Customer Ratings & Reviews

When an artist reaches their third, fourth or even fifth decade the ongoing challenge usually isn’t duplicating past successes, it’s finding yourself and expressing that perspective in a way that is fresh for you, the audience and yet can continue that forward momentum gained from years of experience. At this point in his career, Ken Burns is a fairly known quantity. You know what you are going to get and you either like it or you don’t. His trademark style of telling a story using still photographs, characters with specific voice over narratives and an emotional connection with the audience are all thighs that have propelled his documentary films into popularity. Country music continues this trend, but it is a bit less comprehensive (even at sixteen hours) and less focused than some of Mr. Burns’ other work. This is not criticism so much as an observation...I doubt anyone less skilled than Mr. Burns and his team could capture the essence of a story in all of the varied and random elements of country music. The first half of the documentary, and episodes 5 and 7 notably do this well, even if there is a strong over reliance on Johnny Cash. Episodes 6 and 8, notably, don’t feature a strong center and seem more like a random scattershot of incursion. And now this person! And now this person! And now this person! Eight also features some huge egregious oversights that perhaps speak to the need for some additional episodes. The Gamber was a national phenomenon at the time, but Kenny Rogers’ inclusion in episode 7 is simply an early picture before the gambler and then a mention of four TV movies. There’s footage of him being interviewed so...where is it in the documentary? If runtime is an issue, there were certainly opportunities for some nipping and tucking in some of the long camera holds waiting in silence for the interviewer to decide if they’re going to cry or not. The hinting at what comes after 1996 (the fusion of rock, pop and country into a larger market than ever before and the stadium filling spectacles of Garth brooks and shawnia Twain (both covered, but only as a forward looking perspective although mr brooks has his biography included, so that isn’t an oversight)) seems to indicate there was mor to the story the filmmakers wanted to tell. The fact the episode is listed ending in 1996 but a good chunk of the final episode covers johnny cash through his death in 2003 also speaks to this. The ending was flat, as if we just stopped rather than end the tale as well... The largest oversight is an almost complete lack of George Strait. Fewer than five minutes are dedicated to coverage of him and no interviews. Mr strait’s contributions to growing the industry and leaving his mark, are well documented in the annals of history? So...where is he? Perhaps he didn’t want to be interviewed? But does that mean non inclusion? Please don’t take these issues as a reflection or criticism of the overall film. They aren’t. It is just that they come right at the end and it’s so noticeable a change in quality for this filmmaker that it stands out and leaves a lasting impression. The older episodes are deep in their research and storytelling and it is only as we approach modern complex times that The documentary is fun! It isn’t sad (ok, it periodically is as genius artists meet cruel fates), it isn’t dark and it isn’t intense. It’s fun! When you hear tunes you’ve heard your whole life, even if you don’t remember where you heard them, you sit up a bit straighter in your chair and enjoy it all the more. Marty Stewart who has lots of screen time throughout is a great storyteller and he’s fun to watch as well. Good call on showcasing him so much. And perhaps that would have worked as a formula better than the tried and true historical perspective? Less of that and more music? Who knows? It’s easy to Monday morning quarterback it, but it should be emphasized that this is a monumental undertaking and it’s impressive it turned out as well as it is is. Lots of interviews, lots of songs and lots of history. this is - bottom line - not the top documentary Ken burns has ever made (top third, though, for sure) but it is a solid and really good addition to the ranks of his studios’ achievement. A solid B+ for sure. The fun tunes make it more for tapping and memorable, if a bit breezier than some of the other Films. Overall, a solid recommend for anyone who likes music. I am looking forward to watching it again, but more for the music than for the history. Normally I haven’t made those types of distinctions with prior works of Ken Burns, which but rather than pick it apart more...i recommend just having fun with it! How-deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

The content was not that good. Too much dwelling on Johnny Cash. He was a great artist but too much time spent on his whole life. The series should have been titled 'Country Music by Johnny Cash' .

We enjoyed this on PBS so much, we had to have a copy! Great narration, great storytelling by various artists, great music! Ken Burns always does a great job pulling it all together!

Very complete and interesting from disc to disc. Superbly done as is expected from Ken Burns! A wonderful addition to our video library.

It’s a very good documentary on the history of Country Music.

Although I have never been a country music fan, this documentary takes you through the beginnings thru the end of the 20th century. I found it compelling and extremely interesting with some very good music.

Great dvd set and additional features expensive but worth it. SHIPPING was a huge PROBLEM! Promised by Dec. 24th but didn't get until Dec 30th. Worse was USPS wanted more money to trace the package (never had problems with Best Buy shipments prior)!

For an avid country music fan, these cd's are the best. This was on PBS a month ago and I just had to have a permanent copy.