| Brass Monkey Blues Festival - Classic Blues | ||
|---|---|---|
| This clip is not available for streaming at this time. Please contact WPA. | Tape Master: | 10030 |
| Catalog #: | 459758 | |
| Clip Number: | 459758-1 | |
| Orginal Film: | ||
| Timecode: | ||
| Location: | Ampitheater - Washington D.C. | |
| Year Shot: | 1984 (Actual Year) | |
| Audio: | Yes | |
| Color: | Yes | |
| Headings: | ENTERTAINMENT/MUSIC: Blues | |
| Description: | This raw footage of the classic blues duo of BOWLING GREEN JOHN CEPHAS on acoustic guitar and PHIL WIGGINS on harmonica is primarily shots from either side of the musicians, behind the musicians and medium to long shots from the front. There are also a lot of audience shots in this footage. (01:00:15) Opens up to a sparsely crowded ampitheater, it is early evening, the camera pans the audience who wait for the first performance - they are a diverse crowd, Blues music plays over the PA system, camera pans the trees (01:01:51) Festival host NAT TURNER introduces the show to the audience and teaches them a song that they will later participate in, Turner introduces all the bands, tries out the song he has taught and gets a lot of smiles (01:05:30 - 01:10:24) Turner introduces BOWLING GREEN JOHN CEPHAS and PHIL WIGGINS, Cephas on acoustic guitar and Wiggins on harmonica sit down on two chairs on the stage and begin to play some old blues, Wiggins passionately solos over Cephas' guitar, good close up shots of Wiggins playing (01:10:48 - 01:15:00) A slower, more lamentful blues song, Cephas sings on this song "Rising River Blues", Wiggins gives a fierce harmonica solo (01:15:20 - 01:21:25) A more upbeat song, the harmonica sounds like a locomotive train, Cephas sings again, nice close up shots which capture both men's faces in the same frame, again Wiggins works the harmonica, Cephas takes a guitar solo, enthusiastic audience members pat their knees and clap their hands (01:21:24) A bare chested audience member asks if the duo know any WOODY GUTHERIE, to which Wiggins responds no (01:21:55 - 01:26:55) Wiggins and Cephas play "Roberta", Wiggins sings this time with Cephas joining him on the dramatic chorus, enthusiastic fans sing along and bop their heads (01:27:20 - 01:34:05) The duo play a faster tune the chorus to which is "this is the last fair deal going down", again audience moves to the beat of the song, Wiggins belts out a speeding train harmonica solo leaving much of the crowd astounded (01:34:10 - 01:39:44) Wiggins and Cephas play a slower number the chorus to which is "You got me doin' what you want me to do", Wiggins and Cephas share the singing of this song - the duo receive a standing ovation for this song and an encore is demanded (01:40:32 - 01:45:45) Cephas sings the encore, a slow song about a departing lover, Cephas singing has a gospel style and he gets very passionate with his delivery, at one point beating his guitar and waving his hand in the air (01:45:47) Festival host and audience accompanied by Wiggin and Cephas sings the "Don't Forget the Blues" song he earlier taught the audience, Turner recognizes event sponsors and begins to explain the cultural signifance of the festival (05:46:10 - 05:04:44) *****Time code change - Footage skips to the last song of the night, a jam involving the band the Nighthawks, harmonica player Wiggins and guitarist SON SEALS, Host Turner sings "Don't Forget the Blues", two guitarists and two harmonica players solo off one another - good close up shot catches both guitars in action (05:54:46) Musicians leave stage and Turner closes out the show | |
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