The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion set at Martin Scorsese Presents A Salute To The Blues, Radio City Music Hall, New York, New York, US on 7 February 2003.
nb. This was a 5 hour long concert that was filmed by director Anton Fuqua and released on DVD as “Lightning in a Bottle”*. It was produced by Martin Scorsese, and financed by Paul Allen.
*The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion are not listed on the credits of the DVD release but it is not known if the band appear in the film in any way.
Other artists at this event:
B.B. King
Buddy Guy
Bonnie Raitt
Robert Cray
Vernon Reid
Robert Lockwood Jr.
Alison Krauss
Levon Helm
Willie Weeks
Dr. John
Solomon Burke
Mos Def
Chuck D
Gregg Allman
Warren Haynes
Clarence Gatemouth Brown
Honeyboy Edwards
Lonnie Johnson
Ruth Brown
Mavis Staples
Natalie Cole
India.Arie
Angelique Kidjo
Keb’ Mo’
Steve Jordon
Steven Tyler
Joe Perry
Chris Thomas King
Neville Brothers
Danny Kortchmar
John Hammond Jr
John Fogerty
Jimmie Vaughan
Kim Wilson
Lazy Lester
James Blood Ulmer
Odetta
David Johansen
Hubert Sumlin
Shemika Copeland
Macy Gray
“The show was a benefit for the Blues Music Foundation and the first event in the Year of the Blues (beginning Feb. 1, 2003) proclaimed by Congress. It also provided material for a concert film directed by Antoine Fuqua with Martin Scorsese as executive producer. (Mr. Scorsese is also producing ”The Blues,” a PBS film series for this fall.)…
…The musicians came to play. B. B. King, appearing after 1 a.m. as the headliner, offered only a brief portion of his joyfully exasperated vocals and cutting guitar solos. Before him, nearly everyone aimed for a show-stopper: Mr. Burke tearing into ”Turn On Your Lovelight,” Mr. Tyler yowling ”King Bee,” Ms. Raitt sliding through Elmore James’s ”Coming Home,” the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion socking out R. L. Burnside’s lovesick ”Goin’ Down South.”” – Jon Pareles – “BLUES REVIEW; Five Hours’ Worth of Stars, Celebrating the Mournful” (February 10, 2003) NYTimes.com
