The Mississippi: River of Song
Boy, this "Mississippi: River of Song" series on PBS is "Don't Miss TV" for the VCR. This week's episode kicked off with John Hartford, who wrote "Gentle On My Mind" and drives a riverboat two weeks out of the year (I never knew that); bluegrass in Hillsboro, Ill. (especially some hot picking by the Bob Lewis Family); a high school marching band in St. Charles, Mo.; Fontella Bass, who wrote "Rescue Me," singing gospel in St. Louis (didn't know that, either); a look and tribute to RB giant Oliver Sain, with Ike Turner making a brief appearance in concert footage; a percussion artist in East St. Louis; some sort of caroling group in Ste. Genevieve, Mo., and lastly, Festus, Mo.'s favorite sons, the Bottle Rockets. Can't fault the film's producers for a lack of variety. Can't wait for the final two episodes as they head down to Memphis, the Mississippi Delta, Cajun country and New Orleans. Ron Warnick NP in my head: "Get down, river, river get down ..."
Re: The Mississippi: River of Song
[EMAIL PROTECTED] 01/15 1:22 AM some sort of caroling group in Ste. Genevieve, Mo., This is probably more than you want to know, but here goes - This "caroling" is actually a centuries-old New Years Eve French folksong/dance tradition and begging ritual similar in some ways to one practiced in Louisiana around Mardi Gras. It's called La Guillonee (sp). And it's still done in other French communities in the area, particulary Old Mines, MO and Prairie Du Rocher, IL. About 4 years ago, I was asked to help out some folklore types videotape and photograph the St. Genevieve bunch while another group led by Harry Oster (producer of many great blues and Cajun albums in the early 1960s and all around character) went to Prairie Du Rocher. In the old days, a group of men led by a fiddler used to go from house to house on foot or in the back of a wagon and sing to the farmer a song in which they begged for a drink (and perhaps his daughter). The farmer would then give them a drink. Then on to the next place. And so on. Well, traditions change. Now these guys go from bar to bar (and one nursing home and a church) in a school bus and do their song. The night I was with them we made, I think, 18 stops. It got a little crazy after about the 6th ot 7th drink. Yeah buddy. The funniest stop was when these guys marched into a bar where some glittery rock band was playing. The guys waited a few minutes, then did their song and dance during the band's break. Talk about a gap in the space/time continuum... They got a huge round of applause. Any idea if this series will be available on video? Jim Nelson
Re: River of Song
. 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. Henneman strikes me as such a great guy. He has the UHI kind of ironic distance, but it's like he's appropriated it and inverted it to say serious things in a straightforward manner. Like the quote Marie cites. His self-effacing humor linked with powerful songwriting is a nice combo too. It was nice to have them on last, capping off a great episode on the St. Louis segment of the river. . Stuart Brox still America's #1 rocknroll band
River of Song
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
Re: River of Song
I've been waiting to see this miniseries for some time and it was great to see the Bottle Rockets on the TV. Besides Brian Henneman's bar room interview, the filmmakers also had footage of the boys playing at Mississippi Nights. At one point the camera pans back and picks up infamous St. Louis scenester Beatle Bob dancing away in the crowd. Bob [EMAIL PROTECTED] marie arsenault wrote: Have we discussed the PBS series The Mississippi: River of Song yet? I caught the second installment of the series tonight. It was wonderful. [snipsnipsnip] 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.
