Echo in the Canyon

Director Andrew Slater teams up with musician, Jakob Dylan, in ECHO IN THE CANYON, a profile of the Laurel Canyon music scene of the mid-60s. Dylan, singer for the Wallflowers, solo artist, and son of Bob, acts as interviewer, speaking to a variety of artists who were integral to the sounds that came out of the iconic Los Angeles neighborhood. The movement began when traditional folk music peaked. Access to electric instruments and more advanced recording technology spawned experimentation and innovation. Many elements of folk remained, but it was louder, more sonically interesting, and less limiting. This new style was ushered in by The Byrds and was soon followed by such acts as The Mamas and the Papas, Buffalo Springfield, and The Beach Boys. Members of these legendary bands describe the communal environment that existed—strong friendships were formed and neighborhood jam sessions were quite common. Dylan interviews other prominent musicians who were influenced by the Laurel Canyon trailblazers, including Eric Clapton and Jackson Browne. But it’s his excellent conversation with the late Tom Petty that’s the cherry on an already sweet chronicle of the folk rock explosion. —E.F.