by
Charles H. Smith, Ph.D.
I have seen
several lists of this type posted on the Internet by well-meaning
but sometimes agenda-driven individuals, so I thought I would
take a shot at this myself, consulting some hard data along the
way. I have a long and continuing interest in folk music
going back to the early 1960s, when my older sister started buying
Peter, Paul & Mary albums. For many years I purchased related material
for the library collection at the University where I work (see
notes here,
including further youtube.com links), and some years back opened
a website featuring the lyrics of the fondly remembered topical
and children's songs writer, Malvina
Reynolds. I also maintain a site called "The
Classical Music Navigator", and have a lot
of experience in statistical analysis. (See my homepage
for contact and other information.)
Please
read THESE NOTES
before proceeding to the list, at the possible risk of assuming
a number of things about this compilation that were not intended!
Following
below is the ranked list of 111--with a few "honorable mentions"
to add up to an even 150 thrown in at the end. In the main
list, the artist's name is linked to, first: (1)
a leading website concerned with them (in
red) and (2) their Wikipedia entry (in
purple); then two pieces of information in parentheses:
(3) f.r.: "folkie rating" (on
scale of 1 [least] to 5 [most], my subjective rating of how "folky"
the artist is), and (4) y(es)/n(o) (has or
doesn't have individual entry in The New Grove Dictionary of
Music and Musicians);
then, as appropriate, (5) some representative compositions
or recordings by the artist (in blue)
and (6) related youtube.com and myspace.com pages
(in green); and finally, (7)
a rough list of the artist's main genres, indexed by the following
asterisk-with-two-letter coding (in orange)
that can be used to search across artists by plugging the codes
into your browser's "Edit > Find" function:
*ac
alt-country *af
alt-folk *bl
blues *ce
Celtic *cf
contemporary folk *ff
folk revival/traditional folk *fj
folk-jazz fusion *fp
folk-pop
*fr
folk-rock *mi
master instrumentalists *mv
master vocalists *na
New Age *pf
folk-punk *ss
singer-songwriter *tf
topical/political folk
*
Special Note for Librarians *
* * * *
1. Woody
Guthrie (1912-1967) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 5; y). Woody represents the point at which
the "folk tradition" in music (which we had had for many years
before him) became dominantly transmitted through songs associated
with particular individuals: 'Goin'
Down the Road Feelin' Bad,' 'This
Land is Your Land,' 'Pretty Boy Floyd,'
'Pastures of Plenty,' 'I Ain't Got No Home,' 'So Long It's Been
Good to Know Ya,' 'Tom Joad,' 'Reuben James,' 'Deportee,' 'Hobo's
Lullaby,' 'Take a Whiff on Me,' 'Union Maid,' Dust
Bowl Ballads youtube.com
videos myspace.com *ff
*ss *tf
2. Bob
Dylan (1941-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; y). Dylan followed Guthrie's
lead but marched a step further: into a literary realm in which
folk song became high art: 'Blowin'
in the Wind,' 'It Ain't Me Babe,'
'Don't Think Twice It's All Right,' 'The Times They Are a-Changin,'
'Masters of War,' 'Mr. Tambourine Man,'
'Like a Rolling Stone,' 'If Not For You,'
'Just Like a Woman,' 'All Along the Watchtower,' 'My Back Pages,'
'Hurricane,' Highway 61 Revisited,
Nashville Skyline,
John Wesley Harding, Blood
on the Tracks, Blonde on
Blonde, Modern Times
youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*fr *ss *tf
3. Pete
Seeger (1919-2014) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 5; y). Friend and disciple of Woody
Guthrie, Pete Seeger went on to become king of the protest song,
especially as related to environmental issues: 'Where
Have All the Flowers Gone?', 'The
Bells of Rhymney,' 'We Shall Overcome,' 'Little Boxes,'
'Turn Turn Turn,' 'If
I Had a Hammer,' 'Waist Deep in the
Big Muddy' youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*ff *ss *tf
4. The
Weavers Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 5; n). Although perhaps not technically
the first folk music "supergroup," their collective influence
was to create the first mass public appetite for folk music: 'Goodnight
Irene,' 'Wimoweh,' 'Wreck of the John
B,' 'On Top of Old Smokey,' 'Wasn't
That a Time?', 'Kisses Sweeter Than
Wine,' The Weavers at Carnegie Hall youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*ff *fp *tf
5. Joan
Baez (1941-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 5; y). Possessor of just about
the most beautiful voice ever to express poignant thoughts: 'We
Shall Overcome,' 'Love Is Just a Four
Letter Word,' 'There But for Fortune,'
'The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,' 'Diamonds
and Rust,' Joan Baez youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*ff *mv *tf
6. Peter
(1938-), Paul (1937-) and Mary (1937-2009)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 5; n). The group that found a way
to focus "folk energy" in a manner appealing to a large--and paying--audience:
'Blowin' in the Wind,' 'Where
Have All the Flowers gone?', '500
Miles,' 'If I Had a Hammer,' 'Puff
the Magic Dragon,' 'Leaving on a
Jet Plane,' Peter Paul and Mary, In
the Wind youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*ff *fp *mv *tf
7. Joni
Mitchell (1943-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 3; y). Mitchell's brilliance as
a songwriter, singer, and guitarist focused further attention
on the role of folk singer as intellectual, raconteur, and artiste:
'The Circle Game,' 'Both
Sides Now,' 'Big Yellow Taxi,' 'Chelsea
Morning,' 'Woodstock,' 'A Case of You,' 'Urge for Going,'
Clouds, Court
and Spark, Ladies of the Canyon,
Blue youtube.com
videos *cf *fj *fp *ss
8. Kingston
Trio Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 5; n). In the late 1950s and early
1960s revival period this was one of the most popular folk acts,
trading in conventional arrangements of both traditional and new
material, and reaching a broad audience: 'Scotch
and Soda,' 'Greenback Dollar,' 'M. T. A.,' 'Tom Dooley,' 'Where
Have All the Flowers Gone?', The Kingston Trio,
The Kingston Trio At Large,
Sold Out youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*ff *tf
9. Simon
(1941-) and Garfunkel (1941-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; y). Paul Simon's genius as a
songwriter and Art Garfunkel's vocal skills rocketed
S & G to the greatest commercial success ever attained by
a folk act: 'The Sounds of Silence,'
'Homeward Bound,' 'The
Boxer,' 'El Condor Pasa,' 'Bridge Over Troubled Water,' 'American
Tune,' 'America,' 'Scarborough Fair,'
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme,
Bookends, Bridge
Over Troubled Water youtube.com
videos myspace.com
*cf *fp *fr *mv *ss
10. Lead
Belly (1888-1949) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; y). The legendary folk and blues
performer who inspired many of the top white folk music performers
of the 1940s and 1950s: 'Goodnight
Irene,' 'Cotton Fields,' 'Where
Did You Sleep Last Night?', 'Pick
a Bale of Cotton,' 'Midnight Special,' 'Gallows
Pole,' 'Rock Island Line' youtube.com
videos myspace.com *bl
*ff *mi *tf
11. Odetta
(1930-2008) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 5; n). From the 1950s on, one of
the most authentic and respected voices in the world of folk:
'Motherless Children,' 'Amazing Grace,'
'This Little Light of Mine,' 'You Don't Know My Mind,'
Ballads and Blues, At
the Gate of Horn, Odetta at
Town Hall, Movin' On
youtube.com
videos *bl *ff *mv
*tf
12. Doc
Watson (1923-2012) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 3; n). The country folks might
also claim Doc Watson for their own, but his forte was
always authentic voice and guitar-featuring performances
of traditional material: 'Tennessee
Stud,' 'Deep River Blues,' 'Black
Mountain Rag,' 'Shady Grove,' 'Wabash Cannonball,' The
Watson Family, Memories,
Then and Now, Doc
Watson, Southbound
youtube.com
videos myspace.com *ff
*mi
13. Judy
Collins (1939-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; y). Collins's beautiful, soothing
voice and intelligent interpretations introduced many a fan to
the up-and-coming songwriters of the 60s: 'Both
Sides Now,' 'Suzanne,' 'In My Life,'
'Amazing Grace,' 'Someday Soon,' 'Send
in the Clowns,' In My Life,
Fifth Album, Who
Knows Where the Time Goes? youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*ff *fp *mv
14. The
Byrds Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 2; y). In early 1965 the Byrds
took listeners by storm with a new brand of pop music--folk-rock--but
a year later veered in the direction of country-rock: 'Mr.
