My family is from Appalachia, where they still sing using the "Sacred Harp" style of song leading. Before Lomax recorded the songs, a lady teacher brought a group of musicologists from England to listen to the singing in her church. Mr. Lomax came a few years later, and members of my family sing on his albums.
shareHooray for you; finally, a comment from someone who knows what this excellent movie is about. It's the first mainstream attempt to shed some light on the search in the Appalachians for old versions of songs brought over by the first settlers there and hard to find in their countries of origin. This movie was very exciting to the small community of lovers of traditional music in the U.S. and the U.K. It did honor to the bearers of that tradition.
shareI enjoyed this Movie immensely. Loved the Music, songs and the Scenery and the acting was good too.
This is a part of history at it's best. Should be more of it!
"It's nice to be important, But it's more important to be nice!! :)
The music was amazing, and Emily Rossum did an excellent job singing through out each scene. Plusm Emily was sooo young when she made this movie and yet her voice was so strong! WOW!....I am now looking for the Soundtrack to this movie.
:-)
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Rossum is talented...even though she was so young...
and the contrast to her singing here.. and in The Phantom of The Opera.
Interesting history.
This was based on the work/research done Olive Dame Campbell (1882-1954) as well as Dorothy Scarborough. The movie seems to be a mix of the two women's lives and work.
Olive Dame Campbell, went along with her husband, who had received a grant in 1909 to study the school systems (the husband). While there, she noticed the music and started her focus of study.
Brief: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive_Dame_Campbel
More comprehensive: http://www.wcu.edu/craftrevival/people/olivecampbell.html
Dorothy Scarborough (1878-1935). Two years after her death, a collection of her work called "A Song Catcher in the Southern Mountains" was published.
She actually was literary author, who later in life, turned her interest to folk lore and folk songs. She had a PhD from Columbia, where she taught literature. Although portrayed much earlier in the film (around 1907/turn of the century), she actually got her grant to do her research in 1930).
Here is a VERY brief bio in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothy_Scarborough
How much truth is there to the homosexuality/lesbianism aspects of the film?
shareHi...I'm another fan of The Songcatcher and one of those who hears a snippet of lyrics then has to search until I can find the entire song. Maybe with your background the song may sound familiar.....two sisters and a love 'em and leave 'em type of guy. He romances and leaves (possibly murders) one of the sisters. The second sister knows this so entices him to a secluded area with promises of her love. Once there she convinces him to turn around while she undresses, then I believe pushes him from the cliff to his death. I think she then goes home to tell their mother. Does this sound at all familiar? It is not 'Oh the Wind and Rain'. I heard it a number of years ago on the radio and really would appreciate any help you may give....thanks
shareHmm, a bit of this scenerio is in False Sir John
http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/folk-song-lyrics/False_Sir_John.htm
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