A&E (Thurs., May 12, 9 p.m. ET)
B-
This disappointing documentary tells the story of Atlantic, the obscure independent record label that in the '50s built itself into an R&B powerhouse (Ray Charles, Clyde McPhatter, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding et al.) and evolved into a major player in the rock era.
There are some wonderful vintage performance clips here. But the film spends too much time in the front office and not enough in the studio. After seeing Big Joe Turner rumble through "Shake, Rattle & Roll," you're in no mood for an hour of talking heads jawing about the old days.
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