Tambourine Man,' 'Chimes of Freedom,'
'All I Really Want to Do,' 'Turn Turn Turn,' 'I'll
Feel a Whole Lot Better,' 'You Ain't Going Nowhere,' 'Chestnut
Mare,' 'My Back Pages,' 'Ballad of Easy Rider,' Sweetheart
of the Rodeo youtube.com
videos myspace.com *fp
*fr
15. Fairport
Convention Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 3; y). Over several decades, the
leading exemplar of the term "folk rock": 'Matty
Groves,' 'Meet on the Ledge,'
'Fotheringay,' 'Crazy Man Michael,' 'Tam
Lin,' Liege & Lief,
Full House, What
We Did on Our Holidays youtube.com
videos *cf *fp *fr
*mi
16. Neil
Young (1945-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 3; y). Young's career as an explorative
and committed folk-rocker now spans five decades, and he's still
not showing any signs of rusting out: 'Sugar
Mountain,' 'Southern Man,' 'Broken Arrow,' 'Down By the River,'
'Old Man,' 'Heart of Gold,' 'Ohio,'
'Helpless,' 'Only Love Can Break Your Heart,' After
the Gold Rush, Everybody Knows
This Is Nowhere, Harvest,
Rust Never Sleeps youtube.com
videos myspace.com *af
*cf *fr *ss *tf
17. Phil
Ochs (1940-1976) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 5; y). The quintessential 60s folk
singer/songwriter, with a penchant for liberal values and bare-nerved
social criticism: 'I Ain't Marching
Anymore,' 'Power and the Glory,'
'The Crucifixion,' 'Draft Dodger Rag,' 'Outside
of a Small Circle of Friends,' 'Changes,'
'The Highwayman,' 'When I'm Gone,'
'Links on the Chain,' 'There But for Fortune,' 'Pleasures
of the Harbor,' All the News That's Fit to Sing
youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*ss *tf
18. The
Everly Brothers Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 2; y). The brothers Phil and Don
set a standard for vocal performance of traditional and folk-like
material that has never been surpassed, or possibly even equaled:
'Wake Up Little Susie,' 'Let It Be
Me,' 'Bye Bye Love,' 'All
I Have to Do Is Dream,' 'Devoted to
You,' 'Bird Dog,' 'Cathy's Clown'
youtube.com
videos myspace.com *fp
*mv
19. Donovan
(1946-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 3; n). Initially a Guthrie-style
folkie, Donovan Leitch branched out to create a commercially and
creatively successful form of folk-pop that embraced psychedelia,
jazz, lore, and myth: 'Catch the Wind,'
'Colours,' 'Sunshine
Superman,' 'Universal Soldier,' 'Lalena,'
'Season of the Witch,' 'Hurdy Gurdy
Man,' 'Atlantis,' 'There Is a Mountain,' A
Gift From a Flower to a Garden, Sunshine
Superman youtube.com
videos myspace.com *ce
*cf *fj *fp *fr *na *ss *tf
20. Jimmie
Rodgers (1897-1933) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 2; y). Although viewed more as
a direct line father of modern country music, nearly equally an
influence on the development of American folk styles, especially
through such figures as Woody Guthrie and Ramblin' Jack Elliott:
'T for Texas,' 'Blue
Yodel Number 2,' 'Waiting For a Train,'
'Standing on the Corner,' 'Mule Skinner Blues,' 'In
the Jailhouse Now,' 'T.B. Blues' youtube.com
videos myspace.com *bl
*ff
21. John
Fahey (1939-2001) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 2; n). Though not truly a folkie,
this quirky instrumentalist remained true to his root influences
while inspiring a whole generation of guitarists: 'In
Christ There Is No East Nor West,' 'Sunflower River Blues,' 'Sligo
River Blues,' The Voice of the Turtle, The
Yellow Princess, The Transfiguration
of Blind Joe Death, The New
Possibility--Christmas Album,
Blind Joe Death youtube.com
videos myspace.com *af
*bl *ff *mi
22. The
Carter Family Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 2; y). Over the middle half of
the twentieth century, the Carters were perhaps the most successful
and influential popularizers of rural traditional and country
forms: 'The Wildwood Flower,' 'Wabash
Cannonball,' 'Will the Circle Go Unbroken?',
'Keep on the Sunny Side,' 'Single
Girl Married Girl' youtube.com
videos myspace.com *ff
*mv
23. Gordon
Lightfoot (1938-2023) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; n). Since he first broke through
with 'Early Morning Rain' in the early
60s, Lightfoot has been the most recognized name in Canadian folk
circles: 'If You Could Read My Mind,'
'Rainy Day People,' 'Sundown,' 'The
Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,' 'Canadian Railroad Trilogy,'
'For Lovin' Me,' Lightfoot! youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*fp *ss
24. Arlo
Guthrie (1947-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; n). Since the days of 'Alice's
Restaurant Massacree,' one of America's most representative--and
beloved--folkies: 'City of New Orleans,'
'The Motorcycle Song,' Amigo,
Alice's Restaurant, Hobo's
Lullaby youtube.com
videos myspace.com *af
*cf *fr *tf
25. Alan
Stivell (1944-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; n). Famous just about everywhere
except in the U. S., this harp-playing native of the Breton
region of France almost single-handedly engineered the worldwide
late twentieth century Celtic music revival: Renaissance
de la Harpe Celtique, Harpes
du Nouvel Age, Symphonie Celtique,
A l'Olympia youtube.com
videos myspace.com *ce
*cf *ff *fj *fr *mi *na
26. Bert
Jansch (1943-2011) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; y). Though little
known in the U. S., Pentangle leader Jansch's international
influence as a folk guitar stylist--and on the contemporary
folk movement in Britain in general--was phenomenal: 'Needle
of Death,' 'Blackwaterside,'
'Angie,'
Bert Jansch, Jack
Orion, Rosemary Lane,
The Black Swan youtube.com
videos myspace.com *bl
*cf *fj *fr *mi *ss *tf
27. Pentangle
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 3; y). The most inventive and virtuostic
string band of their time, Pentangle explored the connections
between folk and jazz, blues, and early music: 'Light
Flight,' The Pentangle, Basket
of Light, Cruel Sister,
Sweet Child, Reflection
youtube.com
videos myspace.com *af
*fj *mi
28. Richard
Thompson (1949-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 3; y). After leaving Fairport Convention,
Thompson really came into his own as a leading singer, songwriter,
and electric and acoustic guitarist: 'Beeswing,'
'1952 Vincent Black Lightning,' 'I Misunderstood,'
'Meet on the Ledge,' Shoot Out
the Lights, Mock Tudor,
Rumor and Sigh youtube.com
videos myspace.com *af
*cf *fr *mi *ss *tf
29. Nick
Drake (1948-1974)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; n). Little more than ignored
in his own time, Drake's brooding, introspective music eventually
caught on years after his accidental death in 1974: 'Day
Is Done,' 'Time Has Told Me,' 'River Man,' 'Pink Moon,' Bryter
