Electric Eden

Just finished this enthralling read by Rob Young called Electric Eden - Unearthing Britain's Visionary Music, which charts the meandering development of the folk music canon in Britain over the last hundred years or so. The book has enjoyed almost unanimous critical acclaim and you can pick up a copy in all good bookshops. Young's painstakingly well-researched tome will have you seeking out the music and musicians considered within on a page-by-page basis.

Young manages to successfully weave the development of Blighty's indigenous folk narrative into the prevailing social, cultural and political climates of the time. Although his own overtly socialist political stance threatens to take over at times, his knack for vivid descriptions of the sonic palette and enthusiasm for the folk continuum, more than make up for it.

For a taste of the artists covered within, pay a visit to the Seek Music website, where music writer Ian Preece has compiled a mix inspired by the book, that takes in the likes of Davey Graham, Shirley Collins, Fairport Convention and Ewen Macoll.

DIY Classical Music

If like me your knowledge of classical music is on a par with an understanding of advanced neuroscience, here's a cute and accessible little introduction through the back door from the leftfield, courtesy of the ever-enlightening Mississippi Records' tape series. It features a selection of scratchy compositions from the likes of avant-garde composer Erik Satie, street musician 'The Viking Of 6th Avenue' Moondog and Maureen Tucker from The Velvet Underground.

Download 'Classical Music For And By The People' here.

For more Mississippi Mixtapes, covering all kinds of obscure music from early doo wop and rhythm 'n blues to Jamaican soul and African oddities visit the Root Blog here.