1920''s American Roots Blues/Folk music

[bobg]

I dont expect too many responses to this but there was a whole evening of it last Thursday on BBC Four and I'm sure the announcer said that there was lots more on Radio 4 tomorrow ( Tuesday) but try as I might I cant track it down. Did anybody hear that too or was I dreaming....

 

[cchapman]

I dont know mate, can't help you but.
These sorts of programs by their need to fit into a few hours are often just an opening onto the subject (think of Ken Burns jazz series)
If you want to find out about this stuff home in on the source, the Alan Lomax (father) and John Lomax (son) field recordings.

 

[bobg]

Ta CC, I'd got the impression that this stuff was pretty minority interest so the chances of anyon watching it was remote. Yeah, I just love those Lomax field recordings, hooked since I was a kid. That docu about Joe Bussard who'd been collecting 78's since the 60's and had about 40.000 was wonderful

 

[sheddy]

Had a search on www.radiotimes.com - I think there is another BBC4 evening on 30th Jan and 6th Feb

 

[Kirstie]

There's a huge compilation available called 'An Anthology of American Folk Music' which has all that stuff on it. It's really brilliant. We've downloaded it, but best to google it to see where you can get it because I can't remember where it was downloaded from.

 

[iandg]

Damn, forgot about that. Hopefully I'll remember the next 2 programmes

 

[threefingerjoe]

I dont expect too many responses to this but there was a whole evening of it last Thursday on BBC Four and I'm sure the announcer said that there was lots more on Radio 4 tomorrow ( Tuesday) but try as I might I cant track it down. Did anybody hear that too or was I dreaming....

Hello, from the US of A, Bob! Your topic said something about "American Roots..." You MAY have heard a broadcast of a program called "American Routes". It is, as you described, American blues, jazz, folk music. I don't know if the BBC carries it, but, over here, it's broadcast on our National Public Radio system. Here is a link to the American Routes website. Go to the "Archives" and you can listen to the programs from every week for the last 10 years.

http://americanroutes.publicradio.org/

 

[cchapman]

Thanks for that threefingerjoe - I got straight onto americanroutes and there was a program on Dave Bartholemew, which when I actually played it (and it actually worked!) turned into a program on Ray Charles (unashamedly my hero). This is like a huge sea which will sweep you out into the middle and then wash you up on the shores of an isolated bay where you just sit on the sand and listen.

 

[bobg]

Thats great chaps, its nice to know theres a couple of enthusiasts out there!! I'm about to try the links

 

[bobg]

Damn, forgot about that. Hopefully I'll remember the next 2 programmes

I've got the first one on tape WW, I'd be happy to send it to you.

 

[Trembler49]

The soundtrack album of "O Brother where art thou" has some great stuff on it and is readily available and cheap.

 

[DJ]

I like all folky sort of music, wether it's American, or from home shores, Woody Guthrie did some good songs, some of them are quite funny, his Cd is readily available in shops etc.

 

[MichaelM]

There's a load of early free radio broadcasts (1920’s - 1940’s) here Country Blues Guitar. The other series may be of some interest also.

 

[iandg]

I've got the first one on tape WW, I'd be happy to send it to you.

Thanks for the offer, that would be great


I don't think I have normal kids. Wicker woman is a way this week so I put on a cd of early (1930/1940) Son House recordings whilst cooking the tea. My 12 year old daughter asked how long ago were the recordings and then added that she liked the sound and the 14 & 17 yr old sons didn't complain (the 14 yr old recognised 'Preaching the blues' as it is covered by the Answer)

 

[bobg]

If you like I'll record te other 2 parts on the same tape before I send it on, just pm me with your address. Funny that about kids and the blues, I was into Robert Johnson when mine were little and used to sit on the end of the bed singing "hellhound on my trail". If yo're gonna have a nightmare then it might as well be interesting...