Have we discussed the PBS series The Mississippi: River of Song yet?
I caught the second installment of the series tonight. It was wonderful.
>From the web site: >>The series explores the richness and vitality of American
music at the close of the twentieth century. Through live performances and
intimate discussions with musicians along the course of the Mississippi River,
the series discovers the music that has flourished in the heart of the nation.
Traveling from an Ojibwe powwow in northern Minnesota to the bandstands of New
Orleans, the series builds a dynamic and complex portrait of music and the
American community. << http://www.pbs.org/riverofsong/project/
They did a very interesting segment on bluegrass focusing on the Bob
Lewis Family and bluegrass festivals. The kicker was the St. Louis
segment featuring the Bottle Rockets! I had no idea that they were
featured on tonight's episode. It was nice surprise.
At first I wasn't sure if it was actually the Bottle Rockets. But, then I
realized that
there was only one band that *ugly*. Yup. It was them alright. It was
a nice segment. Brian Henneman talked about the importance of the
river on their lives and their music. (accompanied by a heartwarming
shot of the BoRox strolling along the river while drinking cans of beer. <g>)
Henneman also said that audiences on the coasts seem to be more intrigued with
the BoRox because they are from the Midwest. He described the band as
"little reporters from the heartland". It made me laugh.
Next weeks episode features Southern Fusion: La Center, KY to Jackson,
Mississippi. Featured artists include Sonny Burgess, Levon Helm,
Jack Johnson, Rufus Thomas, Johnnie Billington, Robert Lockwood, Jr.,
Little Milton.
marie
"I want my music to be about...emotion.
Three Chords and the Truth.
Take a chance, and please God, let it Twang."
Jeff Wall
