Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World (2017) Reviews

• Interesting look at the influence of Native Americans on popular music culture

  Red-Barracuda2017-06-28

  This film focuses on the overlooked contributions of Native Americans on popular music. It covers the music from early blues through to hair metal. One of the findings is that being Native American was something that musicians generally hid from the public eye, publicity of this ethnicity seemed to be something that effected the chance of the music being promoted in the mainstream. There appeared to be a sense of discomfort in the American media, mixed in with a sense of collective guilt about the treatment of the Native Americans historically. The film details some of the racism that was directed their way, especially in the earlier part of the 20th century and the way that their culture was in fact suppressed to an extent. This extended to their music, which was considered to be subversive. Catherine Bainbridge has put together a film on a subject of which there really has been little focus on. It is at its most interesting and incisive when detailing the earlier stuff. For example, the early blues recordings of Charley Patton really do have a Native American sound to them with the vocal delivery and distinctive rhythms, a fact I had never noticed beforehand. And considering he was one of the key players in the early days of what was to become popular music, you have to say that the influence of his culture on modern music has to be significant. Other key players are Link Wray who developed a style of guitar music which would be a major influence on all subsequent music which used power chords, we learn of the difficulties the folk singer Buffy Sainte-Marie experienced with radio stations being pressurised into not playing her songs which were considered dangerously political and then there is Jimi Hendrix whose Native American ancestry was less promoted to the public than his black ethnicity. Later on, there is a look at the much-respected guitarist Jesse Ed Davis, Robbie Robertson of The Band, the Native American group Redbone, heavy metallers Randy Castillo and Steve Salas and hip-hop rapper Taboo. Some of the latter stuff, while still interesting, feels a little fragmented, with the actual Native American influence somewhat hard to detect at times. But overall, this certainly is a very good music documentary with much to ponder and a focus on some musicians who have not had much attention over the years. It definitely shows that the Native American influence is something that has never gotten the recognition it deserves; this film tries to readdress this a little.

• An Essential Part of Popular Music History

  mdroel202017-08-13

  The heavy distortion that carries from Link Wray's iconic "Rumble" was the current that ran through every rock 'n' roll song that ever came after. His, and many other influential and musical talents, are of Native American descent, which is a traditionally overlooked culture when it comes to popular music. Native American musicians undoubtedly played a major role in the creation and influence of blues, rock 'n' roll, and pop music. Beginning with Link Wray's historic riff, to Redbone's 70s pop smash, "Come and Get Your Love," to Black Eyed Pea's rapper Taboo, director's, Catherine Bainbridge and Alfonso Maiorana, have created a wonderfully unique documentary making a sound argument that Native American's have made the most influential contributions to music. This a definite watch for any music fanatic.

• Excellent film including stories and performances by great musicians!

  lesliematlen2017-08-19

  This movie blew me away. Not only do you see the evolution of rock and roll, you see it's influence on other genres and performances by some of the great musicians of all time. You also see the targeting of Native American cultures in our early history, which is a story that is still rarely told,and one of our greatest crimes. For many reasons, you MUST see and share, this movie.

• Good, but not great.

  garethcrook2018-12-31

  This starts with a full on Link Wray appreciation overload as we learn he was half native Indian. It's interesting, but doesn't really feel like sure footing for a feature length documentary. This format continues with Charlie Patton, Hendrix, but it improves with a deep look at white Americas treatment of native Americans and the oppression of their culture... and their music. Utilising some really nice archival footage, it's a story of diversification of people and cultures, the rhythms those people brought with them, the birth of new sounds from those origins and how those sounds came to influence the music we recognise today.

• Rumble delivers

  easy-tobeme2018-03-26

  I saw this film at the Sonoma film fest. There were probably 200 people in the audience and all sat in rapt attention. No one walked out and there was mad applause at the end. A beautiful music and Native American feel good story masterfully told.