Summer of Soul, 2021 Documentary on 1969 Festival

[peter]

I watched this documentary recently, given that its newly unearthed footage from 1969 I thought a dedicated thread might be warranted. 

If you haven't seen it yet its highly recommend, this isn't just shaky handicam footage but a professionally filmed concert taken over several weeks in Harlem NY in 1969. The big stars like Sly, Stevie and Nina give great performances but its also got Gospel (Staples, Mahalia), Afro-Caribbean, Latin, Jazz, Motown Pop etc.

For those that have already seen it, a few observations I'd love to share

-The producer (understandably) tried to sell the movie at the time as the Black Woodstock but it seemed more like the Black Monterey Pop. It was more intimate than Woodstock, more colourful, everyone on stage and in the audience looked amazing, not washed out hippies trapped in a field.

-One of the surprising highlights for me was The 5th Dimension. The theatrical style of the group seemed a bit at odds but Let the Sunshine In really lifted off, they had people dancing onstage, the vocals were amazing. 

-This really was Stevies limbo period. He was playing a clavinet and wah-wah pedal (or some variation) but wearing a suit and backed by the slightly rigid Motown orchestra. He didn't look comfortable. Now we know why. 

-Sly & The Family Stone killed! They were the future. Stevie Wonder wasn't there yet but within a year he had passed them out.

-David Ruffins vocal range - I've never seen him performing on camera before, vocalizing up and down 3 or 4 octaves and pitch perfect.

-I'm sure the best bits were chosen, but the standard of musicianship onstage was exceptional.

-Would have loved to seen more of the Afro-Caribbean and Gospel performances. Maybe there'll be a longer version available in a year.

-Watching some of the surviving musicians see the old footage for the first time was fantastic, some of them were close to tears.


     

[~ / % ? *]

Great doc, and kicking around for a while, was promoted during the early 00s. I do fear the way it has been cut and edited it is showing the story for today and not as it was then. It is interesting how much the times and perceptions have changed on who was a star, Stevie and Nina were 2nd/3rd tier. Most of the headline acts then were skewed for an older crowd with some safe youth choices, hence Stevie, 5thD, etc.,  Probably at that time Mahalia was easily the biggest worldwide star featured since the 50s had toured Europe, Japan, Asia and most of Africa (which was rare for any musician).  Everyone there had grown up with her. Some had worked for her, some went through her management program, some she had put through college, some were franchisees of her businesses, and they all had eaten/bought her food. Sly would be the next big thing in a few months. The Staples and Stevie would each hit their popular stride and artistic funkiness in '72. The 5thD were seen as commercial/white pap but great singing, is great singing. Ruffin, full of himself, blessed with a great voice would go on to a fully shambolic career.

[Mr. FOLLARD]

It was sweet to see The Fifth D today! she especially was lovely, both chuckling over memories, being honest and open about their 'standing' back then.

Enjoyed the doc but only about 20 minutes were musically REALLY great. But the whole thing, as a visual (mostly) experience was aces.

[clive gash]

[fange]

Cool! I will check this out later, cheers.

[sloopjohnc]

One of my friends recommended it to me. He really liked it.