This may be the most eclectic chapter of the American Epic series, as it takes a look at a handful of musical genres from various parts of the country. First up is the Hopi Indian musical tradition with such off beat offerings as the 'Chant of the Snake Dance' and the 'Chant of the Eagle Dance'. Unauthorized archival film footage is shown of ceremonies that for decades were meant only for the eyes of the Hopi tribes.
What was most interesting to me in this segment was the manner in which the steel guitar was invented in the early 1900's by an eleven year old boy named Joseph Kekuku in Hawaii. Walking along a railroad track, the young boy picked up a metal bolt and it accidentally created a unique sound when it slid along Joseph's guitar strings. With that as inspiration, the boy began developing various sounds using a steel finger grip, prominently used to produce that lilting musical sound most often associated with the Hawaiian Islands. The success of the steel guitar was on display at the Hawaiian Pavilion of the San Francisco World's Fair of 1915.
Moving on, the episode takes a quick look at the Mexican musical tradition originating with the Mendoza Family, and winds up by focusing on Bayou Country Cajun Music, a mixed jumbalaya of influences from the French Canadian, Mexican, Black and related styles. It's a fascinating look back on the history of 'ordinary folk music' as opposed to the massive amount of commercially produced records of the era that began to lose their appeal when the Depression hit. What these musical styles reflected was the hardship and poverty associated with living in areas with little opportunity, and how it's practitioners offered a way for their listeners to escape their troubles, if only for a little while.
What was most interesting to me in this segment was the manner in which the steel guitar was invented in the early 1900's by an eleven year old boy named Joseph Kekuku in Hawaii. Walking along a railroad track, the young boy picked up a metal bolt and it accidentally created a unique sound when it slid along Joseph's guitar strings. With that as inspiration, the boy began developing various sounds using a steel finger grip, prominently used to produce that lilting musical sound most often associated with the Hawaiian Islands. The success of the steel guitar was on display at the Hawaiian Pavilion of the San Francisco World's Fair of 1915.
Moving on, the episode takes a quick look at the Mexican musical tradition originating with the Mendoza Family, and winds up by focusing on Bayou Country Cajun Music, a mixed jumbalaya of influences from the French Canadian, Mexican, Black and related styles. It's a fascinating look back on the history of 'ordinary folk music' as opposed to the massive amount of commercially produced records of the era that began to lose their appeal when the Depression hit. What these musical styles reflected was the hardship and poverty associated with living in areas with little opportunity, and how it's practitioners offered a way for their listeners to escape their troubles, if only for a little while.
