Folk Rock

Folk Music Revival Begins in 1930s when Lomaxes, Leadbelly, Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie end up in NYCBegins in 1930s when Lomaxes, Leadbelly, Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie end up in NYC Becomes center of folk music movementBecomes center of folk music movement Gains national attention in 1950sGains national attention in 1950s –Moe Asch - Folkways Records – The Weavers Good Night Irene a top 10 hit

Backlash against Folk House Unamerican Activities Committee went after folk singers because of associations with unions and left-wing causes – –Weavers, Woody Guthrie, and some older folk musicians blacklisted Younger, apolitical musicians lead movement

Late ‘50s/early ‘60s American folk revival Initially two different approaches – –Rediscovery of musicians from older niche musics – –Recreated folk music by contemporary musicians Ex. Joan Baez, Wildwood Flower Eventually begin writing own songs in the folk style – –Simple accompaniments – –focus on melody - often narrow ranges, highly repetitive – –Lyrics explore of social and political themes

Talkin’ John Birch Paranoid Blues Political commentary on HUAC and anti- communist organizationsPolitical commentary on HUAC and anti- communist organizations Typical Dylan vocal deliveryTypical Dylan vocal delivery –weak vocals –full of humor, sarcasm –Conversational style Guitar strumming, harmonica combo from country bluesGuitar strumming, harmonica combo from country blues Completion of vocal phrases by instrumentCompletion of vocal phrases by instrument

Bob Dylan (Robert Zimmerman, ) Gets into folk music in college after hearing Woody GuthrieGets into folk music in college after hearing Woody Guthrie 1960 goes to NYC to meet Guthrie1960 goes to NYC to meet Guthrie Gets work singing in coffee houses in the cityGets work singing in coffee houses in the city –Other NYC folk acts: Joan BaezJoan Baez OdettaOdetta Peter, Paul, and MaryPeter, Paul, and Mary Ritchie HavensRitchie Havens Ramblin’ Jack ElliotRamblin’ Jack Elliot

Dylan After short time in NYC, writes songs that explore social and political themesAfter short time in NYC, writes songs that explore social and political themes Ex. Blowin’ in the WindEx. Blowin’ in the Wind –Highly repetitive melody, in claustrophobically narrow range –Strophic form – three verses, each with three phrases Last functions as refrainLast functions as refrain –Simple, chordal accompaniment with slow harmonic rhythm –All place focus on lyrics Compare to Peter, Paul and Mary versionCompare to Peter, Paul and Mary version

Newport Folk Festival 1965 – Dylan goes electric1965 – Dylan goes electric Folk rock is bornFolk rock is born –Socially conscious messages of folk music –Standard “rock” instrumentation –Generally little studio production

Like a Rolling Stone Expanded instrumentation: organ, drums, piano, electric guitar, harmonicaExpanded instrumentation: organ, drums, piano, electric guitar, harmonica Eight beat style beat and backbeatEight beat style beat and backbeat Repetitive accompanimentRepetitive accompaniment Electric guitar fill marks transition between sectionsElectric guitar fill marks transition between sections Change in lyrical contentChange in lyrical content –Less overtly political –Deals with more personal reflections

Impact of folk rock Subject matter of Dylan songs changes again –Subject matter of Dylan songs changes again – –Less overtly political – Deal with personal reflections, as do blues, but darker, more obscure Exs. Like A Rolling StoneExs. Like A Rolling Stone Subterranean Homesick Blues Subterranean Homesick Blues

The Byrds After Dylan goes electric, other folk rock bands, acts emergeAfter Dylan goes electric, other folk rock bands, acts emerge First to hit big – The ByrdsFirst to hit big – The Byrds –Part of CA music scene, along with Mamas and the Papas Took Dylan’s Mr. Tambourine Man to #1Took Dylan’s Mr. Tambourine Man to #1

The Byrds - Mr. Tambourine Man DifferencesDifferences –Change in feel created by opening riff –Byrds simplify irregular form of Dylan poem, abbreviate lyrics –Vocal quality completely different –Addition of vocal harmonies

The Byrds – Lasting contributions Vocal harmoniesVocal harmonies –Maturation of Everly Brothers style –David Crosby makes second part a “composite” of 3 rd s, 4ths, and 5ths Help to popularize “jangly” Richenbacker 12 string guitar soundHelp to popularize “jangly” Richenbacker 12 string guitar sound