In this personal selection of his music journalism over the last fifteen years, Philip Ward sheds fresh light on some of the key musical figures he admires and the contributions they have made to folk, rock and the sound in between.
Insightful pieces on the emerging singer-songwriters of the 60s and 70s including Richard and Linda Thompson, Sandy Denny, Nick Drake and Shelagh McDonald feature alongside celebrations of contemporary performers such as Rufus Wainwright, Olivia Chaney and Josienne Clarke who have taken inspiration from them.
Making interesting and unexpected connections along the way, this informative collection of interviews, reviews and think pieces, explores the borders between ‘folk’ and ‘rock’ music by examining some of the musically adjacent pioneers who defy classification such as Marianne Faithfull, Kate Bush and Paul Simon, artists who have sought to dissolve musical genres in their work to create something new and exciting.
“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
“A very readable cornucopia of well-informed views on roots and other music making in the UK over the past few decades for you to dip into.” – Ian A. Anderson, musician and former editor of fRoots
“Warm, knowledgeable and at times revealing, Philip Ward’s fascinating series of essays revisits his encounters with heroes and heroines from the folk revival (and some surprise inclusions).” – Colin Randall, editor of salutfolk.com, former Daily Telegraph folk critic
