In his Bob Dylan biopic starring Timothée Chalamet, James Mangold references the legendary Newport Folk Festival between 1963 and 1966. This same period forms the backbone of Robert Gordon’s film, featuring performances by Dylan, Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, Johnny Cash, and oth...
The Appalachian Mountains are tied to a very rich and ever-evolving folk culture, whose mythology is especially famous (think of Bigfoot or the more modern Mothman). Musically, it blends British ballads with jubilee themes, often featuring dark lyrics that reflect on real-life events.
Listening to the festival’s songs, one certainly wouldn’t expect to hear There’s a Hole in My Bucket sung by an Austrian refugee.
Country music, or more specifically old-time, developed alongside a series of folk dances, and this is precisely one of those songs that evokes the image of group dances surrounded by hay bales.
Celtic music is often associated with certain instruments, but a fundamental part of the genre lies in its vocal style, and there are many songs that were only later given instrumental accompaniment.
Only eighteen years old at this edition, Joan Baez would go on to become one of the cornerstones of the Newport Folk Festival.
What’s fascinating about folk music is its purpose of telling stories and fables, and this is an excellent song to start with—thanks also to the strong involvement of the audience
