Smithsonian Institution Archives

Productions, 1995-1998

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FA14-297
Creators:
Smithsonian Productions
Dates:
1995-1998
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
48.5 cu. ft. (45 record storage boxes) (7 document boxes)
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Descriptive Entry

Descriptive Entry
This accession documents the production of "The Mississippi: River of Song." This project combined a television series, radio series, and compact disc (CD) set. The project as a whole explores the richness and vitality of American music at the close of the twentieth century through live performances and intimate discussions with musicians along the course of the Mississippi River.
The 4-part television series aired on the Public Broadcasting Service beginning in January 1999. Episodes include "Americans Old and New," "Midwestern Crossroads," "Southern Fusion," and "Louisiana, Where Music is King." The series takes viewers on a musical journey from the headwaters in northern Minnesota to the river's mouth in the Gulf of Mexico, creating a portrait of the American musician along the way. All scenes were shot live on location and feature musicians that represent the regional culture.
The 7-part radio series aired on Public Radio International affiliates beginning in January 1999. The radio series is similar in content to the television series and is hosted by Ani DiFranco. Episodes include "Land of Lakes and Cultures;" "Midwestern Crossroads," "Sounds Around Saint Louis," "Memphis Rhythm and Delta Blues," "Rockin' Round the Water," "Musical Bayous and Traditional Melodies," and "The Beat of New Orleans."
The 2-CD set consists of 36 tracks of live recordings from 1995 through 1997 and is subtitled "A Musical Journey Down the Mississippi." The CDs feature contemporary musicians who have forged their styles out of the rich musical heritage found along the banks of the Mississippi River. The CDs were distributed through Smithsonian Folkways beginning in 1998.
Materials in this accession include original film negatives and audio and video originals, masters, safety copies, and transfers of performances, interviews, and scenery. Also included are interview transcripts, logs, databases, tape lists, and other documentation of the audiovisual elements. Some materials are in electronic format.

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 14-297, Smithsonian Productions, Productions
Access Restriction
Special restrictions on use of these materials may apply. Viewing/listening copies are not currently available, but can be made for a fee, Transferring office; 4/10/2002 memorandum, Peters to SIA; Contact reference staff for details.

More Information

Notes

SI Records


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
DiFranco, Ani Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Public Broadcasting Service (U.S.) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Public Radio International Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian/Folkways Recordings Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
The Mississippi: River of Song (Television program : 1999) Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
The Mississippi: River of Song (Radio program : 1999) Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
The Mississippi: River of Song: A Musical Journey Down the Mississippi (Compact disc : 1998) Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
The Mississippi: River of Song: Americans Old and New (Television program : 1999) Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
The Mississippi: River of Song: Midwestern Crossroads (Television program : 1999) Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
The Mississippi: River of Song: Southern Fusion (Television program : 1999) Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
The Mississippi: River of Song: Louisiana, Where Music is King (Television program : 1999) Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
The Mississippi: River of Song: Land of Lakes and Cultures (Radio program : 1999) Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
The Mississippi: River of Song: Midwestern Crossroads (Radio program : 1999) Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
The Mississippi: River of Song: Sounds Around Saint Louis (Radio program : 1999) Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
The Mississippi: River of Song: Memphis Rhythm and Delta Blues (Radio program : 1999) Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
The Mississippi: River of Song: Rockin' Round the Water (Radio program : 1999) Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
The Mississippi: River of Song: Musical Bayous and Traditional Melodies (Radio program : 1999) Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
The Mississippi: River of Song: The Beat of New Orleans (Radio program : 1999) Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Television -- Production and direction Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Radio -- Production and direction Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Music -- United States Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Musicians -- United States Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Documentary television programs Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Mississippi River Place Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Mississippi River Valley Place Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Manuscripts Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Compact discs Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Databases Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Electronic records Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Floppy disks Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Audiotapes Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Motion pictures (visual works) Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Videotapes Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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