Review: Black Snake Moan, Music from the Motion Picture - Various Artists

For the past several years, Samuel L. Jackson has embodied a number of interesting characters within American cinema. He's portrayed a Scripture-spouting hit man in Pulp Fiction, has taken on the mantle of the legendary detective, Shaft, and has even found himself occupying a high seat on the Jedi council. Yet, let's be honest with ourselves, all we really want to know is this: Can Sam Jackson sing? While Jackson's singing might not be what draw people to the theaters, it's certainly got to be part of the curiosity that will coax them into picking up Black Snake Moan: Music from the Motion Picture.

The answer to the question, and perhaps surprisingly so, is yes. Not only can he spout colorful four-letter speckled phrases but Jackson can actually sing. And singing in this film is all about the blues. Producer and collaborator Scott Bomar has chosen some great choices for Jackson's range and the actor knocks them out of the park. "Just Like a Bird Without a Feather" finds Jackson channeling a bit of the late John Lee Hooker while he takes Blind Lemon Jefferson's tale of blindness, "Black Snake Moan," and morphs it into a mournful tale of loss and longing. Yet, Jackson excels most when the tempo picks up and R. L. Burnside's "Alice Mae" is perfectly suited to the star. Backed by Burnside's band, Jackson rocks his way through the track. The following song, "Stackolee," is a rough and rugged, not-for-kids tale that offers Jackson more of a chance at interpreting poetry as opposed to singing and he nails it with gusto, expletives and all. All in all, Jackson proves to this audience that he's definitely got some blues chops.