Later, Five Leaves Left,
Pink Moon youtube.com
videos myspace.com *af
*cf *fj *ss
30. Leonard
Cohen (1934-2016) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 2; y). Master of word and image,
Canadian Cohen was the poet laureate of the contemporary folk scene:
'Suzanne,' 'Famous
Blue Raincoat,' 'Everybody Knows,'
'Hallelujah,' 'Bird on a Wire' youtube.com
videos myspace.com *af
*cf *fj *ss
31. Crosby
(1941-2023), Stills (1945-) and Nash (1942-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 1; y). Adroitly plying the waters
of pop, rock, and folk, CSN produced beautiful performances of
solidly composed "folk-like" material: 'Suite:
Judy Blue Eyes,' 'Ohio,' 'Teach Your
Children,' 'Our House,' 'Carry On,'
'Woodstock,' Crosby, Stills &
Nash, Deja Vu youtube.com
videos *fp *fr *mv
*ss *tf
32. The
New Lost City Ramblers Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 5; n). Led by Mike Seeger, the
Ramblers were/are (they have never officially disbanded) the leading
string band revivalist act, since the late 1950s introducing new
generations to the traditional music of earlier times: The
Early Years, Old Time Music,
There Ain't No Way Out
youtube.com
videos *ff
33. John
Denver (1943-1997) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 1; n). Pop star Denver was one-third
folkie, one-third country boy, and one-third romantic idealist:
'Take Me Home Country Roads,'
'Rocky Mountain High,' 'Thank God I'm a Country
Boy,' 'Leaving on a Jet Plane,' 'Annie's
Song' youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*fp *ss
34. Ewan
MacColl (1915-1989)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; y). Activist MacColl wrote songs
and plays, collected and (brilliantly) sang traditional material,
and overall earned a place in mid-twentieth century history as
Britain's foremost figure in the world of folk: 'The
First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,' 'Dirty
Old Town,' 'My Old Man,' 'Moving
On Song,' 'Joy of Living,' 'The Shoals
of Herring,' 'Sweet Thames Flow Softly,' The
English and Scottish Popular Ballads, Broadside
Ballads youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*ff *mv *ss *tf
35. Ramblin'
Jack Elliott (1931-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 5; n). No one even comes close
to doing "folk singer" as well as Jack does!: 'Pretty
Boy Floyd,' Sings the Songs of Woody Guthrie, South
Coast, The Essential,
America youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*ff
36. The
Chieftains Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 5; n). The Chieftains have been
keepers of the flame of Irish traditional music for what seems
like forever: 'The Foggy Dew,' 'Women
of Ireland,' The Long Black Veil, Irish
Heartbeat, The Chieftains 4
youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*ff *mi
37. Tom
Paxton (1937-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 5; n). Contemporary folk singer-songwriter
par excellence Paxton has turned increasingly to the world
of children's (folk) music: 'Bottle
of Wine,' 'What Did You Learn in School
Today?', 'I Can't Help but Wonder
Where I'm Bound,' 'The Last Thing
on My Mind,' 'Ramblin Boy,'
'The Marvelous Toy,' 'Talking
Vietnam Potluck Blues' youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*ss *tf
38. John
Prine (1946-2020) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 3; n). Singer-songwriter Prine
typically performed his contemporary folk-like compositions with
a wink, in the mood of an ambling walk down a country lane: 'Paradise,'
'Grandpa Was a Carpenter,' 'Hello in There,'
'In Spite of Ourselves,' 'Illegal Smile,'
'Angel From Montgomery,' 'That's the Way
the World Goes 'Round,' 'Sam Stone,' John
Prine, The Missing Years,
Fair and Square youtube.com
videos myspace.com *ac
*af *cf *ss *tf
39. Clannad
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; n). The leading band of the
Celtic music revival, as well as a significant influence on the
development of so-called "New Age" music: 'Theme
From Harry's Game,' 'I Will Find You,' Magical
Ring, Anam, Clannad
youtube.com
videos myspace.com *ce
*na
40. June
Tabor (1947-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; y). Tabor's dark rich voice
has made her her generation's leading British traditional songs
stylist: 'And the Band Played Waltzing
Matilda,' Silly Sisters,
Abyssinians, Airs
and Graces, A Cut Above,
An Echo of Hooves youtube.com
videos *cf *ff *fj
*mv
41. Stan
Rogers (1949-1983) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; n). But for his untimely death
in an airplane fire in 1983, by now Rogers almost certainly would
have reached the highest levels of fame within folk circles: '45
Years,' 'Barrett's Privateers,' 'The
Mary Ellen Carter,' 'White Squall,'
'The Field Behind the Plow,' Fogarty's
Cove, From Fresh Water,
Northwest Passage
youtube.com
videos
myspace.com *cf
*mv *ss
42. Steeleye
Span Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; y). Steeleye Span's clever arrangements
of traditional material have made them an enduring favorite among
British folk fans: 'Gaudete,'
'King Henry,' 'The
Blacksmith,' 'When I Was on Horseback,' 'All Around My Hat,'
Below the Salt, Parcel
of Rogues youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*ff *fp *fr
43. Sandy
Denny (1947-1978) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 3; y). Folk/folk-rock lost its
leading female singer-songwriter prematurely when Denny died
after an accident at the age of 31: 'Who
Knows Where the Time Goes?', 'Fotheringay,'
'John the Gun' youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*fr *mv *ss
44. Harry
Belafonte (1927-2023) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 3; y). Perhaps most associated
with calypso music styles of the 50s and 60s protest music, Belafonte
has recorded all kinds of folk-related material over his career:
'The Banana Boat Song,' 'Matilda,'
'Jamaica Farewell,' Calypso
youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*ff *fp *mv *tf
45. Josh
White (1908-1969)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; y). Singer-guitarist White was
a key player in first the blues, then folk-revival scenes in the
40s, 50s, and 60s, influencing figures ranging from Ray Charles
to Don McLean and The Animals: 'House
of the Rising Sun,' 'Careless Love,' 'St. James Infirmary,' 'One
Meat Ball' youtube.com
videos myspace.com *bl
*ff
46. Sweet
Honey in the Rock
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; n). Bernice Johnson Reagon (1942-)'s
a cappella ensemble, embracing topical and traditional
themes alike, has been active for over thirty years: 'I
Got Shoes,' 'We Are,' 'Emergency,'
