My Castle’s Rockin’ [VHS] This magnificent documentary includes several electrifying live performances from Alberta Hunter’s glorious comeback years, hints and clips from her past performances, very nice interviews (among others, Alberta herself, John Hammond…), clear and concise picture of Hunter’s extremely interesting and rich life, plus 4 audio bonus tracks – one on the main menu, 3 in the 3 pages of her biography…
When I listen to Hunter I sometimes try to step back and analyze just how much of enjoyment comes from the sounds she produces and how much I’m smitten by her vitality and sheer joy of living (as one of the songs says, “I’m having a good time, please don’t blame me…”)…
The verdict is probably that she is still and impressive singer even in her last years but even if I’m just a starry-eyed fan, so be it. I enjoy the album “Amtrak Blues” (produced by Hammond) and I enjoy this documentary which includes live performances of quite a few songs from that album, with Gerald Cook, as on “Amtrak blues” album very convincing in her accompaniment…
The documentary is directed by Stuart Goldman and written by Chris Albertson.
If this recession doesn’t hit me too hard (it’s just started to be felt fully in my country) I might add some more of Hunter’s CDs and DVDs to my collection of jazz (and blues)…. : WINNER OF…
-The American Film Festival- Blue Ribbon
-The American Film & Video Festival- Red Ribbon
-The Special Interest Video Awards (SIVA)- Finalist
This award-winning concert film portrays the life of a legendary singer/songwriter, known for her independent spirit and often naughty lyrics. After achieving success for over 40 years with starring roles on Broadway, international tours, and more than a dozen hits, including Downhearted Blues, which became Bessie Smith’s biggest hit in1923…Alberta left show business at age 62 to become a nurse.
Twenty years later, at age 82 (the hospital thought she was 70), she was forced to retire. Still full of energy, she returned to singing and made a critically acclaimed comeback, one that made her more popular then in her heyday. Live from The Cookery in New York, she knocks out numbers ranging from the lascivious Handy Man to the classic Darktown Strutters Ball, her voice full and rich, hands gesturing, winking at the audience…a consummate showwoman to the end.
Alberta opened her personal archives to Producer/Director Stuart Goldman and shared materials never seen before, as well as her last filmed interview prior to her death in 1984 at age 89. In addition to her own provocative and witty performances, this film, narrated by Billy Taylor, features the music of her friends and colleagues Louis Armstrong, Eubie Blake, Bessie Smith, King Oliver, Paul Robeson and Fats Waller.
V.I.E.W. Video is proud to add Alberta Hunter: My Castle’s Rockin to it’s Hall of Fame Jazz Collection. A wonderful and fitting tribute that is now preserved forever on home video.
SELECTIONS
My Castle’s Rockin
Two-Fisted Double-Jointed Rough and Ready Man
Darktown Strutters Ball
Downhearted Blues
I’ve Got a Mind to Ramble
Black Shadows
I’m Havin’ a Good Time
Handy Man
You’re Welcome to Come Home
The Love I Have For You This engaging documentary captures the legendary blues vocalist and Broadway and film star Alberta Hunter (1895-1984) with a small combo at The Cookery in New York’s Greenwich Village in the early 1980s. This performance was taped during her “comeback,” which she launched at 82 after her 20-year retirement from show business to become a registered nurse. Hunter’s urbane, no-nonsense, and quick-as-a-wit stage demeanor is full of down-home double entendre. She revisits many of her classic jazz standbys, including “Darktown Strutters Ball,” the naughty “Handy Man,” and the bouncy title track. Narrated by jazz pianist/educator Billy Taylor, My Castle’s Rockin’ also features interview clips and archival photographs detailing Hunter’s childhood in Memphis and Chicago, the Harlem Renaissance, Paul Robeson, and her work overseas. Alberta Hunter is proof positive that good jazz, like fine wine, gets better with age. –Eugene Holley Jr.
My Castle’s Rockin’ [VHS]
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