Fun
Lazy Sunday: The Winding Stream
Dear Ann,
A couple weeks ago I went to a screening of Beth Harrington’s 2015 documentary, The Winding Stream: The Carters, The Cashes, and the Course of Country Music. Having recently watched all 16 hours of Ken Burns’s Country Music on PBS, I was primed for this in-depth recounting of the story of the Carter Family. I agree with what Joe Ely says in the trailer up top: The names of A.P., Sara, and Maybelle Carter should be as well known to Americans as our first President.
It’s an emotional story, and many of the people telling it are members of the family, which seems to have music—and plain speaking—in its very DNA. It’s priceless oral history—Johnny Cash was interviewed for this documentary in the last months of his life, which is both painful and beautiful to witness. The film also shares a wealth of old and new recordings of Carter Family songs.
It’ll do you good.
The film is streaming at various sites, including Amazon and YouTube.
Love,
Kay
P.S. For a time-traveling treat, listen to these three versions of the song “A Winding Stream,” by The Carter Family, Johnny Cash, and Rosanne Cash.
Can’t wait to watch this! And hubby will love it, too. Thanks for the recommendation; as always, you bring good things into my sphere.
This sounds like the perfect show for a gloomy, rainy day. Can’t wait to see it! Thanks for another great recommendation.
Thanks for a great start to a Sunday morning. The nostalgia reaches my heart and soul! MDK is full of good people and good ideas.
Just listened to the three versions of The Winding Stream and I feel so much more at peace. Thanks for the suggestion. Looking forward to watching the documentary. Johnny Cash hold a special place in my heart.
the Ken Burns documentary series is being shown on BBC4 here in the UK and we are about half way through. if not for your recommendation, i’m not sure we would have watched it but i’m so glad we did – it has been fascinating.
we are not particularly country music fans but we did spend 3 years living in Houston TX in the early 90s so couldn’t really avoid it. we actually got to see Willie Nelson play at the Astrodome during the Rodeo season, fell in love with Lyle Lovett and then there was “Austin City Limits” on PBS – the perfect introduction to all types of music.
will keep this Carter Family story in mind for the next music documentary to watch.
So happy to see a shout out to my friend Beth‘s movie!