Beautiful Rivers and Mountains: The Psychedelic Rock Sound of South Korea's Shin Joong Hyun 1958-1974
Date
Credits
- Shin Joong Hyun Musician
- Strath Shepard Designer
- Shin Joong Hyun Photographer
- Eothen Alapatt Photographer
- Jason "Moss" Connoy Photographer
Format
- Album Art 514
- Record Sleeve 75
Type of Work
- Archive 227
“Beautiful Rivers and Mountains” is a song by the legendary guitarist/singer songwriter Shin Joong Hyun in his album “Beautiful Rivers and Mountains: The Psychedelic Rock Sound of South Korea's Shin Joong Hyun 1958-1974.” The song was created in protest to the military dictatorship of Park Chung Hee in 1972, where Shin was asked to create a song in his favor. What Park wanted was a song that encapsulated military power and was essentially propaganda, but what Shin created was uplifting to South Korea and the power in its land. The song has a psychedelic, melodic feel that is translated well in this album's cover design. Shin being displayed with his guitar and the waves of blue behind him seem to signify that natural power and presence he evokes within his song. Because of his protest, he was restricted from playing/putting his music out into the community until 1979, where he found that he had to adapt to the 80's pop/funk genre that was taking South Korea by storm. His usual tone of psychedelic rock was less appreciated by the public, and only until later years was he fully recognized again for his spirited, soulful craft.
Source for design & photo credits:
