If the time were turned back, as a folk fan, which country would you like to go to? Back in what era?
The origins of folk songs are crisscrossed and intertwined, and they continue to develop with the historical changes of many countries and nationalities, but the most brilliant and epochal significance is the American folk songs of the 60s.
At that time, the social environment in the United States was chaotic, and the awareness of anti-racial discrimination at home was high; the people's dissatisfaction was growing louder and louder because of the heavy burden of the Vietnam War.
The young Americans of the 60s used a naïve spirit to brew the most powerful "new folk song revival" in the most turbulent era and speak for the public.
It breaks the original inherent folk song model, grasps the ladder of personal emotion and social responsibility, and bursts out of the humanistic spirit of the times in art and thought.
Today, listening to the folk songs of the 60s, it has nothing to do with history and politics, it is a call to the listener's heart, about freedom, about the true self, about protection.
Joan Baez
- Protesting folk song pioneers
When Joan Baez is mentioned, many people's first reaction is that Bob Dylan's predecessor is the goddess of Steve Jobs, but who knows that she herself is an era.
Joan Baez is revered as the "Queen of Folk Songs".
In 1960, at the age of 19, Baez sang anti-war tunes at a music festival, and her singing voice was recognized as a miracle.
Some say she is "a woman like the sea, a legend".
There is history in her singing.
Joan Baez is friends with Martin Luther King, Jr., and Baez often sings on the platform for his friends' speeches, using his charisma to inspire more people to awaken their consciousness. Her music can embrace all things in the world, singing the ordinary life of small people in the big era, sharp but not radical, gentle but not compromised.
Donna DonnaJoan Baez - Donna Donna
Donna is a woman's name that represents all women in oppression, and the song is loved by the Jewish people. Joan Baez, with the initial and ultimate care of a humanitarian, sings about the suffering and perseverance of a people.
There's a calf with a mournful eye' a calf eye mourns above him there's a swallow above his head and a swallow flapping its wings high
The oppressed and freedom seem to be forever at odds.
In Baez's thick, unmodified voice, you can feel that there is an air of freedom in her, a gentle dialogue with the injustice of the world, and behind this gentleness hides her firm attitude and clear position.
I Never Will MarryJoan Baez - How Sweet The Sound
Freedom is something that some people don't necessarily touch once in their lives, and some people never lack it.
In Joan Baez's ballad, freedom is a choice, a choice that does not compromise on the world.
Bob Dylan – Folk rock leader
"Bob Dylan gives music the subversive power to change people and the world" is not an exaggeration.
As a young man, he was deeply influenced by Woody Guthrie (the originator of modern folk songs) and aspired to become a folk singer, and later met and fell in love with the folk queen Joan Baez, which laid the foundation for his folk path.
Blowing in the WindOllie Austin; Bob Dylan - Looking Back
Blowing in the Wind is one of the most important works in the history of American folk music, dylan expresses his vietnam war thoughts in his humble language, speaks out for countless equally disgruntled Americans, and he makes the song truly social.
How many roads must a man walk down How many walks does a man have to walk?
In the poetic lyrics, he sent nine questions, all of which did not get his own answers. This was the case in the world at that time, and after experiencing twists and turns and difficulties, the world did not even have a single explanation. Like us now, we still can't answer many questions.
In Bob Dylan's song, the sober-minded person sees a world that is essentially a frenzied and restless world where most people are in the greatest pain and reality of the world. However, when listening to the whole song, you will feel particularly at ease, because his voice will give people a courage to fight against the world.
There are two kinds of human growth, one is that the outside world pushes you forward, and the other is your independent choice after awakening.
When pure folk songs could no longer express the growing anger and resistance, Bob Dylan made a decision that infuriated the crowd: he began to electro-acoustically and rock the folk songs, and embarked on the "folk rock" style.
