Documentaries Take Viewers Inside the Music of Colombian Vallenato, Electric Guitar, and Rock

Written by Jacquelinne Mejia Wednesday, 21 July 2010 10:51

During the month of August, the Smithsonian Channel brings Inside the Music, the acclaimed documentary series that takes viewers inside the stories and people that help transform the music industry. It is unveiling three new documentaries next month and premiers on August 1.

The first film in the series, “The Accordion Kings” is set among the Colombian Magadalena Valley, known to locals as “Cowboy Country.”

This is where the accordion music known as vallenato reigns and musicians from all over Latino America compete every four years to be crowned the “King of Kings” in vallenato. Interviews include musicians of this unique Latin American genre as well as Carlos Vives, Grammy Award winner and a native Colombian of Santa Marta, Magdalena. Vives entered his ethnic fusion period where vallenato made a principle impact on his music in the early ‘90s.

The second film shows 90 minutes of electrifying history in Electrified: The Guitar Revolution. The history of the electric guitar began as a backup instrument for big bands, but has evolved into one of the central instruments that now make up rock n’roll. Its origins stem from an assemblage of wire, wood and metal that went on to become a music symbol. The film’s vintage footage, live performances and interviews with guitar aces like G.E. Smith of the Saturday Night Live Band brings pizzazz to this historical screening.
Viewers can watch this history lesson on August 15.

Beatles Mania 

The third, All You Need is Klaus, premieres on August 22 and follows the life of Klaus Voorman, the Grammy Award-winning artist for his iconic drawing on The Beatles’ Revolver album. Friends with the then unknown John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison, Klaus’ artistic renditions, bass guitar skills and quiet fame rise right alongside that of the Beatles. Interviews with the remaining members of the Beatles, Randy Newman and a special interview with Carly Simon on how Klaus played an important role in her hit “You’re So Vain”, add new perspectives.

About the Series 

The Smithsonian Channel  tells the stories of the nation’s history, science and culture through series and documentaries. It is available to customers of Time Warner Cable, DirecTV, Time Warner Cable, Charter Communications, CableVision, Verizon and AT&T. 

All the films are shown on Sundays at 8 pm ET/PT.