Summer of Soul : The Artists & Music

[@tomrobinson5776]

Just saw this film today. One of the best music documentaries I’ve seen in years. So many amazing moments. Mavis Staples and Mahalia Jackson sharing the mic was so uplifting and inspiring. Gladys Knight, Sly and The Family Stone, Nina Simone. How was this film left in the can for 50 years?? An absolute treasure.

[@22coconut]

I'm going to see this movie this weekend, Sunday July 18th 2021 ‼️ I've caught every trailer there is on KZbin and can't wait to see this film. I am so proud that Quest Love got Sundance Winner recognition as the director ‼️ Thank you for doing this video and giving your own perspective.

[@karmencummings9754]

I just watched it... wow...

[@22coconut]

@@karmencummings9754 I thought the exact same thing!! I hope Questlove finds a way of giving us more.

[@TheJesterGuy_]

Congratulations for this movie for winning the Oscar!

[@juanitaldiggs]

Ok now I'm truly tripped out. Saw this on Saturday, loved every second of it as a 71 year oldAfrican American women could certainly relate. Can't believe your are featuring this. Once again you've surpassed yourself. Luv ya Mazzy!

[@mazzysmusic]

Thank you. It’s fantastic music. That’s what it’s all about ✌🏽

[@stack_of_records]

The Chambers Brothers played there too. Epic.

[@jc22358]

Loved it! I love "discovering" history that is unknown to me. There is so much American history that we have yet to uncover. I am deeply inspired.

[@mannyruiz1954]

I saw Mongo Santamaria live about 6 times in the 70s in San Francisco. Hell of a drummer.

[@ThomasBock-pm5ll]

I'm a little late to this party because I'm a recent subscriber. I happened to hear about Summer of Soul by happenstance on the last day at the local theatre. I called some of my Black friends who had not heard of it and couldn't go on short notice. So I went by myself and I was the only person in the theatre. As a social document it conveys the mood and aspirations of the community in 1969. The music and performers were astounding and the quality of the tapes I think were really good. How this project came to fruition despite the difficulties and the years that went by interests me as well. I waited some time before it came out on vinyl. I am hoping there will be more .Though I must say, the performances on video add something to the music that is lost on the record. Thanks to everyone who helped bring this to light.

[@mrg1911]

Grazing in the Grass was the summer sounds when living was easy.....

[@mr.jazzfusionhiphop1298]

As a person who was born and raised in Harlem I got to see as a kid Sly & The Family Stone at Marcus Garvey Park. I remember what it felt like as a kid in the summer of 69'. It just gets to me how one can explain the culture that I lived and breathed to me when they weren't there.

[@mazzysmusic]

Fantastic time to see these artists ✌🏽

[@rocrecords01]

Great video! I’ve got some new albums to listen to. The movie was great, it looks and sounds fantastic!

[@RobertP_1960]

I will look forward to the documentary, thanks for covering this. I have many of the albums mentioned and now will be adding more. It is amazing how much music came out 1969 to 72. Thanks for sharing and take care

[@roberthardin2133]

just saw the film yesterday in Brooklyn! I agree that I really hope they are able to put together whole performances by the individual acts because I felt sometimes like the narration cut into some moments I would have loved to have watched beginning to end. such as: Stevie Wonder on drums (amazing!), the Chambers Brothers (also had a white drummer!), Sonny Sharrock doing a blistering guitar solo while a narrator describes how it felt. I completely understand the choices that were made, and the endless raw footage there was to edit down, but I found myself thinking 'don't bring in more interviews-just let me hear the show!'

[@mistery-ed7900]

Hugh Masekela's huge hit Grazing In The Grass has a fantastic B side Bajabula Bonke that everyone should hear.

[@djvinylvertigo]

Great review. This film is so important. I do hope that there will be a supplemental series with all of the unused footage. Very emotional for me. Nina Simone brought the house down. And the duet between Mavis and Mahalia was an absolute tearjerker (in a good way!!). Thank you!!

[@lestranged]

I need a full boxed set with all the full shows!

[@duckbrew]

Thx for the heads up up on s.o.s. Mazz. I need to cheak it. 'Member my gramma growing up as a kid in the 70's seeing her collection of mahalia J and asking her to play some. Speaking of Mongo tho. I flipped out a few yrs back after buying 'Our man in Havana.' Unbelievably great stuff :)

[@jonnyvassvag]

Lets hope the music from this concert is being released on vinyl someday.

[@MrLovell1971]

Great review Mazzy I watched that Summer of Soul in Harlem all the acts were amazing Mahailia Jackson handed Mavis Staples the mic and Mavis belted out some beautiful gospel. Glady Knight and Ray Barretto was also wonderful love it Mazzy great collection of records you showed take care. Lovellandrew

[@michaelkirkland1929]

I've went to see it 2 Sunday's in a row,this Sunday may be 3.

[@theboomerscalper]

The Abby Lincoln Craft reissue is like $21 on Amazon.

