
Blues Houseparty DVD Public Performance Rights Version
MCM 1011 (2006), DVD
Blues Houseparty: Music, Dance and Stories by Masters of the Piedmont Blues
Public Performance Rights Version
Featuring John Cephas and Phil Wiggins, Archie Edwards, John Jackson, James Jackson, Cora Jackson, Flora Molton and Larry Wise, John Dee Holeman and Quentin 'Fris' Holloway
Produced and Edited by Eleanor Ellis
Directed by Jackson Frost
"This was one great party, an extraordinary gathering of musical friends who are also some of America's greatest masters of the Piedmont blues. It was a privilege to be a part of this event and to document that wonderful day." - Eleanor Ellis
This is a very recent customer review from Amazon.com!!!
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"Even though the heyday of the Piedmont blues sound was over by the 1940s and none of the musicians here ever achieved the notoriety of early headliners like the Reverend Gary Davis, Blind Boy Fuller or Brownie McGhee. you'd never know it by the ebullient music they deliver -- the result of a fascinating intertwining of culture and community. Very well photographed (lots of fretboard closeups) and edited." Sing Out, Winter 2007
Some of America's greatest traditional blues masters get together at home to swap songs from the old days and stories of what those days were like, when blues flourished 'back down home' at country breakdowns, corn-shuckings and houseparties. These musicians and their friends create the lively spirit of houseparty blues, while conveying the values, the history, the good and bad times, and the sense of community that gave form to their music and dance - Dick Spottswood
...suffused with the light and life, the warmth of good company evident in ebullient music...testimony to both culture and community...excellent production - The Washington Post
...exhibits a vitality of its own...it's all interesting...well shot, recorded and edited - Sing Out
...the music is excellent..an opportunity for all of us to see some trye blues greats - Living Blues
Producer Eleanor Ellis offers Piedmont blues fans a rare front-row seat to a private house party that is as down home and authentic as they come on this 57-minute DVD Blues Houseparty. Filmed in 1989 at the late John Jackson's home in Fairfax Station, Virginia, Blues Houseparty includes performances by Jackson and his son James, John Cephas and Phil Wiggins, Archie Edwards, Cora Jackson, Flora Molton and Larry Wise, John Dee Holeman, and Quentin "Fris" Holloway. Between songs, performers talk about the history of country breakdowns, demonstrate traditional dances and swap hilarious stories. The atmosphere is natural and relaxed. The audio and video quality are good. One small criticism: Performers could have been identified earlier in the film. But that's a small price to pay for admission to this rip-roarin' good time.
- Michael Swanger, Dirty Linen - November 2006
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