Legends of Traditional Fingerstyle Guitar (1994)
0h 58min
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- Synopsis:
Traditional fingerstyle guitar is particular of its time and place, drawing heavily upon local culture, but allowing for personal expression and innovation. Most rural communities at the turn of the century, especially in the South, had their own stylistic similarities as well as shared repertoire on string instruments. By the time regional representation of rural black and white music began appearing on record, the guitar had become (in most places) the premier instrument of its versatility and expressiveness. While some songs such as John Henry, Casey Jones, and Sitting on Top of the World, became standards almost upon their inception, the manner in which they were played could vary from place to place (two radically different - yet still traditional versions of John Henry by Merle Travis and Josh White that appear on this video, illustrate this). Each of the artists presented here are masters of fingerstyle guitar, whether two or three finger picking, with or without picks. With rare exception, most were born around the turn of the century or in its early years. From the Carolinas, Kentucky and Tennessee to Texas, they fashioned a deeply influential manner of playing wrought from rags, blues, ballads and native airs that permeated their times and gave impetus to any musician, knowingly or not, who picks a string today - Actors:
- Merle Travis, Elizabeth Cotten
- Studio:
- Music Sales Limited
- Genres:
- Documentary, Music & Musicals, Performing Arts, Special Interest
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