Blues Masters: History of the Blues, Volume 2 (DVD)

Rhino Home Video

Born on the plantations of the Mississippi Delta, the blues is America's root music. Few performances of the early masters were ever captured on film, but those that were are profoundly insightful and entertaining. Son House, one of the earliest legends, sits alone with his dobro, his large hands attacking the strings and the thunder of his voice filling the room.
Bessie Smith, Mamie Smith and Ethel Waters, pour their hearts into their songs and take the music to new levels of popularity. Big Bill Broonzy creates an irresistible guitar shuffle, Roy Milton rocks the house and Jimmy Rushing gives the blues a Count Basie beat. Ida Cox and Big Mama Thornton bring their own rhythms to the blues, while Billie Holiday makes it fine and mellow.
Muddy Waters and Big Joe Turner pave the way for rock 'n' roll and the blues finds classic interpreters in the modern expression of Joe Williams, Buddy Guy, Jimmy Witherspoon, and B.B. King.

Four Day Creep
Fine And Mellow
Hoochie Coochie Man
Shake Rattle and Roll
Going to Chicago
Ain't Nobody's Business
Darlin' You Know I Love You