Still the Same Me, I
Got Shoes, Live at Carnegie
Hall youtube.com
videos myspace.com *bl
*cf *fj *tf
47. James
Taylor (1948-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 1; y). Taylor's emotionally plaintive
voice continues to endear him to the folk community, even as his
material selections move him further and further into MOR: 'Fire
and Rain,' 'How Sweet It Is,' 'Carolina
in My Mind,' 'You've Got a Friend,' Mud
Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon, Sweet
Baby James youtube.com
videos *cf
*fp *ss
48. Martin
Carthy (1941-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 5; y). Collector, singer, and acoustic
guitarist extraordinaire, one of the leading figures in the English
folk revival: 'The Famous Flower of
Serving Men,' 'Scarborough Fair,'
Byker Hill,
Martin Carthy youtube.com
videos *cf *ff *mi
49. Townes
Van Zandt (1944-1997) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 1; n). Perhaps more a country artist
than a folkie, the late Townes Van Zandt ranked as one of our
finest singer-songwriters: 'Pancho
and Lefty,' 'None But the Rain,'
'Waiting Around to Die,' 'Tecumseh Valley,' 'To Live's to Fly,'
'If I Needed You,' Live at the Old Quarter,
The Late Great Townes Van Zandt youtube.com
videos myspace.com *ac
*cf *ss
50. The
Almanac Singers
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 5; n). This informal group including
Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Lee Hays lasted only a couple
of years in the early 1940s, but one can point to their union
as a legitimate starting point of the twentieth century's "contemporary
folk" movement: 'Talking Union,' 'Union
Maid,' Talking Union,
Songs for John Doe youtube.com
videos *cf *ff *tf
51. Kate
(1946-2010) and Anna (1944-) McGarrigle Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 3; n). Tight harmonies
and smartly crafted songs characterized the work
of this highly regarded bi-lingual Canadian duo: 'Heart
Like a Wheel,'
'Talk of Me of Mendocino,' 'NaCl (Sodium
Chloride),' 'My Town,' Kate &
Anna McGarrigle, French Record,
Dancer With Bruised Knees
youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*ss
52. Loreena
McKennitt (1957-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 2; n). She of Canadian nationality,
Celtic and rock sensibilities, and Barbra Streisand-class voice:
'Mummers' Dance,' 'All Souls Night,'
'Bonny Portmore,' 'Night Ride Across the Caucasus,' 'The Lady
of Shalott,' An Ancient Muse,
The Visit, The
Mask and the Mirror, The Book
of Secrets youtube.com
videos myspace.com *ce
*fr *mv *na
53. Suzanne
Vega (1959-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; n). The break-through figure
in the "New Folk" movement of the 80s: 'Tom's
Diner,' 'Luka,' Suzanne Vega,
Solitude Standing
youtube.com
videos
myspace.com *af
*cf *fr *ss
54. Loudon
Wainwright III (1946-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 3; n). Sly, wry, or sometimes just
plain silly, singer-songwriter Wainwright alternately makes us
laugh and cry: 'Dead Skunk,'
'Red Guitar,' 'Swimming
Song,' Album III, More
Love Songs, Last Man on Earth,
I'm Alright youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*ss
55. Ralph
McTell (1944-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; n). One of the top tunesmiths
and songwriter-guitarists of the contemporary folk genre: 'Streets
of London,' 'Gypsy,' 'From
Clare to Here,' 'Zig Zag Line,'
'First Song,' You
Well Meaning Brought Me Here,
Easy, Not Till Tomorrow
youtube.com
videos *cf *mi *ss
56. Tracy
Chapman (1964-)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; n). One of the stars of the
"New Folk" generation, with the flexibility of delivery to cross
over to pop and rock at will: 'Fast
Car,' 'Give Me One Reason,'
'Talkin Bout a Revolution,' Tracy
Chapman, Crossroads,
New
Beginning youtube.com
videos myspace.com
*af *ss *tf
57. The
Seekers Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; n). While the Byrds were inventing
folk rock, the Seekers were the number one act of 1965 in the
British charts, showing the way from Peter Paul and Mary to the
folk pop of Simon and Garfunkel and the Mamas and the Papas: 'I'll
Never Find Another You,' 'A World
of Our Own,' 'The Carnival Is Over,'
'Morningtown Ride,' 'Georgy
Girl' youtube.com
videos myspace.com *ff
*fp *mv
58. Gillian
Welch (1967-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 3; n). Relative newcomer Gillian
Welch has quickly risen to the top of the current generation of
tradition-oriented roots performers: 'Wrecking
Ball,' Time (The Revelator), Soul
Journey, Revival
youtube.com
videos myspace.com *ac
*ss
59. Tim
Hardin (1941-1980)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; n). A great songwriter and emotional
singer, Hardin was another of the stable of 60s/70s folkies who
couldn't quite gather the will to survive that era: 'If
I Were a Carpenter,' 'Simple Song
of Freedom,' 'Reason to Believe,' 'Misty
Roses' youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*mv *ss
60. Leo
Kottke (1945-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; n). John Fahey's most famous
disciple, singer/songwriter/instrumentalist Kottke has long been
known as the king of the twelve-string: Six
and Twelve-String Guitar, Greenhouse,
Leo Kottke Anthology youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*mi
61. The
Clancy Brothers (and Tommy Makem)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 5; n). Another legendary band from
the Irish folk tradition: 'The Jug
of Punch,' 'Brennan on the Moor,' The Rising of the Moon,
Come Fill Your Glass With Us
youtube.com
videos myspace.com *ce
*ff
62. Buffy
Sainte-Marie (1941-)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; n). Canadian First Nations-born
singer-songwriter Sainte-Marie has had a long and successful career
both within music, and beyond: 'Until
It's Time for You to Go,' 'Soldier Blue,' 'Co'dine,' 'Universal
Soldier,' 'Up Where We Belong,'
It's My Way! youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*ss *tf
63. The
Band Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 2; y). Led by the irrepressible
Robbie Robertson (1943-), The Band moved folk rock back in the
direction of roots music: 'The Weight,'
'Chest Fever,' 'The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,' 'Up On Cripple
Creek,' 'I Shall Be Released,' The
Band, Music From Big Pink
youtube.com
videos myspace.com *fr
64. Steve
Goodman (1948-1984) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 3; n). Singer-songwriter Goodman
died young (from leukemia), but left us with 'The
City of New Orleans' and other treasures: 'You
Never Even Call Me By My Name,' 'The
