SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)

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Jonetta A I could hear the magic from the first chord when I heard Sly for the first time and have raved about him since. I can still recall sitting on my front porch when the radio played Hot Fun in the Summertime for the first time. And, I continue to play his greatest hits album today. This was the documentary I’ve waited for always. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/22/25 Full Review Tom F Summer of Soul is a tough act to follow. The Sly Stone story is fascinating, but a tough documentary subject. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 04/04/25 Full Review Kevin L Questlove has been doing impressive work for a great many years now as a musician and band leader, but now he's showing himself to be a tremendous documentarian as well. "SLY LIVES!" is excellent. All the video clips, photographs, and clippings tell so much about the history of the man and the band he fronted that was such a driving force for the future of popular music. Then there's all the interviews with prominent musical figures, social analysts, Clive Davis, and his peers talking on Stone and the band's art. This leave no doubt about the breadth and significance of the work, and it's lasting impact. I've loved the music of Sly & the Family Stone for decades. It's music of remarkable depth and range. This was some of the very finest dance music of its time, but also pop music with a real electiric charge to it to go along with some lovely ballad type pieces, and the socio-political works that spurred others (Gaye, Wonder, Scott-Heron, Simone) in their own work. I'll leave it to each viewer to make up their own mind about Stone/Stewart's ultimate legacy, but for me he'll first and foremost be a brilliant musical mind and a fierce spirit for joy on stage and the wonders of the recording studio. 4 stars Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/27/25 Full Review Morris N First of all hip hop owes a lot to this man. Sampled up the wazoo. He is an absolute genius. As a 7 year old I remember my uncle playing Riot all day. This is must see. Shoutout to Quest Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/18/25 Full Review K W My only weapon is my pen, I'm a songwriter - Sly Stone Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/18/25 Full Review Garry A I recognized a couple of their songs but knew very little if the band's history and cultural impact. It felt like this documentary left no stone unturned! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/18/25 Full Review Read all reviews

SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)

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