Behind the Scenes of a Blues Legend

"Legend of the Blues" is Beyoncé's second time playing a real singer on the big screen after "Dreamgirls". This time she will play the heroine blues/jazz singer Etta James. In the new movie "Legend of the Blues" starring Beyoncé, the role Beyoncé will play is the legendary blues/jazz singer Art James, the lead singer of the classic jazz song "AtLast". In addition to acting, Beyoncé also went one step further as a producer of the film, and was completely involved in the production and filming of the film from front to back.

The film uses the life of Leonard Chess, the owner of the famous Chicago record company Chess Records (Chess Records), as the main clue. It uses a biopic-like shooting technique to reflect the main axis of the character. The general environment of Chicago from the 1950s to the 1960s, and under such a background, it tells all the audience about every bit of black life at that time, about an era full of sex, drugs and racial problems, and of course blues and rock and roll.

The plot of the film is interspersed with the experiences of many legendary figures in the American music industry, and it also reflects the evolution and destruction of these strange people under the influence of the social environment! The story begins in Chicago in 1947. Leonard Chase (played by Adrian Brody), a Polish immigrant, hid his past and opened a store in an alley in the South Side of Chicago. Planning to open a bar to make ends meet. The future king has the vigor of a young man and devotes himself wholeheartedly to the management of the hotel. As a bar, it is natural to have music, and this is also the key to the success or failure of a bar. Chase creatively hired the very talented Waters Blues Duo - this legendary group is composed of talented guitarist Maddy Waters (played by Jeffrey White) and harmonica player Little · Walter (played by Columbus Short), their performances are as calm and quiet as a river, but also have distinctive passion and personality. The two became resident performers at the bar, and soon the bar became prosperous under Chase's management, but Chase's ambitions didn't stop there. His keen insight into music and the market began to explode. He brilliantly saw that the recording industry was in its rising stage. At the same time, out of his love for blues music, Chase decided to record Waters' music.

Perhaps Chase’s original intention of recording this album was very simple, but he never imagined that a legendary era would begin! When the flame of chance and coincidence ignited the beacon of history, the fate of countless people changed, including himself! In the 1950s and 1960s, which were full of sex, violence, and racial strife, Chess Records suddenly emerged as a record company. During that period, it created many important artists who had a profound impact on the music scene. This film tells the ups and downs of the history of Chess Records. It is not only a biography of Chess Records, but also a "writing" for founder Leonard Chess, and it is also a biography of Chess Records. Artist greets.

“In fact, I think this film goes far beyond the meaning of an autobiographical film, because it not only uses Chess Records or Leonard Chess as the subject of description, but also mentions too many things in the film. Excellent singers who have made so much contribution to the entire blues music, like Muddy Waters, Etta James, I believe this will be a great film. ” said Columbus Short, who plays Little Walter in the film. "Little Walter is a very outstanding artist. He played the harmonica very well. He created a large number of blues rock harmonica songs and had an important influence on many subsequent singers. Junior Wells and John Popper were both influenced by him. . ”

“This is not so much an autobiographical film as it is a musical. Songs and music are placed in the most prominent position from beginning to end. Take Little Walter, who I play, 25. He became a well-known star at the age of 18 and persisted in creating music that would have a profound impact on his later life. There are many unknown stories behind his growth.

Many people focused their attention on him after he became famous, but few paid attention to some of his embarrassments and his persistence before he became famous. This is what I need to figure out before performing, and it is also shown in the film. ”

“For me, this role is still a bit difficult. One is the challenge of harmonica playing skills, and the other is the test of singing skills, both of which require dramatic tension. But I am very excited to star in this film. I have always been looking forward to a breakthrough in my music and acting career. Just like the other actors who appeared in this film, I performed and sang seriously with my love for the music industry and respect for all artists who have contributed to the music industry. There are many people who like to hear stories, and we are now acting out our own stories. Beyoncé also said that she benefited a lot from starring in this film, "Thank you director Darnell Martin for giving me this opportunity, which allowed me to learn more about Etta James and also gave me a better understanding of my singing career." With more to think about. I used to be insecure and worried about gains and losses, but now I am super confident. Although I visited a drug rehab center, the result was as if I had received treatment myself. At least my spirit was relaxed and comforted. Now I feel like I have been reborn. It’s time to re-interpret my true self and be my most authentic self. ”