Blood and Soil
Series telling the stories of the pioneers of American roots music. The second episode explores gospel, the songs of the coal mines and the Mississippi Delta blues.
This episode takes a look at the stories of those early music pioneers whose names have largely been forgotten.
In the small South Carolina town of Cheraw, Elder Burch held lively church gatherings which inspired young musicians - including jazz giant Dizzy Gillespie. Gillespie's autobiography cites Burch and his sons as direct inspirations; it is no exaggeration to say that modern music would not look the same without Burch's early influence.
The programme takes a look at the gritty songs and musicians that came from the coal mines of Logan County, West Virginia - The Williamson Brothers, Dick Justice and Frank Hutchinson. The hellish conditions of the coal mines inspired them to find a way out, through their music.
Finally we head to the home of the blues - the Mississippi Delta, where Charley Patton captured the sounds and struggles of life in the cotton fields. Patton's significance cannot be understated; he is widely considered the most influential musician in the birth of blues, teaching some of the best blues artists that followed including Howlin' Wolf, Robert Johnson and Honeyboy Edwards.
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Clips
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The dynamic church of Elder Burch
Duration: 01:06
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"The influence of Charley Patton can not be understated ..."
Duration: 01:51
Music Played
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Brian Eno
Another Green World
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Brian Eno
Another Green World
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Dick Justice
Henry Lee
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Howlin’ Wolf
Howlin' Wolf Talks #1
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Charley Patton
Mississippi Boweavil Blues
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Charley Patton
Shake it and Break it
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Charley Patton
High Water Everywhere (Part 1)
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David Edwards
Water Coast Blues
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Charley Patton
Going To Move To Alabama
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Joe Falcon
Lafayette (Allons A Lafayette)
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Mississippi John Hurt
Avalon Blues
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Narrator | Robert Redford |
Director | Bernard MacMahon |
Producer | Bernard MacMahon |
Series Editor | Anthony Wall |
Producer | Allison McGourty |
Producer | Duke Erikson |
Executive Producer | T Bone Burnett |
Executive Producer | Robert Redford |
Executive Producer | Jack White |
Production Company | Lo-Max |
Broadcasts
- Sun 28 May 2017 22:00
- Fri 2 Jun 2017 01:30
- Mon 13 Aug 2018 01:30
- Sat 23 Feb 2019 01:55
- Thu 9 Jan 2020 01:20
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