Desperate Man Blues: Discovering the Roots of American Music

Thank God for Joe Bussard, the grumpy, old, Blues, Jazz and Old-Timey music-loving collector, musician, and living representative of the aforementioned music. To make a great understatement, he's a man who certainly knows his music. He has over 25,000 78 records in his collection, with no particular way of organizing any of them, yet he knows where each one of them is! This is a wonderful dvd which gives us a glimpse into his life. At a time when nobody gave a damn about the Blues, Jazz and Old-Timey music, Joe went all around America collecting and buying these records. Sometimes he had to walk through streams or go through coal mines to get the records, but this didn't discourage him in the slightest. Because of him and his eccentricities, we all have access to this wonderful music; real American music, our music! My favorite part of the dvd is Joe visiting two old black men, after he gets a call from one of them, saying that they have some old records that might be of interest to Joe, and him playing the music of their particular heritage for them. They were previously unaware of black music from the 1920s and 30s, and you can see it on their faces that they are really loving this discovery that they're experiencing. I also love hearing Joe talk about how Jazz died in 1933 and how modern music, especially rap, is garbage. I most definitely recommend picking up this dvd. There are actually two different documentaries on the disc, plus a full performance by Son House and John Lee Hooker, respectively. I hope to meet Bussard some day. In many ways, I'm a lot like him, but he's done more for this music and this country than I'll ever be able to, and that's the truth.

Great story of a legendary record collector. Joe is indeed the King of the record collectors, and he's an amusing character who doesn't take any BS from anyone. Get it. And be sure to watch all the extras.

Joe Bussard is a hero of record collecting. So glad he does what he does! This is a must buy for your favorite record collector!

I very much looked forward to seeing this, having read good reviews. But it was dissapointing. There's not enough focus on the why, where and who of the music. Mr. Brussard is a cool guy and has obviously done a lot to preserve an important part of recorded material that might otherwise have been lost. But the film is simply not interesting enough for someone who wants to learn about music history. Who are the aritsts on the records? What are their stories? What about asking Mr. Brussard some questions that will lead to something interesting? Now he comes off as a guy totally into music, with an ecclectic taste - but with no deep insight into the development of the music he loves so much. Yes, the depression was a time when music went downhill - what about talking more about that? What the depression tore down, but also created musically? All he has to say about rock music is that it ruined everything. That seems a little narrow - what about globalization, radio, politics, race issues, the record industry and the money men - all important factors in bringing about rock'n'roll? Yes, he's playing his records, yes he is enthusiastic and knows what he likes. So? He seems to have led an interesting life and probably has a lot more to tell us about his travels than the movie lets him. How interesting is it to hear about his breakfast habits and to see him play air guitar while listening to Robert Johnson? How difficult is it to show more pictures of the actual artists? They are the interesting ones - a lot more interesting than the ones playing the records they once recorded. This movie didn't teach me anytihng and could have been a lot better!

I`ve been getting tapes from Joe Bussard for about 8 or 9 years now.With his entire collection of 25,000 78 rpm records to choose from,I now posess a box full of tapes containing some of the best music ever recorded from the 20`s and 30`s.After hearing about this documentary I finally got to see it on IFC and I have to admit that Joe does come off as rather overbearing and gruff,full of bluster and extremely dismissive about most music made after the 1930`s.But when you start to peel back that hard exterior you will find a sensitive human being consummed by a love of the music that was captured on the those old 78 records.And while most people considered them just junk and as something to be discarded,when he started his record collecting - and he will probally spend the rest of his life searching for them - he realized he was chasing the ghosts of our musical past and though long gone,they still existed in voice and instrument on those early records...all he had to do is find them.One thing is for sure...the first time you see his basement,even if you don`t like or can`t appreciate what he has accomplished,the sheer size of all those records is trully amazing...the entire wall full from ceiling to floor.It is awesome.Joe shares stories about cavessing for records in the 50`s and 60`s literally going door to door for hours or even days and a little history lesson about the people who made all that music...people that maybe only recorded just one record and then just disappeared,lost in time forever.You get to hear alot of great music and also see some trully classic footage of Son House and Uncle Dave Macon among others.His story is compelling and for true music fans of old time country,jazz and blues its required viewing.An interesting overview of a man on a mission,consummed by the sound of human beings expressing themselves on those shallac discs in a musical way with performances on par with anything before or since.It is a fitting tribute to a man who one day will be known as much more than a just a musical historian or collector of early American music....he helped save the past from being lost forever.You also get a bonus disc that is much more about Joe`s everyday life than anything else but it is still a facinating glimpse into this man`s life.As important as it is entertaining,Desperate Man Blues is a must have.Period.

Such enthusiasm! A delight to watch and listen to. There should be more people like Joe Bussard.

Outstanding

Bussard is a classic. Anyone interested in the early music that really meant something needs to see this.

This film is very good. It is filled with the obvious love and enthusiasm the subject has for listening to and collecting music. Brilliant to watch his enjoyment of every record he plays for the cameras.