical event | manhattan new york city | radio city music hall manhattan new york cityTaglines:
A one night history of the bluesParents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents »
Edit
See more »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
5 August 2004 (Germany) See more »Also Known As:
Blues ekrixi See more »Filming Locations:
Radio City Music Hall - 1260 6th Avenue, Rockefeller Center, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USABox Office
Opening Weekend:
$5,300 (USA) (22 October 2004)Gross:
$201,574 (USA) (4 March 2005)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
| (Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente) | (Ontario)Color:
Color
Edit
Most of the big names in American blues music, certainly the black exponents, get glimpsed in this tribute show - and if they didn't attend, mainly because they are deceased, there is archive footage of them. Although a concert, the film manages to become a documentary as well and reasonably chronological. Obviously you can't expect this condensed film to be comprehensive about a subject this big with so many artists, but it makes a good try. The artists and their performances I guess are a matter of personal taste, but I enjoyed most of them. The borders between blues, soul and rock are rather blurred sometimes, but there are lots of people who resist categorization. Standouts for me were Buddy Guy's rendition of Jimi Hendrix's "Red House" (Hendrix was actually a big fan of Buddy Guy) and BB King's fret work right at the end. For blues lovers it's a must see; for those who don't know much about it, this film is a good introduction. Try to see it in a cinema with a good sound system.