Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music
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About
Soul music has conquered the world in the last 50 years - growing from the raw, electric rhythms of the black underclass, it is now a billion dollar industry with R&B and hip hop dominating the world's charts. It's been the soundtrack to some of the most extraordinary social, political and cultural shifts. Together with the civil rights movement, it has challenged white hegemony, helped break down segregation and encouraged the fight for racial equality. This new six-part series, made by the BBC team who produced the critically-acclaimed Lost Highway, Walk On By and Dancing In The Street series, charts the evolution of soul music - with a fascinating combination of rare archive footage and over 100 contemporary interviews. The movers and shakers from the world of soul – such as James Brown, Mary J Blige, Beyoncé and Martha Reeves, - plus some often overlooked talent, track the music that shaped our lives.
Cast
Episodes
Season 1
The Birth Of Soul: Ray Charles
The term rhythm and blues was coined by Billboard Magazine journalist Jerry Wexler after he was asked by his editor to find an alternative for the label 'race music'. In a previously unseen BBC interview with Ray Charles, he reveals how his innovations first brought soul to a wider audience. As the black sounds crossed the racial divide, rhythm and blues gave birth to rock 'n' roll – a far more sanitised version of the black sound which was seen to be "too uninhibited, too loose, and too sweaty." Black artists were squeezed out of the mainstream charts by white covers of their songs and Charles looked back to his roots for his inspiration and the creation of his own distinctive sound.
The Gospel Highway: Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke was gospel music's crown prince, the man who inspired a generation of singers when he took on the pop world and won. In the process he became soul music's first superstar. This episode follows Sam Cooke's career as he made the transition from gospel to pop, and profiles some of the artists who followed him: The Staple Singers, Ben E King, Solomon Burke and Johnnie Taylor.
The Sound Of Young America: Diana Ross
This episode is about Motown's golden age from 1959 - 1967. It traces the Detroit label's extraordinary rise from cottage industry to mighty record giant before chronicling its fall from pop innocence. The Motown sound and its incredible flood of 1960s hits unquestionably changed the landscape of pop. With the Supremes, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, the Temptations, the Four Tops, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, the label rewrote the cultural rule book and created THE sound of young America.
Southern Soul: Otis Redding
In the summer of 1967, Otis Redding performed in front of a 200,000 capacity crowd at the Monterey Pop Festival, the biggest audience of his career. Backed by the Stax Records house band, Booker T & The MGs, Otis gave the crowd a night of unadulterated down home Southern Soul.
Ain't It Funky Now: James Brown
Funk was a brand new Soul bag. It was the soundtrack to riots and revolution, the heady Black Power era in the second half of the 60s and early 70s. Its tough urban rhythms brilliantly evoked a time of Black cultural pride and political upheaval. Ain't It Funky traces Funk's roots from the raw blueprint of James Brown's Papa's Got A Brand New Bag to the cartoon, psychedelic Funk of George Clinton and his Parliament/Funkadelic thang of the mid-70s. Interviewees include: James Brown, George Clinton, Otis Williams, Pee Wee Ellis, Fred Wesley and David Ritz.
From Ghetto To Fabulous: Mary J. Blige
Today, contemporary R&B is the music that the world spins to. R&B is one of the biggest selling music genres, worldwide its performers are among the most conspicuous celebrities on the planet with mighty corporations queuing up to recruit them to promote their products. This episode investigates how R&B arrived at its lofty heights. An extraordinary story unfolds, tracing the diamond-dripping, premiere-attending world of today's R&B stars, right back to the crack streets of Harlem in the mid 80s. It's also the story of how Mary J Blige's troubled journey revolutionised the sound of modern pop and in doing so took black music from the ghetto to fabulous.
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About Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music
Soul music has conquered the world in the last 50 years - growing from the raw, electric rhythms of the black underclass, it is now a billion dollar industry with R&B and hip hop dominating the world's charts. It's been the soundtrack to some of the most extraordinary social, political and cultural shifts. Together with the civil rights movement, it has challenged white hegemony, helped break down segregation and encouraged the fight for racial equality. This new six-part series, made by the BBC team who produced the critically-acclaimed Lost Highway, Walk On By and Dancing In The Street series, charts the evolution of soul music - with a fascinating combination of rare archive footage and over 100 contemporary interviews. The movers and shakers from the world of soul – such as James Brown, Mary J Blige, Beyoncé and Martha Reeves, - plus some often overlooked talent, track the music that shaped our lives. Across 1 season and 6 episodes, originally airing on BBC Two.
Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music Cast and Characters
The cast features Colin Salmon (as Self - Narrator), James Brown (as Self), Bootsy Collins (as Self), Ray Charles (as Self), and Ben E. King (as Self). Their performances are a major reason Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music has built such a passionate audience.
Where to Watch Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music Online
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▶ Watch Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music NowWhy People Are Watching Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music
There's a reason Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music keeps showing up on "must-watch" lists. What makes it work is a tone and style that's hard to find elsewhere. If you enjoy Inglés storytelling that doesn't follow the same tired beats, this is the kind of show you'll end up recommending to friends.
Frequently Asked Questions about Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music
Where can I watch Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music online for free?
You can watch Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music online free on CineFlixo. Just open the page and hit play — no signup, no subscription, full HD streaming on phone, tablet, or desktop.
How many episodes does Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music have?
Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music has 6 episodes across 1 season. All episodes are available to stream right here on CineFlixo.
Is Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music good? What's the rating?
Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music holds a 8.0/10 rating based on 2 reviews — genuinely excellent.
Who is in the cast of Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music?
The main cast includes Colin Salmon, James Brown, Bootsy Collins, and Ray Charles, plus a strong supporting ensemble.
Is Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music available in Inglés?
Yes — Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music was originally produced in Inglés and that's the version you'll stream here on CineFlixo. English subtitles are provided when available.
When was Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music released?
Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music first aired in 2005.
Do I need an account to watch Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music on CineFlixo?
No. CineFlixo is free and you can watch Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music without creating an account. Sign-up is optional — only useful if you want a personal Watchlist or to comment on episodes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music for free?
You can watch Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music online for free on CineFlixo. All 6 episodes across 1 season are available to stream in HD without a subscription, signup, or paywall. Just open the show page and press play.
How many seasons and episodes does Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music have?
Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music currently has 1 season and a total of 6 episodes. The series status is "Ended", so the episode count may grow as new seasons are released. You can browse the full episode list on CineFlixo and continue watching from where you left off.
What is Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music about?
Soul music has conquered the world in the last 50 years - growing from the raw, electric rhythms of the black underclass, it is now a billion dollar industry with R&B and hip hop dominating the world's charts. It's been the soundtrack to some of the most extraordinary social, political and cultural shifts. Togethe… It belongs to the Documentary genre.
In which language is Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music originally available?
Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music was originally produced in English. On CineFlixo the show is available in its original English audio, which is the most authentic way to experience the dialogue, music, and performances. Check the player options on the watch page for available subtitle tracks.
When was Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music first released?
Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music first premiered on May 7, 2005 (2005). The series has since concluded its run.
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