The record is, as the title suggests, a folk album, intended to adapt the genre within a contemporary Italian context parallel to the music of Phil Ochs or Bob Dylan.

[1] Folk beat n.1 deals with various themes, including critiques and satires of Italian society, as well as tragic accounts of both fictional and historical characters (two lyrical fields which would become commonly associated with the cantautore).

[2] The album itself received little recognition once released, though it is said to contain amongst Guccini's most popular songs,[3] which would later become blueprints for his style (including his particular accent, characteristic of the Emilia-Romagna region).

The record received a stellar review from Allmusic, where it was said to contain the foundations for his successful career,[4] and be the first showcase of Guccini's songwriting talent;[5] his voice was also deemed "compelling".

In a certain sense, the protagonist could be defined as a beatnik, in fact towards the end of the 50s it was precisely the members of this group who questioned some traditional canons of "respectability" and the alienating conformism of the consumer society, however he doesn't make alternative life proposals other than going to a desert island where no one will be able to disturb him anymore.