Seasons They Change: The Story of Acid and Psychedelic Folk

Seasons They Change traces the evolution of acid and psychedelic folk music from the 1960s through the early 2000s. The book chronicles the development of this musical subgenre across the UK, US, and Europe through interviews and archival research. Author Jeanette Leech examines key artists and groups who shaped the sound, from early pioneers like The Incredible String Band and Vashti Bunyan to modern practitioners such as Devendra Banhart and Joanna Newsom. The narrative follows both major figures and lesser-known musicians who contributed to the movement's growth and transformation. The book documents the cultural and social factors that influenced acid folk's emergence, including the counterculture movement, environmental awareness, and interest in traditional music forms. Technical aspects of recording, instrumental choices, and production methods are explored alongside the music's development. At its core, this is an examination of how musical movements evolve and persist across decades, adapting to new cultural contexts while maintaining connections to their origins. The book reveals the enduring appeal of combining traditional folk elements with experimental and psychedelic approaches.

Readers view this as a thorough history of the acid folk scene from 1960s-2000s. The book receives high marks for its research depth and interviews with musicians. Likes: - Documents many obscure artists and albums - Clear writing style explains complex music movements - Connects different folk scenes across decades - Includes international coverage beyond UK/US Dislikes: - Writing can be dry and academic at times - Some readers wanted more analysis of the music itself - A few note it focuses too heavily on certain artists while skimming others Ratings: Goodreads: 4.13/5 (91 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (22 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Best book on the genre I've read - covers both well-known and forgotten artists" - Goodreads "Sometimes reads like a catalog of names rather than a narrative" - Amazon "Strong on facts but could use more musical description" - Rate Your Music

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🍄 Jeanette Leech's research for the book included conducting over 70 original interviews with key figures in the acid folk movement, including members of Pentangle, The Incredible String Band, and Vashti Bunyan. 🎸 The term "acid folk" wasn't widely used during the 1960s and early '70s when the music was being made; it became popular retrospectively to describe the psychedelic-influenced folk music of that era. 🌿 The book traces the genre's evolution across three continents, exploring how American folk music transformed through British interpretation and eventually influenced Japanese psychedelic folk artists. 🎼 Despite focusing on a niche genre, the book documents how acid folk influenced mainstream artists like Led Zeppelin and David Bowie, who incorporated elements of the style into their music. 🌟 Several artists featured in the book, including Vashti Bunyan and Linda Perhacs, experienced career revivals decades after their original recordings, thanks to new interest from modern folk artists and record collectors.