POV Season 21 Episode 11 Lomax the Songhunter (Encore)

In the documentary film Lomax the Songhunter (Encore), filmmaker Rogier Kappers explores the life and legacy of folklorist and musicologist Alan Lomax. Lomax was a tireless collector of traditional music, traveling across the United States and around the world to record songs and stories from different cultures. Through interviews with musicians, scholars, and Lomax's own archives, the film paints a portrait of a man who believed passionately in the power of music to connect people across geographic and cultural boundaries.

The film is structured around Lomax's travels, beginning with his early recordings of blues musicians in the American South. We hear from artists such as B.B. King and Taj Mahal, who credit Lomax with preserving their music and introducing it to a wider audience. We also see footage of Lomax in the field, talking to singers and recording their performances. It's clear that he had a deep love and respect for the people he worked with, and that he saw his role as a mediator between them and the rest of the world.

As the film progresses, we follow Lomax on his journeys to other parts of the globe, such as Haiti and Spain. We see how he would set up his equipment in the middle of a village and invite the locals to come and sing their songs. Through his recordings, we hear the sounds of cultures that might otherwise have gone unrecorded, from sea shanties to work songs to lullabies.

One of the most striking things about Lomax's work, as this film makes clear, was his belief in the universality of music. He saw traditional music as a kind of "cultural DNA," a way of passing down history and values from one generation to the next. Through his recordings, he hoped to show that all people share a fundamental connection through their music, regardless of language or geography.

The film also explores some of the controversies surrounding Lomax's work, particularly his use of field recordings in the 1950s to create commercial albums such as "The Sounds of the South" and "The Spanish Recordings." Some critics accused him of exploiting the singers he had recorded, while others argued that his commercial success helped to bring their music to a wider audience. The film doesn't take a strong stance on these debates, but rather presents them as part of Lomax's complex legacy.

Despite the challenges he faced, Lomax remained committed to his work throughout his life. Even in his later years, when he was battling health problems and financial difficulties, he continued to write and speak about the importance of traditional music. The film ends with a clip of him performing one of his own songs, a poignant reminder of the spirit and passion that drove him throughout his long and fascinating career.

Overall, Lomax the Songhunter (Encore) is a beautifully crafted tribute to a man who helped to shape our understanding of music and culture. Through its mix of archival footage, interviews, and contemporary performances, it brings Lomax's work to life in a way that is both informative and deeply moving. It's a must-watch for anyone interested in the history of music and the ways it can bring us closer together.