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Electric Eden

Unearthing Britain's Visionary Music
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Electric Eden by Rob Young explores the history and evolution of British folk music, tracing its roots from the early 20th century to the modern day. The book delves into how artists have drawn inspiration from folklore, mythology, and nature, illustrating the impact of folk traditions on contemporary music. It also examines the cultural and social influences that have shaped the genre over the decades.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy exploring the evolution of British folk music and its cultural impact. It's a fascinating journey through the music's transformation and its intersections with history, myth, and modernity, perfect for those intrigued by the interplay of tradition and innovation in the arts.

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A new edition as part of the Faber Social Greatest Hits - books that have taken writing about music in new and exciting directions for the twenty-first century.

A new edition as part of the Faber Greatest Hits - books that have taken writing about music in new and exciting directions for the twenty-first century.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Rob Young investigates how the idea of folk has been handed down and transformed by successive generations, including song collectors, composers, Marxist revivalists, folk-rockers, psychedelic voyagers, free festival-goers, experimental pop stars, and electronic innovators.

In a sweeping panorama of Albion's soundscape, Electric Eden takes in the pioneer spirit of Cecil Sharp; the pastoral classicism of Ralph Vaughan Williams and Peter Warlock; the industrial folk revival of Ewan MacColl and A. L. Lloyd; and the folk-rock of Fairport Convention, Sandy Denny, Nick Drake, Shirley Collins, John Martyn, and Pentangle.

The narrative stretches further to the bucolic psychedelia of The Incredible String Band, The Beatles, and Pink Floyd, as well as the acid folk of Comus, Forest, Mr Fox, and Trees. It encapsulates the essence of The Wicker Man and occult folklore, recalls the early Glastonbury and Stonehenge festivals, and embraces the visionary pop of Kate Bush, Julian Cope, and Talk Talk.

Electric Eden maps out a native British musical voice that reflects the complex relationships between town and country, progress and nostalgia, radicalism and conservatism.

An attempt to isolate the 'Britishness' of British music—a wild combination of pagan echoes, spiritual quest, imaginative time-travel, pastoral innocence, and electrified creativity—Electric Eden will be treasured by anyone interested in the tangled story of Britain's folk music and Arcadian dreams.

Series: Faber Greatest Hits

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  • Electric Eden
    Rob Young investigates how the idea of folk has been handed down and transformed by successive generations, including song collectors, composers, Marxist revivalists, folk-rockers, psychedelic voyagers, free festival-goers, experimental pop stars, and electronic innovators. In a sweeping panorama of Albion's soundscape, Electric Eden takes in the pioneer spirit of Cecil Sharp; the pastoral classicism of Ralph Vaughan Williams and Peter...
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  • In the Country of Country
    A new edition as part of the Faber Greatest Hits - books that have taken writing about music in new and exciting directions for the twenty-first century. In his critically acclaimed book, In the Country of Country, Nicholas Dawidoff travels to the origins of country music and talks to the musicians who created this original American art form. Here, amongst...
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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780571349654

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 February 2019

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Faber & Faber

Edition: Main - Faber Greatest Hits

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 40.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 523g

Pages: 672

About the Author

Rob Young graduated in 1989 and was the editor of The Wire for 4 years up to 2004. He has recently been series editor of Black Dog's stylish monographs of influential record labels - including books on Warp Records and Rough Trade. He is currently in the middle of a novel based on the life of 17th century Jesuit polymath, Athanasius Kircher.

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