This looks like a good series for anyone interested in the history of roots music. Tonight at 10pm BBC4
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08rnyq1
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08rnyq1
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BBC4 10pm Arena. American Epic. Exploring roots music in the US
- Thread starter marlowe
- Start date
Yep, I'll sign up for that.
Super Steve Earle
Well-known member
I'm in thanks.
- Thread starter
- #5
It appears that the x factor audition process isn't such a new phenomenom after all. As we saw a lot of the early american music pioneers such as The Carter Family and Jimmy Rogers went through a similar process before they got their record deals. Great clips of the Memphis Jug Band. Also just found out that Charlie Musselwhite the white protege of Will Shade who was interviewed was the harmonica player on Suicide Blonde by INXS.
Charlie is one of my musical idols. He's played with everyone from the great Chigago Bluesmen of the 60's to Cyndi Lauper - as well as nearly drinking himself to death inbetween.
1234andcounting
Well-known member
- Mar 31, 2008
- 1,609
A treat. Never knew the derivation of the term jug band before. I might take up playing one.
Perfidious Albion
Well-known member
Thanks.....I had missed this.
- Thread starter
- #9
A lot of these performers sank back into obscurity once they'd cut those first records which is what happened to one of my favourites Mississippi John Hurt. He made some recordings in 1928 which weren't commercially successful and he went back to working as a farm hand all his life until he was tracked down by a blues enthusiast in 1963 by which time he was 70 years old. He spent the last three years of his life doing the folk circuit until his death in 1966 finally achieving the recognition he deserved. Here's some rare footage of him on the Pete Seeger show.
https://youtu.be/qWMqoSkzl4g
https://youtu.be/qWMqoSkzl4g
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One has to wonder about any black American death in 1966 in Mississippi.
His annunciation is remarkable for a man of that time.
His annunciation is remarkable for a man of that time.
- Thread starter
- #11
Nothing more sinister than a heart attack in a hospital bed in his case
Weststander
Well-known member
Good route song:
Caught up with this last night. What a great programme ... and 15 more to come. Loved the rapper reworking the Memphis Jug Band but there were so many treats. It's like a televisual version of the Peter Guralnick books
Looking forward to next week on Charley Patton, Son House and some footage of the Wolf.
Looking forward to next week on Charley Patton, Son House and some footage of the Wolf.
- Thread starter
- #14
Sorry to disappoint you but it's only a three part series from what I can see.
The rapper (Nas) drew interesting parallels between the themes of the songs of the Jug Band of nearly 100 years ago are exactly the same of those covered by rappers today, drugs, violence, shootings, sex, women, protecting your honour...
That's disappointing. When I watched it on catch-up, it said 15 more episodes. Thought it was too good to be true
- Thread starter
- #16
2nd episode tonight.
Visiting the Mississippi Delta and exploring the music and influence of Charlie Patton on blues artists such as Howlin Wolf and Robert Johnson.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08s3fcd
Visiting the Mississippi Delta and exploring the music and influence of Charlie Patton on blues artists such as Howlin Wolf and Robert Johnson.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08s3fcd
I'll give this a watch. I'm not particularly a fan of roots music but BBC do brilliant music documentaries which are usually pitched at the music fan who wants an insight into other genres.
Norman Potting
Well-known member
Watched episode 1 on iPlayer yesterday - superb and can't wait to watch the second "blues" one tonight. Loved the clip of Brian Jones introducing Howlin' Wolf