The companion book to the groundbreaking PBS and BBC documentary series celebrating the pioneers and artists of American roots music—blues; gospel; folk; Cajun; Appalachian; Hawaiian; Native American—without which there would be no jazz; rock; country RB; or hip hop today.Jack White; T. Bone Burnett; and Robert Redford have teamed up to executive produce American Epic; a historical music project exploring the pivotal recording journeys of the early twentieth century; which for the first time captured the breadth of American music and made it available to the world. It was; in a very real way; the first time America truly heard herself. In the 1920s and 1930s; as radio took over the pop music business; record companies were forced to leave their studios in major cities in search of new styles and markets. Ranging the mountains; prairies; rural villages; and urban ghettos of America; they discovered a wealth of unexpected talent—farmers; laborers; and ethnic minorities playing styles that blended the intertwining strands of Europe; Africa; Asia; and the Americas. These recordings form the bedrock for modern music as we know it; but during the Depression many record companies went out of business and more than ninety percent of the fragile 78 rpm discs were destroyed. Fortunately; thanks to the continuing efforts of cultural detectives and record devotees; the stories of America’s earliest musicians can finally be told. Bernard MacMahon and Allison McGourty; who directed and produced the documentary with American musician Duke Erikson; spent years traveling around the US in search of recollections of those musical pioneers. Their fascinating account; written with the assistance of prize-winning author Elijah Wald; continues the journey of the series and features additional stories; never-before-seen photographs; and unearthed artwork. It also contains contributions from many of the musicians who participated including Taj Mahal; Nas; Willie Nelson; and Steve Martin; plus a behind-the-scenes look at the incredible journey across America. American Epic is an extraordinary testament to our country’s musical roots; the transformation of our culture; and the artists who gave us modern popular music.
#373716 in Books 2014-04-18 9.00 x .47 x 6.00l; #File Name: 1499155425206 pages
Review
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful. A Highly Personal AccountBy John D. CofieldThis book was originally published in the 1920s; and it certainly reads like it; with an old-fashioned vocabulary and phrasing that can make plowing through it heavy going at times. Still; it's valuable because it's a first person account of the years just before and during the Russian Revolution of February 1917 by an insider at the Russian Imperial Court.Anna Virubova was born a member of the Russian aristocracy; with parents who circulated on the fringes of St. Petersburg and Moscow's high society. Her family was friends and neighbors to the Grand Duke Serge and his wife Elizabeth; whose younger sister eventually married Tsar Nicholas II. This meant that Anna was introduced to the young Empress Alexandra; who took an interest in her and arranged what turned out to be a disastrous marriage to a Russian army officer. When the marriage collapsed after a year Alexandra and her husband apparently felt sympathetic and a bit guilty about it and included Anna in some of their family gatherings. She and the Empress hit it off and became close friends.Anna's continued intimacy with the Imperial Family caused jealousy among the other Romanovs and in Russian high society as a whole; who were largely excluded from contact with the Tsar and Empress due to Alexandra's extreme shyness. Her reputation suffered along with the Empress's when Gregory Rasputin became another court favorite; and by 1917 Anna was widely regarded as an arch intriguer and possible German spy. She was arrested by the new revolutionary government; spent several months in prison being investigated; and was eventually released without further charges. She was fortunate enough to be able to flee Russia shortly after the Bolsheviks took power in October 1917 and spent the rest of her life in Finland.Anna Virubova was not a well-educated or particularly intelligent woman. She was loyal to a fault; refusing to believe any of the unsavory stories about Gregory Rasputin; for example. She was just as loyal to the Tsar and Empress and their five children; spending most of her book defending their good names and characters. She had little or no understanding of the forces which brought about World War I the Revolution. The value of her memoirs lies in her memories of what life was like with Nicholas and Alexandra as private people.14 of 14 people found the following review helpful. A real good read - get to know ANNABy CMP3At first I wrote a review that was not flattering; then after doing more research I found that this book is the real deal written many; many years ago (90).. Initially I said that the material was not new and that I have seen most of it before and was not impressed since the book I received (VIA ) had NO publisher listed; author; editor listed; bibliography at all and was not proofed in any manner. Was not sure it was credible at all - it appears to be pages of text with a cover slapped on to it). So; last night as I was thumbing thru The Romanov Family Album (1982) by Anna V. taken from her own photographs of the Royal family the foreword is written my Robert Massie where he quotes Memories of the Russian Court over and over. Nicholas Alexandra heavily quotes MOTRC as well as numerous other publications; yet several do not list it as a source.MOTRC is a delightful comprehensive publication examining the Russian Court of Nicholas II. Yes; if you are not completely familiar with the Court goings on; this is a very good start. Lots of information that you will see in other publications.My only concern (why 4 stars) is that somewhere in the past 90 years there should have been some editing done on the piece. If there was it would flow beautifully; the paragraphs and chapters would flow better and needless to say; the punctuation needs to be heavily corrected as well as they type-O's.Still; it is a wonderful book that should be added to your library of Imperial Russian History. If it was tweaked a bit - a real gem. As it stands now; there is a bit of charm in the current state - more like a diamond in the rough waiting to be polished. It brings Anna to life.I just wanted to delete my previous review and give Anna her due. I needed to make it right.Enjoy! For the price Anna brings the Court to life.22 of 22 people found the following review helpful. Anya Vyrubova's memoirsBy A ReaderThis could be a good or a bad choice for purchase depending out what you want it for. If you're looking to research the Romanov's family life or the attitudes Rasputin's followers had towards him; this is a very good choice. If you're researching the late Imperial Russian government or the Russian Revolution and its causes; I would look elsewhere--Vyrubova; for all her access to Nicholas and Alexandra; was not a government official and does not seem to have been well versed in politics. In this reprint edition the text is very legible and easy to read. My only criticism is that most of the photos did not scan well.
