Ken Burns’ Jazz documentary on Freeview

[DylanB]

For anyone who might be interested, PBS America (Freeview channel 91) are showing the Jazz documentary by Ken Burns over the next couple of days. Starting at 1pm tomorrow (Monday).

It’s a bit much to sit through as they’re doing it in two massive chunks Monday and Tuesday, but if you can set your telly box to record all episodes you can dig in later at your leisure.

[JohnR]

This is an amazing series. 

[Frank Blank]

This is a brilliant series. I’ve watched it all twice now and I’m going to record it and watch again.

[mikel]

One of the most interesting and informative music docs I have seen so far. We have it in box set.

[Leonard Smalls]

Annoyingly, our Freeview doesn't have this (or many other!) channel... We're on one of those booster sub transmitters - they obviously think us yokels wouldn't be interested in any of that fancy Townie Telly!

[DylanB]

I’m looking forward to it. I’m on a bit of a jazz kick at the moment and my teacher told me to check it out. Loved the Ken Burns documentaries on WW2 and the war in Vietnam.

[bazzbass]

it's title is actually misleading, it is as much about modern western music from the 1920s onwards.

Bing Crosby, staid old, boring old Bing Crosby was actually a trendsetter. He was the first non musician to front a big band. He was also the first to sing into a mic thru a pa. iirc

[Staggering on]

22 hours ago, mikel said:

One of the most interesting and informative music docs I have seen so far. We have it in box set.

I've got the box set too and have watched some of the segments several times and learn something every time and enjoy the music.

I agree with your feelings about it and was very surprised when I Googled some reviews and found some very harsh criticism from some pretty big names as well as others, I hadn't realized it was so controversial.

That being said, maybe I'll watch a couple of segments over the holidays.

[Stingray5]

Sadly, I spotted this thread too late so only able to watch (and record) the latter parts. No worries, I'll keep a look out for any possible repeat showings (it's also currently on Sky 174).

Also, while looking for possible repeat showings, I spotted PBS America are also showing an 8-part documentary about Country Music, split over Saturday (from 1.30pm) and Sunday (from 1.00pm).

I've always loved Jazz and Country in equal measure so for me it's a win-win!

[Owen]

If you missed it then you can do a 7 day PBS free trial on Amazon Prime

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ken-Burns-Jazz/dp/B0756873RJ?ref_=d6k_applink_bb_dls

 

[Stingray5]

6 minutes ago, owen said:

If you missed it then you can do a 7 day PBS free trial on Amazon Prime

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ken-Burns-Jazz/dp/B0756873RJ?ref_=d6k_applink_bb_dls

 

Aha, thanks, I'll check it out 👍

[StickyDBRmf]

Ken Burns stuff has it's critics, esp. the Jazz series, but it's very good just the same. I really enjoyed the Country one, not "into" country per se, but the bluegrass & Hank Williams were jolly fun.

[Staggering on]

I've seen the country music one on PBS and it is well done and I learned a lot. Before the actual series PBS ran a show telling how the series was made, interesting stuff.

[sunfish]

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/jazz-culture/id383719325

This is also interesting. You have to endure the lecturers delivery a bit  but it is fascinating looking at the cultural aspects of how and why jazz developed.

Well worth a listen if you're interested in jazz.

 

[stewblack]

Thanks for this. I have only recently discovered a liking for jazz, so I will hunt down the documentary. 

 

 

[DylanB]

I’m taking a belt and braces approach.
 

1. I’m watching this documentary

2. I received this excellent looking book for Christmas: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jazz-Gary-Giddins/dp/0393068617

3. Sep-Dec this year I took a History of Jazz online course through the VSO school in Vancouver, which I think was actually largely based on the above book.

 

I’m hopeful that with this three pronged approach, some of this information might actually stick in my thick skull 👍