[@karmencummings9754]

This was amazing to see... thank you!

[@davidellis5141]

There were a few years where Sly & The Family Stone were arguably the biggest act in town. I remember as a kid seeing him get married at Madison Square Garden just before a show. Weird that a few years later he was a DJ one night a week on KROQ in Los Angeles.

[@robotubetwob]

Speaking of the need for a documentary. Sly's downfall is more emblematic of American black culture than the documentary about Ali, When We Were Kings, is.

[@jgsrhythm100]

He mentioned a white drummer and white bassist uh that was white saxophone . He's obviously not a hardcore Sly fan if not aware of the groundbreaking bassist Larry Graham later of Grahm Central Station. whom Prince recruited for a tour and album.

[@jgsrhythm100]

@@robotubetwob Questlove is doing a Sly and Family Stone documentsry nexr!!! Thank Gid!!! My personal fav album is after this festival " There's a Riot Going On" less hits post 70's but way more funk !!! When Larry Graham really developed the slap bass.You agree?

[@JohnWilliams-dr6hi]

Nice one Mazzy, thanks

[@mrg1911]

STAX! Staple Singers!

[@lmontanaable]

Yes Norman , I saw this and have been looking for ways to shout out how great this movie is. Glad to see you do that. Such great music and performances. As an aside , I took note of the demeanour and "class" of the audience. Stark contrast from the audience at Woodstock.

[@ihavenoquarrelwithyou3249]

I was already excited but I am so primed now. Thank you for making this video. Gil Scott-Heron is heard on the trailer and I was hoping he might have been one of the performers. But matching dates it would have been filmed before his debut LP. Was Sly & the Family Stone the only act to appear in Harlem & Woodstock?

[@RandyforRoyals]

This documentary sounds like something that I would really like to see. It seems like there is not a lot of footage of soul and r&b artists and there are probably a lot of performances on different variety shows that are not available because of rights issues so I enjoy any video that I can see. I have quite a few of those Motown Anthology series records as well. You showed a couple records for which I am unfamiliar. Just what I need -- more records. Cheers.

[@lestranged]

I just watched it last night- watched it TWICE, because I also watched the whole thing a second time with director commentary. The commentary teased me because he said it was originally a 3.5 hour film and he cut it down to 2 hours. I wanna see all of it! Most of these artists had 45 minute sets and I wanna see all of it! They need to release a boxed set with full sets.

[@johnw706]

Thank you for the heads up on this. I will definitely search this out . Cheers !

[@lupcokotevski2907]

Most of the hits of the Fifth Dimension were Laura Nyro covers (10 covers) including Sweet Blindness, Nyro's 1968 tribute to Stevie Wonder "wine of wonder". The 5D also did an album of Jimmy Webb songs. Check out Joe Osbourne's crazy bass playing on Let the Sunshine in. I have a first press of We Insist. Mongo's Yambu album is cool too.

[@juanitaldiggs]

Yes indeed they were, but at the time Laura didn't choose to perform live. So glad she finally did.

[@juanitaldiggs]

I am try taken aback. Mazzy you're the Man!

[@alanboas810]

Interesting how the Fifth Dimension took some flack from the blacks for sounding too white. As a kid, I received a yellow shirt for Christmas that said, " Let The Sunshine In. " I thought I was very cool wearing that while walking down the street! I'm glad you mentioned the gospel singers like Mahalia Jackson and The Staple Singers who I love and still listen to today. Thanks Mazzy.

[@garyleigh6876]

As Summer of Soul showed, the Harlem Cultural Festival was 5D's rite of passage as they were embraced by the 50,000-strong mainly black crowd who didn't want them to stop singing!

[@skewiff11]

The Edwin Hawkins singers are also on Melanie’s great song Laydown, from the same year. Great footage from a German show on YT. Good video Mazzy.

[@SDsailor7]

That's a great performance from all. I've seen it.

[@anthonyberardi3611]

Added to my Playlist. Thank you.

[@markhoyle2275]

Mavis Staples just sang at Tanglewood on the 4th of July with the Boston Pops. Watched it live.

[@jgsrhythm100]

Just saw a Questions interview with students. Funny they asked questions no one else did. Apparently there were notes that were kept with the footage. Aretha Franklin was suppose to be there and perform with Mahalia Jackson. In,addition Jimi,Hendrix (and Band of Gypsies) wanted to play it!!

[@SDsailor7]

I hear is nominated for an Oscar.

[@davidevans3175]

Mazzy, I wonder if you've seen "Muscle Shoals" an amazing and very well done film about Rick Hall and his incredible but not widely known contributions to pop, rock and R&B from his little self-built studio in Alabama. Aretha Franklin, The Stones, Wilson Picket, and the list goes on and on. Wonderful film.

[@BenHughes3]

Excellent documentary! See it however you can, but ifpossible see it on the big screen to get the full concert effect.

