Product Description

A teenage runaway who never went to school, John Lee Hooker had trouble spelling his name, even into his eighties. But, despite these humble beginnings, John Lee Hooker is today considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century--the God

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #86397 in DVD
• Brand: New Video
• Released on: 2003-06-24
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 89 minutes

Amazon.com
"The world's greatest blues singer"? That's arguable, but there's no doubt that the late John Lee Hooker (1917-2001) was in a class by himself, a genuine original whose music--raw, primitively simple, scary even, powered by his deep moan of a voice--was the very embodiment of the Delta blues style. Big names like Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, and many more line up to pay tribute to the man in this absorbing 90-minute documentary; there are also plenty of interviews with family, friends, business associates, and the grizzled, laconic bluesman himself, along with some decent performance footage (as is usual in such projects, we get no complete songs). But this 2000 film's best moments come courtesy of writer-director Joerg Bundschuh's beautifully photographed contemporary footage, with no accompaniment except the hypnotic groove and profound soul of John Lee Hooker's music. --Sam Graham

Customer Reviews

rent it.
ok. im a big fan of the hook. i mean it. i was stoked to order this DVD after reading a bunch of 5 star reviews... but this film is anything but a comprehensive look back at the king of boogie. it does have its bright spots... its john lee hooker for god's sake. but instead of reveling in the long, awesome carreer of the hook, it focuses on some of his last performances... which he seems to be more of a side man (he doesnt even play guitar for most of them). i really wonder why they even chose to show the clip of his daughter singing with him... you will see what i mean when you watch it.(it makes him seem senile and out of it) again, it does have its moments... some great interviews and short performances (all interrupted... come on...) but i really expected more.... if it wasnt john lee hooker... this rating would be only 2 of 5 stars... rent it, and be prepared.

A Unique Look At A Unique Man
I had the pleasure of meeting John Lee Hooker in the early 1980s. He was checking into a hotel and I heard the man next to me say, "I give you this (a GOLD American Express card, rare at the time) and you give me a room." Without looking, I said "That must be John Lee Hooker." and turned to him and said "You have no idea of how much pleasure your music has given me." We had a moment. A few months later I saw him perform solo with his pignose amp in the statuary garden at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC. This video captures the John Lee Hooker I knew, still a mystery, still a voice that symbolizes the blues, and still a poet among men. Most of the footage is from the years before his recent death and there is precious little to explain how this solo artist came to be able to put together a band that could fill stadiums and satisfy the crowd every time. He was magic, mysterious and the essence of soul and yet a very sexy and friendly man who must have suffered for his art. He was a survivor among many who died along the road and a man among men. I can only hope to be remembered as warmly as he will be. He knew who he was and what he was and he thrived on it.

A Good Documentary That Shoud Be Rented And Not Bought
This is a good documentary about John Lee Hooker. However, it's best to rent this dvd, due to the mediocre concert performance by Hooker. This is understandable, though, considering Hooker's advanced age. There are simply too many musicians on the stage with him, and he barely touches his guitar. The setlist is unimpressive. The documentary portion of this dvd is very interesting, mostly due to Eric Clapton's comments, which are insightful and informative. The bonus material with Clapton being interviewed about his love for the Blues and his first time hearing Hooker is a real treat, as well. Eddie Kirkland, Johnnie Johnson, and John Hammond should have had some more screen time on this dvd.