So...anyone dared to see Ken Burns' "Country Music"?

[Wallingford]

Just wondering....I'd always suspected Burns to be a cheap mainstreamer--at least, going by the opinions of those who've seen his "Jazz"--but seeing/hearing the ads for this one, and reading the synopses on pbs.com, I just about threw my hands up in the air and said, "Ken, how could you sink this low?"

[lennygoran]

Just wondering....I'd always suspected Burns to be a cheap mainstreamer--at least, going by the opinions of those who've seen his "Jazz"--but seeing/hearing the ads for this one, and reading the synopses on pbs.com, I just about threw my hands up in the air and said, "Ken, how could you sink this low?"

I have all of the episodes on my DVR-I love his documentaries-haven't had a chance to see even a single one-just too much time listening to CNN and all the political news. Regards, Len

[david johnson]

It is a superb work. Nothing low about it, except Johnny Cash's bass voice I am not a great cm fan, but the further back in the genre you go the more folkish it is. I grew up around that style and understand it, therefore I find it enjoyable. The closer it gets to country-western, the less I like it. I'm a classically trained trumpeter, teacher, and sometime singer. Of all the orchestral/chamber/etc. recordings I have heard and music I have performed, one of the best to hear is Willy Nelson doing "Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain". It's very simply presented and tastefully performed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crgtWomWg90

[lennygoran]

Thanks, I'll have to watch it when we return home. Regards, Len

[Wallingford]

Of all the orchestral/chamber/etc. recordings I have heard and music I have performed, one of the best to hear is Willy Nelson doing "Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain". It's very simply presented and tastefully performed.

40years ago my mother bought Willie's new Xmas album, 'Pretty Paper.' The singing was boring, with only a tiny back-up group playing throughout, with a spooky organ that sounded more like it belonged on a Halloween record. It was only last year that I found out on msn.com, in a feature on recommended Xmas albums, that the organist was Booker T. Jones--of the MGs--who also arranged and produced the whole thing. I only counted one nativity carol, the rest was popsy. In the msn article, this album as described as "country soul"....sheesh.

I can easily picture the scenario behind making this album, Willie's manager rushing him into the studio, saying, "Look Willie--this is gonna be your token Xmas LP...so let's make it as over and out as we can....."