Reginald D. Hunter's Songs of the South
February 16, 2015 4:32 PM   Subscribe

In a three-part series on BBC2 in the UK over February and March, Reginald D. Hunter travels across the (USA) south and explores the music and culture. There is a bunch of intriguing clips in advance.

Episodes:

1: Tennessee - Kentucky
2: Alabama - Georgia
3: Mississippi - Louisiana

Digital Spy: "Reginald D Hunter will investigate the history of blackface and minstrel shows in a new BBC Two documentary. The three-part Reginald D Hunter's Songs of the South will see the comedian journey the American South and find out why local traditional tunes still carry a strong element of racism.

Hunter, who was born in Georgia, will visit his home state as he drives 1,000 miles from North Carolina to New Orleans. He will speak to the musicians Dr John, Eddie Floyd, Clarence Carter, Seasick Steve and The Handsome Family, as well as 'Rainy Night In Georgia' writer Tony Joe White. Hunter will also go to a Lynyrd Skynyrd festival in Alabama, try soul food in Georgia, square dance in Paducah and explore the rise of hip-hop in Atlanta."

Reginald D. Hunter is a controversial and popular award-winning stand up comedian, residing in England. He appears on various panel shows, usually as the incisively observant guest. Some clips:

- (Very NSFW) "I speak Irish"
- On BBC Breakfast TV
- (NSFW) On Batman
- Comparing racism in the UK to the US
- On swearing
posted by Wordshore (7 comments total) 18 users marked this as a favorite
 
thanks very much for the heads-up. this has been placed squarely in the center of my radar.
posted by oog at 5:04 PM on February 16, 2015


Reginald D. Hunter travels across the (USA) south and explores the music and culture

I always worry when people do this. There's a tendency to focus on a narrow spectrum of songs and genres, and not acknowledge the bigger picture.

Don't get me wrong, I'm as proud of Bill Monroe and Loretta Lynn and Red Foley and Jean Ritchie as the next child of the Bluegrass. But we're also the state that gave you Lionel Hampton, the Nappy Roots, My Morning Jacket, and Midnight Star. We do great bluegrass and country, but we're also more than bluegrass and country.
posted by magstheaxe at 10:18 AM on February 19, 2015


Reginald D. Hunter travels across the (USA) south and explores the music and culture

I always worry when people do this. There's a tendency to focus on a narrow spectrum of songs and genres, and not acknowledge the bigger picture.

Don't get me wrong, I'm as proud of Bill Monroe and Loretta Lynn and Red Foley and Jean Ritchie as the next child of the Bluegrass. But we're also the state that gave you Lionel Hampton, the Nappy Roots, My Morning Jacket, and Midnight Star. We do great bluegrass and country music, but we're also more than bluegrass and country music.

Anyway, looking forward to hearing about it.
posted by magstheaxe at 10:24 AM on February 19, 2015


True; and it's got to fit inside 3 hours, along with intros, filler, shots of RDH driving, repeats of clips. Undoubtedly there will be many many times the number of great musicians missed out rather than included.

But it's RDH who can be good when serious, and it looks like it'll be quality. While a 6 or even 12 part series would be better, I'll take 3 hours over nothing (or worse, 3 hours done by someone ignorant).
posted by Wordshore at 10:36 AM on February 19, 2015


Having said that, if there's no mention of Robert Johnson in the Mississippi episode, I will probably be the first person complaining in this thread.
posted by Wordshore at 12:12 PM on February 19, 2015


Reviews of the first program are positive. [1] [2]
posted by Wordshore at 1:12 PM on February 24, 2015


Watched the first program several times now. Thought it was unusually controversial for contemporary "safe" BBC e.g. the presenter saying he hates his birthland. Absolutely loved, loved much of the footage (the near-opening shot of the Appalachians was epic), and the music.

(Wish I hadn't done this FPP until after all three shows)
posted by Wordshore at 9:25 AM on February 26, 2015


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