The generations combine to celebrate the music of Memphis in the award-winning documentary film “Take Me to the River,” which hits theaters on Sept. 12. The first official trailer spotlights the collaboration of its eclectic cast of musicians, multi-generational and multi-racial, as they come together to celebrate their
Named after the Al Green classic soul song, the documentary explores the city’s rich musical history examining the soul music originators from the middle of the 20th Century, as well as the young musicians coming out with their new sounds today.
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Narrated by Terrence Howard, who also joins in on the collaborative music sessions, the group comes together to create a classic-modern soul sound. The accompanying album of the same name will be available Sept. 9.
“Take Me to the River,” the album and film, feature performers like Howard, William Bell, Snoop Dogg, Mavis Staples, Otis Clay, Lil P-Nut, Charlie Musselwhite, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Yo Gotti, Bobby Rush, Frayser Boy and the North Mississippi All-Stars.
The official synopsis describes the project as “celebrating the inter-generational and inter-racial musical influence of Memphis in the face of pervasive discrimination and segregation. The film brings multiple generations of award-winning Memphis and Mississippi Delta musicians together, following them through the creative process of recording a historic new album, to re-imagine the utopia of racial, gender and generational collaboration of Memphis in its heyday.”
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“Take Me to the River” was directed by Martin Shore, who produced along with Jerry Harrison, Cody Dickinson, Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell, and Dan Sameha. Abramorama is releasing the 2014 SXSW Film Festival Audience Award winner to theaters on Sept. 12.