Like a Rolling StoneBob Dylan - The Greatest Songs of the 1950S & 1960S (1964-1965 Volume 5)
In the "revolution" of folk and rock, Bob Dylan became the most powerful booster and led the musical form for decades to come. But for Bob Dylan at the time, he didn't think so much, he was just making "the music he wanted to make."
Dylan was too clever to be a giant who could not be defined.
In addition to criticism and protest, he also had philosophy, history, holy scriptures, etc., and he never imprisoned himself. Changing before being defined is the key to releasing oneself.
If you're a true fan of Bob Dylan, I think you'll be a brave warrior who dares to face change and look at your true self, because that's what his ballads look like.
Peter, Paul and Mary – Watchmen of the Folk Age
Compared to Bob Dylan's fight against the world, Peter, Paul and Mary (trio) are more like watchmen of that folk era.
This legendary trio is one of the longest groups in the history of music, and the trio sang from young to old, for ten years, guarding the world with a gentle voice.
Lemon TreePeter Paul And Mary - It's Raining
Their ballads are usually accompanied by gentle guitar accompaniment with multiple and delicate harmonies, simple but layered. There is no melancholy and silent sadness in the song, but more of warmth, lightness, tranquility and beauty.
When the first note of "Lemon Tree" sounds, it is intoxicating, it feels like lying on the grass full of flowers, and the glitz and bustle of the world no longer have anything to do with itself, and there is only ease at this time.
Listening to their songs is like drinking a glass of wine that was faint from my youth.
You still retain a childlike stubbornness and genuine impulse, but you will never take the liberty of drinking it all, but instead take a sip, leave your teeth behind, and then slow down and meditate and talk to yourself.
Blowing in the WindPeter, Paul & Mary - It's Been so Long
Just as they cover Bob Dylan's famous anti-war ballad "Blowing in the wind", they also face war and injustice, they do not torture, but use a gentle and relaxed tone to tell all the struggle in a gentle singing, calm but firm and unquestionable.
Growing up is cruel because many of the most authentic things will be lost, but fortunately someone has been guarding us.
Peter, Paul and Mary sing the innocence that most people lose, and as time goes by, they sing the goodness and beauty of the world as always.
Once brilliant as a diamond, it is warm as the wind
The golden age when a single song could stir up a thousand waves has passed, and now listening to these old songs, what are we looking forward to except remembrance?
Looking forward to chasing the California Dream at The Mamas & The Papas california dreamin?' Looking forward to nostalgia in The Brothers Four's 500 Miles? Looking forward to seeing that night with the stars in Don McLean's Vincent?
No, music is just a cover.
We are more concerned about the emotions, states, and memories that are evoked behind the music.
The greatness of folk songs is not in the past, but in this afternoon when the sun sprinkles the earth. You're opening this playlist, listening to classic ballads from the '60s with quality speakers, and discovering in every bass you haven't noticed before; in every transient induction, you find yourself so bright and elegant inside.
Turn on the stereo, my friend.
The glory of folk songs in the 60s has become a thing of the past, and you who listen to the songs are flourishing
【Playlist】
Joan Baez 琼·贝兹《Donna Donna》《I Will Never Marry》《Diamonds And Rust》
Bob Dylan 鲍勃·迪伦《Blowing in the Wind》《You Belong To Me》《Make You Feel My Love》
Peter,Paul and Mary 彼得、保罗和玛丽《Lemon Tree》《Puff, the Magic Dragon》《Blowing in the Wind》
Don McLean 唐·麦克林《Vincent》《Crossroads》《Sunshine on My Shoulders》
The Brothers Four 四兄弟《Try to Remember,Greatest Hits》《500 miles》
The Mamas&The Papas《California Dreamin'》
B.J. Thomas《Raindrops keep falling on my head 》
Dave Van Ronk《Inside Dave Van Ronk》
The Kingston Trio《The Capitol Collector's Series》
The Byrds《All Time Best Reclaim Music Edition》