The NPR Curious Listener's Guide to American Folk Music [Paperback]

Kip Lornell (Author), Linda Ronstadt (Foreword)

Book Description

Release date: December 7, 2004

Bluegrass and Ballads. Chicken Scratch and Gospel. Polka and Powwows. Perhaps Mike Seeger summed it up best: when asked what genres come under the rubric of American Folk he said, "All the music that fits between the cracks." And all that music is in this unique volume.

THE PERFORMERS, including: Woody and Arlo Guthrie, Burl Ives, Mike Seeger, Alan Lomax, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, The Mamas and the Papas, The Kingston Trio, Robert Johnson, Leadbelly, Muddy Waters, and Peter, Paul, and Mary

THE SONGS, including: Barbara Allen, Frankie and Johnny, Hallelujah I'm a Bum, John Henry, This Land is Your Land, We Shall Overcome, All My Trials, River of Jordan, Peace in the Valley, and Corrina, Corrina

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kip Lornell has been researching and writing about American roots music since the late 1960s. Since 1973 he has lived and worked in the South, primarily on music-related films, record projects, and books. Currently teaching in the Music Department at George Washington University, he is the author of eight books including The Life and Legend of Leadbelly (with Charles Wolfe), Introducing American Folk Music: Grassroots and Ethnic Traditions in the United States, and Happy in the Service of the Lord: African American Gospel Quartets in Memphis. He was awarded the 1992 ASCAP-DEEMS TAYLOR Award for the best book about American music and a 1997 Grammy Award for his writing that appeared in the booklet accompanying the "Anthology of American Folk Music" issued by Smithsonian Folkways.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Perigee Trade (December 7, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399530339
• ISBN-13: 978-0399530333
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,197,797 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for folk musicians May 13, 2007

By Alyssa A. Lappen TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

This is a nice book for the folk singer in your life. Players, too (and anyone who simply enjoys listening) will also appreciate this expose of the development and intricacies of the folk genre and some of its better (and less) known artists. A great little book for people into folk songs.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars just what we needed December 19, 2010

By John Adkisson

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

My son needed this book, The NPR Curious Listener's Guide To American Folk Music by Kip Lornell, for a class project. It was exactly what he needed. The book arrived as advertised and in a timely manner.