Iconic Record Producer and Author Joe Boyd to Speak at The Local

What do Nick Drake, Taj Mahal, Pink Floyd, John Martyn, R.E.M, Toots and the Maytals, The Trio Bulgarka, and scores of artists from Britain and Africa to Bulgaria and Cuba have in common? A better question would be who they have in common… and that would be the legendary record producer Joe Boyd.

In his six-decade career, Joe Boyd discovered and produced some of the world’s finest and most creative recording artists. His intriguing history as a rock-n-roll Zelig – a man who seemed to find himself everywhere from stage managing Dylan’s electric debut at Newport to discovering and producing some of the most legendary artists to emerge in Swingin’ London–was chronicled in his acclaimed memoir, White Bicycles: Making Music in the 1960s.

Now Boyd has gifted the world with his most impressive work as an author and Music historian, And the Roots of Rhythm Remain: A Journey Through Global Music (ZE Books). The product of more than 20 years of interviews, travels and research, Boyd’s latest, at more than 950 pages, is the most authoritative chronicle of the history of world music, a cornucopia of many genres and; styles that he helped popularize in the West beginning in the 1980s via his Hannibal Records label.

Boyd’s book provides centuries of backstory about the personalities, events and politics in places such as Havana, Lagos, Budapest, Kingston, Rio and many more that led to the development of genres like reggae, bossa nova, Zulu music, Bulgarian throat singing and the cross-pollination that led to commercial success in the West, like Paul Simon’s Grammy Award-winning Graceland.

“What an amazing book! I doubt I’ll ever read a better account of the history and sociology of popular music than this one. It has me saying ‘Wow’ on every page.”
Brian Eno

“A gift to the world. Blow your mind and your speakers.”
Cerys Matthews

“Profound . . . and beyond.”
Robert Plant

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On Tuesday, March 18, at 7 pm, The Local in Saugerties will present a free event featuring this icon discussing his latest book and the many intriguing chapters of his 60-plus year career in music. If you’re in Saugerties, stop by Inquiring Minds to pick up Joe’s Books! 

“Joe Boyd is a world-class raconteur whose astounding travels, experiences and knowledge have had an enormous effect on over a generation of music lovers and industry professionals through his albums, writings and films” says Isabel Soffer, co-founder of The Local. “Having Joe at The Local, where so much of our programming has been influenced by him is an honor.”

“It’s really great what the Local is doing, bringing in everything from Tuvan throat singing to Afro Pop to Colombian psychedelia,” said Boyd. “Like all my events, I’ll be reading from the book, playing some music, showing archival pictures and taking questions from the audience on a subject that is dear to my heart and that of everyone likely to attend.”

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For Jimi Hendrix Fans | Get your tickets to “A Film About Jimi Hendrix” | Monday, March 17 8:30 pm

At the Orpheum Theater in Saugerties NY
*Free for Upstate Films Members!
Presented in person by the legendary record producer Joe Boyd who co-directed this little-seen rockumentary.

The film contains concert footage of Hendrix from 1967 to 1970, including the Monterey Pop Festival, the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival, Woodstock, and a Berkeley concert. The on-stage and behind the scenes footage is interspersed with first-hand recollections, from Pete Townshend, Mick Jagger, Little Richard, Lou Reed, Buddy Miles and more. 

“Some of the best and most important live performances in rock n’ roll history.” — Decider