A bizarrely and sadly incoherent collection of fascinating clips and interviews, with few whole performances (Cassandra Wilson's appearance an exception for some reason.) The music is wonderful, if frustratingly edited, and the visuals are all over the place with historical and recreated film footage. Why do film makers (and public radio poobahs) prefer talking about music to playing it? If you're fascinated with this great period of American artistic creation (and you should be) do watch it in spite of itself. If you're hoping to learn about it, spend your money on CDs. Better yet, haunt the used record stores and find those original LPs with brilliant cover art and the best liner notes ever.
Review of Blue Note - A Story of Modern Jazz
