Cover image for Les Blank : always for pleasure
Title:
Les Blank : always for pleasure
Author:
Blank, Les, film director, cinematographer, editor, film producer.
Publication Information:
[Irvington, New York] : The Criterion Collection, [2014]

©2014
Physical Description:
5 videodiscs (563 min.) : sound, color ; 4 3/4 in.
Summary:
The blues accordin' to Lightnin' Hopkins: A portrait of Texas bluesman Lightin' Hopkins created via a collection of musical performances and oral histories.

God respects us when we work, but loves us when we dance: A look at hippies and flower children as they dance and create rituals during the Los Angeles "Love-In" of Easter Sunday, 1967.

Spend it all: A portrayal of the lives and music of the French-speaking Cajuns of Louisiana.

A well spent life: A tribute to Texas songster Mance Lipscomb,

Dry wood: An exploration of black Creole life in French Louisiana.

Hot pepper: A musical portrait of zydeco king Clifton Chenier.

Always for pleasure: An insider's portrait of New Orleans' street celebrations and unique cultural gumbo.

Garlic is as good as ten mothers: A paean to garlic that explores the history, consumption, cultivation, and culinary/curative powers of the "stinking rose."

Sprout wings and fly: A tribute to Appalachian culture that profiles old-time fiddler Tommy Jarrell.

In heaven there is no beer?: An exploration of the dance, food, music, friendship, and even religion of the polka.

Gap-toothed women: A valentine to women born with a space between their teeth that explores issues of self-esteem and societal attitudes toward standards of beauty.

Yum, yum, yum!: An exploration of the cooking and other enthusiasms of French-speaking Louisiana.

The Maestro: A profile of cowboy artist Gerald Gaxiola.

Sworn to the drum: A tribute to Cuban drummer Francisco Aguabella.
General Note:
Title from container.

Originally released as documentary films 1968-1995.

Special features: Disc 1: The blues accordin' to Lightnin' Hopkins: "The sun's gonna shine" (lyrical recreation of a memory from Hopkin's youth when he decided to stop chopping cotton and start singing for a living, 10 min.); "Mr. Charlie, your rollin' mill is burnin' down" (7-min. outtake from the film featuring The Bluesman singing this classic song); "Lightnin' Les" (Hopkins performing a song he wrote in honor of the filmmaker's futile efforts at the card table trying to convince him to be filmed); Making "Lightnin'" (interview with Skip Gerson); An appreciation by Taylor Hackford (an interview with Hackford discussing the film) -- God respects us when we work, but loves us when we dance: Flower power (features Skip Gerson and Les Blank's son Harrod discussing the origins of Blank's production company and the Love-in of 1967) -- Spend it all: An appreciation by Werner Herzog (interview with filmmaker Herzog discussing his admiration for the film) -- Disc 2: A well spent life: No man like Mance (short documentary features interviews with Skip Gerson, Blank's sons Harrod and Beau, and Chris Strachwitz); Meeting Mance (interview with Chris Strachwitz where he tells the story of meeting Mance Lipscomb) -- Dry wood: A cultural celebration (short documentary about "Dry wood" and "Hot pepper" features interviews with Maureen Gosling, Les Blank's collaborator on the films, Blank's son Beau, and filmmaker Taylor Hackford) -- Disc 3. Always for pleasure: Lagniappe (short film features 25 min. of additional footage shot during the filming of "Always for pleasure" compiled by Les Blank and Maureen Gosling); Celebrating a city (short documentary featuring interviews with Maureen Gosling and David Silberberg) -- Garlic is as good as ten mothers: For the love of garlic (features interviews with Maureen Gosling, Les Blank's son Harrod and Alice Waters); Remembering Les (conversation between Tom Luddy and Alice Waters about Blank and his film contributions) -- Disc 4: Sprout wings and fly: "My old fiddle" (a visit with Tommy Jarrell in the Blue Ridge; 17-min. film composed of footage shot during the making of the film); "Julie" (old time tales of the Blue Ridge; 12-min. film composed of footage shot during the making of the film, focuses on Julie Lyons); An elemental approach (Maureen Gosling discusses her approach to editing the film) -- In heaven there is no beer?: Polka happiness (interview with Chris Simon who collaborated with Les Blank on numerous films) -- Gap-toothed women: Mind the gap (interviews with Susan Kell and Chris Simon, Blank collaborators, and Blank's son Harrod) -- Disc 5: Yum, yum, yum!: Marc and Les (features Chris Simon and Chris Strachwitz) -- The maestro: "The maestro rides again" (30-min. follow up-film); The maestro (interview with Gerald Gaxiola - a.k.a. The Maestro - provides his uniques perspective on the film and his time with Les Blank); Art for art's sake (features an interview with Chris Simon) -- Sworn to the drum: A master percussionist (interviews with the film's producer, Tom Luddy and Chris Simon).
Language:
English
Contents:
Blues accordin' to Lightnin' Hopkins God respects us when we work but he loves us when we dance Spend it all Les Blank: a quiet revelation (10 min.) / A well spent life Dry wood Hot pepper Always for pleasure Garlic is as good as ten mothers Sprout wings and fly In heaven there is no beer? Gap-toothed women Yum, yum, yum! : a taste of the Cajun and Creole cooking in Louisiana Maestro : king of the cowboy artists Sworn to the drum : a tribute to Francisco Aguabella
ISBN:
9781604658866
UPC:
715515119511