The Big Bang
Series telling the stories of the pioneers of American roots music. The 1920s saw record companies travel rural America to record the music of ordinary people.
The first episode takes us back to 1920s America, where the growth of radio had shattered record sales. Record companies travelled rural America and recorded the music of ordinary people for the first time. The poor and oppressed were given a voice as their recordings spread from state to state.
The film introduces the early recordings of The Carter Family, the founders of modern country music, steeped in the traditions of their isolated Appalachian community. It also features Will Shade and the Memphis Jug Band, whose music told the story of street life in Memphis, and laid the foundations for modern-day rap and R'n'B.
Robert Redford narrates this meticulously researched story of a cultural revolution that changed the world.
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The Memphis Jug Band
Duration: 02:26
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Record sales were plummeting...
Duration: 01:35
Music Played
Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes
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00:00Brian Eno
Another Green World
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00:01Brian Eno
Another Green World
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00:03The Carter Family
Wildwood Flower
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00:05The Carter Family
The Wandering Boy
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00:16The Carter Family
The Cannon-Ball
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00:17The Carter Family
Bury Me Beneath The Weeping Willow
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00:22The Carter Family
Can The Circle Be Unbroken (78rpm Version)
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00:25The Carter Family
Little Darling Pal Of Mine
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00:42Memphis Jug Band, Ben Ramey & Jab Jones
Stealin', Stealin'
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00:44Memphis Jug Band, Ben Ramey & Hambone Lewis
Cocaine Habit Blues
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00:47Memphis Jug Band
Whitewash Station Blues
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00:49Elvis Presley
Ready Teddy
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00:49Memphis Jug Band
K.C. Moan
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Narrator | Robert Redford |
| Director | Bernard MacMahon |
| Producer | Bernard MacMahon |
| Series Editor | Anthony Wall |
| Producer | Allison McGourty |
| Producer | Duke Erikson |
| Executive Producer | T Bone Burnett |
| Executive Producer | Robert Redford |
| Executive Producer | Jack White |
| Participant | Nas |
| Participant | Charlie Musselwhite |
| Participant | Taj Mahal |
| Production Company | Lo-Max |
Broadcasts
Featured in...
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Arena: American Epic
Series of documentaries telling the stories of the pioneers of American roots music.
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Music Time Machine
Journey back in time with these classic artists.
主播大秀 Music Presents鈥� Arena: American Epic
Extracts and performances from a series celebrating the pioneers of American roots music.