It Still Moves: Lost Songs, Lost Highways, and the Search for the Next American Music

I'm going to be slightly unfair with this review, as I think in reality this book is much better than a "two star" book. That rating means "It was okay," and for what I was looking for, that's precisely what it was. It isn't fair to the author, who is probably reading this and developing a slow-boiling rage (or, more likely, not reading this at all), but this wasn't the book I thought it was going to be. I wanted a book that focused primarily on contemporary Americana music, and this book is much more of a history. That's not the fault of the book, it's entirely mine.As a history, it's successful, although I've read other books that cover similar territory and do it a bit more extensively. What those books lack is Petrusich. Her show more authorial voice is very appealing in this book, as she travels America, from Tennessee to Mississippi to Kentucky to Vermont to Brooklyn, searching out archivists, musicians, and historians in search of the roots of Americana, as she calls it. Along the way she drives, listens to music (duh), and eats. I loved her descriptions of meals and eating, and I think she's got a second career as a food writer should she want it.The last chapter of the book, which deals with the contemporary Freak Folk movement, was more what I was looking for, and, not coincidentally, I liked it best. I think this book would be perfect for someone who hasn't read a lot about country music or the blues. It's a fun read, and Petrusich does a nice job of connecting the dots (some of which resist connection) that lead to where American music is today.Forgive me for under-starring your book, Ms. Petrusich. I'll definitely read your next one. show less

Part travelogue, part history, and a pinch of criticism. Picked this up because I really enjoyed Do Not Sell at Any Price. I was not disappointed.