The Music We Call Country

The Music We Call Country is a deep-dive into country music’s origins. Winding the clock back to 19th century America, it examines how culture and creativity clashed together to create a genre that has influences stretching to the present day.

The documentary follows a familiar structure of historic footage combined with talking head interviews. It builds a context of an America undergoing technological revolution, wherein broadcasts across mass distances allow for music stylings to spread. Those consigned to poverty and squalor now have voices on the airwaves, like Jimmy Rogers and the Carter Family, whose recordings created the bedrock of the behemoth that country has become today.

There are fascinating stories throughout The Music We Call Country, ones which may have eluded all but the most learned historians of America’s folk history. The true triumph of the film is how clearly and simply it ties music to societal change – demonstrating the importance of broadcasting and technology improvements as well as societal circumstances that produce music that took over the nation. It allows the film to engage those with and without investment or prior understanding of the genre, and demonstrates its importance without needing to say as much. One story of how the Carter family’s music was inspired by communities living either side of a mountain is a perfect representation of how creativity crystalises, and is proof of country music’s pride at emerging from America’s very soil.

Eugene Wolf’s infectious narration makes him the perfect storyteller. The welcoming nature of country music in its earliest instalments demands its voice to be one that makes its history accessible, and Wolf accomplishes this even when detailing its darker moments. Elsewhere the interviewees are a well-selected array of experts and relations to those discussed in the film who offer great context and background to the genre’s development. There are some great asides that will provide some laughs as well – Jackie Collins’ story about the origin of the phrase ‘put a sock in it’ a highlight.

The film eschews unnecessary references to figures more familiar to modern day audiences – with giants like Elvis or Johnny Cash only raised when required. The modern state of the genre is only hinted at briefly – and disdainfully given its departure from its roots. For some this omission will make the subject a little alien, but it does allow the filmmakers to maintain the focus on the history they are looking to cover. For me, this is admirable, as it speaks of a documentary that understands its purpose and is rightfully confident in its ability to convey this without needless trend-chasing.

The title ‘The Music We Call Country’ really does feel appropriate for this fine film, as it brilliantly portrays country as an indescribable, unrepeatable combination of circumstances and influences that created something timeless. We call it ‘country’, but it encompasses so much more. Anyone looking to understand how should give this film a watch.