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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: sneakypete on September 20, 2019, 06:21:46 pm

Title: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: sneakypete on September 20, 2019, 06:21:46 pm
Anybody else watching this on PBS? There is some seriously good stuff being played and discussed,and if you even remotely like country music,gospel,blue grass,or blues,you would enjoy it.
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: andy58-in-nh on September 20, 2019, 06:38:22 pm
Anybody else watching this on PBS? There is some seriously good stuff being played and discussed,and if you even remotely like country music,gospel,blue grass,or blues,you would enjoy it.

I have been watching (and DVR-ing) it.  It's a typical Burns film, with still photo pans interspersed with in-camera interviews and music clips. Very enjoyable, so far. It's a deep exploration of the roots and branches of country music along with some great stories and peppered with little-known facts and events along the road.
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: sneakypete on September 20, 2019, 06:41:17 pm
I have been watching (and DVR-ing) it.  It's a typical Burns film, with still photo pans interspersed with in-camera interviews and music clips. Very enjoyable, so far. It's a deep exploration of the roots and branches of country music along with some great stories and peppered with little-known facts and events along the road.

@andy58-in-nh

I am LOVING the hell out of it! I hear them talking about songs I haven't thought of in decades that I heard as a child,and then they will play a video of it being performed,and damned if I don't sing along with it!

And I am old enough to remember listening to the Grand old Opry on the radio. Dammit.

I had forgotten all about Gene Autry having a singing career until they started playing his songs,and was shocked to hear he was more popular than Roy Rogers. I wanted to BE Roy Rogers when I was a little kid.

I do agree with them that the Carter Family are a national treasure.
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: andy58-in-nh on September 20, 2019, 06:48:46 pm
@andy58-in-nh

I am LOVING the hell out of it! I hear them talking about songs I haven't thought of in decades that I heard as a child,and then they will play a video of it being performed,and damned if I don't sing along with it!

And I am old enough to remember listening to the Grand old Opry on the radio. Dammit.

@sneakypete

I've been having a lot of fun with it, whiskey glass on the table in front of me and guitar in hand, playing along with so many of those songs either for the first time, or for the first time in a long time.  The series picks up again on Sunday night and that's when they should start getting into the really good stuff from the '70s- Waylon, Willie, Jones, Haggard, Hank Jr. and on and on... 
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: berdie on September 20, 2019, 08:17:12 pm
I was hoping there would be a review of the series here. I have it DVRed but haven't watched yet.
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: dfwgator on September 20, 2019, 08:22:30 pm
Don't tell me, the White man stole Country music from the black man.
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: Wingnut on September 20, 2019, 08:29:51 pm
Don't tell me, the White man stole Country music from the black man.

He'll gator. Everyone knows your Muslim's invented both types of that music
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: andy58-in-nh on September 20, 2019, 08:44:02 pm
Don't tell me, the White man stole Country music from the black man.
Actually, there's a big emphasis in the series on the sharing and blending of traditions, which is how music has always propagated.  White musicians did in fact borrow from black gospel and blues songs. But black artists borrowed equally from white Appalachian ballads, railroad songs and Scots-Irish dances.

Country is steeped in all of that, plus bluegrass, German Texas settler yodeling, jazz and Latin American guitar and horn arrangements. And that's why it endures: Country music - real country, not Nashville Chewing Gum Pop - is the still the melting pot that America used to be in so many other respects.     
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: Ghost Bear on September 20, 2019, 09:37:51 pm
Wife and I have been DVR'ing it, we've watched the first three episodes so far and will probably watch the fourth episode tonight. We've both been enjoying it a lot, so much so that I'm considering going out to PBS.org and buying the series on Blu-ray just to have it.
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: sneakypete on September 22, 2019, 11:11:11 pm
@sneakypete

I've been having a lot of fun with it, whiskey glass on the table in front of me and guitar in hand, playing along with so many of those songs either for the first time, or for the first time in a long time.  The series picks up again on Sunday night and that's when they should start getting into the really good stuff from the '70s- Waylon, Willie, Jones, Haggard, Hank Jr. and on and on...

@andy58-in-nh

It's got Hank Williams,the real one. It also has Brenda Lee,Willie Nelson,The Carter Family,Johnny Cash,Patsy Cline,Ray Charles,and dozens of others.

HOW could it possibly be anything less that absolutely wonderful?
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: sneakypete on September 22, 2019, 11:14:05 pm
Don't tell me, the White man stole Country music from the black man.

