Down Home Music - A Journey Through the Heartland

Overview

In 1963 German filmmaker Dietrich Wawzyn set out to shoot a series of films for German television that took him through the southern US in search of American jazz and roots music. He contacted Arhoolie Records founder Chris Strachwitz, who jumped at the chance to join him and share his enthusiasm for regional musical traditions. Wawzyn made three films dealing with blues, gospel, and hillbilly music. The negatives to those films were lost. This film recreates the journey from the best elements still available and includes much previously unreleased footage.

Directed by Dietrich Wawzyn

Top cast

Jesse Fuller

self

Lightnin' Hopkins

self

L

Lowell Fulson

self

R

Red Sovine

self

K

King Louis H. Narcisse

self

Mance Lipscomb

self

C

Chief White Cloud

self

B

Black Ace

self

R

Reverend Louis Overstreet

self

S

Sweet Emma Barrett

self

B

Barbara Dane

self

B

Blind James Campbell

self

W

Whistlin’ Alex Moore

self

L

Lewis Family

self

W

Willie Thomas

self

S

Shorty LeBlanc

self

E

Ed Lee Natay

self

H

Hodges Brothers

self

E

Eddie Schaible

self

J

J. E. Mainer

self

Details