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American Epic

American Epic

★ 7.4/10•2017•TV-PG•Documentary
Similars

The First Time America Heard Itself

Travel the country in search of unknown 1920s artists, when the music of ordinary Americans was recorded for the first time, transforming music forever, in a three-part film narrated by Robert Redford, featuring Jack White, Nas, Taj Mahal and others.

Duke Erikson · Writer

Bernard MacMahon · Writer

Allison McGourty · Writer

Bernard MacMahon · Director

StatusEnded
LanguageEN
First Air DateMay 16, 2017

Episodes

Episode 1 - The Big BangE157m

The Big Bang

Travel to 1920s Tennessee as the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, and the Memphis Jug Band make their first records with producer Ralph Peer on a revolutionary portable recording machine, creating the first recordings of R&B and country songs.

May 16, 2017

Episode 2 - Blood and SoilE257m

Blood and Soil

Travel to the rural South as Elder Burch, Charley Patton and others record early Delta blues, gospel and protest songs. The Great Flood of 1927 devastates Mississippi River communities, leading to northern migration and Chicago Blues by Howlin' Wolf.

May 23, 2017

Episode 3 - Out of the Many, the OneE387m

Out of the Many, the One

Discover how America's diverse cultures contribute to its musical styles: from the Hopi tribe to Hawaii's Joseph Kekuku to Mexican-American Lydia Mendoza and the Cajun Breaux Family. Mississippi John Hurt's blues inspires a generation of musicians.

May 30, 2017

Episode 4 - The American Epic SessionsE4140m

The American Epic Sessions

Using the only 1920's era recording device in existence, Jack White and T Bone Burnett produce a series of recording sessions in tribute to the mostly unknown artists celebrated in the three prior episodes of this PBS documentary series.

Jun 6, 2017

Actors

Robert Redford

Robert Redford

Narrator (voice)

Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal

Self

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