Electric Muse, The Story of Folk into Rock Series.Various artists | BUTTERBOY

FOLK INTO ROCK...

This looks really great (it is!) and I don’t think we’ve had before have we? [who ARE you talking to - ED] 

aaaaanyhoo . . . it looks great and has loads of favourites on from AL Loyd to Kate Rusby via Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span to Bert Jansch and Richard Thompson to Eliza Carthy and Sharon Shannon to Shooglenifty

VA - Electric Muse, The Story of Folk into Rock Series.

The evolution of music, particularly the transformation of folk into rock, is a fascinating journey that has been beautifully encapsulated in a series of box sets. Each set, released at different points in time, offers a unique perspective on this musical metamorphosis.

The first set, "Electric Muse, The Story of Folk into Rock " released in 1975, serves as an enjoyable and informative introduction to the genre. It is a testament to the enduring vitality of the genre, presenting a collection of folk songs that are as captivating today as they were at the time of their creation. This compilation; offers a persuasive argument for the continued relevance and development of the genre.

"New Electric Muse II, The Continuing Story of Folk Into Rock" was released in1997, a new three-CD collection, taking advantage of the expanded runtime to broaden the scope of the narrative. This set sought to update the story, incorporating elements of punk and new folk artists from the 90s. It was a bold move that demonstrated the genre’s adaptability and its ability to evolve with the times.

A decade later, "The All New Electric Muse: The Story of Folk Into Rock" was released in 2008. While it was a solid collection, it lacked some of the elements that made the previous sets so compelling, such as extensive booklets, rare tracks, clever sequencing, and more obscure artists. Despite these omissions, it still offered a valuable insight into the genre’s progression.

The most recent set, "The Electric Muse Revisited: The Story of Folk Into Rock and Beyond" a four-CD opus released in 2021, is a must-have for any lover of British folk-rock. It not only celebrates the survivors of the folk scene but also acknowledges those who continue to make innovative music today. This  4 CD, 61-track collection, based on the original book and album from 1975 is now brought up to date by one of the original authors, Robin Denselow. The release aims to explore the experimental side of the British folk scene, from the folk-rock era to the present day. Reviewing such a treasure trove is a challenge and the music on display is so varied that neat summaries are not easy to come by. It’s guaranteed there’s something to love for everyone. With over 4.5 hours pf music, It pays tribute to the enduring influence of talents whose lives were tragically cut short, demonstrating their lasting impact on the scene.

In conclusion, these box sets provide a comprehensive overview of the evolution of folk into rock and beyond. They showcase the genre’s richness and diversity over the years, making them an essential addition to the collection of any folk and rock music enthusiast. These are not only a collection of hot-shot guitarists (step forward Davy Graham, Bert Jansch, John Renbourn and John Martyn – all present and correct), the usual suspects when it comes to the folk-rock frame-up (Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span and Traffic), or tragic troubadours such as Sandy Denny or Nick Drake. (Butterboy)

Included in the post are the following:

• VA - Electric Muse, The Story of Folk into Rock [1975]
• VA - New Electric Muse II, The Continuing Story of Folk into Rock [1997]
• VA - The All-New Electric Muse, The Story of Folk into Rock [2008]
• VA - The Electric Muse Revisited, The Story of Folk into Rock and Beyond [2021] 

Also included is the book "The Electric Muse, The Story of Folk into Rock" by Dave Laing, Karl Dallas, Robin Denselow and Robert Shelton [1975]

here . . . . .