Blues and the Alligator: The First Twenty Years of Alligator Records

While it’s a pretty good introduction to the Chicago Blues scene past and present, the real kick you get watching this documentary about the Alligator indie record label comes from the moments when president/founder Bruce Iglauer is on the screen. He’s the boss from hell, and you can’t help wonder why anybody would want to work with the guy, either as a recording artist or even as an office employee. Once he starts talking about the music he loves — Chicago style blues music — you quickly see why people put up with his crap just to be part of his mission to record, preserve and promote the music. There isn’t nearly enough actual footage in the film of the music being played, just enough to whet your appetite to learn more about the Alligator brand.