Overview

Folk music has been the music of the people. This definition was taken from Ronald Cohen, in his book “Folk Music: The Basics”. I chose this simple definition so that the least constrictions would be put on defining who or what is involved in folk music. In doing so, I will gradually expose characteristics of different folk music to help the reader get their own sense of the folk music concept. This “exposing” will be done through the act of three playlists; women in roots music, the importance of Newport to folk music, and how folk music has changed in today’s contemporary music.

The folk revival occurred in the 1960’s time period, in response to the Civil Rights Movement arising in America. This revival was significant as it marked a point in time where folk singers began writing their own music. This change has been looked at as “another turn in the evolution of the genre.” (Ruehl). This change fueled the increase in popularity of both new and traditional style folk music. The women of American folk roots are the main focus of this playlist because the folk explosion of 1960 is one of the first times women were associated with the music, according to the American Folklife Center. It was during this movement when women branched out as individuals or groups to perform traditional and new compositions (American Folklife Center) and express their voice through their songwriting or songs.

Newport is a folk festival in Rhode Island that began in 1959. The importance of Newport to this collection of playlists is how the place helped to define what revival folk music is, and which genres it is related to. This folk festival is known for introducing many new performers that continued to become significant contributors to folk music. The festival was dedicated to “folk music in a situation free of the usual economic necessities… and to help preserve the traditions upon which the current revivals are based” (Pennell). Because of this, the songs were able to revolve around the same idea, escaping economic and social boundaries, forever altering the history of the music.

The contemporary playlist signifies the involvement of root music elements in today’s ever-changing and meshing folk music genre. By introducing the mixed folk genres of today (folk-rock, indie-folk, and anti-folk) it is possible to hear which influences are folk and which are “other”. This will create an important connection to help solve the question: What is folk music? A question that cannot wholly be answered.