Always For Pleasure (1978) Les Blank DVD New Orleans

Description

Les Blank’s celebration of the spirit and social traditions of New Orleans, featuring Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. It is an intense insider’s portrait of New Orleans’ street celebrations and the unique cultural gumbo of Second-line parades, Mardi Gras, and the Jazz Fest. The film features live music by Professor Longhair, The Wild Tchoupitoulas, the Neville Brothers, Allen Toussaint, Kid Thomas Valentine and more. This glorious, soul-satisfying film is among Blank’s special masterworks.

This DVD contains an additional 24 minutes of bonus footage featuring musicians, Professor Longhair, The Wild Tchopitoulas, the Neville Brothers, Blue Lu and Danny Barker, and Art Ryder’s second line band.

Friday, September 25, 2008, Famed New Orleans Jazz photographer Michael P. Smith died. “Mike Smith encouraged me to make “Always For Pleasure” and helped me access nearly all the subjects visited in this film.” – Les Blank

Directed, photographed, edited, produced by Les Blank
Sound by Maureen Gosling
58 minutes
1978