Fun
The American Epic Sessions
Dear Ann,
Being a night owl has its advantages. A couple of Saturday nights ago, I was up late (knitting) (don’t need to say that, I suppose), and I groaned when switching to Channel 13 and finding out that they were doing a three-hour fundraising session with a music show I’d never heard of: The American Epic Sessions. Having no choice (translation: being too lazy to dial up an alternative on Netflix), I watched, and was immediately hooked, and amazed.
Basically: a 1928 electrical recording rig, no example of which had survived intact, was recreated from parts over a 10 year period, enabling T Bone Burnett and Jack White and others to use this antique, which once had traveled the country to record ordinary Americans, to record again.
In other words, time travel. It records on wax. Powered by a weight.
Here’s a clip, of Willie Nelson talking about the Carter Family, that got me all choked up. Even more moving: the only known footage of Mississippi John Hurt. And how about: the invention of the Hawaiian steel guitar by an 11-year-old boy walking on the railroad tracks? It’s a beautiful reminder of what is best in our country’s history and culture.
Seeing the parade of modern-day musicians reverently recording with only one take, and one microphone, is astounding. There’s an atmosphere of holiness that is entirely appropriate.
(Not to be missed: a Textile Arts Moment that harkens back to Jack White’s beginnings as an upholsterer. I don’t want to spoil it, but if you feel the need to talk about this tidbit in The Lounge, I’ll be there, waiting for you.)
The series aired widely in the summer of 2017 on public television, so check your local station to view on demand. (There are also full episodes on Youtube at the moment.)
Love,
Kay
Such an interesting project!
I haven’t watched the clip yet as cats are sleeping, but your description reminds me of the Irish Folklore Commission. In the 1930s, not very long after Independence (minus the Six Counties), field workers were sent all around Ireland recording ordinary people talking, telling stories, singing. Such foresight, and such an example of national values, to create a huge archive of this material at a time when there was rather a lot of other stuff going on, governmentally!
All that just to say, thanks for this (now bookmarked) recommendation – it brought back pleasant memories of dipping into the Irish transcripts for research some years ago. Unfortunately, nearly all the recorded material exists only as transcripts; the wax cylinders were transcribed and reused. I’ll bet the field workers were both grateful for the technology that enabled them to record sound instead of taking endless interview notes, but also, at times, very sad that they were destroying the actual voices in order to go out and record another day.
WOW. I just watched the first episode. Amazing. Thank you!
You two find the coolest stuff to watch and listen to! I’m ever grateful to you both for broadening my cultural horizons.
This series is fantastic! I bought the series for my husband for our anniversary and I think we’re going to wear them out. My faves are Alabama Shakes and the Hawaiian musicians. Good listening and good knitting to all!
I watched this several times when it was on during the summer. The textile moment was really fun, and sent me googling.
I knew this about him but halfway didn’t believe it—and was so amazed to see his ease. Really fun.
My husband & I caught several of the episodes as they aired on our local affiliate (KMUW). It was absolutely mesmerizing to listen and watch!