[Tom M]

I'm interested in exploring music I don't usually listen too. I was wondering if anyone knew of a good book about folk music that explains the history and gives a short bio on the major artists. I would also like a book that lists recommended recordings of these artist.

 

[blessingx]

Don't know about books, but I've always wanted to give a listen to Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music. Plus some of the Alan Lomax collections are incredible. The Treasury of Library of Congress Field Recordings is also worth a listen.

 

[Nightfall]

Quote:

Originally posted by Tom M I'm interested in exploring music I don't usually listen too. I was wondering if anyone knew of a good book about folk music that explains the history and gives a short bio on the major artists. I would also like a book that lists recommended recordings of these artist.

I have just what you need, Tom. Pick yourself up a copy of
The Music Hound Folk - Essential Album Guide. Its a huge, nearly telephone sized encyclopedia that covers EVERYTHING. I find it equally fascinating and indispensable if you enjoy folk music. There are historical notes on each artists career and the best part, a complete discography of what they have released with individual notes on each one, rating it.
I got mine at Barnes and Noble, but any good book store, Borders etc. or certainly Amazon should have it. In fact, here is a link, and its a bargain besides. Highly recommended.


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...roduct-details




JC

 

[zowie]

I was not impressed with the Music Hound guide. It might be okay for someone just getting into things, but it's not comprehensive at all. There are many omissions and I find some of the descriptions to be a bit superficial. It is also focused on the Rounder/Flying Fish type stuff but neglects a lot of the ealier traditional music or topical songs. Still, it's better than nothing. No offense to Nightfall's opinion intended.

An excellent book to read is Baby Let Me Follow You Down by fingerpicker and illustrator Eric Von Schmidt. It is focused on the 1960s Cambridge scene, but that was one hell of a rich and varied scene. Lots of unbelievable photos and a good deal of interview material.

Harry Smith. Bob Dylan gave an interview in Rolling Stone a couple years ago saying that the role of the Harry Smith Anthology in the folk music revival is vastly overrated, it was just one of many sources. Personally, I found the Anthology interesting, but there's not much on there I want to hear more than once.

For a musical survey that's broader in scope and has catchier songs --check out the Smithsonian Folk Music set (or some similar title, four discs I think).

For a more narrow survey, but the best single collection of folk music there is IMO, check out Rhino's Greenwich Village Memories 3-disc box, which covers 1950 to 1970. Ranges from the very commercial groups to the more "authentic" ones, to the jug band and old-timey revival, to the birth of the singer-songwriter era. Great overview of the period - I'd expect you'll find a number of artists you want to hear more from on it.

All of the above has to do only with American Folk Music. International is a huge topic.

 

[Nightfall]

Zowie,


No offense taken. My comment was more based upon the fact that its simply the best book out there that I've found, seen or heard of. Yes, it certainly does have some important omissions, some odd choices, and isnt fully comprehensive, but it is huge, and covers an equally huge amount of ground. I wish it had more, in depth, descriptions too, but its likely to be the best we get, methinks. And, as one volume compendiums go, is still pretty impressive, despite its shortcomings. And I thought it was the best available starting point, in print, for what he asked. Just my thoughts.


JC


Quote:

Originally posted by zowie I was not impressed with the Music Hound guide. It might be okay for someone just getting into things, but it's not comprehensive at all. There are many omissions and I find some of the descriptions to be a bit superficial. It is also focused on the Rounder/Flying Fish type stuff but neglects a lot of the ealier traditional music or topical songs. Still, it's better than nothing. No offense to Nightfall's opinion intended. An excellent book to read is Baby Let Me Follow You Down by fingerpicker and illustrator Eric Von Schmidt. It is focused on the 1960s Cambridge scene, but that was one hell of a rich and varied scene. Lots of unbelievable photos and a good deal of interview material. Harry Smith. Bob Dylan gave an interview in Rolling Stone a couple years ago saying that the role of the Harry Smith Anthology in the folk music revival is vastly overrated, it was just one of many sources. Personally, I found the Anthology interesting, but there's not much on there I want to hear more than once. For a musical survey that's broader in scope and has catchier songs --check out the Smithsonian Folk Music set (or some similar title, four discs I think). For a more narrow survey, but the best single collection of folk music there is IMO, check out Rhino's Greenwich Village Memories 3-disc box, which covers 1950 to 1970. Ranges from the very commercial groups to the more "authentic" ones, to the jug band and old-timey revival, to the birth of the singer-songwriter era. Great overview of the period - I'd expect you'll find a number of artists you want to hear more from on it. All of the above has to do only with American Folk Music. International is a huge topic.