Robert Mugge's 2003 music documentary, LAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI JUKES, explores the fading traditions of rural Mississippi juke joints. The blues was first played by itinerant musicians in juke joints on the edge of cotton plantations, later migrating into so-called urban lounges, and regional musicians still practice their craft and entertain their fans in both, as well as in modern blues clubs and casino lounges. The film focuses, in particular, on two well-known Mississippi venues: Jimmy King's legendary Subway Lounge which, for three decades, operated in the basement of the historic, black-owned Summers Hotel in Jackson, MS; and actor Morgan Freeman's and attorney Bill Luckett's Ground Zero Blues Club, a contemporary blues venue in Clarksdale, MS that incorporates the design elements, menu, and spirit of a traditional juke. The story of Mississippi jukes is told by blues historians Dick Waterman and Steve Cheseborough, by the club owners, by local politicians, and by participating musicians. The musicians also demonstrate styles of blues that originated in the Mississippi Delta and elsewhere around the state. For instance, performing at Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale are Alvin Youngblood Hart with Sam Carr and Anthony Sherrod. Performing at the Subway Lounge in Jackson are Bobby Rush, Chris Thomas King, Vasti Jackson, Patrice Moncell, Eddie Cotton, Greg "Fingers" Taylor, Lucille, Abdul Rasheed, Levon Lindsey, J.T. Watkins, Dennis Fountain, Pat Brown, George Jackson, Steve Cheseborough, Casey Phillips, Jimmy King, David Hughes, Virgil Brawley, and the Subway's two alternating house bands: the House Rockers and the King Edward Blues Band. LAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI JUKES looks at the buildings, the landscapes, and the communities where the blues began, and it examines how original blues traditions have evolved over time, carried into a new century by committed musicians and club owners, both in Mississippi and around the world.
A**E
Quality Doc and Compelling Story
This is the 2nd film by Robert Mugge I've seen, and as a result, I've added all of his films which are available on Prime for streaming to my queue. This is a great overview of two Mississippi juke joints from the early 2000s. It's the story about history, about civil rights, about music, and restoration of historic buildings. There are many performances here, but none complete (apparently the DVD comes with a performance DVD), but they still got me moving and both known and unknown artists were a joy. I imagine I can find these people on YT while I wait for the DVD.The blues moved me as a 15yr old white girl living in a highly segregated midwestern city. I had only heard them in the form of pop and rock (via the British, who had more access to it than we did), or soul, on the radio or on TV, places they got through to us in spite of what our families and the powers that be wanted at that time. But it wasn't until I was grown that I heard pure blues, and it moved me like nothing ever has. It's music that gets to your heart and every other place, no matter what color your skin happens to be. It's music that anyone can play, once you know a few chords and the 12 bar form. You don't need a music degree or special ear. It can also be as complex as you want, like the jazz which developed from it. I just hope that it, like any "real" music, survives the 21st century (or at least local music, which is highly endangered, even more than they knew at the time of this film). This film is like a time capsule of a bygone era and will hopefully inspire others to save historic places and play the blues, even if these places weren't. The quality is great, and it's a nearly 20yr old film, but I've read that Mugge's films been published with quality and care.
R**Z
A lost era of the Mississippi Delta Blues. A must!!
A wonderful capturing of a just recently demolished juke-joint that has a rich and deep history of a never-to-be-seen-again period of the wonderful Blues born in the Mississippi Delta region, the birth of the blues.
H**Z
Fantastic Documentary
Saw this on PBS a few years ago. It was worth ordering and watching again and again. I plan to go to some of the old Juke Joints on vacation and after watching this, I can't wait.
D**S
Good movie for blues lovers.
Love it
S**E
Five Stars
Ok thank you
D**7
Must see for the blues
Made me want to had on down. Loved the music ans wish there were more full song performances rather than cutting some off or voice over narration. It is though a definite must see for Blues music lovers. Enjoyed it all the more finding out one of my favorite actors Morgan Freeman was a partner in the Ground Zero Blues Club.
P**.
Five Stars
Great
C**H
Four Stars
Good
D**A
Informative DVD
Gute, wenn auch nicht vollständige, Beschreibung von Juke Joints in Mississippi. Es werden auch bekannte Songs vorgestellt.Es fehlt eine Erwähnung von so wichtigen Mississippi Hill Country Bluesmusikern wie R.L. Burnside, Junior Kimborough und Anderen.Kaufenswert!
