‘Lightning’ brings blues center stage with bold images, big musicians

“Lightning in a Bottle” is a tribute to the blues that’s structured around a show held last year at New York’s Radio City Music Hall. And if you ever loved this kind of music, “Lightning” will bring the reasons back. If you haven’t, you’ll likely wonder where this has been all your life.

Brought together were more than 50 musicians representing decades of performing experience. There were originating artists, such as B.B. King (“Sweet Sixteen”) and Ruth Brown (“Mama He Treat Your Daughter Mean”), performing songs they made famous as well as newcomers doing dazzling cover versions of classic tunes.

This sophisticated matching of song with artist is the film’s secret weapon, leading to a series of thrilling pieces: India.Arie doing a heart-stopping “Strange Fruit,” John Fogerty powering his way through “Midnight Special,” young Shemekia Copeland mastering “I Pity the Fool,” even Aerosmith’s Steve Tyler and Joe Perry getting into “I’m a King Bee.”

Being in company they respected understandably brought out the best in these performers. Everyone was emotionally involved in the music to such an extent they gave cavernous Radio City the intimate atmosphere of a smoky club. Loosely structured like a history of blues, “Lightning” intercuts other material with concert footage. There are straight interviews, vintage footage of venerable blues men such as Son House and Howlin’ Wolf, glimpses of rehearsals and amusing backstage moments.

Antoine Fuqua (“Training Day,” “King Arthur”) brought confidence and passion to the directing, and top-drawer cinematographer Lisa Rinzler captures the immediacy of performance in a way that is better than the best seat in the house.

“Lightning in a Bottle” will play Monday-Jan. 22 and Jan..24-29 at The Met. Tickets are $9, $8 for students, seniors and military, through TicketsWest (800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).