@dfwgator

No,but it does have several prominent black singers/musicians from the 50's and 60's saying there is so much cross-over between "black music" and "white music" that they are virtually the same thing,and people like Ray Charles saying they are big fans of country music.

BTW,so far the word "rap" hasn't even been whispered. And why would it be,when this is a series about music?
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: sneakypete on September 22, 2019, 11:22:38 pm
White musicians did in fact borrow from black gospel and blues songs. But black artists borrowed equally from white Appalachian ballads, railroad songs and Scots-Irish dances.



@andy58-in-nh

ALL "American Music" has it's roots in the Protestant Churches,and the hymns that produced the inspiration to be creative. It was neither a white nor a black thing,it was a "CHURCH THING".

For whatever reason,it seems to me that blacks are more likely to recognize and acknowledge this basic truth. I remember hearing blacks say things like "Look out! She's going to church!" back in the 50's and 60's when someone like Aretha (ok,ok. There was nobody like Aretha,BUT Aretha.) or Tina Turner would get caught up in the moment and truly cut loose when performing live. The "SPIRIT" was moving them,even if it wasn't "The Holy Ghost".

Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: corbe on September 23, 2019, 12:14:59 am
   Thanks for this, watching now, it's great, DVR the rest.
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: berdie on September 23, 2019, 08:00:10 pm
I watched the first four installments over the weekend and must say that I am totally enjoying it. Burns did a good job so far.

The only negative I have is not directed at him. There is so much information in each episode my mind starts to wander and think about what I know is being said...and the music. So the negative has to do with my wandering mind. After the first two episodes I started taking notes on things I wanted to delve further into the next day. That's my bad...not his, lol.

Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: GrouchoTex on September 23, 2019, 08:25:20 pm
It's great.
Loved the Bob Wills and Hank Williams stuff, and the Ernest Tubb, and Roy Acuff, aw, heck, all of it!
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: truth_seeker on September 23, 2019, 08:38:31 pm
I watched Ep. #1. and #2. so far on the PBS streaming channel with my Roku.

No cost. So far.  Liking it a lot.

 

Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: berdie on September 23, 2019, 08:48:09 pm
It's great.
Loved the Bob Wills and Hank Williams stuff, and the Ernest Tubb, and Roy Acuff, aw, heck, all of it!



Me too!  You have to admit that was some fine music to dance to. Best contemporary artist for dancing is George Strait, imho.
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: GrouchoTex on September 23, 2019, 09:20:35 pm


Me too!  You have to admit that was some fine music to dance to. Best contemporary artist for dancing is George Strait, imho.

Ol' George will pay some Western Swing, no doubt.
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: corbe on September 23, 2019, 10:38:02 pm
   Speaking of Country Music, Garth Brooks kicks off his new 'Dive Bar Tour' tonight @ Texas's oldest Dance Hall, Gruene Hall.

(http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/827ba250ab1ab5622ee795dd94f506c7bbafe084/c=0-0-2616-1968&r=x513&c=680x510/local/-/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2014/03/27/1395944494003-Gruene-HExterior-Courtesy-of-Robert-Fletcher.jpg)

http://gruenehall.com/garthbrooksday/ (http://gruenehall.com/garthbrooksday/)
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: dfwgator on September 23, 2019, 10:40:15 pm
   Speaking of Country Music, Garth Brooks kicks off his new 'Dive Bar Tour' tonight @ Texas's oldest Dance Hall, Gruene Hall.

(http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/827ba250ab1ab5622ee795dd94f506c7bbafe084/c=0-0-2616-1968&r=x513&c=680x510/local/-/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2014/03/27/1395944494003-Gruene-HExterior-Courtesy-of-Robert-Fletcher.jpg)

http://gruenehall.com/garthbrooksday/ (http://gruenehall.com/garthbrooksday/)

Garth Brooks killed country music.
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: corbe on September 23, 2019, 10:42:33 pm
 :yowsa:
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: roamer_1 on September 23, 2019, 11:01:06 pm
Garth Brooks killed country music.

Oh, I dunno... 'Low Places' is kinda a theme song of mine...  :shrug: :whistle:
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: Wingnut on September 23, 2019, 11:27:09 pm
Garth Brooks killed country music.

If you believe that then you must agree that Billy Ray drove a nail thu its aikie breakie heart and the next stop was tractor rap shit.
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: andy58-in-nh on September 24, 2019, 01:02:03 pm
If you believe that then you must agree that Billy Ray drove a nail thu its aikie breakie heart and the next stop was tractor rap shit.

