Folk Music Movies
Reviews and recommendations of movies about the history of American folk music and some of its key players.
Joan Baez - 'How Sweet the Sound'
Joan Baez has, through the work she's done, made the world a little bit of a better place. Few people would argue with that. Case in point—the new documentary in PBS' American Masters Series: 'Joan Baez: How Sweet the Sound'.
Joan Baez has, through the work she's done, made the world a little bit of a better place. Few people would argue with that. Case in point—the new documentary in PBS' American Masters Series: 'Joan Baez: How Sweet the Sound'.
'O Brother Where Art Thou'
'O Brother Where Art Thou?' told the Odyssey-style tale of three men escaping from a chain gang in Mississippi, 1937. Motivated by a stash of loot, they make their way along an ultimate road trip journey. The film's soundtrack helped make bluegrass and traditional folk music cool again. Learn more about the film and its soundtrack, and the artists involved, like Gillian Welch, Alison Krauss, and T Bone Burnett.
'O Brother Where Art Thou?' told the Odyssey-style tale of three men escaping from a chain gang in Mississippi, 1937. Motivated by a stash of loot, they make their way along an ultimate road trip journey. The film's soundtrack helped make bluegrass and traditional folk music cool again. Learn more about the film and its soundtrack, and the artists involved, like Gillian Welch, Alison Krauss, and T Bone Burnett.
Ani DiFranco - 'Live at Babeville' Concert DVD
'Ani DiFranco: Live at Babeville' is a sweet frozen moment in time, where the foursome seems to be finally figuring each other out. Where DiFranco, the band leader, has found her footing and figured a trick to balancing her roles as poet, singer, songwriter, activist, artist, and icon.
'Ani DiFranco: Live at Babeville' is a sweet frozen moment in time, where the foursome seems to be finally figuring each other out. Where DiFranco, the band leader, has found her footing and figured a trick to balancing her roles as poet, singer, songwriter, activist, artist, and icon.
'Pete Seeger: The Power of Song'
'The Power of Song' is a documentary about the life and work of one of America's greatest folksingers and folk song leaders: Pete Seeger.
'The Power of Song' is a documentary about the life and work of one of America's greatest folksingers and folk song leaders: Pete Seeger.
"I'm Not There" (about Bob Dylan)
Knowing what I do about Bob Dylan, it's impossible to go into I'm Not There without some level of bias. I doubt this would be a film that would be loved by someone who doesn't already know and love Dylan's work.
Knowing what I do about Bob Dylan, it's impossible to go into I'm Not There without some level of bias. I doubt this would be a film that would be loved by someone who doesn't already know and love Dylan's work.
Be Here to Love Me: A Film About the Life of Townes Van Zandt
Hard-core fans of Townes have seen some of this footage before. For new fans, friends of hard-core fans, or people who are just curious about the life of a singer/songwriter, this is an incredible introduction to a man and his music. The die-hards will be impressed with the rare footage they haven't seen. And everyone will leave the theatre feeling sad and lonely.
Hard-core fans of Townes have seen some of this footage before. For new fans, friends of hard-core fans, or people who are just curious about the life of a singer/songwriter, this is an incredible introduction to a man and his music. The die-hards will be impressed with the rare footage they haven't seen. And everyone will leave the theatre feeling sad and lonely.
Chasin Gus' Ghost
Chasin Gus' Ghost explores the history of the American jug band, through one man's journey to learn more about Gus Cannon and Cannon's Jug Stompers. In searching for this source of inspiration for many jug bands and folk artists in general, the film uncovers numerous photographs, live concert video and stories about how the music evolved.
Chasin Gus' Ghost explores the history of the American jug band, through one man's journey to learn more about Gus Cannon and Cannon's Jug Stompers. In searching for this source of inspiration for many jug bands and folk artists in general, the film uncovers numerous photographs, live concert video and stories about how the music evolved.
No Direction Home: Bob Dylan
Yes, it's a very long documentary; but it's also very well worth it. Like Bob Dylan's music, it doesn't just talk about a guy growing up in the world. The film speaks to the historical significance of the decade during which Dylan came of age. Besides that, there's rare footage of Dylan and other musicians doing some great versions of very famous tunes.
Yes, it's a very long documentary; but it's also very well worth it. Like Bob Dylan's music, it doesn't just talk about a guy growing up in the world. The film speaks to the historical significance of the decade during which Dylan came of age. Besides that, there's rare footage of Dylan and other musicians doing some great versions of very famous tunes.
Best Folk Music Movies
Whether it's the undeniable energy of O Brother, Where Art Thou?, the intense behind-the-scenes footage in Be Here to Love Me, or the silly color worshippers in A Mighty Wind, folk music fans are far from under-serviced at any local DVD store.
Whether it's the undeniable energy of O Brother, Where Art Thou?, the intense behind-the-scenes footage in Be Here to Love Me, or the silly color worshippers in A Mighty Wind, folk music fans are far from under-serviced at any local DVD store.