**Black History Month Series #5
**
"Are you ready to listen to all the beautiful Black voices? The beautiful Black feeling? The beautiful Black waves moving in the beautiful air? Are you ready to love Black? Always loving Black? Are you ready?" — David Nelson
Music transcends culture, experiences and boundaries. Among the dozens of genres within the category, soul music holds court in this doc, which follows a multi-day celebratory music festival that took place the same summer the legendary Woodstock festival transpired - albeit, this was in Harlem (roughly 100 miles away). Similarly to Black music-related docs such as Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace or the star-studded Save the Children concert (headed by the Rev. Jesse Jackson's org), this sat in purgatory for several decades - a damn shame that it didn't get an instant release. In the year of 2021, it was resuscitated by the Roots musician Questlove, and what an enthralling experience that expertly uses its archival footage to the finest degree.
It was interesting to get the deets on the festival - from organizer/host Tony Lawrence's planning and funding for the event (and the variety of sharp outfits he had on every clip, of course), to several members of the Black Panther movement having to represent the security for the event. And the moon landing happened around the same time - the contrast of voices (Black and White) on the matter is very insightful when you see the criticism and praise side-by-side. Then there's the performances. Oh. My. Goodness. Such a stacked list of performers that I made sure I wouldn't look into so I could witness most of the appearances cold. A dazzling who's who of talented individuals that moved the people in the world of soul, blues, gospel, Latin and jazz was there:
The 5th Dimension. B.B. King. David Ruffin. The Edwin Hawkins Singers. Gladys Knight and the Pips. Hugh Masekela. Mahalia Jackson. Nina Simone. Ray Barretto. Roy Ayers. Sly and the Family Stone. Sonny Sharrock. The Staples Singers. Stevie Wonder. Even comedians like Moms Mabley, Redd Foxx and Willie Tyler got their time to shine. These artists put their heart and soul into the music they sang, and - most oft than not - there are political and relatable/biographical themes quite prevalent to this day. When it's all said and done, it is the music that will remain timeless... even when we all shall see our suns set.
Additionally, the doc offers commentary from concertgoers who were lucky to witness the spectacle, plus celebrity talking heads in current times (Rev. Al Sharpton, former writer Charlayne Hunter, Sheila E.) and attendees from the past (Rev. Jesse Jackson provides moving, rousing speeches throughout). I think the strongest point of the doc - musical numbers aside - has to be seeing the talking heads and performers revisiting and reliving the experience all over again. I caught myself smiling like crazy seeing moments like this, and I know it was once-in-a-lifetime for them participating in such a special event. Beyond the performances, this doc offers a time capsule of Black culture during the era - despite racism running rampant, the togetherness of the community stands strong - through thick and thin. Smiling faces, foot-tapping and unity abound. Different styles, outfits and hairstyles - it's unabashedly self-expression. It's hard not to be moved by such a sight.
Now, I ponder a question: could this happen again in present times? Of course, there is the Essence Festival in New Orleans, but I feel like there is something electric about this "Black Woodstock" that could never be replicated. Ever.
**Black History Month Series #5
**
"Are you ready to listen to all the beautiful Black voices? The beautiful Black feeling? The beautiful Black waves moving in the beautiful air? Are you ready to love Black? Always loving Black? Are you ready?" — David Nelson
Music transcends culture, experiences and boundaries. Among the dozens of genres within the category, soul music holds court in this doc, which follows a multi-day celebratory music festival that took place the same summer the legendary Woodstock festival transpired - albeit, this was in Harlem (roughly 100 miles away). Similarly to Black music-related docs such as Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace or the star-studded Save the Children concert (headed by the Rev. Jesse Jackson's org), this sat in purgatory for several decades - a damn shame that it didn't get an instant release. In the year of 2021, it was resuscitated by the Roots musician Questlove, and what an enthralling experience that expertly uses its archival footage to the finest degree.
It was interesting to get the deets on the festival - from organizer/host Tony Lawrence's planning and funding for the event (and the variety of sharp outfits he had on every clip, of course), to several members of the Black Panther movement having to represent the security for the event. And the moon landing happened around the same time - the contrast of voices (Black and White) on the matter is very insightful when you see the criticism and praise side-by-side. Then there's the performances. Oh. My. Goodness. Such a stacked list of performers that I made sure I wouldn't look into so I could witness most of the appearances cold. A dazzling who's who of talented individuals that moved the people in the world of soul, blues, gospel, Latin and jazz was there:
The 5th Dimension. B.B. King. David Ruffin. The Edwin Hawkins Singers. Gladys Knight and the Pips. Hugh Masekela. Mahalia Jackson. Nina Simone. Ray Barretto. Roy Ayers. Sly and the Family Stone. Sonny Sharrock. The Staples Singers. Stevie Wonder. Even comedians like Moms Mabley, Redd Foxx and Willie Tyler got their time to shine. These artists put their heart and soul into the music they sang, and - most oft than not - there are political and relatable/biographical themes quite prevalent to this day. When it's all said and done, it is the music that will remain timeless... even when we all shall see our suns set.
Additionally, the doc offers commentary from concertgoers who were lucky to witness the spectacle, plus celebrity talking heads in current times (Rev. Al Sharpton, former writer Charlayne Hunter, Sheila E.) and attendees from the past (Rev. Jesse Jackson provides moving, rousing speeches throughout). I think the strongest point of the doc - musical numbers aside - has to be seeing the talking heads and performers revisiting and reliving the experience all over again. I caught myself smiling like crazy seeing moments like this, and I know it was once-in-a-lifetime for them participating in such a special event. Beyond the performances, this doc offers a time capsule of Black culture during the era - despite racism running rampant, the togetherness of the community stands strong - through thick and thin. Smiling faces, foot-tapping and unity abound. Different styles, outfits and hairstyles - it's unabashedly self-expression. It's hard not to be moved by such a sight.
Now, I ponder a question: could this happen again in present times? Of course, there is the Essence Festival in New Orleans, but I feel like there is something electric about this "Black Woodstock" that could never be replicated. Ever.
