Country Music by Ken Burns

[johncorrigan]

BBC 4 is showing a couple of episodes of 'Country Music' on Fridays for the next few weeks. Directed by documentary maker Ken Burns, the first episode concentrated on the early days and in particular the discovery of Jimmie Rodgers. I was amazed how many songs he had recorded, if not the influence that he had on the development of American music, even though he was dead by 1933. Wonderful photographs and film throughout. Always think Jimmie Rodgers has a bit of the Fred Astaire looks about him, funnily enough.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000bhft/country-music-by-ken-burns-series-1-1-the-rub-beginnings1933

[richardfinegold]

Ken Burns does tremendous documentaries, usually on American subjects, or the American Perspective on a Global Event (such as U.S. participation in WWII). I will be skipping this one, though, as I prefer undergoing a root canal without anesthesia to listening to 5 minutes of Country Music

[Dave2002]

Ken Burns does tremendous documentaries, usually on American subjects, or the American Perspective on a Global Event (such as U.S. participation in WWII). I will be skipping this one, though, as I prefer undergoing a root canal without anesthesia to listening to 5 minutes of Country Music

I don't have a reference point for comparison, as I've never had a root canal without aneaesthetics!

[johncorrigan]

I will be skipping this one, though, as I prefer undergoing a root canal without anesthesia to listening to 5 minutes of Country Music

What, richard! Not even Jimmie Rodgers?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyHulWOZBpk

[kernelbogey]

Ken Burns's series on the Vietnam war was a knockout. I was in San Francisco in 1967-68, with my attention elsewhere than on the war and politics. Consequently the films gave me a whole new perspective on the times. There was lots that I simply hadn't taken in. I got married in May '68 in San Francisco and we were honeymooning on the beach when the news came over the radio that Bobbie Kennedy had been shot. As with the news of his brother John's assasination, you never forget that moment of hearing the news.

Although I am sort of in Richard's camp about country music, I shall watch this on catchup as I can then moderate my intake. Perhaps I should lay in some Jack Daniels as anaesthetic.

[Globaltruth]

viewing figures for this not looking good so far JC....(this is where you need Mr Sherratt who had an inexplicable soft spot for this genre)

Must confess it's not a fave genre, although yes to Jimmy Rodgers and then, erm, well this is one that I've listened to in the past:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKleTa94dC8

in answer to this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFXB5cJDmp8

[Stunsworth]

I saw it and thought it very good. I'll watch the rest even though I'm not a fan of the 'Nashville syrup' style.

[richardfinegold]

What, richard! Not even Jimmie Rodgers?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyHulWOZBpk

If Roy Rodgers version of Cole Porter’s “Don’t Fence Me In” is over 5 minutes long, than I may have misspoke

[Padraig]

I'm on it, John.

[Richard Tarleton]

BBC 4 is showing a couple of episodes of 'Country Music' on Fridays for the next few weeks. Directed by documentary maker Ken Burns, the first episode concentrated on the early days and in particular the discovery of Jimmie Rodgers. I was amazed how many songs he had recorded, if not the influence that he had on the development of American music, even though he was dead by 1933. Wonderful photographs and film throughout. Always think Jimmie Rodgers has a bit of the Fred Astaire looks about him, funnily enough.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episod...beginnings1933

Great first episode. Episode 2 looks like more catching up with the history, before (it says) we get to Hank Williams, early Johnny Cash etc. in 3 and 4....can't have too much Johnny Cash. I like bluegrass, rockabilly, once met someone who'd played mandolin with Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs - like steve I can give a lot of Nashville a miss, but Ken Burns tells the story so well I may well watch the whole thing. I'll never forget George Thorogood opening his set at Slane in '82 with Hank Williams's Move It On Over.....

[cloughie]

If Roy Rodgers version of Cole Porter’s “Don’t Fence Me In” is over 5 minutes long, than I may have misspoke

Was he on Trigger?

[johncorrigan]

Was he on Trigger?

Always makes me think of 'Roy Rodgers on Trigger' from the Bonzo's 'Intro Outro', cloughie.

This collage style approach that Burns uses to make these documentaries can be a bit full-on. I know quite a lot about the musicians involved, Bob Wills, The Carters, Bill Monroe, and most of the songs being played, but it is amazing the visual material that Burns' team seem to have access to. The photography on show is often astounding and helps illustrate this social history that surrounds the development of Hillbilly and Country Music. What the first two programmes in this series do exhibit is the different experience that the white population was having compared to the black population, the development of country music being largely driven by those of European descent, particularly in the South. It also exhibits the patriotism that country music has followed to 'God and Country and Mama' throughout - the God-fearing' tribes so beloved of some American leaders. Quite scary, really. Looking forward to the Hank Williams material.

[Richard Tarleton]

Always makes me think of 'Roy Rodgers on Trigger' from the Bonzo's 'Intro Outro', cloughie.

This collage style approach that Burns uses to make these documentaries can be a bit full-on. I know quite a lot about the musicians involved, Bob Wills, The Carters, Bill Monroe, and most of the songs being played, but it is amazing the visual material that Burns' team seem to have access to. The photography on show is often astounding and helps illustrate this social history that surrounds the development of Hillbilly and Country Music. What the first two programmes in this series do exhibit is the different experience that the white population was having compared to the black population, the development of country music being largely driven by those of European descent, particularly in the South. It also exhibits the patriotism that country music has followed to 'God and Country and Mama' throughout - the God-fearing' tribes so beloved of some American leaders. Quite scary, really. Looking forward to the Hank Williams material.

(see my 10 - just remembering, there was a film about Hank Williams a few years ago, based on his final car journey and flashbacks - does this ring a bell, john?)

I don't think I'd ever thought about it before Episode 1 - I didn't realise the banjo came from Africa, with slaves.

[Globaltruth]

Always makes me think of 'Roy Rodgers on Trigger' from the Bonzo's 'Intro Outro', cloughie.

This collage style approach that Burns uses to make these documentaries can be a bit full-on. I know quite a lot about the musicians involved, Bob Wills, The Carters, Bill Monroe, and most of the songs being played, but it is amazing the visual material that Burns' team seem to have access to. The photography on show is often astounding and helps illustrate this social history that surrounds the development of Hillbilly and Country Music. What the first two programmes in this series do exhibit is the different experience that the white population was having compared to the black population, the development of country music being largely driven by those of European descent, particularly in the South. It also exhibits the patriotism that country music has followed to 'God and Country and Mama' throughout - the God-fearing' tribes so beloved of some American leaders. Quite scary, really. Looking forward to the Hank Williams material.

Now you're persuading me to watch it! (PS you've forgotten the 'Apple Pie' in there)

[Padraig]

Talking of banjos - remember Deliverance?

See Billy Redden on wiki re that clip, but here is a live performance for a change:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5vfw5f1CZo

Yes brother, the country roads lead everywhere.