Sunday Matinee: Streetlight Harmonies [Film]

“From its street-corner origins, through successful ’60s girls groups, Streetlight Harmonies charts doo-wop¹s influence on modern-day boy bands and how it impacts today’s contemporary music including pop, R&B and hip hop.  We also hear stories of how these artists used music as a way to quash segregation and support the civil rights movement.” – Prism Media Group

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Hello Everyone! For regular readers here, you may know that we cover a lot of documentaries, especially entertainment based interviews. We’ve covered films about 90’s ska, 80’s punk, legendary stuntmen, middle actors & actresses….basically a pretty wide playing field. And while today’s showcase is in the same vein in a way, there is definitely something fresh and original here. Streetlight Harmonies is a film that showcases a genre of music that I honestly didn’t know that I loved so much, and if you are not a long-time fan yourself, I truly believe that after only one viewing of this incredibly made film, you will soon realize that you are also a fan! How could this be, you say? Well, everything needs an origin, if you will. It’s sad that rock and roll stemmed from the blues. Which is fair. But, what about other origins? What about a genre that influenced rhythm & blues singers, rock singers, hell it goes all the way into the g funk era of the 90’s if you cared enough to argue it! Well that genre Folks, is doo wop. And I will be the first to admit that I had zero knowledge on the subject and how it came to rise in pop culture so prevalently. That is until Streetlight Harmonies entered my life, and now I am not only more knowledgeable on the subject, but more grateful for the said knowledge entering my life.

Ron Coleman & Bill Brown, photographed by Hilda Somarriba

Filmmaker Brent Wilson is a cat you has absolutely mastered his craft, and was destined to be the one who tells us about the power of doo wop. He came into the industry working for some of the biggest pop stars of their time. Artists like Britney Spears, NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, and more. But, being the inquisitive soul that he appears to be, I can only imagine that he was wondering about the origins of this type of music. And all of these years later, he has finally been able to put out a wonderfully-crafted documentary in the likes of Streetlight Harmonies. The film features some of the greatest artists from the world of doo wop. But for those of us who may not be so familiar with this world and just learning, legendary figures like Brian McKnight, Lance Bass, and Brian Wilson show up to weigh in with their thoughts. Streetlight Harmonies is an incredible look into an art that doesn’t get the credit that it deserves. If you don’t finish Streetlight Harmonies with a new sense of love in your heart, you may want to check and make sure you indeed have a heart.

Streetlight Harmonies is available now on DVD, Blu Ray, and VOD wherever you purchase great films.