Lightning in a Bottle

2004 Documentary

The United States Congress named 2003 the "Year of the Blues" as part of an initiative by several musical education groups to make more Americans aware of the history and heritage of blues music, one of America's most important homegrown art forms. To kick off this celebration of the blues, a special concert was held at New York City's historic Radio City Music Hall, and Lightning in a Bottle documents a memorable evening of music from a star-studded roster of artists. Offering a glimpse at the rehearsals and preparations that went into putting the show together as well as the evening's best performances, Lightning in a Bottle includes appearances by B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Macy Gray, Buddy Guy, Chuck D., Solomon Burke, David Johansen, Jimmie Vaughan and Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Alison Krauss, and many more. more..

Director: Antoine Fuqua

Reviews

  • See it with an open heart and a tapping toe.

    David Sterritt - Christian Science Monitor

    26 April 2013

  • It's hugely entertaining.

    Wesley Morris - The Boston Globe

    26 April 2013

  • A movie which, like all the best blues, makes good times out of bad times, makes smiles out of hurt, makes tears taste like honey.

    Michael Wilmington - The Chicago Tribune

    26 April 2013

  • Simply lets the sinfully gorgeous music and emotions sweep over an audience.

    Kirk Honeycutt - The Hollywood Reporter

    26 April 2013

  • The end result is something like the best blues festival anyone could have thrown last year, although Lightning in a Bottle falls a fair piece short of its own lofty goal.

    - The San Francisco Chronicle

    26 April 2013

Awards

  • Best Film, Musical or Comedy

    Black Reel Awards (2005)

  • Best Motion Picture, Documentary

    Satellite Awards (2005)