In the second installment of this short series about folk music books available at LBPH, I’ve selected some more titles for anyone out there who is interested in folk music. From the amazing story of Huddie William “Leadbelly” Ledbetter, to the folk renaissance of the 1960s with musicians like Joni Mitchell, these books get into some of the people who created some of the most noteworthy, intense, beautiful and emotive American music of all time. Get into your own folk revival with some of these titles:

The Life and Legend of Leadbelly
Charles K Wolfe
DB36270
This account traces the path of Huddie Ledbetter, better known as “Leadbelly”‘ during his sixty-one-year lifetime. Born in Louisiana, America’s most famous southern African-American folk musician once earned his pardon from prison with his music. Later, folklorists John and Alan Lomax promoted and exploited this creator of “Midnight Special” and “Goodnight Irene.” 1992.

Joni Mitchell: In Her Own Words
DB80538
Malka Marom
Canadian folk singer and journalist Marom uses four decades of interviews and personal conversations with Grammy Award winner Mitchell to illustrate Mitchell’s creative process. Discusses the influences of Mitchell’s childhood in western Canada, personal relationships, other artistic endeavors, and the changing music industry. Bestseller. 2014.

Positively Fourth Street: The Lives and Times of Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Mimi Baez Farina, and Richard Farina
DB52658
David Hajdu
Based on hundreds of interviews, Hajdu’s work scrutinizes the interpersonal relationships of Joan and Mimi Baez, Bob Dylan, and Richard Farina and shows how the four emerged from the Greenwich Village coffeehouse folk music scene to become influential pop singers of the 1960s.  Some strong language.  Bestseller.  2001.