ELECTRIC MUSE REVISITED: The Story of Folk

Updated with new chapters, the long-awaited sequel to a 1975 Folk-Rock publication. Electric Muse celebrated folk rock at the height of its popularity when it was becoming a sub-genre of Rock Music during the 50s and 60s. There have been three subsequent CD versions of the Electric Muse published since the original vinyl, all of them adding more recent tracks as well as dropping some of the original ones. We see how the traditional music of the UK and Ireland has adapted to punk, electronica and other genres and adapted to different social conditions and attitudes since 1975 as it charts British folk music as a natural process in constant change. Rock musicians borrowed from traditional songs, while folk musicians re-worked ancient ballads using electric guitars and drum kits. From Dylan to Fairport Convention, Richard Thompson and Steeleye Span, the fusion of old and contemporary created a powerful new style - folk-rock. The book charts the folk movements from roots to revival, and new chapters on the eras of Eliza Carthy, Billy Bragg, June Tabor, Bellowhead, Sam Lee, Stick In The Wheel and others and featuring new interviews and photographs to bring the narrative up to date. Many colour and other photos, 301pp, large softback.