Watch Flip, Flop, and Fly, 40 Years of the Downchild Blues Band

Flip, Flop, and Fly: 40 Years of the Downchild Blues Band is a documentary film released in 2010, directed by Peter Murphy. This film follows the journey of Canada's most iconic blues band, Downchild, as they celebrate their 40th Anniversary. The Upbeat performances in the film are enriched by personal interviews with key figures in the band, including founding members Donnie Walsh and Tony Chalk. In addition, the band's rich history is told through interviews with numerous musical heavyweights including Dan Aykroyd, Paul Shaffer, and James Cotton. Together, they share memories and stories about the band's highlights and challenges throughout their career.

The film kicks off with the band's appearance at the legendary Blues Brothers Revue in Toronto, which would become the first step in their incredible journey. From there, the movie delves back in time, revealing the history of the band and the influences that shaped their music.

The film then traces the band's trajectory from its early days in the late 1960s, when they were heavily influenced by Chicago-style blues, to their experimentation with R&B and soul in the '70s, to their steady incorporation of more jazz-inspired elements in the '80s and '90s.

Flip, Flop, and Fly captures the dynamic and transformative nature of the band's music over the years, showcasing various performances and collaborations with legendary musicians such as James Cotton and Colin James. The documentary also features touching moments, like an interview with Tony Chalk who reminisces on the early days of Downchild when they were struggling, broke, and constantly moving their equipment around in a beat-up old car.

The film also focuses on the incredible chemistry that made the band more than just a collection of talented musicians, but a tight-knit family. The band's members share heartfelt memories of deceased bandmates like saxophonist Jane Vasey and drummer Mike Fitzpatrick, who played an instrumental role in shaping the band's sound and identity.

Director Peter Murphy showcases some of the band's most iconic performances, including a live version of their classic hit "Shotgun Blues" filmed in Toronto at the 400-seat Horseshoe Tavern in 1993, and a performance of their hit song "Flip, Flop, and Fly" at the Montreal Jazz Festival in 1994.

The documentary is also littered with rare archival footage, behind-the-scenes moments, and anecdotal stories, capturing the essence of the Downchild Blues Band's success for over four decades.

Moreover, with countless memorable performances and insightful interviews, Flip, Flop, and Fly offers a captivating look at one of Canada's most beloved musical acts. It celebrates the incredible longevity of the Downchild Blues Band, their trademark musicianship, and their ability to continually innovate and challenge themselves year after year.

Overall, this documentary is a must-watch for blues lovers and music enthusiasts alike, offering a new way to appreciate one of Canada's most celebrated musical acts.

Flip, Flop, and Fly, 40 Years of the Downchild Blues Band is a 2010 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.