Eight Miles High: Folk-Rock's Flight from Haight-Ashbury to Woodstock

by Richie Unterberger

Eight Miles High documents the evolution of the folk-rock movement from mid-1966 through the end of the decade. This much-anticipated sequel to Turn! Turn! Turn! – the acclaimed history of folk-rock's early years – portrays the mutation of the genre into psychedelia via California bands like the Byrds and Jefferson Airplane; the maturation of folk-rock composers in the singer-songwriter movement; the re-emergence of Bob Dylan and the creation of country-rock; the rise of folk-rock's first supergroup, CSN&Y; the origination of British folk-rock; and the growing importance of major festivals from Newport to Woodstock. Based on firsthand interviews with such folk-rock visionaries as: Jorma Kaukonen, Roger McGuinn, Donovan, Judy Collins, Jim Messina, Dan Hicks and dozens of others.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, History, Rock N Roll

370 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2003

About the author

Richie Unterberger's book "The Unreleased Beatles: Music and Film" details the incredible wealth of music the Beatles recorded that they did not release, as well as musical footage of the group that hasn't been made commercially available. His other books include "Unknown Legends of Rock'n'Roll," the two-volume 1960s folk-rock history "Turn! Turn! Turn!"/"Eight Miles High," and "The Rough Guide to Shopping with a Conscience." He's also a frequent contributor to the All Music Guide and MOJO magazine, and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area."

Reviews

[Koeeoaddi · Rating 3 out of 5]

You would think that the publishers of this book might realize that most of its readership will be old farts with failing eyesight. I'm sure I would have enjoyed it more --maybe even awarded it one more star -- had I not required a jeweler's loupe to decipher the bacteria-sized typeface.

[Trace Reddell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent historical, cultural, biographical, and at times critical treatment of '60's folk-rock in the latter-half of the decade, emphasizing its relationship to and mutation into psychedelia, acid folk, country-rock, and singer-songwriter forms. The degree to which Unterberger integrates both archival material and contemporary interviews with his subjects is perfect, keeping the quality of voice and memory as variable as the many takes on music in the wake of folk-rock. Like the previous volume, the density of the book's content is amplified by the density of the font, though perhaps my familiarity with more of the artists included here made things move along at a decent clip. Great read, highly recommended!

[Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative. Took my time reading this one, because I looked up a lot of the music and musicians that were being discussed in the book.

[Garrett Cash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much like Unterberger's previous book on folk rock's early years, Turn! Turn! Turn!, this sequel that traces the rest of the story up until 1970 does a superb job of diving deep into the complex world of folk rock music. Everything from San Francisco psych-folk to LA Byrds style to British incarnations and ultimately the CSNY Laurel Canyon/Woodstock time, Unterberger leaves no folk stone unturned. The book includes a thorough discography, and the insight of the chapters into the influences and context of certain works is sharp. This book is an essential resource for any scholar of 60's music or of folk music's cosmic journey.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good but Turn Turn Turn was better. This didn't have as much temporal flow, but was based around themes so it felt jumpy.

[Ed Wagemann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not too shabby

[Regan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somehow, this 2nd book wasn't quite as thrilling as the 1st ('Turn! Turn! Turn!'), but still outstanding. The focus is now on the late 1960s' music scene.