American Troubadours: Groundbreaking Singer-Songwriters of the 60s

Rating:
Summary: Songs From Aging Children
Review: In this lavishly illustrated little book, Mark Brend offers brief critical bios of several of the most influential 60's singer/songwriters, nearly all of whom have fallen under the radar of the contemporary music scene. Most are now deceased, and of the living only Tom Rush continues to tour, although his recording output in recent years has been sparse. But all of these troubadours had real influence in their prime, and Brend does a terrific job of explaining just what that influence was. He is obviously a real fan of these artists but is able to view their lives and careers objectively. I have seen most of them perform and for me this book revisits an important part of my life and the music that has mattered to me.

Rating:
Summary: worth reading
Review: this book has chapters on some of the best songwriters of the era, ranging from the, more or less anyway, fairly well known ( like tim buckley and phil ochs)to the undeservedly obscure, like david ackles. these artists do vary in quality, but the stories are always at least interesting, and often fascinating. there are lots of fine pictures of the performers in the book as well,if anything the work is a little short. people who enjoy the writings of richie unterberger and vernon joynson probably will like this as well