Transforming Tradition: Folk Music Revivals Examined

Folklore and Society

by Neil V. Rosenberg (Editor), Alan Jabbour (Foreword)

Transforming Tradition examines the phenomenon of the folk song revival, those vibrant meldings of popular and folk culture that captured public awareness in the 1950s and 1960s. We remember the folk revival as forums for performers like Joan Baez and the Kingston Trio, and as incubators for unlikely radio hits like "Tom Dooley" and "Blowin' in the Wind." But it also gave rise to a bustling and influential subculture of hootenanies, coffeehouses, and blues and bluegrass appreciation, sowing a legacy that remains a vital part of American culture. Many of the contributors to this collection performed during the revival era. Today, their expertise in folklore, ethnomusicology, and cultural history allow them to blend insider knowledge and trained analysis to offer unique perspectives.

Genres: Music

370 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1993

Reviews

[Scotus]

Really interesting work, many insights, and just as useful now as when it was written.