“But, bringing people together is what music has always done best.” – Rob Sheffield
Music has a profound ability to touch people. There are songs to dance to, songs to cry to, and even songs to get married to. No matter what you enjoy in music, it’s out there. Not only can music move people, but it can bring people together. No matter who you are or where you’ve come from, music can often be that one commonality that others can share.
Born in Chicago is a documentary showcasing the amazing power that music has to bring people together. Starting in the 1940s, it introduces the audience to a little music genre called Blues. With many Black Americans moving out of the South and into places like Chicago, these talented musicians brought their style of music to a new audience, and the world of music would never be the same again.
The documentary is a love letter to the Godfathers of this genre. Musicians like Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, and more are brought back to life through examination of their music and archival footage of the artists. The music-centered film is directed by John Anderson and Bob Sarles, who both do a good job in letting the art form speak for itself, while sprinkling in interviews here and there. It’s a wonderful delicacy for music lovers and is laden with songs of guitars, harmonicas, keyboards, and some killer vocals.
Not only does Born in Chicago pay tribute to the musicians who perfected and started this wonderful genre of music, but it also shows how their talent inspired an entirely new generation. With archival footage and interviews, we are put in the shoes of teenagers living in the early to mid-1960s. Desperate for something different than what their parents were listening to or liked, Blues was something entirely new for kids in the suburbs to chew on. Through their newfound interest in Blues, not only was the music introduced to a wider audience, but the men who were the Godfathers of the genre were also given the stage they rightfully deserved.
Music fans, specifically those who enjoy rock ‘n’ roll, will see the connection between the Blues of the 1940s and the rock music they listen to today. The film takes viewers on a journey from the Blues played in some clubs in the south side of Chicago, to the psychedelic rock played at Woodstock. Major names in the music genre like Steve Miller and Keith Richards make appearances to pay their respects to the kings of Blues and detail how their own music was directly inspired by these talented men.
Narrated by Dan Aykroyd, Born in Chicago is both for Blues fans and those who maybe aren’t entirely familiar with the genre. Whether you enjoy this kind of music or your parents did, it will be sure to captivate you and transport you into the past. The sounds of guitar strings singing and the raspy vocals of talented musicians are sure to touch you in a way that only music can do.
Even if you’re not from Chicago, you can almost feel pride knowing that something as influential as Blues originated in the Windy City. As showcased in bands like The Rolling Stones and The Animals, even those across the globe flocked to America to get a piece of the Blues pie. Thanks to people like Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Little Walter, Howlin’ Wolf, and more, we have Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Fleetwood Mac, Carlos Santana, Aerosmith, and so many more talented musicians.
Born in Chicago is now available on all major digital platforms courtesy of Shout! Studios.
Narrated by Dan Aykroyd, Born in Chicago is both for Blues fans and those who maybe aren't entirely familiar with the genre. Whether you enjoy this kind of music or your parents did, it will be sure to captivate you and transport you into the past.
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