Im on the Dark Side of the Road

I’m on the Dark Side of the Road: Dylan and the Folk Revival

The Folk Revival of the 1960’s The roots of the 60’s folk revival actually lie in the 1940 s and before: • America’s history of folk music as a political statement • “Almanac Singers, ” Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie • The Weavers (pictured)

Woody Guthrie 1912 -1967 • Oklahoma-born folk-music legend • Wrote over 1000 songs, including “This Land is Your Land” • Songs reflect his politics: socialist, pro-labor (his guitar had the inscription “This machine kills fascists. ”) • Smithsonian Folkways label has an extensive collection of Guthrie songs and interviews

Woody Guthrie • Factoid: The melody of “This Land is Your Land” is based on the song “When the World’s on Fire, ” recorded by the Carter Family. • Died of Huntington’s Disease in 1967. • His life is the subject of the 1976 film “Bound for Glory. ” • His son, Arlo Guthrie, carries on the musical tradition.

From a 1930’s songbook of lyrics by Woody Guthrie: "This song is Copyrighted in U. S. , under Seal of Copyright #154085, for a period of 28 years, and anybody caught singin' it without our permission, will be mighty good friends of ours, cause we don't give a dern. Publish it. Write it. Sing it. Swing to it. Yodel it. We wrote it, that's all we wanted to do. " (quoted from Wikipedia)

• Comes from a major folk-music Pete Seeger family: Folksinger & political activist – Father: ethnomusicologist born 1919 Charles Seeger – Siblings: folk musicians Mike and Peggy Seeger • Founded Almanac Singers and Weavers in the 1950’s • Blacklisted during the Mc. Carthy Era, 1950 s • Influential in 1960 s folk revival • Still an outspoken activist on environmental and political topics

1950 s – Early 60 s: Folk vs Rock • Folk lyrics: considered more “serious, ” often dealt with political issues, urged political action • Folk demographic: appealed to older / college audience (as opposed to teen record-buyers) • Folk favored LP format (vs. single) • Folk used exclusively acoustic instrumentation

1950 s – early 60 s The Kingston Trio • Dave Guard, Bob Shane. Nick Reynolds • Appalachian songs, American folk songs, humorous songs, vocal harmonies • Clean-cut image, “Ivy League” • Example of “urban folk trend” – folk music played by musicians who were not necessarily from the places where the traditions originated

Peter, Paul and Mary Blowin’ in the Wind • Paul Stookey, Mary Travers, Peter Yarrow • Different image from Kingston trio – intellectual, “beat, ” more political songs • Aimed at college audience • This example is from 1963

Joan Baez: Daddy You Been On My Mind • Important artist in 1960 s folk revival; career began in the active Harvard- Cambridge music scene • Early success came after appearance at 1959 Newport Folk Festival • Toured with Dylan in ’ 64 and ’ 65 • Long and successful career continues • She remains an outspoken political activist • This example (1965) was written by Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan • Robert Zimmerman, b. 1941, Hibbing, MN • Strongly influenced by Woody Guthrie, as well as other American musics such as blues and country • 1960, traveled to NYC, met Guthrie, who was dying • Began career in NYC

Bob Dylan – early career • 1963: First LP, “The Freewheeling Bob Dylan” • 1963: Huge success at Newport Folk Festival • Many other artists “covering” Dylan songs • Gains reputation for outspoken, “political” lyrics (“Blowin’ in the Wind, ” “Masters of War, ” etc • 1964: Change to a more personal lyric style, with LP “The Times They are a. Changin’”

Blowin’ in the Wind • From the 1963 album, “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan” • This is Dylan’s version (he wrote it) of the Peter, Paul, & Mary example we heard earlier • A great example of Dylan’s protest song style

A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall • From the 1963 album, “The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan” • This song and others became “anthems” of youth movement; typical of political optimism of the time (along with other songs such as Masters of War - Don’t Think Twice, it’s All Right • This song is about the Cuban Missile Crisis

The Times They Are A-Changin’ • From the 1964 album “The Times They Are A-Changin’” • This album featured songs that were more personal than his previous work • Not all of his old fans liked the change

It Ain’t Me, Babe • From the 1964 album, “Another Side of Bob Dylan” • This album continued Dylan’s introspective lyrical style

Like A Rolling Stone • From the 1965 album “Highway 61 Revisitied” • We can hear Dylan fusing the political, social, and introspective lyrical approaches in this song • Hendrix played this song at his first U. S. festival appearance (Monterey Pop Festival, 1966)

Bob Dylan – acoustic and electric • 1965: Experiments with mixing acoustic / electric sounds • 1965: Causes near-riot at Newport Folk Festival by playing with electric band • 1965: Goes “all electric” with LP “Highway 61 Revisited” • This is considered by many to be one of the premier examples of “Folk Rock”

Bob Dylan – influence on “folk rock” • Lyrics: political lyrics make their way into rock music (he did not do this singlehandedly!) • Lyrics: more sophisticated, “poetic” lyrics; symbolic language (Dylan lyrics being studied in English classes) • Music: Rock instrumentation applied to folk music repertoire • Music: Borrowing melodies and other musical elements from traditional music (modes, etc)

Dylan “Covers” Dylan’s songs have been covered by artists from practically every part of the musical spectrum. Factoid: Did you know that the lyrics to “All Along the Watchtower” are loosely based on a biblical passage from the 21 st chapter of Isaiah?