[@cliffjamerson3107]

Cool hats bro

[@RickM01]

Yeah the stories, the clothes, the dancing, Jesse Jackson, - Gladys Knight and the Pips (she was so youthful!!!) I Heard It Through the Grapevine - super rendition!!!! So whatever became of the black festivals like that? Where are they today? Where is the music on the streets? Sounded like there was so much community and family bonding in Harlem. Obviously racial suppression but why? And why wasn't the footage of this summer festival picked up until now? It's soooooooo over the top excellent!!!! Very emotive!!! It was hard to watch and refrain from dancing. Probably should have. Next time. Mazzy - Thanks for sharing your album collection of the artists you have that performed in the film.

[@charlielaunder4520]

Thanks for the lowdown, I've heard good things regarding this festival. Glad it has finally seen the light of day, look forward to cutting the rug to it. It's a shame so few early festivals were documented during this time when in hindsight there were so many going on during this era. ✌❤🍻

[@jgsrhythm100]

Sly Stone, white bass player? You mean sax. Larry Graham later of Grahm Central Station is the groundbreaking bassist who literally invented the slap bass on the track " Thank You(falletme be mice elf agin) which cane out in 1970.

[@mistery-ed7900]

You can tell those "stick to the music" complainers where to stick it.

[@markandresen1]

I've often wondered why gospel had that brief comeback in the charts in '69 - '70. It seemed to be a renaissance that arose when rock hadn't yet found a new direction.

[@mazzysmusic]

And in 72 Aretha released Amazing Grace which became her biggest selling album 🎹

[@matthewwoodford8539]

Wattstax is another concert/film that is not available on Blu-ray. Why?

[@marvelousmartian5379]

F.Y.I On the Staple Singers LP from Pervis and Mavis are on the left side and Pops and Cleotha are on the right side. And Mahalia never sang secular music, she did gospel music with Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong and that's about it. Also I believe a clip of that concert was shown of Gladys & The Pips on a Motown Definitive Performances DVD. I to hope that that release that on a DVD. Now for the 5th Dimension, they made some great records and they did sound white BUT their was another group related to them called The Friends of Distinction that sang Grazing in the Grass and they sang those smooth harmonies like the 5th Dimension but they sounded black on their records!

[@zacksjazz9172]

I watched this documentary and I liked it, however I understand why it didn't get a lot of publicity compared to Woodstock and I believe it had something to do with the acts and not the political/race turmoil at the time. Maybe I am naive but there were many amazing black acts that were left off the bill, I know you can't have everyone but compared to Woodstock it was several notches below. Lets remind people the Woodstock acts were just next level: Hendrix, CSNY, Joplin...

[@mazzysmusic]

It simply never got a network or distributor to show it in 1969/70. But it was cut like this back then. Just raw footage. Still you’d think after the success of Woodstock someone would have jumped on it 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@zacksjazz9172]

@@mazzysmusic Somebody needs to gets Questlove on the VC i bet he has some crazy vinyl collection

[@hectormendez8779]

You neglected to mention Salsa- Jazz great Ray Barretto

[@mazzysmusic]

🥁🥁🥁

[@charlesdrake3125]

I had to rewind this to make sure I heard you say Sly and the Family Stone's bass player was white lol. Larry Graham (the originator of the slap bass technique) was not white.

[@mazzysmusic]

Sorry I should have said the drummer and sax player (Jerry Martini). Two white guys that walked on stage first and are mentioned in the film.

[@charlesdrake3125]

@@mazzysmusicdrummer Greg Errico, who also produced the first Betty Davis lp

[@mr.jazzfusionhiphop1298]

Preach !!!!

[@pontiac7713]

Mahalia never crossed over, bruh!!!!!!! You wrong!!!!

[@stevecarlsonvinylcommunity9147]

OMG Marilyn McCoo was in Fifth Dimension. I had several of there album, 2 of my first since I liked their hits but yes they did sound white. I never did listen to them after that. I did not like McCoo and was it with Billy Davis Jr? I did not like their output, too syrupy for me. Nice job working your albums into this documentary. Steve

[@Noodleydoo]

I am so tired of this stale-ass discussion of the 5th Dimension not being "black enough." Lead singer Billy Davis Jr is THE great unacknowledged soul singer of the 60's and 70's. The group was far more than just the Marilyn McCoo led pop stuff that they later became. Listen to Billy's Half Moon, Feelin' Alright or Don't Stop For Nothing and tell me I'm wrong. It annoys me that white artists can do R&B, rock, country, pop or whatever and nobody bats an eye but black artists have to be put in a box. It's not right.

[@franksmusic2880]

It was good but it could have been so much better. To much chatter and repetitive political talk, very channel 13 public broadcasting documentary you have seen a thousand times. There should be a dvd separate with full set lists of the bands. My favorite part is when Nina Simone yells to the audience to go out and burn down white suburbia homes, sound familiar? Gotta love Poetic license.