Lincoln Park Pirates,' 'Chicken Cordon Bleus,' 'A
Dying Cub Fan's Last Request,' 'My
Old Man,' 'The Dutchman,' Unfinished Business,
Steve Goodman youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*ss
65. Kate
Wolf (1942-1986)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 3; n). A singer-songwriter of rare
compassion whose early death, also from leukemia, robbed both
the folk and women's music communities of a top talent: 'Give
Yourself to Love,' 'Across the Great Divide,' 'Eyes of a Painter,' 'Redtail Hawk,' Give Yourself
to Love, Close to You,
Gold in California youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*ss
66. Hazel
Dickens (1935-2011)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; n). Dickens' high-pitched "mountain"
singing voice and authentic song writing supported her various
successful forays into bluegrass, honky-tonk, traditional folk,
and roots country: 'Mama's Hand,'
Hazel & Alice, It's
Hard to Tell the Singer From the Song, Heart
of a Singer, By the Sweat
of My Brow youtube.com
videos myspace.com *ac
*ff *tf
67. Elizabeth
'Libba' Cotten (1893-1987)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 5; n). An ageless folk performer
whose songwriting and country blues guitar-playing talents made
her an influential favorite in the 50s and 60s: 'Freight
Train,' 'Shake Sugaree,' 'Ain't
Got No Honey Baby Now' youtube.com
videos myspace.com *bl
*ff *mi
68. Taj
Mahal (1942-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 3; n). Over his five-decade-long
career Taj Mahal has traversed the worlds of blues, jazz, folk,
and international music with equal skill and success: 'Take
a Giant Step,' 'Queen Bee,' 'Statesboro Blues,' 'Fishin' Blues,'
Giant Step, The
Source, Phantom Blues
youtube.com
videos myspace.com *ff
*fj
69. Bruce
'Utah' Phillips (1935-2008)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 5; n). A classic American contemporary
topical folkie and storyteller following in the footsteps of Woody
Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Malvina Reynolds: 'The
Telling Takes Me Home,' 'Hallelujah
I'm a Bum!,' 'Goodnight-Loving Trail,' 'Green
Rolling Hills,' 'Rock Salt & Nails,' 'Bread and Roses,' 'Moose
Turd Pie,' Good Though youtube.com
videos *cf *tf
70. Dave
Van Ronk (1936-2002)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; n). Van Ronk's roots were in
the blues, but his best known efforts fall more within the contemporary
folk and singer-songwriter realms: 'Would
You Like to Swing on a Star?', 'St.
James Infirmary,' 'Cocaine Blues,' 'Sunday Street,' Folksinger
youtube.com
videos myspace.com *bl
*cf *ff *mi *tf
71. Christy
Moore (1945-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; n). In the world of politically-motivated
folk music, Moore is one of the top guns: 'Ordinary
Man,' 'Ride On,' 'Black Is the Colour,'
'Go, Move, Shift,' Christy Moore,
Ride On youtube.com
videos myspace.com *ce
*cf *tf
72. The
Roches Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 2; n). Suburban punk-rock folk
is the Roches' forte, but from that starting point they've stepped
out to explore a dozen other musical directions: 'We,'
'Hammond Song,' 'Mr.
Sellack,' 'Hallelujah Chorus,' 'On the Road to Fairfax County,' 'The Married Men,' The
Roches youtube.com
videos myspace.com *af
*cf *fj *mv *pf
73. Nanci
Griffith (1954-2021)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 2; n). Sweet-voiced Nanci Griffith
sang and wrote wistful songs that appeal to both country and
contemporary folk audiences: 'Love
at the Five and Dime,' 'From a Distance,'
'Once in a Very Blue Moon,' 'Trouble
in the Fields,' Last of the True
Believers, Other Voices Other
Rooms, Lone Star State of Mind
youtube.com
videos myspace.com *ac
*cf *ss
74. John
Renbourn (1944-2015)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; y). Renbourn's virtuostic blending
of folk, blues, and early classical music made him one of
the world's top guitar stylists for fifty years: Sir
John Alot..., Traveller's Prayer,
The Lady and the Unicorn,
Wheel of Fortune youtube.com
videos *cf *tf *fj
*mi
75. Tim
Buckley (1947-1975) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 2; n). The early death of Tim Buckley
was perhaps presaged in the surreal lyrics to his most celebrated
song, 'Morning Glory.' 'Song to the
Siren,' 'I Must Have Been Blind,' Goodbye and Hello,
Happy Sad youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*fj *mv *ss
76. Bruce
Cockburn (1945-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 3; n). Canadian singer-songwriter-instrumentalist
Cockburn doesn't shy away from the label "leftist": 'Wondering
Where the Lions Are,' 'Lovers in a Dangerous Time,' 'All the Diamonds
in the World,' 'If I Had a Rocket Launcher,' Dancing in the
Dragon's Jaws, Stealing Fire
youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*fr *ss *tf
77. Greg
Brown (1949-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; n). Gruff-voiced Greg Brown
has made a reputation writing elegantly picture-perfect songs
on the "little" things in life: 'Who
Woulda Thunk It,' 'If I Had Known,'
'Canned Goods,' 'In the Dark with
You,' Slant 6 Mind, Further
In youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*ss
78. Davey
Graham (1940-2008) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; n). Gifted acoustic guitarist
Graham was one of the least-known, most underrated--and most important--movers
in the early development of both world music and the British Soho
folk scene: 'Anji,' 'She
Moved Through the Fair,' Folk Roots
New Routes, Folk Blues &
Beyond youtube.com
videos myspace.com *bl
*cf *fj *mi
79. Maddy
Prior (1947-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; y). Possessor of one of folk
music's most outstanding voices and for many years leader of Steeleye
Span, Prior is also an important collector/interpreter: Silly
Sisters, Summer Solstice
youtube.com
videos *cf
*ff *fp *mv
80. Altan
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 5; n). Celebrated for the way they
feature Donegal fiddle-playing and Gaelic songs, Altan has been
a top Irish folk act for over twenty years: Horse
With a Heart, Local Ground,
Harvest Storm youtube.com
videos myspace.com *ce
*ff
81. The
Brothers Four Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 5; n). An important vocal group
from the 1960s folk revival days: 'Greenfields,'
'Try to Remember,' 'Green
Leaves of Summer' youtube.com
videos myspace.com *ff
82. Richie
Havens (1941-2013) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; n). The husky voice of Richie
Havens brilliantly combined what seem to be diametrically opposed
qualities: roughness and tenderness: 'Here
Comes the Sun,' 'Freedom,' 'Just Like
