This looks like being a great documentary to watch
In 1997 Reginald D Hunter swapped Georgia for London, in this three-part music documentary series Reg returns to his homeland to explore its rich musical heritage and sample the new South, a world he left behind with mixed feelings. Reg’s adventure is tempered by original and thought-provoking ruminations on the southern issues of race, pride and identity. A beautiful, original and hot evocation of the cradle of American music.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02j93lq
It’s good so far. Reg is on charming form and everyone he’s met so far has been welcoming and kind. Not sure how much that has to do with Mr Hunter’s innate grace, how much with the presence of a camera crew and how much with judicious editing. As someone who grew up with the B&W Minstrel Show on TV it was interesting to see how the sourcemongers relate to it now.
Apropos of nothing in particular, one of our local radio DJs is called Stephen Foster, and it has been amusing to see touring Americana bands react when they’re introduced.
I loved it.
I did the full southern states road trip (all based on music of course) a few years back. I’m as surprised as Reg seemed to be at the lack of ass-pieces. For sure, the vast vast majority of people I encountered were 100% brill but there were a good few open racists too (Obama/monkey T-shirts were common in the Cajun Country). And I met lots who were happy to juts drop ‘god’ into the conversation without even thinking that they may be talking to someone with a different belief.
Watched it last night on the iPlayer Gubbins. Very enjoyable and I look forward to the next two.
Just watched the 2nd one and absolutely loved it. RDH is perfect for this kind of thing, and his laid back demeanour and love of the music shines out of the tv. This one had the potential for some issues, especially at the Lynyrd Skynyrd gig, but, whether it was the booze they were consuming or the proximity of a tv crew, everyone seemed to be genuinely pleased to see him. The piece to camera at the end, where he wrestled with his thoughts on what he had encountered, and how it contrasted with his experience before he left Georgia, was as honest and engaging as anything I have seen in a long time. Recommended. Highly.