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Movie Review: “Country: Portraits Of An American Sound” Is A Fantastic Tribute To The Ones Who Cared To Document The History & Evolution Of Country

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“Country: Portraits of an American Sound” is a documentary film that explores the history and culture of country music through the lens of photography, which has portrayed the ideals, lifestyle, and personalities of country music artists for over 80 years.

One of the most vital questions we ask people when attempting to get to know them (or rather judge them based on our uniquely somewhat arbitrary standards) is, “What music do you listen to?” Having grown up in inner-city Dallas, I usually answered, “Everything but Country.” Most people my age responded something similar. Country music just wasn’t where it was at where I was growing up, and therefore avoided like the plague. Later on, perhaps early college days, I’d answer the same but with exceptions, having developed a taste for Outlaw Country, Classic Country, and Bluegrass and this or that artist. My exceptions list grew longer and it wasn’t too long before Country became lumped in with my, “Everything.”

My love and respect for Country music grew after having lived in a foreign country for a few years and then returning home to work with my dad at his auction house filled with all kinds of curiosities: antique photos, vintage clothing, record albums, military memorabilia, groovy art glass…the list could go on and on. One day someone came across a vintage Nudie suit and it was pretty outrageous. The suit inspired conversations about Country music, what it was and wasn’t and what it isn’t anymore and a slew of childhood memories and favorite singers and tales of a “simpler” and “purer” world (whatever that means). It was fascinating to learn how much Country had affected these people for one reason or another, and in that moment it dawned on me that before Rock n’ Roll, there was Country. I could ramble on forever about my particular “dawnings” but the digression would be unending. But eventually, my point would be that Steven Kochones’ documentary, “Country: Portraits of an American Sound,” is an excellent documentary of the purveyors of Country music history and soul: the photographers.

The film is part light history and evolution of country music and part exhibit. It thoroughly highlights the works and importance of the photographers of country music, with wisdom and stories shared through a series of interviews with the photographers and musicians themselves. Some of the photographers and musicians included are Henry Diltz, Henry Horenstein, Les Leverett, David McClister, Raeanne Rubenstein, Merle Haggard, Roy Clark, Marty Stuart, Connie Smith, Brenda Lee, Charley Pride, & Lyle Lovett (among many more).

Sometimes I forget how powerful a photograph can be. It’s odd to think about now but not too long ago, I used to love nothing more than to tear into a new CD and take out the insert and pour through the pictures, taking in every detail, looking for hidden clues, desperately trying to unearth the meaning of the most obscure songs. But I imagine that I’m not alone in not having done that in a good while now with the advent of direct downloads via the internet. It’s as if part of the mystery, the game, is lost. While there may be music videos and other means of keeping fans enthused, there’s just a particular solitary magic in a photograph. That point is driven throughout “Country: Portrait of an American Sound.”

While I think some of the history content of this documentary (although it is interesting) is a bit skewed. But that can be forgiven as this documentary is less a history lesson on the roots of Country music and more a history and evolution of the fashioning and power of Country music’s image. And it succeeds beautifully in executing this mission, documenting the evolution of the Country musician’s image from “hillbilly” to the Rhinestone Cowboy to the Outlaw and to the contemporary Pop Country image of megastar Taylor Swift, and everything in between. Kochones has rendered an admirable homage to both Country music and to the essence and importance of the still photograph.

Now available on VOD & Digital HD

 

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