Garth Brooks is a bit too commercial for my taste, but at least he's still Country. On the other hand, Billy Ray and his Harlot from Hell daughter should be put on the very next shuttle to the outer reaches of the solar system, without a radio. 
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: corbe on September 24, 2019, 03:48:32 pm
Hard Times, U.S.A.

Ken Burns’ new PBS series about country music will break your cheating heart.


by  Robert Stacy McCain 
 
September 24, 2019, 12:04 AM


Dwight Yoakam had me in tears Sunday night. I was watching the new Ken Burns PBS documentary series about the history of country music, and Yoakam quoted a Merle Haggard song, “Holding Things Together,” which is about a man trying to raise his children after his wife has left the family. When Yoakam sang the verse about a heartbroken father attempting to comfort his daughter on her birthday, he choked up, and suddenly the tears were streaming from my eyes, too.

They just don’t write ’em like that anymore, not even in Nashville. Those old songs about hard times and broken hearts, crying in your beer over a cheating woman — you can literally feel the pain in the twanging voices and the whining steel guitars. And the men and women who sang those songs knew a thing or two about hard times, having come from backgrounds of poverty that few Americans in the 21st century can imagine.

Give credit to Burns for this: His eight-part series reminds us that what our contemporary progressives denounce as “white privilege” has never been universal in America, and it certainly didn’t typify the backgrounds of the folks who made Nashville famous as “Music City, U.S.A.” Haggard, for example, was born in Kern County, California, in 1937, the youngest of three children in a family that had left a farm in Oklahoma after their barn burned down. The Haggards were “Okies,” characters right out of a Steinbeck novel, at the bottom of the heap in one of the worst economic eras in American history. Merle’s life didn’t get any easier when his father died in 1945. The future country music star was only eight at the time, and after his father’s death he became a juvenile delinquent. He was later sentenced to San Quentin prison, which inspired one of his most famous lyrics:
Quote
I turned twenty-one in prison,
 Doin’ life without parole.
 No one could steer me right,
 But Mama tried, Mama tried.
 Mama tried to raise me better,
 But her pleading, I denied.
 That leaves only me to blame, ’cause Mama tried.
<..snip..>

https://spectator.org/hard-times-u-s-a/ (https://spectator.org/hard-times-u-s-a/)
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: Fishrrman on September 24, 2019, 04:21:34 pm
The opening sequence music for episode 2 was completely wrong.

It was an otherwise-excellent recording of Stephen Foster's "Hard Times", but it was by Mavis Staples, who has no authentic connection to American white "country" music.

This is not to denigrate Ms. Staples, who is a wonderful singer in her own right, but again, this was not the track to use for opening this segment.

A much more appropriate version would have been that of the great Red Clay Ramblers, recorded around 1978 (attached below). They essentially "revived" Hard Times, as I don't recall hearing it performed much before their version, yet it is more popular today.

The Ramblers' version should have been the track used.

Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6e1xHPIQso#)

Addendum (made after reading other comments above):
I agree with dfwgator above -- there's too much of an attempt to interject black influence into this series (but that's a Ken Burns "trademark" and one had better steel oneself with that knowledge before digesting his product).

Yes, black music had some influence on the development of "country" music, but it's by-and-large the creation of Euro people, and reflects their heritage.

(Aside: Arthur Shulz, the black fiddler/guitarist, was an influence of Monroe, and Monroe traveled with DeFord Bailey back in the Jim Crow days).

I'll be interested to see what Burns and his writers say about Bill Monroe in episode 3 (I've only viewed 2 of them so far). In my view, if Ayn Rand's John Galt had been a musician, he would have been Monroe!
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: sneakypete on September 24, 2019, 05:19:13 pm

Quote
The opening sequence music for episode 2 was completely wrong.

It was an otherwise-excellent recording of Stephen Foster's "Hard Times", but it was by Mavis Staples, who has no authentic connection to American white "country" music.

This is not to denigrate Ms. Staples, who is a wonderful singer in her own right, but again, this was not the track to use for opening this segment.


@Fishrrman

Do you SERIOUSLY make the claim that black sharecroppers in the 30's knew nothing about hard times??????

The TRUTH is black and white Americans living in rural America had more "equality going on" than either could stand. They often worked together and helped each other out when someone was having a particularly hard time. They had a HELL of a lot more in common with each other than either did with the blacks or whites living in the cities,and their lives reflected this.

