World Roots in the USA

Subject: World Routes in the USA
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 13 Oct 09 - 11:44 AM

BBC radio 3's World Routes, which usually covers music from the non-English speaking world, has come up with what looks like an absolute cracker. This coming Saturday's edition is the first of a two parter, devoted to the music of the Southern Appalachians.

The complete programme blurb can be viewed at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00n6ykp . However, just to whet the appetite, here's the opening paragraphs.

"In a programme recorded on location, broadcaster, writer and musician Banning Eyre discovers and records the uniquely American folk music that was born in the southern Appalachian mountains through the 18th and 19th centuries.

"He visits the small town of Mount Airy, in Surry County, North Carolina, home to the Mount Airy Fiddlers Convention, where he meets the extraordinary players and singers that are keeping this music alive, and finds out how old-time music is the direct precursor of what we now call country and bluegrass.

"In an interview with musician and field recordist Mike Seeger, recorded just a few months before he died, Banning discovers the roots of the music in the parallel histories of the European settlers and African slaves, and how post-Emancipation, a distinctly American music was forged from the interplay of the African banjo and the European fiddle."

All but one of the tracks appears to have been recorded in June of this year, so it's a fair bet that none of them ahve been heard in public before. Transmission time is 15-00 hrs, and last for 60 minutes. And of course it will be on Listen Again for the following 7 days.

Subject: RE: World Roots in the USA
From: GUEST,BanjoRay
Date: 13 Oct 09 - 12:31 PM

And about time too. The British (and probably the American) media don't seem to have a clue what a treasure house of great music is that corner of the Appalachians, springing from the marriage of a great mix of cultures.
As a regular UK visitor to Mount Airy, I'm really looking forward to this!
Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: World Roots in the USA
From: Rain Dog
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 02:28 PM

The programme will be available to listen to again until next Saturday 24th. Just click on the link in Fred's post

Subject: RE: World Roots in the USA
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 20 Oct 09 - 06:06 AM

Full marks to BBC Radio 3 for a well presented programme. It made up a little for having to miss it this year. Don't be put off visiting by the dep fried Oreos, there is more substantial fodder available although it may not be quite Cordon Bleu. As for the music much of it is top notch.
The second programme is visiting fiddler Benton Flippen a long time regular at the local festivals and Fifth? generation ballad singer and banjo player Sheila Kay Adams plus one of the very few Afro-American old time fiddlers still very active Joe Thompson.

Hoot

Subject: RE: World Roots in the USA
From: TinDor
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 10:59 PM

Nice link. I'll listen to it later on