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The Blues

TV·2003–2003·1 season, 7 episodes·PBS·Documentary·1h 30m

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The Blues (2003) is a seven-part documentary series produced by Martin Scorsese that explores the history and influence of blues music. Each episode, directed by a different filmmaker, traces a unique aspect of the genre’s evolution—from its African roots to its global impact. Originally airing on PBS, the series includes Scorsese’s Feel Like Going Home, Wim Wenders’ The Soul of a Man, Richard Pearce’s The Road to Memphis, Charles Burnett’s Warming by the Devil’s Fire, Marc Levin’s Godfathers and Sons, Mike Figgis’ Red, White and Blues, and Clint Eastwood’s Piano Blues.

Highest-rated episodes all ranked

  1. 01The Blues S01E01Feel Like Going HomeS01E01 · 8.3Director Martin Scorsese pays homage to the Delta blues. Musician Corey Harris travels through Mississippi and on to West Africa, exploring the roots of the music. The film celebrates the early Delta bluesmen through original performances (including Willie King, Taj Mahal, Otha Turner, and Ali Farka Toure) and rare archival footage (featuring Son House, Muddy Waters, and John Lee Hooker).
  2. 02The Blues S01E05Godfathers and SonsS01E05 · 7.0Director Marc Levin travels to Chicago with hip-hop legend Chuck D (of Public Enemy) and Marshall Chess (son of Leonard Chess and heir to the Chess Records legacy) to explore the heyday of Chicago blues as they unite to produce an album that seeks to bring veteran blues players together with contemporary hip hop musicians. Along with never-before-seen archival footage of Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, are original performances by Koko Taylor, Otis Rush, Magic Slim, Ike Turner, and Sam Lay.

Episodes by season

Season017Episodes2003Aired 7.7Season avg
  1. S01E01The Blues S01E01Feel Like Going HomeSeptember 28, 2003 8.3Director Martin Scorsese pays homage to the Delta blues. Musician Corey Harris travels through Mississippi and on to West Africa, exploring
  2. S01E02The Blues S01E02Soul of a ManSeptember 29, 2003—The film explores the musical careers of blues musicians Skip James, Blind Willie Johnson and J. B. Lenoir.
  3. S01E03The Blues S01E03The Road To MemphisSeptember 30, 2003—The film follows the career of Blues musician B.B. King. It features performances by B.B. King, Bobby Rush, Rosco Gordon and Ike Turner, as
  4. S01E04The Blues S01E04Warming by the Devil's FireOctober 1, 2003—Director Charles Burnett presents a tale about a young boy's encounter with his family in Mississippi in the 1950s, and intergenerational te
  5. S01E05The Blues S01E05Godfathers and SonsOctober 2, 2003 7.0Director Marc Levin travels to Chicago with hip-hop legend Chuck D (of Public Enemy) and Marshall Chess (son of Leonard Chess and heir to th
  6. S01E06The Blues S01E06Red, White and BluesOctober 3, 2003—Director Mike Figgis joins musicians such as Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Tom Jones, performing and talking about the music of
  7. S01E07The Blues S01E07Piano BluesOctober 4, 2003—The film features interviews and live performances of piano players Ray Charles, Dave Brubeck, Dr. John and Marcia Ball. Eastwood interviews

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