So did their music. If Pops Staples were alive today,he could and would tell you the truth on this matter. He and his girls got their start with him as a preacher and them singing in the choir of his church. If you don't understand what I am talking about,find a black holiness church and a white holiness church in a rural area,and attend a few services. When the music starts playing and voices start singing,they get so full of the "Holy Spirit" it's a wonder nobody explodes.

BTW,there is a famous story about "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" by the Carter Family being sang at the funeral of a black woman at the request of her family. The Carters were on tour,and something happened to their car and they just happened to pull off the road where the funeral was being held. The black mourners knew who they were and asked them if they would sing that song at their mama's funeral,so they dragged out their guitars and went for it. I am guessing they had one HELL of a backup choir on that one.

The point here really being that the rural blacks immediately knew who the Carter Family were,knew their music,and felt comfortable asking them to sing at their mother's funeral.

The other point is they were happy to do it.

For the most part,blacks and whites in this country didn't really have many problems until they moved into cities. Rural people back then pretty much lived the same lives and had the same dreams,regardless of skin color.

Not to mention most were too tired at night to cause trouble,even if they happened to live close enough to a town with a bar. You worked from sunrise to sunset except for Sunday,and then you ate supper and went to bed. When there was no work to do you didn't have enough money to go anywhere and cause any trouble.
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: catfish1957 on September 24, 2019, 05:30:29 pm
Anybody else watching this on PBS? There is some seriously good stuff being played and discussed,and if you even remotely like country music,gospel,blue grass,or blues,you would enjoy it.

Is Burns keeping out his SJW tendencies that have polluted previous documentaries?
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: sneakypete on September 24, 2019, 05:33:28 pm
Is Burns keeping out his SJW tendencies that have polluted previous documentaries?

@catfish1957

So far the only ones I have noticed have been so minor they were barely worth noticing. It's hard to criticize someone for saying blacks and whites in rural American got along pretty well in the 30's and 40's,because they did.
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: Neverdul on September 24, 2019, 05:56:44 pm
I’ve read several sources that make the creditable claim that the banjo came to US shores via the Caribbean via West African slaves. Sure there were many string instruments from all around the world, but the banjo was an instrument brought by and played primarily by slaves in early America.

http://bluegrassbanjo.org/banhist.html (http://bluegrassbanjo.org/banhist.html)

I love this group BTW – Carolina Chocolate Drops – and the incomparable Rhiannon Giddens.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcCmg9Oj9XM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcCmg9Oj9XM)

They do all sorts of Americana music, traditional negro spirituals, bluegrass, early blues, country and even Gaelic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RtT0obOS80 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RtT0obOS80)


Seriously, you can’t listen to the Johnny Cash/ June Carter Cash song Jackson without hearing the influence of old “negro” and early blues music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODsZjAHoWD0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODsZjAHoWD0)


Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: roamer_1 on September 24, 2019, 05:59:21 pm
I’ve read several sources that make the creditable claim that the banjo came to US shores via the Caribbean via West African slaves. Sure there were many string instruments from all around the world, but the banjo was an instrument brought by and played primarily by slaves in early America.


More than any other thing, I truly miss my Aida 5 string  :crying:
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: Fishrrman on September 24, 2019, 06:05:49 pm
Pete tries to chide me with:
"Do you SERIOUSLY make the claim that black sharecroppers in the 30's knew nothing about hard times??????"

Of course I know that.
But this series IS NOT ABOUT black sharecroppers or about blacks in general.

It's about (or at least it's SUPPOSED TO BE about) the history of WHITE "country music".

As such, I state that it's inappropriate to use music tracks that have little or no relation to such music.

Pleasant Carter did use a black guy to go around with him and help him remember melodies. But again, are you going to imply that the vast majority of the Carter Family's material was not from a Euro heritage?

C'mon.

Addendum:
The definite work on the Carter Family (in my music library):
https://www.amazon.com/Carter-Family-Their-Legacy-American/dp/074324382X/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=will+you+miss+me&qid=1569348514&s=gateway&sr=8-2 (https://www.amazon.com/Carter-Family-Their-Legacy-American/dp/074324382X/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=will+you+miss+me&qid=1569348514&s=gateway&sr=8-2)
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: Ghost Bear on September 24, 2019, 11:06:14 pm
...

It's about (or at least it's SUPPOSED TO BE about) the history of WHITE "country music".

As such, I state that it's inappropriate to use music tracks that have little or no relation to such music.

...

