Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)

Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (2021)

Runtime: 118 minutes

Directed by: Questlove

Starring: An astounding lineup of musicians plus some famous talking heads

From: Several different studios, including Hulu

As I know what its title is referencing, this seemed like something I should watch. Then again, knowing that the reference is to a great Gil-Scott Heron tune doesn't really help me try to figure out what it means when the advertising (and the credit) states that this “a Questlove jawn”. As I have little idea what a “jawn” even is, there goes the idea that may have been assumed two sentences ago of me being cool!

In any case, this Questlove joint-his directorial debut-is about an important topic for Black America that had been unjustly forgotten for too long: the same summer as Woodstock, there was a series of six concerts held in Harlem, New York that was for the largely Black and Hispanic demographic of the area. Drawing somewhere in the neighborhood of 50,000 people each time, the lineup of talent was legendary... not to mention, such an event for this demographic had never been done before. It was taped yet those that could distribute it weren't interested in “The Black Woodstock” so it was forgotten; this is the debut of what was taped there that summer.

The lineup of talent was a draw right there and listen to just a partial list of performers:

B.B. King
Sly & the Family Stone
Stevie Wonder
Nina Simone
The 5th Dimension
The Staple Singers
Gospel acts that included Mahalia Jackson
Latin artists like Ray Barretto and Mongo Santamaria
Jazz musicians like Herbie Mann and Roy Ayers

All this music was incredible to me and as I dig such things, it was a sheer delight hearing/seeing all those great performers do their thing in front of an appreciative crowd. Alongside the music was soundbytes from a few performers and those in attendance, & background information on what life was like in the United States for this documentary, with a focus on Harlem specifically.

Those that love Wattstax (a 1972 Black concert event in Los Angeles that was filmed and distributed the following year & featured the artists of the Stax record label) should find that this is a perfect companion piece. Besides groovy music that sometimes is also stirring, both feature an examination of Black culture at the time... which as I say too often, has elements that sadly still ring true in 2021.