The American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1966, Vol. 1

Vintage footage of some of the greatest blues artist performing in Europe in the 60s is combined to create this two-part piece of blues history.Unearthed some 40 years after the fact, this has to be one of the finest blues collections ever assembled on video. Thanks to a couple of young promoters who brought the musicians to Europe–where they were treated with a good deal more respect and dignity than in America–we get an extraordinary lineup of bluesmen and women: Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, Sippie Wallace… the list goes on. Their concert performances (several in stagy but effective down-home settings) before a rather formal but appreciative German audience have them playing in some cool combinations (T-Bone Walker backing Memphis Slim, Otis Rush with Junior Wells), even introducing one another (Williamson on guitarist Lonnie Johnson, an elder statesman on the tour: “A very nice musician”)–and all with great sound (mono, but still flawless) and visuals (in black and white). This is one for blues fans to treasure. –Sam Graham

• Factory sealed DVD