Only the Strong Survive: A Celebration of Soul

Stirring yet leisurely, Only the Strong Survive limns both the human and artistic sides of several giants of American soul music. Entertainment journalist Roger Friedman, serving as on-camera host for this documentary by the great D.A. Pennebaker (Don't Look Back) and his partner-wife Chris Hegedus (co-director, with Pennebaker, of The War Room), comments that little or no archival footage exists of the likes of Wilson Pickett, Sam Moore (of Sam & Dave), Irma Thomas, or Ann Peebles performing past the age of 25. Friedman and company try to rectify that situation by staging a concert featuring those recording legends as well as others (Mary Wilson, Jerry Butler), but in addition to the music, the film also features a lot of relaxed discussion on topics ranging from Moore's once-debilitating drug habit and Thomas' awe of Otis Redding's creative prowess, to Isaac Hayes' extraordinary contributions as songwriter and arranger on such Stax hits as "When Something is Wrong with My Baby." Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. [Note: DVD extras include a commentary track featuring music producer Jerry Wexler, performers Carla Thomas and Sam Moore, and others; six additional dynamite live performances by Peebles, the Chi-Lites, William Bell, and others; the featurette “What Is Soul?”, and more. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a fine documentary.] (T. Keogh)