Documentary exploring the history of jazz from its beginnings through the 1990's, including the stories of many of its creators and performers. Includes archival video, still photographs, historical performances, and newly recorded interviews and musical performances.

Vivid portrait of the making of Steely Dan's 1977 jazz-rock album Aja. Includes archival footage, newly recorded performances and interviews with Donald Fagen, Walter Becker, producer Gary Katz, songwriter Ian Dury and the session musicians involved in the recording.

Presents a history and criticism of music and how to listen and appreciate it.

This course covers the 200-year evolution of American music theater, including the minstrel era, the vaudeville era, the age of ragtime, the revue, and the book musical. Because recorded examples of music from recent Broadway musicals are readily available in retail stores, these are used less frequently here than the older, rarer recordings, without which most listeners would have little knowledge of the sound of the early musicals. The shows chosen...

This video explores the blues-- with all its poetic irony and sly humor, its eroticism and timeless power. It traces its roots from the beginning of the 20th century through the Mississippi Delta to Louisiana, Texas, Kansas City and Chicago. It includes music by: Son House, Leadbelly, Big Bill Broonzy, Bessie Smith, Count Basie, Louis Jordan, Jimmy Rushing, T-Bone Walker, Big Joe Turner, Sonny Boy Williamson, Muddy Waters, Dinah Washington and many...

University of Michigan professor Eric S. Rabkin discusses the fantastic in its most important modern variety, science fiction, as part of the entire course on fantasy literature.

Rare performances and historical footage tracing the development of American blues music.

Ken Burns chronicles the history of a uniquely American art form, rising from the experiences of remarkable people in distinctive regions of the nation. From its roots in ballads, hymns and the blues to its mainstream popularity, and meet the unforgettable characters and storytellers who made it 'America's Music.' Viewers will follow the evolution of country music over the course of the twentieth century, as it eventually emerged to become America's...

An anthology of theatrical trailers from the worst of the worst exploitation films ... "some of the best, worst and cheeziest exploitation movie trailers ever made" ... together they present an overview of the genre.

"Rush is one of rock's most influential bands. Ranked third in consecutive gold or platinum albums after the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, the band enjoys a devoted following by legions around the world and is revered by generations of musicians. Yet, their incredible success story has, up to this point, remained largely untold. Featuring never-before-seen archival footage and interviews with some of today's most respected rock artists, Rush:...