Review: Stephen Foster - PBS

Subject: Stephen Foster - PBS
From:
Date: 20 Jun 02 - 05:35 AM

I just watched this program on WGBH Channel 2 this morning. I missed the first 15 minutes, but it was fascinating. I'll be taping it again this Sunday. I highly recommend watching this progam if you can.

American Experience
Stephen Foster

Stephen Foster was the first great American songwriter. His melodies are so much a part of American history and culture that most people think they're folk tunes. He composed some 200 songs, including "Oh! Susanna," "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair," and "Camptown Races."

Foster's personal life was tragic and contradictory. His marriage was largely unhappy, he never made much money from his work, and he died at age 37, an alcoholic and nearly penniless. From producer Randall MacLowry.

Sunday, June 23, 4pm (Eastern), WGBH 2

Other American Experience episodesOnline at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/

Subject: RE: Review: Stephen Foster - PBS
From:
Date: 20 Jun 02 - 05:39 AM

To go directly to the web-page covering the show, along with links to sheet music, etc.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/foster/

Subject: RE: Review: Stephen Foster - PBS
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Jun 02 - 08:18 AM

And here are a few comments from the first time the program aired back in April of 2001.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Review: Stephen Foster - PBS
From: GUEST,Banjoboy
Date: 20 Jun 02 - 09:16 AM

I saw it when it first came out and liked it so much I got the tape. The dance scene of Jump Jim Crow was beyond description!

I think one of your regular cat-ers was on the production team or something. Well done.

Subject: RE: Review: Stephen Foster - PBS
From: Kim C
Date: 20 Jun 02 - 09:39 AM

I watched this the first time around and thought it was very good. Stephen Foster was really the first popular songwriter in America - the first person to be really well-known for songwriting. That people still record his songs is a testament to his talent. A good song is a good song no matter what the century.

Something has always puzzled me about him, though, and that's the way he died. I find it extremely difficult to believe that he "accidentally" cut his own throat and bled to death, especially considering his history of heavy drinking and depression. But I don't think I've ever heard any scholars say outright, well, he may have committed suicide.

My Old Kentucky Home in Bardstown is definitely worth a stop if you're in the area. (And go have lunch at the Talbot Tavern when you're done.) Just look at the house, though, and don't pay any attention to the volunteers' "historic" zip-up prom dresses. ;-)