Lomax the Songhunter

Watch Lomax the Songhunter

  • NR
  • 2004
  • 7.6  (91)

Lomax the Songhunter is a 2004 documentary film directed by Rogier Kappers. The film follows the life and work of Alan Lomax, an American ethnomusicologist, and folklorist who is regarded as one of the most important collectors of traditional music of the 20th century. The documentary features interviews with Lomax himself, as well as with his colleagues and protégés.

The film begins by introducing Alan Lomax, who passed away in 2002, and his mission to record traditional music from all over the world. Lomax's interest in folk music was sparked by his father, John Lomax, who was also a folklorist and collected songs from African American communities in the southern United States. Lomax's work took him to places like the Mississippi Delta, where he recorded blues musicians like Muddy Waters and Son House, and to Scotland, where he documented the tradition of Gaelic singing.

The film also explores Lomax's ideology, which was rooted in the belief that music is a reflection of a people's culture and a means of preserving it. Lomax believed that traditional music was being threatened by modernization and commercialization, and he made it his life's work to document and archive as much of it as he could. Lomax's approach, which involved recording music on portable machines and using them to create archives in universities and museums, was groundbreaking for its time and has since become the standard for ethnomusicologists.

One of the strengths of the film is its use of archival footage, which includes recordings of Lomax's interviews and performances with musicians from around the world. The film also includes contemporary interviews with people who worked with Lomax, including his protégé Peter Kennedy, who helped him record British folk music in the 1950s and 60s. The interviews offer personal anecdotes about Lomax and his work, which add depth and complexity to the film's portrait of the man.

Throughout the film, Lomax is portrayed as a driven and dedicated individual who was driven by his love of music and his belief in its importance. However, the film also shows the toll that his work took on him, particularly in terms of his personal relationships. Lomax was married three times and had several children, but he was often away from home for long periods of time due to his work. The film's interviews with Lomax's ex-wife, Antoinette Marchand, offer a glimpse into the strain that his work put on their relationship.

In addition to showcasing Lomax's work, the film also highlights the importance of traditional music to the people who perform it. The film features interviews with musicians like Peggy Seeger, who spoke about the role that traditional music played in her family and in her life. Seeger also talks about Lomax's impact on the folk revival of the 1950s and 60s, which was fueled in part by his recordings.

Overall, Lomax the Songhunter is a moving tribute to a man who dedicated his life to preserving the music of the world. The film offers a compelling mix of archival footage, contemporary interviews, and personal anecdotes that paint a complex and nuanced portrait of Alan Lomax. The film also highlights the importance of traditional music as a means of preserving culture and the ways in which Lomax's work was instrumental in bringing these traditions to a wider audience.

Lomax the Songhunter is a 2004 documentary. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.

Lomax the Songhunter
Description
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  • Release Date
    2004
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.6  (91)