“Cadillac Records” Captures the Chess Records Era

“Cadillac Records” opened today in theaters across the U.S. “Cadillac Records” is the story of Chess Records and the amazing array of blues talent who recorded for them in the 1950′s and 1960′s.

Despite taking some liberties with the facts, the film provides a good feel for the time and the lives of the musicians who made musical history at Chicago’s Chess Records. The film’s name is derived from the nickname given Chess by Muddy Waters. The notion was that anyone recording for Chess who had any degree of success would get a Cadillac sooner or later.

One of the noteworthy things about this movie is that the actors do their own singing and playing. Beyonce is excellent as Etta James. Jeffrey Wright stars as Muddy Waters, Columbus Short is Little Walter Jacobs and Mos Def plays Chuck Berry.

Reviews I’ve seen are mixed, but generally agree that the movie captures the essence of the lifestyle of these incredible blues players. Sounds like a must-see to me!

Roots, Rock ‘n Blues