a Woman,' Mixed Bag youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*fj *fp
83. Joan
Armatrading (1950-)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 1; y). West Indian by birth then
English by adoption, Armatrading's unmistakable voice and solid
material guarantees her a continuing fanbase: 'Love
and Affection,' Joan Armatrading,
Me Myself I, Into the Blues
youtube.com
videos myspace.com *fj
*fp *ss
84. Michelle
Shocked (1962-)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; n). Shocked took the music world
by storm in the late 80s, then settled back into a lower-key career
as an activist singer-songwriter: 'Anchorage,'
Kind Hearted Woman, Arkansas
Traveler, The Texas Campfire
Tapes youtube.com
videos myspace.com *af
*cf *ss *tf
85. Mike
Seeger (1933-2009) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 5; y). Half-brother of Pete Seeger
and leader of the New Lost City Ramblers, Mike Seeger was a leading
custodian of the authentic folk tradition: True
Vine, Retrograss
youtube.com
videos *ff
86. Cisco
Houston (1918-1961) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 5; n). An itinerant traveling troubadour
of the Jack Elliott/Woody Guthrie mold active in the 30s, 40s
and 50s, before cancer silenced him at the age of 42 in 1961:
Best of the Vanguard Years,
The Folkways Years 1944-1961
youtube.com
videos myspace.com *ff
*tf
87. Ani
DiFranco (1970-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 2; n). A highly successful singer-songwriter
from the "New Folk" generation, with just enough grit and punk
in her bag to have successfully crossed over into commercial pop:
'Little Plastic Castle,' 'Untouchable Face,' 'You Had Time,' Not a Pretty
Girl, Puddle Dive
youtube.com
videos myspace.com *af
*pf *ss *tf
88. Mississippi
John Hurt (1893-1966) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 2; y). Hurt had two careers: one
back in the early twentieth century as a light country blues guitar
man, and one during the 60s as a "rediscovered" inspiration
to the new generation: 'Satisfied and
Tickled Too,' 'Avalon Blues,'
'Poor Boy Long Ways From Home,' 'Candy Man
Blues' youtube.com
videos myspace.com *bl
*ff *mi
89. The
Pogues Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 2; n). Whether you think of them
as folk rock or Celtic punk, The Pogues have been responsible
for a lot of genre limits-stretching in their time: 'Dirty
Old Town,' 'Fairytale of New York,' Peace and Love,
If I Should Fall From Grace With God
youtube.com
videos myspace.com *af
*fr *pf *tf
90. Ian
(1933-2022) and Sylvia (1940-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 5; n). The stylistically influential
Canadian folk duo also known for the folk classics 'Four
Strong Winds' and 'You Were on My
Mind.' youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*ff *ss
91. Patty
Griffin (1964-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 3; n). Griffin's star is still
on the rise; a brilliant songwriter with a strong voice, she moves
effortlessly from folk to folk rock to alt-country: 'Let
Him Fly,' 'Top of the World,' 'Mary,' Living With Ghosts,
1000 Kisses youtube.com
videos myspace.com *ac
*af *fp *ss
92. A.
L. "Bert" Lloyd (1908-1982)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 5; y). Lloyd was a key figure in
the British folk revival both as a singer and as a collector of
materials, especially from the maritime tradition: Blow
Boys Blow, English Drinking
Songs youtube.com
videos *ff
93. Jean
Ritchie (1922-2015) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 5; n). Dulcimer virtuoso and traditional
singer Ritchie was an American folk treasure: 'Shady
Grove,' Carols for All Seasons, Jean
Ritchie and Doc Watson at Folk City, Ballads
youtube.com
videos *ff
*mi
94. John
Martyn (1948-2009) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 3; y). From his origins as a hotshot
acoustic guitarist in the Soho days of British folk, Martyn evolved
an eclectic style bordering on blues or jazz: 'May
You Never,' 'Couldn't Love You More,'
'Solid Air,' 'Don't Wanna Know,'
On the Cobbles, Solid
Air, One World
youtube.com
videos myspace.com *bl
*cf *fj *mi *ss
95. Janis
Ian (1951-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 3; n). Even before her hits 'Society's
Child' and 'At Seventeen' Ian
was well known to the folk community, having published topical
songs in major venues by the age of thirteen: 'Jesse,' 'Fly Too High,' Between the Lines, Aftertones
youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*fp *ss *tf
96. Buffalo
Springfield Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 2; y). A short-lived supergroup
whose individual members would go on to make fundamental contributions
to the development of folk- and country-rock: 'For
What It's Worth,' 'Bluebird,' 'Broken
Arrow,' 'Expecting to Fly,'
Buffalo Springfield Again youtube.com
videos myspace.com *fr
97. Dar
Williams (1967-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 3; n). Williams has gathered a
large following by writing sensitive songs shunning celebrity
and crediting who she terms "the real heroes" in our lives: 'The
Christians and the Pagans,' 'When I Was a Boy,' Mortal City,
Cry Cry Cry youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*fp *ss
98. Tom
Rush (1941-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r: 4; n). Handsome and smooth-voiced,
Rush proved an ideal interpreter of other folkies' material in
the 60s and 70s, and was a good songwriter to boot: 'No
Regrets,' 'The Remember Song,' The
Circle Game youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*fp *ss
99. Eric
Bogle (1944-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; n). Scottish-Australian topical
songwriter Bogle has received many important honors for his fervent
humanitarianism: 'No Man's Land' ('The
Green Fields of France'), 'Singing the Spirit Home,' 'All the
Fine Young Men,' 'Safe in the Harbour,' 'And the Band Played Waltzing
Matilda,' Something of Value,
Scraps of Paper youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*ss *tf
100. Country
Joe McDonald (1942-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; y). In his Vietnam War protest
days with his group the Fish, Joe played for keeps: "Be the first
ones on your block to have your boy come home in a box...": 'I-
Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin-to-Die Rag,' Electric
Music for Mind and Body, I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin-to-Die
youtube.com
videos myspace.com *af
*fr *tf
101. Billy
Bragg (1957-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 2; y). This English singer-songwriter
is one of the kings of topical music, especially as viewed through
