Re: Did you catch the Ken Burns Country Music series opening?
I've been binge-watching and recording the series all day. I was out of town when it started, and thought I was going to have to wait for a repeat during pledge time - not how I would like ti experience it. But fortunately one of my stations played episodes 1-4 starting at noon in advance of episode 5 tonight. So even though I had a performing slot in a local festival at 5:00, I was able to zip home and pop in another tape before 6:00. Whew!
Overall, I think it's great. I've learned so much, and had very few complaints. As to the pace, one man's slow and plodding is another man's leisurely and painstakingly detailed. This is Ken Burns; it's how his movies are. Comes with the territory. You want 16 hours devoted to the history of country music and its place in the cultural evolution of America? Settle in.
Personally, I'm glad the timeline ends at 1996. What's happened in the genre since then has had less to do with country music's heritage and history than I'd like. I noticed this in the concert, but let it slide. Then I saw when researching the series at pbs.org that that's as far as it goes. So be it.
Among the many revelations I've witnessed, the most astounding one (and also most relevant here) was seeing a young June Carter with a mandolin! I don't know if she played it or just posed with it - hopefully someone with better research skills than mine can determine this - but here are two pictures with her and her sisters Ellen and Anita, and the rest of the Carter family.
L. to R.: Maybelle Carter's brother, Hugh Jack "Doc" Addington (fiddle/guitar), A.P. Carter's sister, Sylvia Carter (autoharp), "Mother" Maybelle Addington Carter (guitar), Maybelle's 2nd cousin, Carl P. McConnell (banjo), Anita Carter, June Carter (mandolin), Helen Carter (guitar). WRNL RADIO. 1940's
Originally Posted by
brunello97
Okay, full disclosure. I could do with more Rhiannon Giddens......
When the concert comes around on your PBS station, tune in. She's all over it. In fact, she opens the show in a duet with Ketch Secor from Old Crow.
Originally Posted by
David M.
The quack Dr who inserted goat testes was pretty crazy, and it wasn't even FICTION!
. That Dr later made the huge 15000 watt station on the Mexico border.
That was 500,000 watts.
Originally Posted by
ccravens
Marty, despite the heavy make-up, hair and the Prince-like scarf, did a really good Monroe imitation. And he has good comments.
Not sure what mando he plays, but he made it sound good.
Again, tune in for the concert when it comes around. Marty does a solo spot that is breathtaking. And I think his scarf hides a neck whose appearance he is shy about people seeing. Prince ain't no part of nothing here.
But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller
Furthering Mandolin Consciousness
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