PBS Folk Music Rewind: The Best of the Best
Contents
Looking for some great folk music to add to your collection? Then check out our PBS Folk Music Rewind blog, where we count down the best of the best in the genre!
The Birth of Folk Music
Folk Music has been around since the beginning of time. It’s a genre that’s been passed down from generation to generation. Folk music is the music of the people and it’s about life, love, and loss.
The Origins of Folk Music
Folk music can be defined in many ways, but one common thread is that it is music by and for the people. It is often passed down orally, from one generation to the next, and reflects the traditions and values of a community.
Folk music has its roots in the oral traditions of medieval Europe. Minstrels were traveling musicians who performed songs about current events and popular legends. These songs were often accompanied by instruments such as the lute, fiddle, or pipe.
As society changed and people began to move from rural areas to cities, folk music began to evolve. In the 18th and 19th centuries, folk songs were collected and published in books known as songbooks. This allowed them to be shared with a wider audience beyond those who heard them performed live.
During the Industrial Revolution, folk music was an important part of the labor movement. Work songs helped workers coordinate their efforts and lifted their spirits during long hours spent in factories or on farms. In America, folk songs such as “John Henry” and “Casey Jones” celebrated the lives of working men and women.
The 20th century saw a renewed interest in folk music, particularly in America. The popularity of artists such as Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger helped bring folk music back into the mainstream. In the 1950s and 1960s, the American Folk Revival gave rise to new Folk singers such as Bob Dylan and Joan Baez.
Today, folk music continues to evolve while still maintaining its connection to tradition. New artists are keeping the Folk tradition alive while adding their own unique perspectives.
The Spread of Folk Music
During the first half of the 20th century, folk music was spread by a network of enthusiasts, musicologists, music teachers, andlibrarians who collected songs and transmitted them to others. In 1918, John Lomax and his son Alan published Cowboy Songs and Other Frontier Ballads, the first significant collection of folk songs from the United States. The following year they began collecting songs from convicts in Texas; their work resulted in the publication of Negro Folk Songs as Sung by Leadbelly (1936). Another important source of American folk songs was Radio Folksong Club meetings in New York City during the 1930s. At these meetings, people would bring records of international folk songs and share them with others.
During World War II, American servicemen stationed abroad had access to a wide variety of international radio programs. When they returned home, they brought with them new recordings and a greater appreciation for the music of other cultures. In the 1940s and 1950s, many traditional folk musicians began to appear on commercial recordings and in nightclubs, concerts, and festivals. The increased visibility of folk music led to a revival of interest in traditional folk styles. This revival continued into the 1960s with the rise of the “folk rock” movement.
The Revival of Folk Music
Folk music has been around for centuries, and it’s recently made a comeback in the mainstream. Folk music is known for its simplicity and its use of acoustic instruments. It’s the perfect genre to unwind to, and it’s also great for dancing. PBS’s Folk Music Rewind celebrates the best of folk music with a collection of the genre’s greatest hits.
The Folk Music Revival of the 1950s and 1960s
In the United States, the folk music revival began in the late 1950s and peaked in popularity in the early 1960s. The revival brought renewed interest in traditional folk music and helped to launch the careers of a number of folk singers, including Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, Joan Baez, and Bob Dylan.
The roots of the folk music revival can be traced to several factors, including a growing interest in world music, a desire to protest social injustice, and an increase in leisure time and disposable income among young people. The revival was also fueled by the success of vocal groups like the Weavers and the Kingston Trio, who popularized traditional folk songs with mainstream audiences.
The folk music revival gave rise to a number of important musical genres, including country-folk and psychedelic folk. It also had a significant impact on popular music, with artists like Bob Dylan incorporating elements of folk into their work. The legacy of the folk music revival can still be heard in today’s Americana and indie-folk scenes.
The Contemporary Folk Music Scene
American Folk Music is currently enjoying a revival in popularity. This type of music has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, particularly among younger people.
There are a number of reasons for this renewed interest in Folk Music. One reason is that Folk Music is seen as being more authentic and down-to-earth than other types of music. This is appealing to many people who are tired of the polished, manufactured sound of much popular music.
Folk Music is also seen as being more reflective of real life and real emotions. The Songs often deal with important issues such as love, loss, social injustice, and war. This can be very powerful and moving for listeners.
Finally, Folk Music is simply enjoyable to listen to! The melodies are catchy and the lyrics are often both clever and witty. There is a great deal of variety within the genre, so there is sure to be something to appeal to everyone.
The Best of the Best
It’s been a long time since the golden age of folk music. But thanks to PBS, we can rewind and enjoy the best of the best. Whether you’re a fan of the Weavers, the Kingston Trio, or Peter, Paul and Mary, you’ll find something to love in this collection.
The Best Folk Songs of All Time
Folk music is a genre of music that is traditionally passed down from generations and often reflects the history and culture of a community. It can be upbeat and cheerful or slow and mournful, but always tells a story.
There are hundreds of folk songs that have been written over the years, but some stand out above the rest. These are the best folk songs of all time:
1. “The Rising of the Moon” by Traditional
2. “The Times They Are A-Changin'” by Bob Dylan
3. “Blowin’ in the Wind” by Bob Dylan
4. “The House of the Rising Sun” by Traditional
5. ” Amazing Grace” by John Newton
6. “Danny Boy” by Traditional
7. “Shenandoah” by Traditional
8.”Cindy” by Traditional
9.”Oh, Shenandoah” by Traditional
10.”Barbara Allen” by Traditional
The Best Folk Albums of All Time
The term “folk music” can mean different things to different people. For the purposes of this list, we’ve defined it as music that is primarily made by and for the people who share a common culture and tradition. This can include music that is passed down orally, music that is written down, or music that is simply performed by tradition-minded musicians.
There are many different subgenres of folk music, and some of the albums on this list may not fit neatly into any one category. But whether they’re traditional ballads or modern protest songs, these are the albums that we believe exemplify the best of folk music.
The Best Folk Artists of All Time
In the world of folk music, there are a select few artists who stand out above the rest. These are the folk musicians who have made the biggest impact on the genre, and who have influence and shaped the sound of folk music for generations to come. Here are some of the best folk artists of all time.
Bob Dylan: Dylan is one of the most influential folk artists of all time. His songs have been covered by hundreds of other artists, and his lyrics have been quoted by everyone from politicians to pop stars. He is also a prolific songwriter, with over 500 songs to his credit.
Woody Guthrie: Guthrie was one of Dylan’s major influences, and was one of the most prolific and influential songwriters of his generation. He wrote hundreds of songs about American history and culture, and was a major force in shaping the sound of folk music.
Joan Baez: Baez is one of the most successful and iconic folk artists ever. She has released over 30 albums, and has won multiple Grammy Awards. Her activism has also been a major part of her career, as she has been involved in various social justice causes throughout her life.
