Search - Music In Exile (Starz Inside) on DVD

The Gumbo Seeps Into the Chili

Bryan A. Pfleeger | Metairie, Louisiana United States | 09/13/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Hurricane Katrina destroyed not only large parts of the city of New Orleans but it also came very close to destroying its musical and cultural heritage. Robert Mugge's local documentary New Orleans Music in Exile explores this phenomena.



Made up of interviews with many of the musicians who were forced out of their homes and into foreign cities, the documentary showcases the talent that made New Orleans a vibrant place more than a mere brand name. The artists involve make this film feel local. Its a different feeling than one got watching Spike Lee's excellent documentary When the Levees Broke. Possibly because the persons interviewed were known to me it seemed more immediate more tragic. If the City is to live again its up to the powers that be to bring all of the people of New Orleans back home.



In the film we get stories from Dr. John, Irma Thomas, Cyril Neville, Kermit Ruffins and others who have been forced to make their lives in different places from Memphis to Austin to New York. The thread that holds all of these stories together is that many of these artists while desperately wanting to come home have begun to build their lives and careers over again in new surroundings.



The film also features performances by Marcia Ball, Eddie Bo, Cowboy Mouth and others that are very much worth checking out. Of special interest is a haunting version of Neil Young's Like A Hurricane performed by Theresa Andersson.



The disk features a widesceen presentation and Dolby Stereo. It would have been nice to have a 5.1 track to go with the music but the audio stands up on its own.



The extras feature an informal history of New Orleans piano by English transplant Jon Cleary and a very good piece on a rescue mission by Dave Spizale the general manager of KRVS of Lafayette that are well worth looking into.



This may be a small release but it is one that is worthwhile as a cultural document relating to one of the greatest ongoing disasters in American history."