Country Blues > Weenie Campbell Main Forum
Remastered, Devil At The Crossroads
DerZauberer:
What I meant by "kids" is... (personal story here): I was in my late teens when I saw that movie "Crossroads", with the ridiculous Karate Kid Guitar Duel, bogus story, but great Ry Cooder soundtrack. And at the time, growing up in rural Germany about as far removed from the Delta as you can be, I actually learned a few names of musicians mentioned, heard some good music, and did enjoy the story for its entertainment value. That "stupid" movie cemented my interest in the Blues as a genre to pursue further, to pick up my old guitar again, and is part of the reason why I am in this forum some 20+ years later.
That's the (potential) credit I give to projects like this, or the American Epic sessions where Nas performs an old song as a rap, or Jack White references Son House, ... it's a chance (an nothing more than that) that some teenager (=kid) will like the stuff and delve into it. And in my world, one young person becoming interested in this music is worth a few boring old myths and inaccuracies and sensational stories. If they get "in", they'll learn about the real storys anyway, and if they stay "out" it does not matter they heard the bogus version.
Stuart:
Thanks for sharing your personal story, DerZauberer. I remember when "Crossroads" came out, one of my friends remarked that while it was total BS, it might lead a few people to the real thing. I guess you were one of them. I think many of us prefer a serious, factual approach because it best serves the music and the people who made it.
But in the world of entertainment, it's difficult to generate ticket sales with a straight documentary that comes across as a seminar. Like you say, even though the vehicle may be less than ideal, if it captures the interest of those who go on to seriously pursue the genuine article, then perhaps it has served a useful purpose after all.
Mike Billo:
If memory serves, the show didn't present, even one song, performed by Johnson, in it's entirety
Just 10-15 second snippets.
I can't imagine that arousing any one's interest enough to say "Oh Boy! There once was a guy who could play the guitar and sing at the same time. I need to find out more"
Very, very little of, Johnson himself, heard in that show
Blues Vintage:
Probably to cut the budget. Although Stephen LaVere passed away, I don't know who has the rights now.
Stuart:
In the interest of thread drift, there's an RJ song in a clip (10:23) from "Burning Cane" featured in this interview.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/amanpour-and-company/video/19-year-old-filmmaker-phillip-youmans/
Also: https://tinyurl.com/y4bcsex4
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