Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: THE OFFLINE PLAYLIST [New Orleans Film Festival 2020 - Virtual]

The essence of Preservation Hall in New Orleans is showing the texture of legacy but understanding the path of life. Not all artists can become multi-platinum or even support themselves at times but all have a niche that makes them their own. In "The Offline Playlist" playing the virtual 2020 New Orleans Film Festival, it is bringing out those personalities from all different forms of life. While Jon Baptiste kicks it off and has achieved some significant notices and success, it is some of the more unusual acts that seemed to happen over this one night event that gives this short documentary it identity because no two artists are alike and yet they all feel that they belong undeniably in The Big Easy. While acts like Curren$y and Mannie Fresh play to the continual melding of beats within a hip hop jam structure, it is the stylings of Boyfriend with her visual element and almost neo-modern approach that melds with re-imagined would-be standards that really jump out because it is amalgamation of many of the acts playing. The Dirty Dozen Brass Band gives that inherent old school feel as does the beautiful blues guitar form of Walter "Wolfman" Washington. Craig Adams has the gospel groove angle moving as well and Irma Thomas speaks about one of her big songs being done by The Rolling Stones. This almost a bittersweet taste because it shows the highs and lows of the music business. But no matter what the music in New Orleans always finds a way and the showing of this backbone is important. The special/doc itself was commissioned by New Orleans Tourism which shows their love as well. "The Offline Playlist" shows the balance and yet the vivacity of the music which continues to grow, evolve and flourish. B

By Tim Wassberg