Scott D. Rosenbaum’s “Sidemen: Long Road to Glory” is a heartfelt, intimate look at the lives and legacies of three legendary bluesmen; piano player Pinetop Perkins, drummer Willie “Big Eyes” Smith and guitarist Hubert Sumlin, all Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf sidemen.
The film captures some of their last interviews and final live performances, before their deaths in 2011. Historic live shows accompany personal insights from many of the blues and rock stars these legendary musicians inspired. Variety called SIDEMEN “an exceptionally entertaining and captivating tribute,” while the NY Times wrote, “their stories are inseparable from that of the blues itself.”
The film, which has collected numerous best documentary awards, also available on iTunes as of June 4th, will be released on DVD July 18th via Amazon and Blues Music Magazine. It will include extras such as a deleted WC Handy animation scene, Robert Randolph tribute to Hubert and the theatrical trailer. The DVD comes with a cool vinyl effect that makes it look like an old LP.
The film is narrated by Marc Maron and features Pinetop Perkins, Hubert Sumlin, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Gregg Allman, Joe Bonamassa, Shemekia Copeland, Warren Haynes, Robby Krieger, Joe Perry, Bonnie Raitt, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks and the late Johnny Winter.
The film is directed by Scott D. Rosenbaum and produced by Jasin Cadic, Tony Grazia, Emmett James, Joseph White and Rosenbaum; and executive produced by Alan Rudolph, Fabrizio Grossi, and Pat Scalabrino. Worldwide rights for the film are represented by Cargo Films & Releasing who worked with the filmmakers on the iTunes exclusive and subsequent, digital transactional and DVD release.
