From Publishers Weekly
Except for original pieces about Bob Dylan and Peter, Paul and Mary, the articles compiled here about folk, bluegrass and new acoustic musicians first appeared in Guitar Player and Frets magazines. Most pieces have been updated; they profile the artists' backgrounds, careers and contributions to their musical forms. (The articles on Odetta, Pete Seeger, Bill Monroe and Richie Havens include interviews with the musicians.) Subjects represent different eras of modern folk music: from the early days (Woody Guthrie and Malvina Reynolds) to the height of popularity 25 years ago (the Kingston Trio, Joan Baez and Arlo Guthrie) to new acoustic artists (David Grisman and Tony Trischka). Also of note: an article about the Lomax family, the archivists who have made extensive recordings of folk music that might otherwise have been lost. Although this book gives the novice a general background, it adds little new information.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
This informative chronicle of American folk musicians arrives during one of folk music's many revivals. The editor has gathered articles that originally appeared in Guitar Player and Frets magazines between 1970 and 1985. While the result omits some notables (Joni Mitchell and Judy Collins, for example), it represents the diversity of the genre well. The interviews and essays cover many folk styles, from Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, through Odetta, Doc Watson, Gordon Lightfoot, to the new acoustic music. Biography, musicology, and philosophy are woven through each article, often with an unusual and welcome emphasis on the artists' music theory and equipment. Individual discographies are included. A valuable, well-produced addition for most collections. Daniel J. Lombardo, Jones Lib., Amherst, Mass.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.
