American Folk Artists: Appreciation Edition

Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Peter, Paul, and Mary, Richie Havens, Arlo Guthrie

Which ones are folk artists that added important elements to the folk genre?

ALL OF THE ABOVE.

Through their endearing originality, these artists each defined what folk music is. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize each of their greatnesses. Most of them are just familiar names, with no face or credibility.

So I will start with the great Pete Seeger, and lead you down the path towards understanding their glorious accomplishments, ending with the son of the great Woody Guthrie, Arlo Guthrie.

Pete Seeger, transformed American folk as a form of conscience, and had a lifetime commitment to peace, justice, and environmental issues. His hits include "Where Have All The Flowers Gone," "If I Had A Hammer," and "Turn, Turn, Turn".
Joan Baez, an individual committed to peace and non-violence, and who put a face on activism through music. Aside from activism through performing, she founded the Institute For The Study Of Non-Violence.
Peter, Paul, and Mary, a very successful folk act of the 60's that blended intricate harmonies, with fingerpicked guitar arrangements.
Richie Havens, added a unique dimension to folk music and remains popular today, with his original barre chord playing style, and highly rhythmic right-hand technique. (Interesting Fact No. 19933: I almost saw him perform, on my summer vacation up in Freeport, ME. It would have been epic, no doubt.)

& Last of the Greats is Mr. Arlo Guthrie.

Arlo has created a name for himself, aside from his father's high popularity. He plays between older and newer folk styles, and intertwines music and politics in his career.

Now that their recognition has been established in this blog, let's learn to appreciate them, and listen to what they speak in their music...

This information was taken from a book that I own, called Artists of American Folk Music: The Legends of Traditional Folk, the Stars of the Sixties, the Virtuosi of New Acoustic Music.
Check your local library to see if they carry it. Or go ahead and purchase it.

DYLAN: Visions, Portraits, and Back Pages

DYLAN: Visions, Portraits, and Back Pages is a great book to have in your own personal library at home. The book was put together by one of my favorite British magazines, MOJO.

It is a magazine devoted to music, and constantly guides me in discovering new GREAT music. It is also one that devotes itself to promoting under appreciated music, which is something that I sincerely appreciate.

That all goes to say that when I took one glance at the Bob Dylan book MOJO put out, I knew I could trust it to be intriguing and stellar.

And it is. The book tells countless stories of Bob Dylan, and calls for one heck-of-an eye opening experience. In the beginning it describes just how Dylan (his birth name being Robert Zimmerman) wowed the Beatles, and later of his tragic motorcycle accident...

BUY THE BOOK NOW! Read it, enjoy it, pass it on to a friend!

A Mighty Wind.

Yesterday I watched the movie, A Mighty Wind. It's a comedy. And a replay of what the folk scene was like in its beginnings. With a bit of accuracy. In a twisted, distorted way...

There are three accomplished folk bands that are asked to reform for a memorial service for the man who gave them their start. Let's take a look!

The FOLKSMEN

MITCH and MICKEY

The NEW MAIN STREET SINGERS

HINT: click on each of the pictures for a video by the band.

The movie is very very very original. Like none other! I recommend it.
Visit the official site for A Mighty Wind!