The Best of St. Louis Folk Music

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The Best of St. Louis Folk Music

St. Louis has a long and proud history of folk music, from the early days of riverboat life on the Mississippi to the more recent resurgence in popularity of the genre. While the city is known for its blues and jazz scene, its folk music scene is just as vibrant and diverse. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best places to enjoy folk music in St. Louis.

The Best of St. Louis Folk Music- An Introduction

St. Louis has a long tradition of folk music, with many different styles developing over the years. The city’s unique position as a crossroads of cultures has helped to create a diverse and vibrant folk music scene.

There are many different kinds of folk music, from the traditional ballads and songs of the British Isles, to the more modern sounds of American folk and country. St. Louis has its own unique take on folk music, with many local artists creating their own versions of traditional songs.

The Best of St. Louis Folk Music is a collection of some of the best-loved folk songs from the city’s history. Featuring both traditional and modern interpretations of classic tunes, this compilation is sure to please any fan of St. Louis folk music.

The Best of St. Louis Folk Music- The Early Days

The early days of St. Louis folk music were dominated by the music of German immigrants. This musical tradition was brought to the United States by German immigrants in the early 1800s. Many of these immigrants settled in the Midwest, and their music became an important part of the region’s culture.

The German immigrants who settled in St. Louis brought with them a rich musical tradition that included a wide variety of folk songs and dances. German folk music was often performed at community events such as weddings, funerals, and town festivals. This music was also an important part of everyday life for many German Americans living in St. Louis.

One of the most popular types of German folk music was Tanzmusik, or dance music. Tanzmusik was usually played by a band consisting of an accordion, fiddle, and drums. This type of music was often used for square dancing and other types of folk dancing.

Another popular type of German folk music was Walzer Musik, or waltz music. This type of music was often played at dances and parties. It was also sometimes used for processions and ceremonies. The waltz became one of the most popular forms of dance in the United States during the 19th century thanks to German immigrants who brought this musical tradition to America.

German folk music also included a wide variety of songs about love, drinking, farming, and other topics. These songs were often passed down from generation to generation, and they remain popular among contemporary German Americans living in St. Louis today.

The Best of St. Louis Folk Music- The Revival

The Best of St. Louis Folk Music is a new compilation that captures the sounds of the city’s thriving folk revival. The album features some of the best-known performers in the genre, including John Gorka, Greg Brown, Ani Di Franco, and David Wilcox. The music on the album is lively and varied, ranging from traditional folk songs to more modern tunes. Whether you’re a fan of folk music or just curious about the genre, this album is a great introduction to the best of St. Louis folk music.

The Best of St. Louis Folk Music- The New Wave

The New Wave of St. Louis Folk Music is a vibrant and growing scene that is attracting attention from all over the country. This new generation of folk musicians is bringing fresh energy and creativity to the genre, and St. Louis is quickly becoming known as a hotbed for this exciting new style of music.

Some of the most popular new folk artists from St. Louis include The Wild Reeds, The Honey Dewdrops, and The Oh Hellos. These bands are revitalizing the folk music scene with their unique sound and approach to songwriting, and they are quickly gaining a devoted following both in St. Louis and beyond.

If you’re looking for something different in your folk music, be sure to check out the exciting new wave of St. Louis artists!

The Best of St. Louis Folk Music- The Artists

When you think of St. Louis Folk Music, who comes to mind? For some, it might be artists like Bonnie Raitt, John Prine, or even Bob Dylan. These artists have all made a significant impact on the genre.

The Best of St. Louis Folk Music- Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, artist, and writer. He has been an influential figure in popular music and culture for more than five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s, when he became an informal chronicler and a reluctant figurehead of the counterculture of the time. A number of his songs, such as “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “The Times They Are a-Changin'”, became anthems of the anti-war and civil rights movements. His most recent studio album, Modern Times, released in 2006, entered the UK charts at number one and the US charts at number three. It was his first album to reach the top spot in Britain since 1974’s Blood on the Tracks. In 2016 Dylan received the Nobel Prize in Literature “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition”.

The Best of St. Louis Folk Music- Joan Baez

Joan Baez is a legendary folk singer and activist who got her start in the early 1960s. She is best known for her beautiful voice and for her commitment to social justice. Baez was born in New York City but moved to St. Louis with her family when she was a child. She began performing in coffeehouses in the city in the early 1960s and quickly gained popularity. In 1963, she released her first album, Joan Baez, which included the hit single “Farewell, Angelina.”

