Music that bridges past and present

1. Listen to Essential Albums and Artists

Start with iconic folk rock albums that define the genre. Some classics include Highway 61 Revisited by Bob Dylan, Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel, and Déjà Vu by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. These albums introduce the storytelling, social themes, and genre-blending that characterize folk rock.

2. Watch Documentaries and Biopics

Films like No Direction Home (about Bob Dylan) and Echo in the Canyon (about the folk rock scene in L.A.’s Laurel Canyon) offer insights into the genre’s evolution, giving a sense of both the music and the cultural moment.

3. Read Books

Standout books to explore include Folk City: New York and the American Folk Music Revival by Stephen Petrus and Ronald D. Cohen, which details New York City's role in the mid-20th-century folk music revival. Another great read is Greenwich Village: Music That Defined a Generation by Ronald D. Cohen, highlighting the area's impact on folk music history.