Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Had scattered family and friends watching on the strength of the first two episodes. We were so mesmerized, we all watched the immediate rebroadcast and couldn't wait for the next segment. Bought 2 sets. Amazing clarity and great details about the beginnings. Loved the treatment of Jimmie Rodgers. Enjoyed the historical extras about the rise of radio and the cast of background characters throughout the first 4. Classic Ken Burns. But what happened? 5, 6, and 7 were excruciating to watch. Were there complications getting permission? No Johnny Horton? "North to Alaska" "Battle of New Orleans" "Sink the Bismarck" "Whispering Pines"? Where was Tennessee Ernie Ford and the tome "Sixteen Tons"? Bobby Helms and "Fraulein"? Marty Robbins had a string of number one hits! You skipped many notable historical markers that lost out to slow pans of the Carter Family, again and again-same stuff. Would have preferred the Americana of Lefty Frizzel singing "Saginaw Michigan" or Kitty Wells "How Far is Heaven?" You overdid Johnny Cash so much you almost made me tired of a favorite. Rosanne Cash is delightful, why wear her out? Delving into the definition and meandering meaning of "Country" was spot on, until harped on to the loss of precious time that should have gone to many other important artists. You missed the chance to broaden the series, widen your cast and accurately depict what really happened. You barely mentioned Glen Campbell. Unbelievable. Another chance to highlight a brilliant songwriter, Jimmy Webb: "Whicita Lineman". In Campbell, you had a "Rhinestone Cowboy" (number 1 hit) to echo several of your fun themes and you missed that? Another tempestuous love life and poignant end? You showed John Denver but didn't let him "Take Me Home Country Roads". The history left out is startling! Instead you used up time making me want to mute "Will the Circle Be Unbroken". Wouldn't have thought that possible. Janis Joplin, hardly a country persona, you gave space for "Bobby McGee" and then left out Linda Ronstadt and "Blue Bayou" (among her several other TOP TEN hits dripping with country). And it is tho the coal minors daughter had no famous country sister in Crystal Gayle. Not worth a little air? That should make your brown eyes blue! This series is half the genius of Ken Burns, and half so disappointing it makes me wonder if some segments were turned over to young Johnny Cash acolytes who actually just went for the easy production of using available footage? I'd give them 2 stars. 8 comes back with a bang and saved me from returning the series.