the lens of socialism: 'She's Leaving
Home,' 'A New England,' 'Sexuality,' Back to Basics,
Mermaid Avenue youtube.com
videos myspace.com *af
*pf *ss *tf
102. The
Highwaymen Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 5; n). The Highwaymen had but one
major success--'Michael'--but it came
just at the right time, the summer of 1961, helping propel the
folk revival movement to national awareness. 'Cotton
Fields' youtube.com
videos *ff
103. Harry
Chapin (1942-1981) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 2; n). Singer-songwriter Chapin
was headed for super-stardom when an automobile accident cut him
down at the age of 38: 'Taxi,'
'Cats in the Cradle,' Heads & Tails
youtube.com
videos myspace.com *fp
*ss *tf
104. Capercaillie
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 5; n). Scotland's currently most
popular traditional music band: Secret
People, To the Moon,
Dusk Till Dawn youtube.com
videos myspace.com *ce
*ff
105. Burl
Ives (1909-1995) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; n). Ives fashioned a highly
successful career as actor, educator--and folk, country, and MOR
singer: 'Blue Tail Fly,' 'On
Top of Old Smokey,' 'A Holly Jolly
Christmas,' 'Little Bitty Tear,' 'Frosty the Snowman,' 'The Wayfaring
Stranger' youtube.com
videos myspace.com *ff
*fp
106. Richard
(1937-1966) and Mimi (1945-2001) Fariña
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; n). This talented duo managed
only a pair of l.p. releases before writer, singer-songwriter
and dulcimer stylist Richard was killed in a motorcycle accident
in 1966: 'Pack Up Your Sorrows,' 'Birmingham
Sunday,' 'The Quiet Joys of Brotherhood,' 'Reno Nevada,'
Celebration for a Grey Day,
Reflections in a Crystal Wind
youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*ss *tf
107. Martin
Simpson (1953-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; n). No one else plays traditional
material on solo guitar with the grace and purity that Simpson
can muster: Cool and Unusual,
Prodigal Son, When
I Was on Horseback youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*ff *mi
108. Kate
Rusby (1973-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 5; n). In the generation of British
traditional singers after Tabor and Prior, Rusby is perhaps the
brightest star: 'You Belong to Me,'
'Awkward Annie,' 'Who Will Sing Me Lullabies,' The Girl Who
Couldn't Fly, Awkward Annie,
10 youtube.com
videos myspace.com *cf
*ff
109. Oysterband
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 3; y). The Oysterband combines
an alternative rock and folk style with a flair for topical subjects:
'The Oxford Girl,' Little
Rock to Leipzig, Freedom and
Rain youtube.com
videos myspace.com *ff
*fr *tf
110. Christine
Lavin (1952-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 3; n). Lavin has an unsurpassed
talent for poking fun--as much at herself, as at her various peeves:
'Sensitive New Age Guys,' 'Balded
Headed Men,' 'If You Need Space Move to Utah,' Live at the
Cactus Cafe--What Was I Thinking?, Beau
Woes (and Other Problems of Modern Life) youtube.com
videos *cf *ss *tf
111. John
Gorka (1958-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.: 4; n). With his edgy baritone and
various intellectual musings, Gorka became the leading "sensitive
90s guy" among contemporary folkies: 'I
Know,' 'Love Is Our Cross to Bear,' 'Land of the Bottom Line,'
Land of the Bottom Line, I
Know youtube.com
videos *cf *ss *tf
___________________________________
Honorable
Mentions #112 to #150 (in alphabetical
order only):
Eric
Andersen (1943-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
4; n).
Devendra Banhart Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
2; n).
The Battlefield Band
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
4; n).
The Beau Brummels
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
2; n).
Norman Blake (1938-)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
2; n).
Dock Boggs (1898-1971)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
5; n).
Paul Brady (1947-)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
4; n).
Moya Brennan (1952-)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
5; n).
Mary Chapin Carpenter (1958-)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
1; n).
Shirley Collins (1935-)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
5; y).
Reverend Gary Davis (1896-1972)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
3; y).
De Danann / De Dannan
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
4; n).
The Decemberists Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
3; n).
Iris DeMent (1961-)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
3; n).
Dick Gaughan (1948-)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
5; n).
Bob Gibson (1931-1996)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
4; n).
The Grateful Dead
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
2; y).
Ashley Hutchings (1945-)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
5; y).
The Incredible String Band
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
3; y).
Indigo Girls
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
2; n).
The Limeliters
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
5; n).
Dougie MacLean (1954-)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
4; n).
Miriam Makeba (1932-2008)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
4; y).
Tommy Makem (1932-2007)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
5; n).
John McCutcheon (1952-)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
4; n).
Roger McGuinn (1942-)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
4; n).
Don McLean (1945-)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
3; n).
Melanie (1947-)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
3; n).
Fred Neil (1936-2001)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
4; n).
The New Christy Minstrels
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
5; n).
Triona Ni Dhomhnaill
Wikipedia
entry (f.r: 5; n).
Ellis Paul (1965-)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
3; n).
Planxty Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
4; y).
Peggy Seeger (1935-)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
5; y).
Solas Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
5; n).
Cat Stevens (now
Yusuf Islam) (1948-) Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
2; n).
Dave Swarbrick (1941-2016)
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
5; y).
The Tannahill Weavers
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
4.5; n).
The Watersons
Wikipedia
entry (f.r.:
5; y).
