Lately concert films are distinctly bland. I’m not going to mention the bands and performers I’ve seen while checking out the streaming sites. But nothing felt more than reusing the video shot of the big screens near the stage. Even when they give us a “glimpse” of off-stage and their real self, it’s a bit orchestrated. It’s just another gig on their sold-out world tour. There’s nothing really that special on the screen. There are great concert documentaries such as The T.A.M.I. Show, Monterey Pop, Woodstock, Glastonbury Fayre and The Last Waltz. These were films about shows that won’t be repeated the next night in Des Moines, Iowa. Soul To Soul is about a concert that never came to an arena in any part of America. This was a one-off event in Ghana that brought together American and African musicians on a spring night in 1971 for a 14-hour concert.
Soul To Soul opens with Ike & Tina Turner getting things off on a high note. Tina and the Ikettes strut their stuff and sing “Soul To Soul.” It’s an opening address to let the audience know what this night is going to be about. Pure musical energy that will get them dancing. The action cuts to earlier during the flight to the concert. Someone on the plan’s intercom gives a brief history of Ghana to the passengers. The country split from the UK in the ’60s. People discuss what Soul to Soul means to them. When the plane touches down at the airport, the festival begins. There are hundreds of people welcoming them onto the tarmac with music and potent drinks. There’s also food. Instead of merely flying in and out of the show, there’s quite a bit of cultural exchange. At a party, the American musicians are treated to performances from traditional groups and dancers. This leads to Tina Turner getting up and absorbing the local moves. Tina Turner becomes the US ambassador to Ghana as she works the dance floor. Wilson Pickett hits the stage for a sweaty rendition of “In The Midnight Hour.” It was after 4 a.m. when his segment started. There’s footage of a marketplace in Aburi where the musicians do a little shopping and more mingling. Someone in the crowd appears to be carrying a dinosaur bone (maybe elephant?). You can get a sense that the American musicians are getting a deeper sense of the beats of Ghana. Back at the concert, The Voices of East Harlem sing “Run, Shaker Life.” There’s Kevin Griffin, a young singer leading the choir. He has great stage moves that drive the crowd nuts. The only rock group on the bill is Santana. The crowd gets into them during “Black Magic Woman.” It must be noted that within the band are future members of Journey. Jazz musicians Les McCann and Eddie Harris bring on local percussionist Amoah Azangeo for “Hey Jorler.” We get additional footage of what Amoah went through to get to the concert. He didn’t take a limo.
This is a recut of the original film. The big difference is that Roberta Flack’s performance of “Tryin’ Times” is missing. She had an out-of-tune piano and didn’t want this performance seen. I can’t blame her for this request. This also meant she doesn’t sing during a scene where they visit the Elmina Slave Castle. This is where captured Africans were transferred to ships to be sold in the Americas. The filmmakers substitute audio of Mavis Staples talking of her experience in the building which works great since this is followed by The Staples Singers performing “When Will I Get Paid.” They follow it up with “Are You Sure.” Ike & Tina Turner return with a trio of songs including “Ooh Poo Pah Doo,” “River Deep – Mountain High” and “I Smell Trouble.” Tina Turner is magnetic on the stage. While I know from What’s Love Got To Do With It that Ike was a nightmare to Tina, but on stage, there’s a chemistry between her singing and dancing with his guitar playing that is perfectly captured in film. The concert finishes with Wilson Pickett’s “Land Of 1000 Dance” that is infectious. Even the concert security can’t help contributing a few moves to the moment. We even get to see what has to be the first cinematic captured instance of stage diving. This is the perfect way to wrap up the film as ecstasy has taken over the Soul To Soul stage.
Soul To Soul documents the cultural exchange that took place beyond the concert stage. When this came out in 1971, knowledge about Ghana was limited. It’s not like there was a Wikipedia page to give any insight before the jet flew the bands across the Atlantic. Anyone watching the film got to watch a great concert and gets view of what life in Ghana was like. Plus you get reminded at how Tina Turner just glowed as a person and singer. Soul To Soul captures a blissful and beautiful night.
The Video is 1.33:1 full frame. The 2K transfer from the original film elements bring out the colors of Ghana. The Audio is LPCM 2.0 Stereo. The performance sound amazing especially Tina Turner’s voice.
Audio Commentaries include four different tracks. The first features Marvis Staples of The Staples Singers. The Second includes Les McCann with Kevin Griffin of The Voices of East Harlem. The third is producers Tom Mosk with re-issue producer David Peck. The fourth track includes Ike Turns, Santana’s Michael Shrieve, Kevin Griffin, Les McCann and Ghanaian drummer Obo Addy. They each talk during their segments in the film. Ike Turner said he’d set up the dances by seeing other performers making them on stage. Michael Shrieve admits he screwed up and left his passport at home. How did he get to Africa. We learn about the horrible piano that ruined Robert Flack’s set. Kevin Griffin talks about being a teenager in the middle of such a massive event. He was able to take in the beauty of the festivities.
Trailer (2:36) is from the 2025 re-issue.
Outtake performance: Ike & Tina Turner – ‘I’ve Been Loving You Too Long’ (5:43) has Tina working the emotions from every stage. Ike really has a lot of play with her on the vocals that sound like they’re get freaky on stage. Ike is making slurping sounds as Tina moans. The audience in Ghana seem to grasp what’s happening. Thrilled that they were able to find this outtake.
Liberation Hall presents Soul To Soul. Directed by Denis Sanders. Starring Tina Turner, Ike Turner, Wilson Pickett, Carlos Santana, The Staples Sister, Les McCann, Eddie Harris and The Voices of East Harlem. Running Time: 94 minutes. Rating: Unrated. Release Date: May 12, 2026.
