John Lee Hooker - That's My Story

ok. im a big fan of the hook. i mean it. i was stoked to order this DVD after reading a bunch of 5 star reviews... but this film is anything but a comprehensive look back at the king of boogie. it does have its bright spots... its john lee hooker for god's sake. but instead of reveling in the long, awesome carreer of the hook, it focuses on some of his last performances... which he seems to be more of a side man (he doesnt even play guitar for most of them). i really wonder why they even chose to show the clip of his daughter singing with him... you will see what i mean when you watch it.(it makes him seem senile and out of it) again, it does have its moments... some great interviews and short performances (all interrupted... come on...) but i really expected more.... if it wasnt john lee hooker... this rating would be only 2 of 5 stars... rent it, and be prepared.

I had the pleasure of meeting John Lee Hooker in the early 1980s. He was checking into a hotel and I heard the man next to me say, "I give you this (a GOLD American Express card, rare at the time) and you give me a room." Without looking, I said "That must be John Lee Hooker." and turned to him and said "You have no idea of how much pleasure your music has given me." We had a moment. A few months later I saw him perform solo with his pignose amp in the statuary garden at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC. This video captures the John Lee Hooker I knew, still a mystery, still a voice that symbolizes the blues, and still a poet among men. Most of the footage is from the years before his recent death and there is precious little to explain how this solo artist came to be able to put together a band that could fill stadiums and satisfy the crowd every time. He was magic, mysterious and the essence of soul and yet a very sexy and friendly man who must have suffered for his art. He was a survivor among many who died along the road and a man among men. I can only hope to be remembered as warmly as he will be. He knew who he was and what he was and he thrived on it.

This is a good documentary about John Lee Hooker. However, it's best to rent this dvd, due to the mediocre concert performance by Hooker. This is understandable, though, considering Hooker's advanced age. There are simply too many musicians on the stage with him, and he barely touches his guitar. The setlist is unimpressive. The documentary portion of this dvd is very interesting, mostly due to Eric Clapton's comments, which are insightful and informative. The bonus material with Clapton being interviewed about his love for the Blues and his first time hearing Hooker is a real treat, as well. Eddie Kirkland, Johnnie Johnson, and John Hammond should have had some more screen time on this dvd.

Hooker is the man and if you need to know why,Buy this video.His grace and truth hits the heart just right.

Excellent dvd!!!

This is one of the best documentary's I have seen of a great blues artists. There are interviews with about anyone who's anybody in blues, it shows the compassion and love of the music of the man. Plus great interviews with John, you can really see what his music is all about and his style a must have.

It's hard, if not impossible, to sum up John Lee Hooker's life and influence on the musical world. The world is a better place because of Mr. Hooker and this film gives us a rare glance into his mystical world. Fascinating!

Don't get me wrong - for the price it's well worth buying - it's just frustrating that there is nowhere near enough older footage and interviews available.A sizable chunk of the documentary is John Lee being wheeled out not long before he passed for a tribute gig with other artists in support. He still does a job of course but you can't stop wishing or hoping that somewhere there must exist more stuff of this legend when he was much younger. To be fair the makers have probably done the best they can with what is available?There is one interesting interview that takes place in a diner, where John Lee discusses his past but this unfortunately falls short in that the interview should have been longer with more probing questions.Buy it yes.... but don't expect too much.

I bought this on the strength of the strong review given by the 1st reviewer here- however my experience of this film was very different and indeed I found it most disapointing.The film is principally a splice of what I found to be a rather amateurish documentary following JLH around, and footage of a very lack-lustre gig in which, to this reviewer, JLH appeared very ill and therefore unable to participate meaningfully or in a way which represents why he is justly admired.I felt that the gig footage was uncomfortable to watch and did not serve him well.

This film is well worth a watch for any blues fan .It has great interviews with other great blues musicians and really helps you appreciate the true source and soul of the blues and the pain that it often stems from .Well worth a watch for any blues/music fan .

It won't play on my device

Extremely disappointed. Bought this as a Christmas present and looked forward to watching it. Put it on and there were German subtitles - fine, took them off, but then it was overdubbed in German too!. Watched about 30 minutes and got so fed up with not being able to hear the English being spoken that we stopped watching it. There is nothing in the description of the product on Amazon nor on the cover to say that it is all in German nor was I able to find anything in the menu to keep it to English. It is now in the bin!