So, should the documentary have included Charlie Pride, or just left him out, in your opinion?
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: roamer_1 on September 24, 2019, 11:16:26 pm
Seriously, you can’t listen to the Johnny Cash/ June Carter Cash song Jackson without hearing the influence of old “negro” and early blues music.


That's right, btw... Memphis ain't that far from Nashville, and never has been... Delta Blues and Country have much that is the same - The early stuff isn't even a difference.

It has long been said that you can;t sing the blues without living the blues, and likewise country - probably the major difference between the Haggard generation and today... Rhinestone Cowboys (heh. knowing your affinity for GC)

 :beer:
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: Gefn on September 24, 2019, 11:20:09 pm
My mom has been watching this on tv and loves it. I’ve been binge watching something else on Netflix.

Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: sneakypete on September 24, 2019, 11:39:13 pm
Quote
I’ve read several sources that make the creditable claim that the banjo came to US shores via the Caribbean via West African slaves.
 

@Neverdul

I have no reason to disbelieve the banjo originated in Africa,but it damn sure wasn't brought here by slaves. The slaves that left Africa by ship were chained in the holds and didn't even own clothes. The only "possession" they had were chains,and they didn't even own the chains.

Chances are some of the crew bought and learned to play them,and that's how the banjo came to North America.

<I>I love this group BTW – Carolina Chocolate Drops – and the incomparable Rhiannon Giddens.</I>

No kidding. Especially about the remarkable Miss Giddens.


 
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: sneakypete on September 24, 2019, 11:44:50 pm

Pete tries to chide me with:
"Do you SERIOUSLY make the claim that black sharecroppers in the 30's knew nothing about hard times??????"

Of course I know that.
But this series IS NOT ABOUT black sharecroppers or about blacks in general.

It's about (or at least it's SUPPOSED TO BE about) the history of WHITE "country music".</I>

No,it's about the history of Country Music. Music doesn't have a color.

 
Quote
Pleasant Carter did use a black guy to go around with him and help him remember melodies. But again, are you going to imply that the vast majority of the Carter Family's material was not from a Euro heritage?

No. I just fail to see what that has to do with it. Are you seriously trying to imply that blacks didn't play,enjoy,and even dance to Country Music?


 
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: sneakypete on September 24, 2019, 11:46:58 pm
My mom has been watching this on tv and loves it. I’ve been binge watching something else on Netflix.

@Gefn

Don't worry about it. It's not going to disappear. If you don't want to buy it,just wait until your local PBS station does another fund raiser,and watch it then.
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: Fishrrman on September 25, 2019, 01:30:19 am
Sneakypete asked:
"Are you seriously trying to imply that blacks didn't play,enjoy,and even dance to Country Music?"

Did you enjoy the short clip of Uncle John Scruggs in part 1?
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: sneakypete on September 25, 2019, 01:40:34 am
Sneakypete asked:
"Are you seriously trying to imply that blacks didn't play,enjoy,and even dance to Country Music?"

Did you enjoy the short clip of Uncle John Scruggs in part 1?

@Fishrrman

I don't watch or listen to music videos anymore. I don't even have speakers. I had to do this because I would click on one music link,and end up spending the rest of the day watching and listening to more.

Sorry! After reading my response it occurred to me you meant Part 1 of the series.

The truth is I don't remember it. Still suffering from chemo brain. Better now,but still have a long ways to go.
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: berdie on September 25, 2019, 09:32:52 pm
So, should the documentary have included Charlie Pride, or just left him out, in your opinion?



In my opinion, Charlie Pride's segment was great. At the time he rose to fame there was still a lot of racial strife, especially in C&W. And he showed great humor. I had no idea that Farron Young* was such a help to him. Of course I like him and his voice. I don't care what color the guy is. He was a ground breaker with a great voice. I have many musicians in my family as well as friends. They all listen to all kinds of music. So I don't think Burns is far fetched about the cross overs.

I also enjoyed the Loretta Lynn  segment and her humor. And I'll always wonder what Billy Joe and the girl were dropping off the bridge. I'm only thru segment 5 of this doc. But so far, I don't see a lot of political bs. Don't know if I'll be able to stay up long enough to see segment 6 tonight but my plan is to try.

*My dearly departed and I had a record of Young singing "Burning Bridges". It was "our song".
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: GrouchoTex on September 25, 2019, 09:49:33 pm
Last night, they had the outlaw country, Willie & Waylon, Armadillo World Headquarters, etc.
Good stuff again.

Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: Gefn on September 25, 2019, 10:00:04 pm
Willie is da man
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on October 02, 2019, 02:39:31 pm
I got to watch the first episode and a couple more (5 & 6 maybe? :shrug:). It aired during baseball season, and I couldn't be pried away from Astros games. I'm hoping they eventually re-air the series at some point. If they do, I hope someone will bump this thread and give everyone a heads-up.
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: sneakypete on October 02, 2019, 03:01:38 pm
  I'm hoping they eventually re-air the series at some point. If they do, I hope someone will bump this thread and give everyone a heads-up.

@AllThatJazzZ

Call me a wild-eyed optimist,but I am pretty sure they will air it again. And again,and again,and again. EVERY time PBS has a fund-raiser they will air most of it. They won't air it all because they want to sell the DVD set to raise funds,but they will air most of it.

I will also be surprised if you can't get it off of one of the streaming channels for a fee,or just buy it outright as a boxed set right now.

And,"Yes,it IS worth what you will have to pay for it,even though I don't know how much that is at this point. I recorded and watched the whole damn thing,and there wasn't a single part I didn't enjoy the hell out of.

I especially liked the parts showing Hank Williams at the Opery way back then. It's easy now to forget what a 20 foot tall monster he really was back then. He just hit the music country music industry running,and flat took over.

I had forgotten so much of that stuff over the years,but it definitely brought back childhood memories. If you lived in MY house back in the 50's,you either watched the Grand Old Opery when it came on,or you went and found something else to do because that was an argument you were NOT going to win. Same with the old Ed Sullivan Show. For all practical purposes,the other two channels back then could have just gone off the air for that hour because nobody was watching them,anyhow.

It was on the Ed Sullivan Show that a VERY young sneakypete fell in love with Keely Smith and the type of music she was singing. I even admired her husband,Louie Prima. I never even knew such music existed before Ed Sullivan came into my house.
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: truth_seeker on October 02, 2019, 03:35:15 pm
I watchedthe 8th and final episode last night. I received it  on the PBS streaming channel on Roku.

Never any charge. Episodes 1-8 available right now.

The history aspect is great. The music aspect is great. Do not miss it.

Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: sneakypete on October 02, 2019, 07:35:15 pm
I watchedthe 8th and final episode last night. I received it  on the PBS streaming channel on Roku.

Never any charge. Episodes 1-8 available right now.

The history aspect is great. The music aspect is great. Do not miss it.

@truth_seeker

I agree. I can't remember the last time I saw anything I enjoyed so much.
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: berdie on October 02, 2019, 07:49:38 pm
@truth_seeker

I agree. I can't remember the last time I saw anything I enjoyed so much.




Me either @sneakypete . It could have easily gone on another 16 hours and would have been just as enjoyable. :laugh:
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: Jazzhead on October 02, 2019, 07:58:21 pm
 I saw the preview and concert, and the first episode.   It looks to be a superb series.   I was inspired by the first episode to do a deep dive into the Carter Family's music,  which I am still digging thanks to lot of songs and documentary material on YouTube.   My stars,  Maybelle Carter's guitar playing is a revelation!
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: truth_seeker on October 02, 2019, 08:02:19 pm
@truth_seeker

I agree. I can't remember the last time I saw anything I enjoyed so much.

My roots are not the pure Nashville aspect.

But the series was highly educational by knitting together things I knew.

I grew up with Roy Rogers, Gene Autrey, the Sons of the Pioneers.

El Paso, Tom Dooley, and 60s folk.

For me fast forward, Willie Nelson sings Kristofferson songs (abt. 1981).

My father simply loved Johnny Cash.

A lot of American folk music came from the British Isles.

And we have sent it back for them to enjoy. And they have sent some back over, again.

Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_SM52nskR0#)
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: truth_seeker on October 02, 2019, 08:51:04 pm
Item I found interesting:

Cash married Vivian Liberto, an Italian Ammerican gal, from San Antonio, TX.

He took some crap over the idea she was black.

https://answersafrica.com/vivian-liberto-bio-ethnicity-wiki-facts-johnny-cashs-first-wife.html
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: berdie on October 02, 2019, 09:13:30 pm
My roots are not the pure Nashville aspect.

But the series was highly educational by knitting together things I knew.

I grew up with Roy Rogers, Gene Autrey, the Sons of the Pioneers.

El Paso, Tom Dooley, and 60s folk.

For me fast forward, Willie Nelson sings Kristofferson songs (abt. 1981).

My father simply loved Johnny Cash.

A lot of American folk music came from the British Isles.

