Blues America

Woke up this Morning.
Series Producer & Director: Mick Gold

Blues is usually described as the sound of racial suffering 
and feeling sad, but this documentary argues that the 
blues began as a form of black pop music. First appearing 
in the Southern states of the USA around 1900, blues 
created by the poorest people in the richest nation on
earth took America by storm. The film look at the early 
years of the blues to discover how Bessie Smith, Blind 
Lemon Jefferson and Charlie Patton used the latest media 
to bring their music to the public. 
With contributions from Keith Richards, Taj Mahal and Chuck D.



Bright Lights, Big City.
Series Producer: Mick Gold
Producer/Director: Sam Bridger

After 1945, artists like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf and 
John Lee Hooker rooted the blues firmly in the city, where 
it contributed to the musical desegregation of America by 
spawning rock'n' roll. As the blues conquered the world 
and the music moved from black to white audiences, 
arguments developed about what was the real authentic blues.
Robert Johnson returned from the dead to sell more
records than any other blues artist. By the 21st century,
the blues not only retained the earthiness of its roots 
but was also being celebrated in the White House. 
With contributions from Keith Richards, Bonnie Raitt, 
Seasick Steve and Buddy Guy.