The Wire is an American television drama series set and produced in and around Baltimore, Maryland. Created and primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon, the series was broadcast by the premium cable network HBO in the United States. The Wire premiered on June 2, 2002 and ended on March 9, 2008, comprising 60 episodes over five seasons.
Each season of The Wire focuses on a different facet of the city of Baltimore. In chronological order they are: the illegal drug trade, the seaport system, the city government and bureaucracy, the school system, and the print news media. The large cast consists mainly of character actors who are little known for their other roles. Simon has said that despite its presentation as a crime drama, the show is "really about the American city, and about how we live together. It's about how institutions have an effect on individuals. Whether one is a cop, a longshoreman, a drug dealer, a politician, a judge or a lawyer, all are ultimately compromised and must contend with whatever institution they are committed to."
Despite only receiving modest ratings and never winning major television awards, The Wire has been described by many critics as the greatest television series ever made and one of the most accomplished works of fiction of the 2000s. The show is recognized for its realistic portrayal of urban life, its literary ambitions, and its uncommonly deep exploration of sociopolitical themes.
The theme song used for the show is Way Down in the Hole by Tom Waits:
Tom Waits is awesome, however, today we wish to highlight the same song by a different artist, John Campbell:
John Campbell (January 20, 1952 - June 13, 1993) was an American blues guitarist, singer and songwriter, who was born in Shreveport, Louisiana.
A guitarist who took blues technique to new heights in concerts with a blend of driving rhythms, staccato riffs and bravura slide guitar sequences, his favoured instruments were a 1952 Gibson Southern Jumbo acoustic, a 1934 National Steel and a 1940's National resophonic guitar.
At the time when his recordings and live performances, including an extensive U.S. tour with Buddy Guy as well as two European ventures in 1992 and 1993, were gaining him popularity, Campbell suffered heart failure, in his sleep, aged 41, at his home in New York.
Each season of The Wire focuses on a different facet of the city of Baltimore. In chronological order they are: the illegal drug trade, the seaport system, the city government and bureaucracy, the school system, and the print news media. The large cast consists mainly of character actors who are little known for their other roles. Simon has said that despite its presentation as a crime drama, the show is "really about the American city, and about how we live together. It's about how institutions have an effect on individuals. Whether one is a cop, a longshoreman, a drug dealer, a politician, a judge or a lawyer, all are ultimately compromised and must contend with whatever institution they are committed to."
Despite only receiving modest ratings and never winning major television awards, The Wire has been described by many critics as the greatest television series ever made and one of the most accomplished works of fiction of the 2000s. The show is recognized for its realistic portrayal of urban life, its literary ambitions, and its uncommonly deep exploration of sociopolitical themes.
The theme song used for the show is Way Down in the Hole by Tom Waits:
Tom Waits is awesome, however, today we wish to highlight the same song by a different artist, John Campbell:
John Campbell (January 20, 1952 - June 13, 1993) was an American blues guitarist, singer and songwriter, who was born in Shreveport, Louisiana.
A guitarist who took blues technique to new heights in concerts with a blend of driving rhythms, staccato riffs and bravura slide guitar sequences, his favoured instruments were a 1952 Gibson Southern Jumbo acoustic, a 1934 National Steel and a 1940's National resophonic guitar.
At the time when his recordings and live performances, including an extensive U.S. tour with Buddy Guy as well as two European ventures in 1992 and 1993, were gaining him popularity, Campbell suffered heart failure, in his sleep, aged 41, at his home in New York.
5 comments:
I enjoy both of these musicians!!
The Wire is awesome. The actors are so good you get attached to the cops AND the criminals, making it tough to decide which ones to root for. Way Down in the Hole is a perfect choice for the theme song because most all of the characters find themselves in that predicament one way or another throughout. I enjoyed Tom Waits & John Campbell's version!
A lovely post guitar girls! I was familiar with Tom but not John. Thank you for introducing him. Mel, I agree with what you said. The show is awesome and this theme song a great match.
I can't even imagine how much that last guitar is worth, but I'm sure it's a pretty penny!
wow these pics are the best i've ever seen of john campbell. he's not very photogenic... or maybe it's that he just never smiled much while playing? cool post!
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