And we have sent it back for them to enjoy. And they have sent some back over, again.

Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_SM52nskR0#)





I thought Burns did an excellent job of knitting things together considering the length of time and wide swath of subject matter. To me the last episode was rushed...but it should have been titled "The Beat Goes On".  It showed (to me) that the drama in the personal lives and evolution of the music continues.

I can't name a favorite moment. I like all music, nearly. :laugh:
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: LadyLiberty on October 02, 2019, 09:25:26 pm
@


It was on the Ed Sullivan Show that a VERY young sneakypete fell in love with Keely Smith and the type of music she was singing. I even admired her husband,Louie Prima. I never even knew such music existed before Ed Sullivan came into my house.

My late Mom used to put us to sleep as kids playing Keely Smith's "Be My Love" album.

Roughly 20 years ago I found out it was on CD and gave it to my Mom for Mother's Day.  She just about did back flips.  It had been a looooong time since my folks had a turntable in the house so she had not heard it in many years.
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: truth_seeker on October 03, 2019, 03:12:58 am
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_T8mRnqCwE#)
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: truth_seeker on October 03, 2019, 03:43:07 am
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u011JBVZGSw#)
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: truth_seeker on October 03, 2019, 03:45:21 am
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xlo1NvEdAw#)
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: truth_seeker on October 03, 2019, 04:13:01 am
Here is a fellow that did well, and wanted to go to Nashville

Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeP4FFr88SQ#)
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: Smokin Joe on October 03, 2019, 06:12:13 am


In my opinion, Charlie Pride's segment was great. At the time he rose to fame there was still a lot of racial strife, especially in C&W. And he showed great humor. I had no idea that Farron Young* was such a help to him. Of course I like him and his voice. I don't care what color the guy is. He was a ground breaker with a great voice. I have many musicians in my family as well as friends. They all listen to all kinds of music. So I don't think Burns is far fetched about the cross overs.

I also enjoyed the Loretta Lynn  segment and her humor. And I'll always wonder what Billy Joe and the girl were dropping off the bridge. I'm only thru segment 5 of this doc. But so far, I don't see a lot of political bs. Don't know if I'll be able to stay up long enough to see segment 6 tonight but my plan is to try.

*My dearly departed and I had a record of Young singing "Burning Bridges". It was "our song".

Leaving it open lets everyone fill in that blank with whatever would be most painful...
It had to be something painful, Billy Joe jumped later.
Sometimes imagination is more potent than explicit imagery and lets the listener take it as far as they can handle without shocking or offending anyone.
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: GrouchoTex on October 03, 2019, 01:46:11 pm
Leaving it open lets everyone fill in that blank with whatever would be most painful...
It had to be something painful, Billy Joe jumped later.
Sometimes imagination is more potent than explicit imagery and lets the listener take it as far as they can handle without shocking or offending anyone.

Friends and family always speculated that Billie Jo and her were throwing over a miscarriage (purposefully miscarried or not, we didn't go that far).
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: Smokin Joe on October 03, 2019, 02:16:14 pm
Friends and family always speculated that Billie Jo and her were throwing over a miscarriage (purposefully miscarried or not, we didn't go that far).
Either that or the baby died shortly after birth...we speculated along the same lines, because that would be the most painful...
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: sneakypete on October 03, 2019, 06:47:20 pm
Friends and family always speculated that Billie Jo and her were throwing over a miscarriage (purposefully miscarried or not, we didn't go that far).

@GrouchoTex

Same thing I have always thought. It pretty much had to have been either a baby,or maybe someone that attacked and raped her that he killed and they threw off the bridge.

Either way a death was responsible for the act.
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: berdie on October 03, 2019, 08:35:00 pm
Leaving it open lets everyone fill in that blank with whatever would be most painful...
It had to be something painful, Billy Joe jumped later.
Sometimes imagination is more potent than explicit imagery and lets the listener take it as far as they can handle without shocking or offending anyone.




Sigh...oookkaay. I know that's true but I'm one of those people that like things tied up at the end (I hate open ended movies as well). But I guess life isn't like that is it? :laugh:
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: sneakypete on October 03, 2019, 11:38:59 pm



Sigh...oookkaay. I know that's true but I'm one of those people that like things tied up at the end (I hate open ended movies as well). But I guess life isn't like that is it? :laugh:

@berdie

Not really. I don't want to shock you or nothing,but you ARE going to die.
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: GrouchoTex on October 04, 2019, 12:50:45 pm
@GrouchoTex

Same thing I have always thought. It pretty much had to have been either a baby,or maybe someone that attacked and raped her that he killed and they threw off the bridge.