Other
folks I considered (some only briefly, some not...):
10000 Maniacs,
The Albion Band, Frankie Armstrong, Gene Autry, Aly Bain, Duck Baker, Sam Baker, Patrick
Ball, Derek Bell, Peter Bellamy, Pierre Bensusan, Theodore
Bikel, Mary Black, Blackmore's Night, Luka Bloom, Gordon Bok, Bok Muir & Trickett,
The Bothy Band, Boys of the Lough, Oscar Brand, Anne Briggs,
David Bromberg, Big Bill Broonzy, Jackson Browne, Vashti Bunyan,
Kevin Burke, John Butler, Terry Callier, Eliza Carthy, Chad & Jeremy,
Cherish the Ladies, Lui Collins, Shawn Colvin, Ry Cooder,
Michael Cooney, Elizabeth Cotten, Phil Coulter, William Coulter, Marshall Crenshaw, Jim Croce,
Mike Cross, Cry Cry Cry, Johnny Cunningham, Phil Cunningham,
Barbara Dane, Erik Darling, Lonnie Donegan, Connie Dover, Jimmy Driftwood,
The Dubliners, Antje Duvekot, Cliff Eberhardt, Eddie From Ohio,
Enya, Espers, Marianne Faithfull, Ferron, Cathy Fink, Archie Fisher,
Dan Fogelberg, Steve Forbert, Alasdair Fraser, Jesse Fuller,
Jerry Garcia, Alice Gerrard, Ronnie Gilbert, Vance Gilbert,
Eliza Gilkyson, Steve Gillette & Cindy
Mangsen, Gordon Giltrap, Joe Glazer, Tracy Grammer &
Dave Carter, The Greenbriar Boys, Stefan Grossman, Jack Hardy, Ben Harper, Roy Harper, Emmylou Harris, Tim Hart, John Hartford, Lee Hays, Judy Henske, Priscilla Herdman,
Carolyn Hester, Joe Hill, Anne Hills, Tish Hinojosa, The Holy
Modal Rounders, The Horseflies, The House Band, The Irish Rovers,
Andy Irvine, Eileen Ivers, John James, Nic Jones, Rickie Lee Jones, Si Kahn,
Cindy Kallet, Lucy Kaplansky, Dolores Keane, James Keelaghan,
Luke Kelly, John Kirkpatrick, "Spider" John Koerner, Bonnie Koloc, Alison Krauss, Patty Larkin,
Lindisfarne, Trini Lopez, Jez Lowe, Uncle Dave Macon, David Mallett, The Mamas &
the Papas, Marcy Marxer, David Massengill, Iain Matthews, Matt
McGinn, Barry McGuire, Susan McKeown, Rod McKuen, The Chad Mitchell Trio, Keb
Mo, Mick Moloney, Bill Morrissey, Geoff Muldaur, Holly Near, Mickey
Newbury, Carrie Newcomer, Nightnoise, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band,
Tim O'Brien, Maura O'Connell, Mike Oldfield, Beth Orton, Ossian, Gram Parsons,
Patrick Street, Peter & Gordon,
Phranc, The Poozies, Jean Redpath, Relativity, Malvina Reynolds,
Ralph Rinzler, Paul Robeson, Gamble Rogers, Garnet Rogers, Sally Rogers, Peter
Rowan, Tom Russell, Tommy Sands, Claudia Schmidt, John Sebastian,
Richard Shindell, Shel Silverstein, Silly Wizard, Nina Simone,
P. F. Sloan, Judy Small, Elliott Smith, John Smith, Michael Smith, Chris
Smither, Rosalie Sorrels, Joseph Spence, Bruce Springsteen,
Bill Staines, Ralph Stanley, Al Stewart, Andy M. Stewart, John
Stewart, Stephen Stills, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Steve
Tilston, Happy
& Artie Traum, Jay Ungar, Eric Von Schmidt, Jerry Jeff Walker,
M. Ward, Norma Waterson, We Five, Susan Werner, Cheryl Wheeler,
David Wilcox, Lucinda Williams, Victoria Williams, Cris Williamson,
Robin Williamson, Jesse Winchester, Wolfstone, Glenn Yarbrough,
Jesse Colin Young, The Young Tradition, The Youngbloods
___________________________________
Notes
New
Notes
Over
the first few months this site was in operation it became apparent
that many visitors to it hadn't fully understood what it is meant
to be. Please therefore take a moment to consider the following
(I regret the extra verbiage, but sometimes you just have to get
right down and explain yourself) . . .
Various
bloggers and others have complained that I include lots of people
who are not themselves English or Anglo-American in the
list; the point, however, is that this particular tradition is
dominantly of Anglo-American origin and that these are the various
artists who are contributing to its continuing evolution. There
are, of course, other folk music (and root music) traditions that
are alive and well here, but these are not the present focus.
I am perfectly aware of the various nationalities of all
the people listed here, but their particular heritages are beside
the point: what is important is that they have chosen to
deliver a kind of music that has been adopted (and adapted) by
this particular folk tradition; that is, they have influenced
it by falling in with its growth and development.
A
second point . . . The list has been constructed from the
point of view of the state of affairs in the U. S. A. Were
I constructing the same basic list from the point of view of the
British population, you can bet that Ewan MacColl, for example,
would be in the top ten; similarly, from a Canadian point of view
Gordon Lightfoot would certainly be there. You just can't
create a list like this which reflects all geographically-based
perspectives at once!
Lastly,
it has been noted that there are few acts on this list who are
under fifty years old--but then again, the current time is not
a period much dominated by folk musicians in general. Plus,
folk musicians tend to have long careers as productive acts, the
result being they often become more and more prominent as time
goes on. Perhaps there is another Bob Dylan or Woody Guthrie
waiting right around the corner who will set us all afire, but
for the time being we must seemingly be content with dependable
old-timers, and more derivative newcomers who nevertheless are
skilled and committed enough to keep the tradition flowing.
Original
Notes (mostly on definitions and methodology)
Before
trying to compile a ranked list it was necessary to come up with
some inclusion rules a priori. First, and fairly
obviously, the folk music acts chosen had to have to some degree
combined: (1) success over a long (at least significant) period,
(2) some real impact on other performers and styles, through some
combination of vocal, instrumental and/or writing originality,
and (3) remaining reasonably well known and/or appreciated. Then
there is the matter of what constitutes "folk music." For
purposes here, I am restricting it largely to the Anglo-American
tradition, or to recent imports whose influence was notable, and
to connected elements of "contemporary folk," that hybrid brand
of music that seeks to make (usually) serious statements about
the world in which we live in a way recalling traditional presentation
forms (or perhaps more to the point, traditional presentation
moods and attitudes).
There
remained the problem of what to do with artists who straddle the
line between folk and other genres; this is important because
we do not wish to try to compare someone as well known as, for
example, Van Morrison, with his fame in popular circles as a blues,
jazz, and rock singer (with only a bit of folk tossed in) on equal
absolute terms with, say, Martin Carthy, one of the foremost figures
in the British folk revival movement, but a little known figure
in the world of popular music, or in the U. S. in general. So,
acts I consider more "something else" than core traditional or
contemporary folk "lose points" accordingly. For example,
Cat Stevens, Harry Chapin, and Townes Van Zandt might "lose some
points" for their adopting a singer-songwriter, popular or country
approach as much or more than a folk one, whereas artists such
as Utah Phillips, Pete Seeger, and Tom Paxton seem to just about
perfectly personify what I would consider a "folk singer." Still,
some big name popular acts have been very important in introducing
"the masses" to the world of folk, and for that reason a few of
them are placed fairly high up on the list as well.
There
were further considerations. First, and very importantly,
the artists included here are usually referred to as a
"folk-something," whether that be folk singer, folk
rocker, folk guitarist, or whatever, and are typically
played on radio programming characterized specifically as "folk"
or "contemporary folk." Thus, I have deliberately excluded
international (e.g., reggae, klezmer) and other special "roots"
genres (e.g., zydeco, blues, bluegrass, country, gospel,
rockabilly) as being off the main focus (but have included
quite a few British and Celtic figures because of their important
influence on American folk music trends). The absence of
names such as Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Sr., