Storyline
SIDEMEN - Long Road To Glory is an intimate look at the incredible lives and legacies of piano player Pinetop Perkins, drummer Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith and guitarist Hubert Sumlin, all Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf sidemen. The film captures some of the last interviews and their final live performances together, before their deaths in 2011. The historic live shows are accompanied by performances and personal insights from many of the blues and rock stars these legendary sidemen inspired including; Bonnie Raitt, Gregg Allman, Derek Trucks, Shemekia Copeland, Robby Krieger, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Joe Perry, Joe Bonamassa and Johnny Winter.
Writers: Jasin Cadic, Scott D. Rosenbaum, Marc Maron, Pinetop Perkins, Hubert Sumlin, Marc Maron, Pinetop Perkins, Hubert Sumlin, Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith, Gary Allegretto, Gregg Allman, Elvin Bishop, Sugar Blue, Joe Bonamassa, Halldor Bragason, Eric Clapton, Nic Clark, Shemekia Copeland, Guy Davis, Norman Dayron, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Cast: Marc Maron -
Narrator
(voice)
Pinetop Perkins -
Himself
Hubert Sumlin -
Himself
Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith -
Himself
Gary Allegretto -
Himself
Gregg Allman -
Himself
Elvin Bishop -
Himself
Sugar Blue -
Himself
Joe Bonamassa -
Himself
Halldor Bragason -
Himself
Eric Clapton -
Himself (archival)
Nic Clark -
Himself
Shemekia Copeland -
Herself
Guy Davis -
Himself
Norman Dayron -
Himself
I was fortunate enough to have seen one of the first screenings of
Sidemen: Long Road to Glory. The film impressed upon me the
significance of the documentary, not only in honor of these men and
their contributions to popular culture, but also as a long overdue
historical narrative that is - in equal parts - pure satisfaction for
music buffs, Black historians, and of course, any lover of the classic
American Dream; however long that may take to achieve.
Personally speaking, I've always been a fan of classic rock, but as far
as the Blues, I've only ever been familiar the with names of B.B. King
and Muddy Waters. I honestly had no idea how influential Blues music
really was until I watched Sidemen.
With that said, I can find no memorable comparison to any other time -
whatsoever - where I experienced "goosebumps" as frequently as during
this screening. Endless world-renowned artists share intimate memories
of their personal experiences with Pinetop Perkins, Willie "Big Eyes"
Smith, and Hubert Sumlin. If ever you were curious about the man behind
the legend, this is the underdog story you've been waiting for - times
three.
But that's not all.
When you witness these three musical masters perform with such
proficiency and passion, you can't help but feel it deep in your heart.
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