The Best Folk Music DVDs

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

If you’re a fan of folk music, check out our list of the best folk music DVDs. From new releases to classic performances, there’s something for everyone.

The Best Folk Music DVDs

There are many great Folk Music DVDs out there, but there are only a few that stand out above the rest. The following list will showcase the best Folk Music DVDs currently available.

The Best of the Newport Folk Festival

The Newport Folk Festival is an American annual folk-oriented music festival in Newport, Rhode Island, which began in 1959 as a counterpart to the previously established Newport Jazz Festival. Chick Corea, James Taylor, Paul Simon, Pete Seeger, and Joan Baez are just a few of the iconic artists who have graced the stage at this world-renowned event.

Now you can experience the best of the Newport Folk Festival from the comfort of your own home with The Best of the Newport Folk Festival DVD set. This 5-disc set features over 20 hours of footage from some of the most memorable performances in the history of the festival.

Relive classic moments from musical legends like Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and Gregg Allman, or discover new favorites like Brandi Carlile and Feist. With over 60 performances included, this is the ultimate collection for any fan of folk music.

The Best of the Philadelphia Folk Festival

Folk music fans will want to check out The Best of the Philadelphia Folk Festival, a two-DVD set that captures some of the best performances from this annual event. The Philadelphia Folk Festival is one of the longest running and most respected folk music festivals in the United States, and this DVD set features 26 tracks from some of the top performers in the genre. Highlights include performances by Joan Baez, John Prine, Richie Havens, Odetta, and Arlo Guthrie.

The Best of the British Folk Revival

The British Folk Revival was a musical movement that began in the late 1950s and reached its height in the 1960s. The focus of the Revival was on traditional British folk music, and it led to the formation of many successful folk bands, such as Fairport Convention, Pentangle, and Steeleye Span.

There have been several documentaries and concert films made about the British Folk Revival, but the three DVDs listed below are the best of the bunch. If you’re interested in learning more about this important musical movement, then these DVDs are a great place to start.

“The Best of the British Folk Revival” is a three-DVD set that features some of the most important figures in the Revival, including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Martin Carthy, Bert Jansch, Sandy Denny, and many others. The set also includes rare footage of some of the most iconic moments in Folk Revival history, such as Dylan’s first electric performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival.

If you’re looking for a more in-depth look at the British Folk Revival, then “The Story of Folksong” is an excellent option. This two-DVD set traces the origins of folk music in Britain, from its early days as a working class form of expression to its eventual popularization in the 1950s and 1960s. The set features interviews with key figures in the Revival, as well as performances by some of its most important artists.

Lastly, “Folk Britannia” is a BBC documentary that delves into the history of British folk music from its earliest days up through to the present day. The film features interviews with key figures in folk music history, including Shirley Collins, Martin Carthy, Anne Briggs, Donovan, Paul Simon (of Simon and Garfunkel), Sandy Denny, Richard Thompson (of Fairport Convention), and many others.

The Best Folk Music Documentaries

Folk music has always been a favorite of mine. The best part about folk music is that it is passed down from generation to generation. Folk music is the music of the people and it is very important to preserve it. The best way to do this is through DVDs.

The Folk Singer

The Folk Singer is a 1964 documentary film about the life and career of American folk musician Pete Seeger. The film was directed by John Walter Weems and produced by Kirk Simon. It features performances by Seeger, including “If I Had a Hammer” and “We Shall Overcome”, as well as interviews with his family, friends, and fellow musicians.

The Weavers: Wasn’t That a Time

This spellbinding documentary tells the story of The Weavers, the folk group who did more to bring traditional folk music to a mass audience than any other in the early 1950s. A massive success on records, on radio and TV, and in concert, The Weavers were blacklisted during the McCarthy Era for their leftist politics. But they came roaring back in 1955 with a massive hit single, “On Top of Old Smokey,” and a reunion concert at Carnegie Hall that has gone down in history. Director Jim Brown has woven together archival performance footage, newsreel clips, home movies and new interviews with surviving members Lloyd Kaplowitz and Ronnie Gilbert and others to create an unforgettable portrait of one of America’s greatest musical groups.

The Folk Years: Revival

The Folk Years: Revival captures the anti-establishment spirit of the late ’50s and early ’60s, when a new generation of folk singers took to the stage to protest the Vietnam War and other social ills. Featuring such luminaries as Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and Pete Seeger, The Folk Years: Revival is a must-see for any fan of folk music.

The Best Folk Music Concerts

Folk music has been around for centuries and is a genre that is enjoyed by people of all ages. There are many different types of folk music, from traditional songs to modern ballads. If you’re a fan of folk music, then you’ll love these DVDs.

The Byrds: Live at the Fillmore East

This extraordinary concert video documents the final Fillmore East performances by The Byrds. On March 6, 1971, the group dazzled a sold-out crowd with their greatest hits, from “Eight Miles High” to “Mr. Tambourine Man,” as well as several tracks from their then-current (and final) album, “Byrdmaniax.” The DVD also features previously unseen footage of the band’s feisty encounters with the Fillmore East’s notoriously rowdy audience.

Simon and Garfunkel: The Concert in Central Park

This unforgettable concert by Simon and Garfunkel took place in Central Park, New York City, on September 19, 1981. An estimated crowd of half a million people attended the event, which was organized to help raise funds for the redevelopment of the park.

With a setlist that included such classics as “The Sound of Silence,” “The Boxer,” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” Simon and Garfunkel delivered a stirring performance that brought the massive crowd to its feet. The concert was later released as a live album and DVD, both of which have gone on to become best-sellers.

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: Deja Vu Live

This DVD captures one of the most legendary folk music concerts of all time. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young took the stage together for a reunion concert in 2004, and the results are simply stunning. The group sounds as good as they ever have, and the set list includes all of their classic hits. If you’re a fan of folk music, this is one DVD you won’t want to miss.

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