Either way a death was responsible for the act.
@sneakypete
She went up there later and threw flowers off the bridge for Billie Joe, and maybe............someone else?
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: roamer_1 on October 04, 2019, 07:06:07 pm
Around here, 'Billie Joe' would be a feminine name... Billy Joe would be a dude.

So its obviously a transgender thing. Y'all need to get woke.  :nono:
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: berdie on October 04, 2019, 07:44:47 pm
@berdie

Not really. I don't want to shock you or nothing,but you ARE going to die.




I can't argue with that @sneakypete  :laugh:
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: LadyLiberty on October 04, 2019, 09:17:04 pm
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwEOZtJm8pU#)
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: TomSea on October 05, 2019, 11:45:30 pm
I saw almost all of it. I'm looking at the soundtrack:

"Great Speckled Bird", that one is renown to be a classic. @sneakypete  Do you know that one?  I have heard it, I had to look it up a few times because it is very famous.

Here is the soundtrack listing:

https://music.apple.com/us/album/country-music-a-film-by-ken-burns-the-soundtrack-deluxe/1467438213

There are 4 or 5 discs I believe.  105 songs.

I see some songs missing and some there I don't care for. It does look like once he hits more modern times (1955+) he's going with a lot of the chart-toppers and I don' t think that is a good way to judge country music and also, possibly some trendy picks.

"Barbara Allen", I certainly don't know that one. I will check up on some of this later.

Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on October 05, 2019, 11:52:25 pm
"Barbara Allen", I certainly don't know that one. I will check up on some of this later.

@TomSea

Barbara Allen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjDoiGLkfEk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjDoiGLkfEk)

Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjDoiGLkfEk#)

Or hear it here with a couple of other great songs. (I'm partial to their version of "Wayfaring Stranger.")

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItGJJZ_e8M0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItGJJZ_e8M0)

Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItGJJZ_e8M0#)
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: TomSea on October 06, 2019, 12:10:32 am
Speaking of @AllThatJazzZ (thank you!),

I don't see any Glen Campbell on that music soundtrack and this is exactly what I mean and I don't want to step on anyone's toes, I like Emmylou Harris,  But I think someone like Glen Campbell's got to be first up. Maybe the '60s produced so much good music, they had to have some cut offs (and I say '60s but include the '50s and '70s in that).

I mean,  Marvin Rainwater certainly isn't up there with Hank, Johnny Cash and so on but his "Gonna Find Me a Bluebird" is a great song... so, if a list is just picking number ones, be careful.

But at the same time, it's just a tv documentary and they've got limited time to present their message.

And for GC, you should include "By the Time I get to Phoenix" or one of those songs, they were mega-hits.

Still, a pretty good list.

Rightfully, "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" is on there, I think the last banjoist before daddy Scruggs comes back in at the end, is or was his son, his son I believe is deceased now too.

Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJOIqmlI65Y#)

Looking at the list, they have Dwight doing Johnny Horton's "Honky Tonk Man" but they don't have "North To Alaska", "Sink the Bismarck", "Battle of New Orleans", you know, one of those maybe could have been chosen.   But I think they did okay because it covered countries roots and then, more modern songs.
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on October 06, 2019, 12:19:29 am
Speaking of @AllThatJazzZ (thank you!),

I don't see any Glen Campbell on that music soundtrack and this is exactly what I mean and I don't want to step on anyone's toes, I like Emmylou Harris,  But I think someone like Glen Campbell's got to be first up. Maybe the '60s produced so much good music, they had to have some cut offs (and I say '60s but include the '50s and '70s in that).

I mean,  Marvin Rainwater certainly isn't up there with Hank, Johnny Cash and so on but his "Gonna Find Me a Bluebird" is a great song... so, if a list is just picking number ones, be careful.

But at the same time, it's just a tv documentary and they've got limited time to present their message.

And for GC, you should include "By the Time I get to Phoenix" or one of those songs, they were mega-hits.

Still, a pretty good list.

@TomSea

I caught the episode (5? 6?) that had Glen Campbell. He was given a couple of minutes and they moved on. I'm a huge GC fan and found that very off-putting, especially in light of the amount of time they devoted to the more "outlaw" and SJW types.
Title: Re: Country Music by Ken Burns
Post by: GrouchoTex on October 07, 2019, 04:01:30 pm
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwEOZtJm8pU#)

Absolutely!!!!!