Blu-ray Review: Soul to Soul
Questlove did the worlds of arts and culture a major service when he shepherded Summer of Soul onto the screens. Not only did that archival concert film shine a light on an incredibly important and rich musical story, but it provided a kind of proof of concept that such a film wold find an audience. And it’s against that backdrop that the rarely-screened Soul to Soul has now resurfaced, and in restored form, no less.
With a back story that has a feel akin to one part Harlem Cultural Festival (the subject of Summer of Soul) and one part B.B. King in Africa (pieced together with outtakes from When We Were Kings), Soul to Soul documents a 1971 all-star concert festival in Ghana. With a can’t-miss lineup – Ike and Tuna Turner, Wilson Pickett, Santana, The Staple Singers, Voices of East Harlem, Les McCann & Eddie Harris: WOW! — it would have been hard to go wrong. And they didn’t.
Soul to Soul combines footage that provides context for the event with onstage concert footage. Viewers will get enough of the story – and the performers’ reaction to it – to understand what it’s all about. And the performances are beyond compare. Pickett is predictably on fire, as are Ike and Tina. Santana’s performance might even rival their celebrated Woodstock gig (me, I’d give the slight edge to this one). The Staple Singers remind us why they’re so beloved. The Voices of East Harlem are nothing short of exciting. And while McCann and Harris don’t perform their signature “Compared to What,” they still turn in a bravura set. The local/indigenous performers are not to be missed as well.
Inevitably, the film only shows bits of the concert. But there’s enough there to thrill and inspire modern-day audiences. The outtake of Ike and Tina is eye-popping in its, well, naughtiness. And the omission of one headliner – Roberta Flack – is unfortunate. (Though she appeared in the original film, Flack wouldn’t allow her performance to be included in the restored cut). But the restorers found an inspired way to cover the (narrative) gaps left by her omission.
Rob Bowman’s lengthy liner note essay is required reading. The restored print balances current-day visual values with enough grittiness and graininess to preserve the vibe of the original footage. Soul to Soul is a must-see film for anyone who appreciates late-’60 and early ‘70s soul at its most real and visceral.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day for several years). The more than 5000 interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- some 40 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 30 Great Concept Albums is available now. Read even more about him here.