Wattstax

This is an absolute gem and a richly textured time capsule in so many ways. Growing up making Hip-Hop in the 80's and 90's I used to wish I was a teenager in the late 60's and early 70's just to be around all of that great music. Seeing this movie now has solidified that dream. I should mention the scene when Rufus Thomas comes on and the crowd literally 'bum-rushes' the field in what today would be considered a riot but as the swarm of people descend from the stands to the sound of Rufus's opening number 'Funky Chicken', the riot is a dancing, feel good frenzy! I don't think anywhere in the world in today's society could so many people swarm into a small space like that and there not be any violence. They were just itching to dance and boy did they ever!!! Then, after Rufus wrapped it up he playfully instructed them to kindly move back to the stands and like angels, every single one of them did as requested in unison! OK one drunk guy stayed but Rufus joked with him and then told the crowd to 'go get him' and on cue some of them rushed the field to 'playfully' scurry him back to the stands.

You've really got to see this movie! Very addictive; I watched it three times within a week of first seeing it. Far out and solid!

My all time favorite music film, probably because it shows how soul was about so much more than music. Stirring performances (Isaac Hayes, The Emotions, Rance Allen Group) and hilarious running monologue from Richard Pryor (at his peak). Also some provocative social statements from Watts residents in the early '70s who speak out on race and romance. Catch it whenever you can---no VHS or DVD is available.

Back when being black , meant being proud .Melvin"Sweet Sweetback's Baaaadass song"Van Peebles came along with Wattstax. This was the Woodstock for soulbrothers and soulsisters held in 1972 at the L.A. Coliseum.This was the kind of show that made you wnat to jump out your skin and dance up a storm. Rance Allen's "Lying on the Truth" makes a man wanna go to church. Unfortunatly this movie hasn't made its way out on DVD or even VHS as of yet.The only way we can hear the legendary performances is to get the Wattstax soundtrack on cd.There is actually more than one soundtrack out, Wattstax and Wattstax 2. The first one made the leap to cd..while its latter partner in crime is stuck in vinyldom. I can say I have Wattstax 2 and it makes me thank Gd for a turntable...soulfully decadent.

This is one great film not only because of the classic concert footage, but because of the fact that the cameras went out into the community and showed how life was and, for the most part, still is in the inner city. Of course, I am a little biased due to the fact that I live in Los Angeles. In fact, the non concert footage could stand alone as a separate film due to the fact that they show various aspects of African-American life. Also, it is quite sad to see Richard Pryor in this film. This was before the years of abuse began to take their toll and probably helped contribute to the Multiple Sclerosis, which would contribute to his death years later. However, the concert footage is what pushed this film over the top, especially the footage of Issac Hayes. You pretty much could see why he was inducted some 30 years later into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This not only a great concert film, but a great commentary Black America.

After realizing Richard Pryor was in this ,I have spent about 2 years trying to track down a copy ,as I am collecting and have most of his body of work (audio & video).This picture is very seldom seen and a true picture Of us in the early 70's.The beauty of this film is in the impact of seeing real people in the so called 'hood at that time. It was a simpler time, and we still had alot of soul and pride in being what we were.We were one with the music and able to express our individuality. The civil rights movement had just begun to show some gain .But for most of us,it was about sex ,drugs ,and funky soul music .Seeing the young radical looking Rev. Jesse Jackson was incredible and its a shame we recently lost Rufus Thomas ,Johnny Taylor ,Pop Staples .I think in retrospect there is much truth in this film ....