Woody Guthrie, Judy Collins, Joan Baez, Odetta, Peter Paul & Mary, Bob Dylan-these are just some of the great musicians that shaped the US folk music genre. While their voices resonated with an entire nation, many first travelled, performed and recorded their music in New York City, particularly in the intimate clubs of Greenwich Village and in Washington Square Park. Folk City: New York and the Folk Music Revival, now at the Museum of the City of New York, maps out the history of the folk music revival from the 1930s through the present.
The exhibit is packed with photos, music and video stations and artifacts, including Dylan’s handwritten lyrics for “Blowin in the Wind,” (pictured, below) “Mr. Tambourine Man” and other songs; Lead Belly’s 12 string guitar; Odetta’s guitar and dashiki, and many other items.
Curated by Stephen Petrus, an Andrew W. Mellon post-doctoral fellow at the Museum, Folk City is chronologically broken down into four sections:
*The revival’s roots in the 1930s and 1940s, when singers such as Louisiana’s Lead Belly, who wrote “Good Night, Irene,” Woody Guthrie, who often busked on NYC trains, Josh White and Burl Ives, gained popularity.
*The expansion of the folk music culture in the 1950s, when the genre changed from an art form associated with leftist politics during the Red Scare-ensnaring popular performers, including Pete Seeger, to a craze with mass appeal.
*The peak years, from 1958-1965, when a young old Bob Dylan travelled from Minnesota to New York City, mingling and honing his craft with influential musicians such as Guthrie and Odetta. During these years, Dylan performed extensively in Greenwich Village and recorded two albums-the second, The Freewheelin Bob Dylan, with tracks such as “Blowin in the Wind,” gave voice to a nation torn by the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement. “Blowin in the Wind” and Peter, Paul & Mary’s “If I Had a Hammer” became both rally and anti-war song standards.
Folk music in NYC was not always so well received. The exhibit addresses how in 1961, folk singing was in fact, briefly banned-in Washington Square Park. A series of rallies were held, before the public finally put the pressure on former NYC Mayor Robert F. Wagner to repeal it.
Washington Square Park. Photo: MCNY, gift of Nat Norman
Odetta, Peter, Paul & Mary, Dylan, Joan Baez, Mahalia Jackson and Marian Anderson all peacefully marched in the 1963 Great March to Washington, to support civic and economic rights of African Americans. They also performed at the March/demonstration, and sometimes together at other rallies/festivals.
David Gahr, We Shall Overcome: An encore ensemble at the Newport Folk Festival (from left: Peter Yarrow, Mary Travers, Paul Stookey, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Bernice Reagon, Cordell Reagon, Charles Neblett, Rutha Harris, Pete Seeger), July 1963. Estate of David Gahr
*The legacy of the revival from 1965-present. Many deemed the “British Invasion” (Rolling Stones, Beatles, The Who, etc) coupled with Dylan going electric [guitar] as the demise of the folk music movement. But folk music continues to thrive as a genre as a voice of ordinary people today.
The Museum of the City of New York will offer a broad array of family public programs in conjunction with the exhibition, including folk concerts and panel discussions. Upcoming events of note:
*(7/15, 24, 8/8) Music to My Ears-After exploring the lyrics, videos, and songs of folk musicians like Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan, join us to create your own stringed instrument, so you can perform folk songs at home! Geared for kids 6-12
*(7/27) Dylan Goes Electric! From New York to Newport Join a panel of Dylan experts to reflect on Bob Dylan's transformation in New York and Newport during the tumultuous 1960s.
The exhibitions honorary co-chairs play a significant role in bringing this exhibit to life, including Oscar Brand, Judy Collins, Steve Earle, Nora Guthrie, Noel Stookey and Peter Yarrow.
Folk City: New York and the Folk Music Revival runs at MCNY through Nov. 29. For more information on summer exhibit related events, visit mcny.com
