Political Folk Music in America from Its Origins to Bob Dylan Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As a long-time fan of not only Bob Dylan, but also Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, I found this book second to none in telling their stories and the story of the folk song movement. The author's analyses and interpretations of Dylan's songs in particular are noteworthy, and the book as a whole is an invaluable tool for understanding how political folk songs affected (and ultimately failed to affect) American life. The writing is clear, at times eloquent, and always informative and entertaining. If you want to understand the history of the political folk song in America, this book is a must.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Political Folk Music in America from Its Origins to Bob Dylan

Many American folk singers have tried to leave their world a better place by writing songs of social protest. Musicians like Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, and Joan Baez sang with fierce moral voices to transform what they saw as an uncaring society. But the personal tales of these guitar-toting idealists were often more tangled than the comparatively pure vision their art would suggest. Many singers produced work in the midst of personal failure and deeply troubled relationships, and under the influence of radical ideas and organizations. This provocative work examines both the long tradition of folk music in its American political context and the lives of those troubadours who wrote its most enduring songs.

Click here for more information about Political Folk Music in America from Its Origins to Bob Dylan