Watch Tony Palmer's Classic Series - All You Need Is Love - God's Children - The Beginnings

Tony Palmer's Classic Series - All You Need Is Love - God's Children - The Beginnings is a documentary film that explores the origins of African-American music and its evolution into contemporary commercial music. The film is a part of Tony Palmer's All You Need Is Love series which is a 17-part documentary series that explores different genres of popular music.

The film highlights the contributions of African-Americans to the development of music in the United States. It features interviews with various musicians, including Lightnin' Hopkins and Duke Ellington, who talk about their experiences in the music industry and the challenges they faced as African-Americans.

The film opens with a brief history of African-Americans and their journey to the United States. It then delves into the early origins of African-American music and how it developed from field songs to spirituals to blues. The film explores the role of the church in the development of African-American music and how gospel music became a form of expression for African-Americans.

The film then moves on to the jazz era and the contributions of greats like Duke Ellington. Ellington talks about his experience and the challenges he faced as an African-American musician in the jazz scene. The film also explores the connection between jazz and African-American culture, and how jazz became an expression of freedom and individuality for African-Americans.

The film also touches on the influence of African-American music on rock and roll, highlighting the contributions of Chuck Berry and Little Richard. The film features rare footage of live performances by these legendary musicians.

Overall, Tony Palmer's Classic Series - All You Need Is Love - God's Children - The Beginnings is a fascinating look at the evolution of African-American music and its impact on popular music. The film features insightful interviews with musicians who were influential in shaping the music industry and creating a cultural legacy that continues to this day. This film is a must-watch for anyone interested in the history of popular music and the contributions of African-Americans to the art form.