Jack White teamed up with T Bone Burnett and Robert Redford to produce an amazing new music documentary called The American Epic Sessions. And now, you can see the trailer outlining the fruits of their labor.
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But it's not just a film about history.
American Epic is a project that brings those old machines and history back to life. In the film, modern artists get the chance to record on one of these amazing machines.
Artists like Willie Nelson, Beck, Alabama Shakes, Elton John and even the late Merle Haggard recorded on an old 1920s era machine. They simply wanted to pay tribute to musical pioneers. You know, people like the Carter Family, Mississippi John Hurt and others.
In a statement, Jack White underlined just why this technology is so important.
"In American Epic we can examine how important the fact is that when phonograph records were invented, for the first time ever, women, minorities, poor rural men and even children were given the opportunity to say whatever they wanted in song," White says. "For the whole world to hear. Shockingly without much censorship."
These people could sing what they couldn't say. Really, it's the backbone of progressive movements in American history.
Legacy Recordings plans on releasing the companion soundtrack. The company also has a 100-song box set and archival recordings. Meanwhile, White's label Third Man Records will release the vinyl. A companion book comes May 2, while the music comes May 12.
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PBS and the BBC plan to air the documentary in three parts beginning May 16.
Jack White recently emerged as a key figure in restoring American music history. His record label is one of the few that still focuses on cutting vinyl recordings and promoting rootsy music.