Baez became an iconic figure of the folk music scene and was closely associated with the civil rights movement. In 1964, she performed at the inaugural Newport Folk Festival alongside Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger. The following year, she participated in the Selma to Montgomery marches led by Martin Luther King Jr. Baez continued to be an outspoken advocate for social justice throughout her career. In recent years, she has focused on environmental activism, working to raise awareness about climate change.

Baez’s music has been hugely influential, both for its timeless beauty and for its political message. Her clear voice and honest lyrics have attracted fans from all walks of life.

The Best of St. Louis Folk Music- The Byrds

The Byrds were a rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent several lineup changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn (known as Jim McGuinn until mid-1967) being the sole consistent member. Although they only managed to attain the huge commercial success of their contemporaries the Beatles and the Beach Boys for a brief period in mid-1966, the Byrds’ influence during their five-year existence has been profound. The band united country music with pop and emerging psychedelic rock, helping to pioneer the development of folk rock and country rock, and their cover version of Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2004. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 for having “left their indelible mark on a generation of music lovers and music makers.”

The original five-piece lineup of the Byrds consisted of Jim (later Roger) McGuinn (lead guitar, vocals), Gene Clark (tambourine, vocals), David Crosby (rhythm guitar), Chris Hillman (bass guitar), and Michael Clarke (drums). However, this version of the band only lasted for two albums – Mr. Tambourine Man (1965) and Turn! Turn! Turn! (1965) – before Clark quit due to his fear of flying. The Byrds continued as a quartet until late 1967 when Crosby also departed due to creative disagreements with McGuinn; Hillman then assumed leadership of the band during Crosby’s absence. Crosby was replaced by guitarist Kevin Kelley, and alternate lead vocalist Clive Davis was occasionally drafted in when Kelley forgave illness prevented him from touring with the group on occasion. By 1968, Hillman had also become disillusioned with touring life and decided to leave the band, prompting bassist John York to replace him

The Best of St. Louis Folk Music- Simon and Garfunkel

Simon and Garfunkel are an American folk rock duo consisting of singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel. They formed in 1964 in New York City. Simon and Garfunkel’s biggest hits—including “The Sound of Silence” (1964), “Mrs. Robinson” (1968), “The Boxer” (1969), and “Bridge over Troubled Water” (1970)—reached number one on singles charts worldwide. By the time they disbanded in 1970, they had sold more than 100 million records.

The Best of St. Louis Folk Music- The Songs

There are many good songs in the St. Louis folk music scene. This list will cover some of the best. The first song on the list is “Mississippi River Blues” by Folk Uke. This song is a great example of the type of music that can be found in the St. Louis folk music scene.

The Best of St. Louis Folk Music- “The Times They Are A-Changin'”

The Times They Are A-Changin’ is a song written by Bob Dylan and released as the title track of his 1964 album of the same name. Dylan wrote the song as a deliberate attempt to create an anthem of change for the time, influenced by Irish and Scottish ballads. Released as a single in Britain in 1965, it reached number 9 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2004, Rolling Stone placed it at number 63 on their list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.

“The Times They Are A-Changin'” became one of Dylan’s most famous and most frequently played songs. It has been included in multiple film soundtracks and has been covered by many artists, including Simon & Garfunkel, Johnny Cash, Mumford & Sons and Bruce Springsteen.

The Best of St. Louis Folk Music- “Blowin’ in the Wind”

“Blowin’ in the Wind” is a song written by Bob Dylan in 1962 and released as a single in 1963. The song has been covered by many artists, including Peter, Paul and Mary, Simon & Garfunkel, Stevie Wonder, and Nina Simone. It was ranked number 14 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list

The song is about the plight of African-Americans and the civil rights movement. The lyrics ask repeatedly whether various elements of society (“the answer”) could help to fix the problems that Dylan identifies (“the questions”). The song’s opening line – “How many roads must a man walk down?” – is often cited as an example of Dylan’s use of biblical imagery.

The Best of St. Louis Folk Music- “The Sound of Silence”

The Sound of Silence is a song originally performed by Simon and Garfunkel. The song was written by Paul Simon in 1964. The song was released as a single in January 1965, and it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States.

The song has been covered by many artists, including Peter, Paul and Mary, Judy Collins, Rita Coolidge, Starship, Johnny Mathis, Jose Feliciano, and Alison Krauss.

The Best of St. Louis Folk Music- “Mr. Tambourine Man”

This is a song by Bob Dylan, and it is considered to be one of the most iconic folk songs of all time. It was first released in 1964, and it quickly became a hit. It is about a man who is playing the tambourine, and it is said to be about Dylan’s own personal experiences with drugs and hallucinations.