Playing CHESS/*Friday, January 09, 2009 -myspace

Current mood: bored Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities


This blog was originally going to be about "Cadillac Records", the movie based on blues label CHESS Records, but I wont say too much about the movie. I will say these few things and then move on to the real subject...
*Overall it was great. I loved it as a movie. But remember kids, Hollywood never tells the truth, the whole truth, and so on and so forth. There was a good amount of stuff added for dramatic edge(seeing as though real life is not enough; see reality tv). I wont point out those instances, you gotta do your own research.

*Beyonce did a better job acting than I thought capable. And yes, she can sing too, but did she channel Etta? Kinda. See, all the other actors who sung powerfully channeled their characters(especially Eamon Walker), so you could believe they were them. Beyonce sounds like Beyonce trying to be Etta James. Now that's not necessary a bad thing, (her rendidtion of "I'd Rather Go Blind" is the best thing to ever fall outta her mouth) especially if you're not familiar with Etta. She did good. That's that.

you've probably noticed that this is turning into a blog about "Caddillac Records"...you would be right if this next point wanst the last point, but it is and you aint(ha!).

*They should've shed a little more light on Howlin' Wolf's later work with Willie Dixon. These collaborations needed like a 45 minute segment by themselves. Howlin' Wolf is my favorite Chess artist, but Willie Dixon is/was the fucking man(you can see my enthusiam for the man if you check my music section under interest). Willie Dixon is CHESS. They coulda went a little deeper into Wolf and Willie contributions to the label. This is my only real complaint.
Now, on with the show...

I can't wait til they make movies about the musical icons that matter most to me. Unfortunately, they will ultimately suck. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping for the best for the following artist:
James BrownHis is probably coming soonest seeing as though he died 2 years ago. I hope Spike is still directing it. We'll see...

Sly (and the family) StoneWhere do I begin? Well, first off, I should be involved in this project somehow. That is the only way to garauntee greatness. Lol. seriously though, I fear that the story will be told incorrectly and without enough focus on what's most important: the music! They'll trail off into the scandals 90% of the time. Quote me.

Parliament-FunkadelicI don't think this story can be told with just one movie. As much as I'd like to see this played out in a cinema, it'll probalby be regulated to a four hour TV special(see The Temptations). Which isnt a bad thing, it just loses some of the grandeur. Plus the story(well the most essential parts of it) span form the mid-late 50's to the early 80's, not to mention the multiple people involved(somewhere in the high double digits). All this makes for either the most comprehensive view on P Funk ever, or just a good enough outline of the story. "Caddillac Records" fits the latter; CHESS Records held way more artist than were featured and more great output from some of the artist featured. Either way, I can't wait.

T-Bone WalkerOne of the biggest influences on generations and generations of guitarist through the guitarist he influenced( Chuck berry, Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King, etc). From what I understand, there is no video footage of Mr. Walker in his prime anywhere. All those directly influenced by him saw him live. T Bone was a bad muh fucka. He played the guitar behind his head, with his teeth, upside down, and all that waaaaay before anyone. Plus a handful of his songs have become standards, sung by everyone from fellow blues men to British invaders. It'd be a gas(yes, I said a gas) to see someone playing him in a movie and really showing people what it was like to witness the man himself back in the 40's. This probably wont come out til my daughter is in her 20's. Oh well...

Willie Dixon/Howlin WolfTheir stories deserve their own movies. Nuff said.

Betty DavisLoooooong overdue. This woman is soooo important to black music that it's scary...okay, I'm over doing it just a little. I could sit here and tell you her story, but I wont rob you of the learning experience. She deserves a movie, a book deal, a tv special, the fucking works. This will probably get the straight to dvd treatment. Here's hoping to a good one...
and finally(for this blog atleast):

Miles DavisThis is in the works, from what I know. Don "The Don" Cheadle is slated to play the "Prince of Darkness". For those who don't know, Miles is one of the most important figures in 20th century music. PERIOD. If anyone on this list needs a movie, it's the man himself. Miles was at the forefront of every major movement in jazz since and including Bebop(he sat "Free Jazz" out). Right before he died he was recording an album blending hip-hop rhythms with jazz soloing and sensibility(with Easy Mo Bee nonetheless). Miles was always on or above the curve. He was---IS the man and always will be.

This concludes this blog, probably the longest blog in my collection. I'll finish this list later. Cheers fuckers.