Political Folk Music in America from Its Origins to Bob Dylan

Many American folk singers have tried to leave their world a better place by writing songs of social protest. Musicians like Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, and Joan Baez sang with fierce moral voices to transform what they saw as an uncaring society. But the personal tales of these guitar-toting idealists were often more tangled than the comparatively pure vision their art would suggest. Many singers produced work in the midst of personal failure and deeply troubled relationships, and under the influence of radical ideas and organizations. This provocative work examines both the long tradition of folk music in its American political context and the lives of those troubadours who wrote its most enduring songs. Musicians Sang With Fierce Moral Voices As They Tried To Relieve Human Suffering And Transform An Uncaring Society. Many Produced Work In The Midst Of Personal Failure And Troubled Relationships, And Under The Influence Of Radical Ideas. This Work Examines Both The Long Tradition Of Folk Music, And The Lives Of Those Who Wrote Its Most Enduring Songs--provided By Publisher. Music From The Mountains : The Birth Of Popular Folk Music -- Music From The Gutter : Joe Hill And The Roots Of Twentieth-century Political Music -- Hard Luck Days : Woody Guthrie's America -- Which Side Are You On? The Left Discovers Folk Music -- The Endless Hootenanny : The Birth Of The Folk Song Movement -- Are You Now Or Have You Ever Been...? The Folk Singers Under Attack -- The Great Folk Scare : The Revival Of Folk Music -- The Runaway Prophet : Bob Dylan's Romance With Folk Music -- The Very Sound Of Hope : The Legacy Of The Sad-eyed Prophets. Lawrence J. Epstein. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This provocative work examines the long tradition of folk music in its American political context and the lives of those troubadours who wrote its most enduring songs. Many American folk singers have tried to leave their world a better place by writing so