American Epic is a musical journey across time to the birth of modern recording, when the voices of a diverse nation transformed the way music sounded and how it impacted our lives and the world. These brilliantly restored recordings from the 1920s were the product of early record labels sending producers and engineers deep into rural America with the latest technology, and artists from isolated communities flocking to have their music preserved and made available to faraway audiences. Director Bernard MacMahon, Producer Allison McGourty, and Musician Duke Erikson worked for ten years on the project.
This Saturday on Folk Music & Beyond, join Sandy Miranda as she samples the recent 5-cd release of the historical recordings, including greats like the Memphis Jug Band, Carter Family, Alabama Sacred Harp Singers, Mike Hanapi and Ilima Islanders, Sleepy John Estes, Son House, Skip James, Mississippi Sheiks, and some you’ve never heard of before.
In the second hour, hear some of today’s great roots artists performing new versions of the old songs, recorded on the same restored original equipment, produced by T-Bone Burnett and Jack White. Included are Alabama Shakes (who won a Grammy for this one), Nas, Bette Lavette, Taj Mahal, The Hawaiians, and more.
Saturday, March 3rd from 3-5pm.
