Thanks to this very interesting new documentary, we now know that Woodstock was not the only musical gathering during the summer of 1969. I have vivid memories of that mud fest in upstate NY. I had no clue that, down in a small Harlem park, there was another concert that actually lasted six weeks. The differences were night and day.
I hope you didn't think I was going to say black and white.
"Summer of Soul" captures not only the musical performances of that Harlem concert from the likes of the Fifth Dimension, then little Stevie Wonder, and Sly and the Family Stone, but also a time capsule of what was going on in the country at the time. Recent assassinations, an unwanted war in Southeast Asia, civil unrest. Indeed, while one of these concerts was happening, man was walking on the moon and many in attendance are on camera talking about how that money could have been better spent in the inner city.
What struck me here was just how marvelously civil and peaceful the Harlem event was when compared to the slobs gathered in an upstate field. They were simply there in the middle of their local neighborhood to listen to some music and make a point. And they certainly did get their viewpoint across.
Contrast what you see in this film to the histrionics of last summer where violence was used not as a last option but the main way to get some new sneakers or a brand new 60 inch TV. If only that discord had been modeled by the standards set in that Harlem park some 51 years earlier.
"Summer of Soul" is the quintessential documentary because it taught me something I never knew about. Beyond the super cool music, this film serves as a reminder of a day where such displays were simpler and ten times more effective.
Check it out.
LEN'S RATING: Three-and-a-half stars.
Dinner last night: Salad.
No comments:
Post a Comment