High Lonesome Documentary Film/Video

Subject: High Lonesome Documentary Film/Video
From: Peter T.
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 10:14 AM

This will be old hat to bluegrass aficianados, but I happened to see Rachel Libeling's 1992 documentary on the story of bluegrass last night, and was very impressed. I believe it is now distributed by Shanachie (or maybe they made it, and it has some other distributor). Thoughtful interviews with Bill Monroe (who plays throughout, and wanders in a somewhat schticky bit through his old house, but hey), truly excellent film clips of the period, and a whole lot of favourite songs sprinkled throughout. Ranges from the earliest up to Alison Krauss and The Seldom Scene. Just a fine evening's viewing.

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: High Lonesome Documentary Film/Video
From: Peter T.
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 10:16 AM

Duh. Film is called "High Lonesome". Raises another question: any other good documentaries people would recommend? yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: High Lonesome Documentary Film/Video
From: Rex
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 10:48 AM

From the PBS American Experience series:

Ballad of a Mountain Man, Bascom Lamar Lunsford.

This is a fine video not only of the North Carolina musician/collector of songs and tunes, but of the lives of the folks in that area. I too have highly enjoyed the High Lonesome video.

Rex

Subject: RE: High Lonesome Documentary Film/Video
From: Peter T.
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 10:59 AM

Bad morning. Rachel Liebling. There is also a soundtrack album (maybe still out there?).
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: High Lonesome Documentary Film/Video
From: Rex
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 11:10 AM

Soundtrack? I must look for that. Have you any particulars?

Rex

Subject: RE: High Lonesome Documentary Film/Video
From: Peter T.
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 11:28 AM

There is a review of the album, with record number, here.yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: High Lonesome Documentary Film/Video
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 12:39 PM

Shanachie's "Times Ain't Like They Used To Be: Early Rural And Popular American Music, From Rare And Original Film Masters (1928-35)" is a fine collection of short films. Pre-Bluegrass, but I think bluegrass fans might enjoy seeing this. Many of the clips were made by roving documentary filmakers, others a sort of early music video. It has Jimmie Rodgers, Bascom Lamar Lunceford, Whistler's Jug Band, and many clips of less well-known musicians. It's got a great vaudeville cowboy act from 1928, "Otto Gray's Oklahoma Cowboys," complete with comedy routines, lasso tricks, etc. These were real cowboys - not city imitators. In another clip from 1929, a group of Georgia field hands are gathered around singing the spiritual Mary, Don't You Weep. Many of these films look like depression-era photographs come to life. This can be found on Shanachie's Yazoo label. Great film, that High Lonesome. Thanks for posting it, Peter T.

Subject: RE: High Lonesome Documentary Film/Video
From: Peter T.
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 02:33 PM

Got to find that. Thanks, chanteyranger. yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: High Lonesome Documentary Film/Video
From:
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 04:04 PM

If I am not mistaken, High Lonesome has a brief clip of the original Carter family playing--or am I confusing it with a different one.

The "Times Ain't Like They Used to be" also has the boxer Jack Johnson leading a jazz band. He is the one, mentioned by Leadbelly. in "Farthewell Titanic" as trying to get on board; but being refused because he was black (or as the song goes, the captain said, "We don't hall no coal.")

Murray

Subject: RE: High Lonesome Documentary Film/Video
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 04:40 PM

Just checked in with Amazon.com, and they sell Times Ain't and High Lonesome.

Subject: RE: High Lonesome Documentary Film/Video
From: Bud Savoie
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 09:28 PM

I've seen all of the films mentioned,and they are all worth having. No, make that "must haves." Does the CD feature "Ruby" by the Osbornes?

Subject: RE: High Lonesome Documentary Film/Video
From: catspaw49
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 09:33 PM

"Mountain Born".....Jean Ritchie. Worth it.

Spaw

Subject: RE: High Lonesome Documentary Film/Video
From: Bud Savoie
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 07:10 AM

Haven't heard of "Mountain Born," Spaw, but if it's about Jean Ritchie, it is a must see.

Subject: RE: High Lonesome Documentary Film/Video
From: Sourdough
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 02:03 PM

THere is also "Wasn't That a Time" featuring the Weavers. From early seventies I think. It is a warm and moving film.

Sourdough

Subject: RE: High Lonesome Documentary Film/Video
From:
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 05:32 AM

I wish to make a public confession. I don't like the Weavers as a music group. I admire them for what they have done for folk music and in many other spheres; but I just can't sit down and enjoy an album by them.

Murray (with head hung in shame.)

Subject: RE: High Lonesome Documentary Film/Video
From: catspaw49
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 09:34 AM

Then murray, you'd really enjoy "Wasn't That A Time." Lots of good personal info and less performance.

"Mountain Born" is available at libraries now BTW. It was done just a few years ago Bud, and I agree with you about Jean Ritchie.

Spaw

Subject: RE: High Lonesome Documentary Film/Video
From: GUEST,Cap
Date: 05 Mar 11 - 11:54 PM

Hey everybody! I was trying to do some looking-up and came upon this discussion--does anybody here know the title of the song sung during the part of "High Lonesome" where Bill Monroe is talking about his mom? It's when he's walking around the old homeplace all beat up and a woman's voice is singing "I'm gonna marry who I please la la la chicka la lee oh..." etc? Thank you much!

Subject: RE: High Lonesome Documentary Film/Video
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 06 Mar 11 - 07:56 AM

Without pulling my copy off the shelf and running it through, it's been a while since I last watched it and don't have time to check it out right now. Off the top of my head I would say it was probably "Chick a Li Lee Lo, possibly sung by Almeda Riddle from Arkansas. If so it is from the Alan Lomax recordings he made in 1958/59 which was originally issued on the Atlantic label.

Hoot.

Subject: RE: High Lonesome Documentary Film/Video
From: GUEST,Cap
Date: 06 Mar 11 - 11:41 PM

Hootenany-BINGO!!!! Thank you very much!!! I suppose I could've run it through and maybe it's in the credits but a quick google search of that title found it was correct!!

http://www.newworldrecords.org/album.cgi?rm=view&album_id=80245

the link has a sample of it....Thank you much!