Watch the Big Jack movie on video-on-demand
Check out an interview with the film's director right here.
A new documentary from Third Street Cigar Records and director Glenn Burris
The story of a great unsung American bluesman:
Marshall "Big Jack" Reynolds
Jack was a magnificent blues player with a mysterious past, a dynamic temperament, a soft heart, and a mean harmonica. He never found national success in his lifetime. But his deep blues and tough songs made him a legend to roots music connoisseurs and an example to many up-and-coming musicians in the Detroit and Toledo areas. Hear Jack’s story from those he touched most deeply, and who kept him going.
And hear the man himself sing, blow, and tell his tales.
Watch The Trailer
Stream The Movie
Now, you can watch That's A Good Way To Get To Heaven from wherever you may be.
Big Jack's story is streaming in HD as Video-On-Demand. You can rent the film, with 48 hours to watch it as often as you would life for $5.99, or buy it for forever streaming and download for just $10.99.
You can also find the movie on Vimeo, using their streaming app on your smart TV or mobile device.
Would you rather have a DVD? Click here.
Check Out The Album
Download the album at:
The movie is only part of the story.
With the release of the That's A Good Way To Get To Heaven documentary comes a 20-track remastered collection of Jack's most sought-after sides. The album includes his early recordings, made in the thriving Detroit blues scene of the '60s, and the Larry Gold-produced releases recorded a quarter-century later. These songs were, until now, only available on short-run indie 45s and cassettes.
For the first time, the whole Big Jack story can be heard on CD, in a 2-disc package with the movie on Third Street Cigar Records. Can't wait to hear it? The music is also available via streaming services.
Spotify
YouTube
Living Blues Offers Praise To Big Jack
"It’s especially gratifying to have such care devoted to a little-known artist who chose to pursue his craft outside the major recording centers... To quote (Third Street Cigar Records owner John) Henry, Reynolds was “OUR bluesman.” It’s hard to imagine that any devotee of the postwar blues wouldn’t benefit from seeing and hearing just what that meant."
- Jim DeKoster, Living Blues, August 2019
The Reviews Are In
“I had the good fortune to meet, hear and even sit in with Big Jack Reynolds while on the road with the Dynatones in the Early 90’s. He was what I call a real blues man. He lived the life of a real blues man and you could hear it in his sound. This documentary is very well done and brought back some great memories for me.”
Tommy Castro
Glenn Burris, director, with Tommy Castro (right)
“Although this was my first exposure to Big Jack Reynolds, I found the documentary to be very engrossing.”
Phillip Smith
Philly Cheeze Blues Reviews
“Big Jack Reynolds gets a sweet, loving, and long-overdue eulogy disguised as a documentary."
Tom Henry
Toledo Blade
“Great Documentary Film! One of Toledo's best-known bluesmen who should have gotten more recognition.”
Fred Reif
Author, Tell ‘Em ‘Bout The Blues
“This beautiful portrait deserves a big compliment.” (more)
Rien Wisse
Back To The Roots Magazine (Belgium)
“A real delight from start to finish and a rare treat! The Real Deal, the way blues ought to sound!”
Lee Evans
91.3 FM Bluewater Radio, Hanover, Ontario
“The DVD features live footage from 1987 with Big Jack doing “Been Down So Long” and “She Must Have Been A Millionaire,” as well as interviews with Eddie Shaw, and Detroit legend Harmonica Shah. There is even a snippet of live video of Sir Mack Rice performing his signature “Mustang Sally,” backed by the Dynatones from 1988! His “real job” was supposedly as a plasterer, but Big Jack Reynolds was a musician by calling, and a consummate hustler. He had to hustle to make that next buck, and he was a damn good one. He may never have been a household name, but he poured his heart and soul in every performance. Please enjoy “The Life And Music Of Big Jack Reynolds!”
Sheryl and Don Crow
Nashville Blues And Roots Alliance
“Big Jack was born in 1921, played in the Detroit area, settled in Toledo and died in 1993. He was definitively old-school. His work is in the style of guys like Jimmy Reed and Slim Harpo. An accomplished guitarist and harmonica player, Reynolds was one of those larger than life individuals. In a world where terms like “legend” and “the real deal” are grossly overused, Big Jack Reynolds is truly the real deal. That’s A Good Way To Get To Heaven delivers a solid set of 50’s & 60’s era blues that should satisfy any blues enthusiast. This one’s a keeper.”
Reflections In Blue
See It On The Big Screen
You can stream That's A Good Way To Get To Heaven on Vimeo On Demand.
THIRD STREET CIGAR RECORDS PRESENTS
“THAT’S A GOOD WAY TO GET TO HEAVEN: THE MUSIC & LIFE OF BIG JACK REYNOLDS”
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JOHN HENRY
PRODUCED BY LARRY GOLD JOHN HENRY GLENN BURRIS
EDITED BY GLENN BURRIS
MUSIC BY LARRY GOLD
SOUND DESIGN BY MARK BUNCE
WITH MUSIC FROM
BIG JACK REYNOLDS THE HAIRCUTS SIR MACK RICE THE DYNATONES HARMONICA SHAH GLEMIE BEASLEY DAN HUBBS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN ROCKWOOD
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR TOM HOFBAUER
DIRECTED BY GLENN BURRIS
Get A Copy Of The CD/DVD Set
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80-minute documentary
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Featuring the only TV appearance of Big Jack's career, and interviews with blues legends Eddie Shaw, Harmonica Shah, and Glemie Beasley
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DVD extras include the uncut complete broadcast performance and a backstage interview with Big Jack
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Includes link for online streaming in HD
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CD with 20 tracks covering Jack's full career, including "Walk On Up (But Keep That Red Dress On", "Made It up in Your Mind", "I Had A Little Dog", "She Must Be A Millionaire" and more
Available now at: