Folk (American Popular Music) By Richard Carlin

The reader will be delighted by discovering both old and new musical friends, as well as strong links between the British Isles and the United States. It is hoped that these entries will inform as well as stimulate the reader to explore this music farther.

Richard Carlin has crafted a wide-ranging and creative guide to understanding the history of folk music in the United States and Great Britain throughout the 20th century. The reader might be curious as to why another folk music encyclopedia is necessary at this time. After all, there is no dearth of encyclopedias and other research tools that cover the history of folk music broadly defined, which would include country/western, string-bands, blues, gospel, cajun, singer-songwriters, and much more. To take one very simple example, biographical information on Bob Dylan is readily available, as is the case with many of the individuals and topics here represented. This volume documents folk music as it has been a part of American popular music history. It covers a wide range of material, from traditional ballads and dance tunes to the work of popular singer-songwriters. That the volumes will open your eyes, minds, and, most important, your ears to a world of musical styles. Some may be familiar, others more obscure, but all are worthy. With today’s proliferation of sound on the Web, finding even the most obscure recording is becoming increasingly simple. All of this is a roundabout way of saying that folk music means many different things to different people. This encyclopedia tries to embrace as many of these meanings as possible, while highlighting the key musicians, styles, and musical instruments that are popular today. Like all the volumes in this series, it is meant to serve as an introduction, not an end point, in your journey. Each of these musicians had influences and subsequently influenced other performers; by following these threads, a rich world of music will unfold. This collection inspires your further explorations in the rich world of American folk music. Author urge you to read deeply but also to put these books down to listen. Come to your own conclusions. American popular music is a rich world, one open to many different interpretations. Hope these volumes serve as your windows to these many compelling worlds.
TOC
       A-TO-Z ENTRIES
       Appendixes
       Further Reading and Resources
       Glossary of Music Terms
       Editorial Board of Advisers