Yes I’m stunned after repeated viewings of the two-DVD American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1966. Even after being warned by producer David Peck that I’d want knee pads, as I’d be throwing myself on the ground exclaiming, I was unprepared for what my TV screen presented and the music flowing from my speakers.

Crystal clear black-and-white onstage performances by Mussy waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Memphis Slim, Willie Dixon, Sonny Boy Williamson, Lighnin’ Hopkins, T-Bone Walker, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee, Magic Sam, Junior Wells and many more unspool. The audio is phenomenal (remastered by Eddie Kramer). Some of what we see is solo work, in some cases ensemble performances. When is the last time you Sonny Boy Williamson, Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon playing “Got My Mojo Working” together? What about Howlin’ Wolf and Willie Dixon onstage at the same time? Michael Ballhaus shot all the footage, resulting in beautiful, dense, movie-like work (Ballhaus went on to become an award-winning cinematographer on films such as “Goodfellas” and “Gangs Of New York”).

From 1962 though 1966 these blues caravans performed throughout Europe, virtually turning an entire generation of rock musicians on to real blues music. Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards Jimmy Page and many other rock legends had their young minds blown when they attended some of the shows.

I cannot stress enough how amazing these performance are. Anyone interested in blues music, the roots of rock, or our musical popular culture owes it to themselves to own and watch this set. David Peck, head honcho of Reelin’ In The Years Productions, masterminded locating and licensing these tapes, and proved to be a one-man band of enthusiasm and passion in regards to them.

When I asked him where these tapes came from, Peck told me “I remember putting the first year in, 1962, I had tears in my eyes. I could not believe, as an archivist, what I was seeing. I’d already formed a partnership with the Hendrix estate about blues music, called John McDermott at Experience Hendrix, spoke to Universal and they were interested, this all took along time. I’ve seen a lot, sometimes I’m not dazzled, but this made the hairs stand up on my neck.”

Peck went on to say that another show in the UK in ‘63 was filmed, one in Denmark ‘67. He says that ‘63 is pretty good but it doesn’t have the same spark, the camera work is not nearly as good. ‘67 is pretty cool, good lineup.

Here’s a final word from David Peck, nicely summing up the relative value and enjoyment provided by American Folk Blues Festival 1962 - 1966. “If you watch these DVDs and you can;’t find something you love, you just don’t love the blues. Don’t say you’re a blues fan if you don’t fall in love with this.” There’s nothing to add to that.