5
Generally speaking, the ‘Popular Folk Music Era’ formally started in September
1958 with the release of the Kingston Trio’s second single, ‘Tom Dooley.’ It arguably
ended in March 1965 when Bob Dylan’s transitional fifth album ‘Bringing It All
Back Home’ unshackled creative folk musicians from their restrictive acoustic formats.
Dylan’s bold statement polarized the folk music community, recalling the similar
schism in jazz a generation earlier. In the late forties, fans of big band and small
ensemble swing were confused by the fresh, innovative bop ensembles that emerging
from hip, afterhours Manhattan clubs. What once seemed fresh and exciting now
appeared out of date.
