– Indie workhorse John Sayles‘ upcoming and 16th film “Honeydripper” will focus on ’50s rural blues music from the deep south. Due in theaters December 28 the film stars Danny Glover, Charles S. Dutton, Mary Steenburgen and Sean Patrick Thomas. Featured musicians include Keb’ Mo’, Dr. Mable John, Eddie Shaw and Jerry Portnoy among others. A soundtrack disc is coming, but no details have been finalized as of yet.
– The soundtrack to Denzel Washington’s sophomore directorial effort, “The Great Debaters” is due from Atlantic records on December 11. As previously reported Sharon Jones of the Dap Kings (who also has a small part in the film) will be an integral part of the film’s music. Performing pre-1935 blues, folk, jazz, and gospel, the soundtrack also features Alvin ‘Youngblood’ Hart, and the Carolina Chocolate Drops tackling these classic-era songs that were handpicked by Washington himself. Plus David Berger’s York-based big band the Sultan of Swing tackles Duke Ellington’s “Delta Serenade.”The film is based on the true story of Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College Texas. In 1935, he inspired students to form the school’s first debate team, which went on to challenge Harvard in the national championship.
– The Altanta-based psychedelic comedy outfit Black Lips have singed on to star in the film “Let It Be” (a Replacements reference and album title). The film takes place during the late eighties in the post-punk American underground rock scene and will feature music from the Lips (who will play a ficitonal band), plus notable music from that period.
– If only we had time to be 10 places at once. XXL has done a great job of trainspotting the samples on Jay-Z’s American Gangster album. Sources that Hova and his crew used include, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, The Dramatics and the Larry Ellis & The Black Hammer’s hot-fire, “Funky Thing (Pt. 1).” The Gangster leak (maybe still up?) is here and then you can a) and b) them. [XXL]
– “Growing up in New York and being chased by the [cops]. Getting the chance to play a detective — you know, all these cops [were on set] trying to give us the right dialogue, the police lingo,” RZA told MTV. “I was like, ‘Yo! Some years ago I wouldn’t want to be around y’all.’ ” Meanwhile, the Wu-Tang rapper producer (who sports an anachornistic Wu tattoo in the 1970’s set “American Gangster” (continuity!), will appear next in the drug vignettes film, “Life is Hot in Cracktown.” As you mighta figured it’s about lots of people on crack cocaine. “I play a guy named Sammy who’s a drug dealer that hires somebody to kill somebody for me,” the RZA said. [MTV]
We adore Nick Cave and Warren Ellis’ amazing, contemplative and mournful score to “The Assasination of Jesse James By The Coward John Ford” (the soundtrack came out digitally on Oct 28, and it’s a pretty great movie too). We thought we’d include our fave track from the soundtrack – a song that acts as a repetative motif throughout the film.
Download: Nick Cave & Warren Ellis – “Song For Jesse”
“The Great Debaters – Music From The Motion Picture”
(Atlantic)
Release Date: December 11, 2007
1. “My Soul Is A Witness” – Alvin ‘Youngblood’ Hart & Sharon Jones
2. “That’s What My Baby Likes” – Sharon Jones, Alvin Youngblood Hart & Teenie Hodges
3. “I’ve Got Blood In My Eyes For You” – The Carolina Chocolate Drops & Alvin ‘Youngblood’ Hart
4. “Step It Up and Go” – Alvin ‘Youngblood’ Hart & Teenie Hodges
5. “It’s Tight Like That” – Sharon Jones, Alvin Youngblood Hart & Teenie Hodges
6. “Busy Bootin'” – Alvin ‘Youngblood’ Hart & The Carolina Chocolate Drops
7. “City Of Refuge” – Alvin ‘Youngblood’ Hart & The Carolina Chocolate Drops
8. “Two Wings” – Alvin ‘Youngblood’ Hart, Sharon Jones w/Billy Rivers and the Angelic Voices of Faith
9. “Delta Serenade” – David Berger & The Sultans of Swing
10. “Rock n’ Rye” – David Berger & The Sultans of Swing
11. “Wild About That Thing” – Sharon Jones, Alvin Youngblood Hart, & Teenie Hodges
12. “Nobody’s Fault But Mine” – Alvin ‘Youngblood’ Hart & The Carolina Chocolate Drops
13. “How Long Before I Change My Clothes” – Alvin ‘Youngblood’ Hart
14. “We Shall Not Be Moved” – Sharon Jones w/Billy Rivers and the Angelic Voices of Faith
15. “Up Above My Head” – Sharon Jones w/Billy Rivers and the Angelic Voices of Faith
16. “The Shout” – Art Tatum
17. “Scoodle Um Skoo” – Papa Charlie Jackson
18. “I Ain’t Got Nowhere To Travel” – The Delmore Brothers
19. “Begrussung” – Marian Anderson