Black Music in America - ca. mid-1970's

This tremendous educational documentary from the mid-1970’s examines the priceless contributions of African-Americans to musical heritage, so closely tied to their unique history in the United States. From Africa upon slave ships captive immigrants brought with them melodies, cadences and rhythms that inarguably gave rise to music considered ‘modern’ today.

Beginning with the genius Louis Armstrong’s triumphant return to Ghana in the late 1950’s, we trace the evolution of music from West Africa to the Virginia colonies of the early 1600’s. Over the next 400 years, as this distinct root of American culture takes hold, incredible clips of filmed performances by Mahalia Jackson, Josephine Baker, Bessie Smith, Count Basie, Billie Holiday, Coleman Hawkins, Roy Eldridge, and Duke Ellington illustrate the black experience.

Contemporary musicians such as Nina Simone, BB King, Cannonball Adderly (w/ Joe Zawinal - Mercy, Mercy, Mercy), and Sly & the Family Stone, along with a funky-ass filmed number from an as-yet-undocumented-on-the-internet off-Broadway production called “The Me Nobody Knew” punctuate the memory of the past, the spontaneity of the moment and determination for the future.


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Music: Four Woman - Nina Simone, early 1970's

Nina Simone performs an abridged version of her song Four Woman.

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Music: Mahalia Jackson Sings - I Believe

Mahalia Jackson sings a truly heartfelt and soulful rendition of the gospel song "I Believe."

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Animation / Music: Minnie the Moocher with Cab Calloway & Betty Boop

Starting with a phenomenal live moment where Cab Calloway free-form dances to his orchestra swinging slow & sweet to St. James Infirmary. Then things get rolling.

Home life is tough for Betty, so she hits the road with her friend Bimbo. They venture into a haunted forest and seek refuge in a dark cave. Within, they encounter the alter-ego of Cab and his band, the ghost of walrus backed by a symphony of skeletons, monsters, and condemned ghouls.

The ending is quite spectacular.

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Music: Underneath the Harlem Moon - The Brown Sisters

In this clip, the undocumented Brown sisters sing the number "Underneath the Harlem Moon." The soulful trio starts the song slow and syncopated. But this gives way to an almost swingy up-tempo rhythm more than worthy of being captured on film. Wish there was more ...

A nice complement to the Mills Brothers.

Dedicated to Mary & Tony in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

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Music: I Ain't Got Nobody - Mills Brothers

An authentic, rare classic version of the standard "I Ain't Got Nobody," sung by the Mills Brothers, shot in the early 1930's.

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Music: New Orleans

Newsreel documentary from the 1920's with photography and animations illustrating old New Orleans, the Crescent City, at work and at play.

Duelling oaks. Influences of colonial France and Spain. Iron grille work. The old townhouses surrounding open courts.

New Orleans, the industrial city, where ports and depot junctions distribute throughout, and out from, the heart of America.

Culture shipped to & from the world.

And, of course, Mardi Gras, Jazz age style.

Burlesque: Afro Mood - Amalia Aguilar

Exotic burlesque dancer short from the forties. Perhaps something you would have seen in Havana in the 40's, with a faux-Arabian theme. Staring Amalia Aguilar. Saucy.

Now Available - Weirdo Video's Vamps & Vixens - High Quality DVD only 14.99 + S&H

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