For 50 years, footage of the Harlem Cultural Festival – a summer-long fête featuring the likes of Nina Simone, Sly and The Family Stone, and Stevie Wonder – was buried in the archives. And the story of the Harlem Cultural Festival was buried along with it. Finally, the footage is being brought to light by Questlove in the new film ‘Summer of Soul’ a powerful testament to the artists of that era, and an energetic ride into the styles, sounds and politics of 1969. In this episode, our exclusive interview with Questlove on what it takes to correct the historical record, and why we need this film now in 2021. For this episode's custom playlist curated by Hanif, visit https://bit.ly/oos-questlove /Music In This Week's Episode/ You Caught Me (Smilin’), Sly and the Family Stone Black Woman, Sonny Sharrock The Weight, The Staple Singers My Bed of Thorns, Gladys Knight and The Pips To Love Somebody, Nina Simone A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, Mahalia Jackson Almost Seedless, Hugh Masakela Love’s In Need Of Love Today, Stevie Wonder
For 50 years, footage of the Harlem Cultural Festival – a summer-long fête featuring the likes of Nina Simone, Sly and The Family Stone, and Stevie Wonder – was buried in the archives. And the story of the Harlem Cultural Festival was buried along with it. Finally, the footage is being brought to light by Questlove in the new film ‘Summer of Soul’ a powerful testament to the artists of that era, and an energetic ride into the styles, sounds and politics of 1969. In this episode, our exclusive interview with Questlove on what it takes to correct the historical record, and why we need this film now in 2021. For this episode's custom playlist curated by Hanif, visit https://bit.ly/oos-questlove
/Music In This Week's Episode/
You Caught Me (Smilin’), Sly and the Family Stone
Black Woman, Sonny Sharrock
The Weight, The Staple Singers
My Bed of Thorns, Gladys Knight and The Pips
To Love Somebody, Nina Simone
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, Mahalia Jackson
Almost Seedless, Hugh Masakela
Love’s In Need Of Love Today, Stevie Wonder
/Show Notes/
Questlove’s directorial debut is Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised). You can find a list of the festival’s full lineup here.
Hanif and Questlove reference the documentary Amazing Grace, on Aretha Franklin.
The art festival in Columbus was called Holler and organized by the poet and cultural worker Scott Woods.
/Credits/
This show is produced by work by work: Scott Newman, Jemma Rose Brown, Babette Thomas, Mayari Sherina Ong and by Hanif Abdurraqib. The show is mixed by Sam Bair.