Bob Dylan – late 60 s into 70 s • Mid-60 s, huge success, much touring • Dylan suffers motorcycle wreck, 1966 • Records some music with a group called “The Band” – they eventually become his touring band • Periods of different musical influences: country (“Nashville Skyline, ” etc) • 1979: Period of music inspired by religious conversion (LPs “Slow Train Coming, ” “Saved”) Nashville Skyline cover Dylan today (2004)

Lay, Lady, Lay • From the 1969 album, “Nashville Skyline” • This album showed Dylan’s fascination with country music

Bob Dylan & the Band: Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door • From the 1973 album “Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid” • Dylan was backed by The Band on this album

Tangled Up In Blue • From the 1975 album, “Blood on the Tracks” • This album is considered Dylan’s masterpiece (especially after “losing it” for a few years after his crash) • In 1976, Dylan began touring with his new band, “Rolling Thunder Revue”

The Byrds Mr. Tambourine Man • Roger Mc. Guinn, David Crosby, Chris Hillman, Gene Clark • First hit Dylan’s “Mr Tambourine Man” • Characteristic sound: multi-part vocals, use of 12 string Rickenbacker guitar

Turn, Turn • Bible text set to original music written by Pete Seeger • This is the 1965 version by The Byrds • This is a great example of Mc. Guinn’s 12 string electric guitar sound

Donovan Sunshine Superman • Scottish Singer songwriter • Multiple influences: traditional folk, psychedelia, world music • Mid-sixties hippie “flower power” image • Although they were very different, Donovan was often compared to Dylan Donovan made a number of very successful LPs, backed by high-profile British session musicians that included members of Led Zeppelin, Pentangle, Cream, and others

Simon and Garfunkel The Sounds of Silence • Among the most successful “folk-rock” artists of the 60 s and 70 s • Based in New York City • Began performing together in late 1950 s • Vocals strongly influenced by Everly Brothers • Garfunkel eventually changed his focus to acting • Simon has gone on to have a long and successful musical career, exploring world music styles as well as folk and rock • • “Sounds of Silence” “Scarborough Fair” “America” “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” • “Mrs Robinson”

The Mamas and the Papas California Dreamin’ • Denny Doherty, Cass Elliott, John Phillips, Michelle Phillips • New-York based vocal & instrumental group; relocated to California • First hit “California Dreamin” Factoids: • The M & P’s career essentially lasted only 3 years (65 -68) • The actress Mackenzie Phillips is John Phillip’s daughter • Both Cass Elliot (1974) and John Phillips (2001) died of heart failure

The Lovin’ Spoonful Do You Believe in Magic • Originally “The Mugwumps, ” with some members of the Mamas and the Papas • John Sebastian, singersongwriter, strong folk influence, son of a famous harmonica player • Strong influence on other bands such as the Grateful Dead • Sebastian was also featured as a solo performer at Woodstock, and is included in the Woodstock film

English Folk Revival Pentangle • Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Terry Cox, Jacqui Mc. Shee, Danny Thompson • Combined multiple influences: traditional folk music, jazz, “early” music (medieval-Renaissance), blues • Like other British folk-rock groups, traditional folk ballads would be performed with a folk-rock approach • Jansch and Renbourn were both already well-known British folk guitarists • Pentangle has had a long and successful career with many different changes of personnel

Fairport Convention Tam Lin • Formed in 1967 • One of the flagship British “folk rock” bands • Rock music treatments of traditional British songs, plus original tunes • Still going, but some members gone • Bassist Dave Pegg (also with Jethro Tull) is only original member • Singer Sandy Denny was featured on Led Zeppelin 4 (“Battle of Evermore”) • Denny passed away in 1978 after falling down a flight of stairs • Richard Thompson left in the early 70 s • Successful solo career • Has influenced many players of both rock and folk music • (If you are interested in rock guitar and you are not familiar with Richard Thompson, you need to find out more, ASAP!)

English Folk Revival Steeleye Span • Co-founded in 1970 by former Fairport member Ashley Hutchings, folk performers Tim Hart and Maddy Prior • Many personnel changes over the years • Folk rock band, using traditional songs, ballads, Celtic music • Martin Carthy, third from left above, was already a very important an influential folktraditional guitarist, singer, and folksong collector, and has had a long and successful solo career.