Folk, Rock and In Between

The 1960s and ’70s were a unique period in the history of popular music. In this personal selection of his music journalism over the last fifteen years, Philip Ward looks back at artists who made their name in that decisive era and celebrates contemporary performers who take inspiration from musical heroes and heroines of the past.

Figures as diverse as Nick Drake, Marianne Faithfull, Kate Bush and Alan Price make an appearance. But the emphasis is on the borders between ‘folk’ and ‘rock’ music and on the pioneers who defy classification or sought to dissolve genres into something new and wonderful.

“Philip’s book is like he broke into my house and sifted through my LP collection. For those who think of LPs as ‘albums’ not ‘vinyl’, it’s a stroll down memory lane in comfy slippers”. – Patrick Humphries, biographer of Paul Simon and Richard Thompson.