"Song Of The South" BBC2 9:00PM Sat. 21 Feb

Posted by: dave4jazz on 17 February 2015

Tennessee and Kentucky

In the first of a three-part road trip, Georgia-born but London-based Reginald D Hunter returns home to explore the American south both past and present through its world-famous songs. Reg begins by exploringthe sounds of Kentucky and Tennessee and the disturbing tradition of blackface minstrelsy.

Hunter is led through the south by its signature songs, including Dolly Parton's My Tennessee Mountain Home, Knoxville Girl, Blue Moon of Kentucky, Chattanooga Choo Choo and minstrel songs such as My Ol' Kentucky Home and Old Folks at Home.

 

On his voyage Reg visits Dollywood, a slave plantation in Bardstown, Nashville - the home of country music, a moonshine distillery in Gatlinburg and a string band festival in Mount Airy.

 

Featuring Dolly Parton, the Handsome Family and Del McCoury.

 

Dave

Posted on: 21 February 2015 by Kevin-W

What a fantastic programme!

 

Reginald D Hunter is a superb host - engaging, full of insights, charismatic and intensely likeable. The pleasure he derives from his journey and the music he encounters shines through. Loved the song selections and the photography too.

 

My only (minor) gripe is that it deserves six or even 10 parts, rather than three, so we can have more and longer music clips and more of RDH.

 

Recommended unreservedly, if you missed it.

Posted on: 22 February 2015 by Daveas

Agree, very interesting and enjoyable. Clearly a labour of love for Reg.

Posted on: 22 February 2015 by Steve J

Very enjoyable.