Star-studded Music Doc Soundbreaking on DVD & Blu-ray

Coinciding with its upcoming PBS broadcast and coming off a critically-acclaimed premiere at SXSW earlier this year, the star-studded, groundbreaking music documentary series Soundbreaking: Stories from the Cutting Edge of Recorded Music makes its DVD and Blu-ray debut onTuesday, November 29 from Athena, an RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) brand. Produced in association with the late legendary music producerSir George Martin, and the filmmakers Show of Force, LLC, the highly-anticipated eight-part series took over five years to make and features more than 150 exclusive and original interviews with some of the most celebrated recording artists, producers, and music industry pioneers of all time sharing behind-the-scenes stories celebrating the art of recording. The DVD/Blu-ray feature several bonus features including Elton John and Sir George Martin in conversation,Ringo Starr on Drums, Rosanne Cash on Sun Studios, and many more. Its broadcast premiere on PBS begins Mon., Nov. 14 with next-day availability to buy digitally via multiple platforms including iTunes and Amazon Video (full series and individual episodes), as well as Vudu, Google Play, Microsoft Movies & TV, and Sony Interactive Entertainment. The series received a 2016 Critic’s Choice Awards nomination for Best Limited Documentary Series. Trailer

Soundbreaking includes Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Elton John, Roger Waters, Joni Mitchell, Roger Daltrey, Linda Perry, Quincy Jones, B.B. King, Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart, Tom Petty, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Rosanne Cash, Steven Van Zandt, Billy Idol, Beck, RZA, and many more.

Mark Stevens, President of Acorn Brands at RLJ Entertainment, said, “With more than 150 exclusive interviews and rarely seen footage, Higher Ground, Sir George Martin, and Show of Force have created a remarkable, one-of-kind music documentary series sure to become iconic. Soundbreaking is exactly the kind of high caliber, non-fiction programming we seek out to offer consumers through our Athena brand.”

In eight captivating episodes, Soundbreaking charts a century's worth of innovation and experimentation, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the birth of brand new sounds. From the Beatles’ groundbreaking use of multi-track technology to the synthesized stylings of Stevie Wonder, from disco-era drum machines to the modern art of sampling, the series highlights the dynamic tension between the artificial and the natural––between the man-made and the God-given––and explores the way in which that tension has continuously redefined not only what we listen to and how we listen to it, but our very sense of what music is and can be. In the end, Soundbreaking makes us hear the songs we love in a whole new way, and illuminates the sonic alchemy by which the music we listen to becomes a fundamental part of who we are.

Soundbreaking is presented by Higher Ground in association with the late Sir George Martin, and produced and directed by Emmy and Peabody Award®-winning filmmakers Maro Chermayeff and Jeff Dupre of Show of Force. Martin is a six-time GRAMMY® Award winner and recipient of the Recording Academy Trustees Award, and producer of more than 50 number-one hit records. Soundbreaking marks his final project.

Organized thematically, each episode of Soundbreaking tells stories of pop music icons who used their determination, ingenuity and guts to create works of art that have touched us all. Episodes: The Art of Recording, Painting with Sound, The Human Instrument, Going Electric, Four on the Floor, The World is Yours, Sound and Vision, and I Am My Music

BONUS: Elton John & George Martin in Conversation (2 min.), Ringo Starr on drums (12 min.), Rosanne Cash on Sun Studios (3 min.), Linda Perry on writing “Get the Party Started” and Finding Pink (5 min.), Les Paul on Charlie Christian (4 min.), Tom Scholz Fires Up the Old Hammond B3 (4 min.)

Street Date: November 29, 2016     

DVD & Blu-ray 3-Disc Sets: 8 episodes – Approx. 425 minutes – $49.99 each

My Thoughts

This is a fantastic documentary for anyone interested in the music industry. It gives us an up close and personal look at some of the world's greatest musicians.  It's broken down into eight different episodes.

Episode 1
The first episode starts out with Elvis Presley. It then moves on to the The Beatles. You can't ask for a better start than that.  Cat Stevens, Joni Mitchell, The Ronettes, Phil Spector, Sly and The Family Stone, and Dr Dre also make special appearances. We finish off this episode with Rick Rubin telling us a little about Johnny Cash’s comeback.

Episode 2
Part two features George Martin and The Beatles again. We also get a look at Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys, and The Eurythmics. This disc also includes some interviews with George Martin, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, Tom Petty, Elton John, Brian Eno, Rick Rubin, Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox. Lots of interviews in this one!

Episode 3
The second episode gives us a look Adele, Frank Sinatra, Amy Winehouse, Roger Troutman, Kanye West and Cher. There is also an Interview with Annie Lennox who is one of my favorite artists. Plus, we hear from Connie Smith, Mark Ronson, Ben Harper, and Linda Perry.

Episode 4
In this disc we get to visit with stars like Muddy Waters, Jimi Hendrix, and Keith Richards. Stevie Wonder and The Black Keys also make a special appearance.

Episode 5
The next line up features Little Richard and James Brown. There's lots about Motown and the Disco era. You'll meet Chic, Donna Summer, and The Bee Gees. Then we get a little more current with Madonna and Bruno Mars. It also covers electronic dance music.

Episode 6
Take a ride on the soul train with  hip-hop stars Rum-DMC, Public Enemy and The Beastie Boys.

Episode 7
Get a look at how MTV came about. See stars like the late David Bowie, The Beatles, Blondie, Devo, Michael Jackson, Madonna, The Eurythmics, and Nirvana. It's a wide range of music.

Episode 8
Last but not least, this final show brings us Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, Marvin Gaye, Bob Dylan and The Grateful Dead. It's the perfect way to wrap up the series.

If you are a lover of music, this is a documentary you simply can't miss.   I like how it spans so many decades and genres. There really is something for everyone, no matter what you like to listen to.  Grab a copy for yourself online at  Acorn Media or Amazon.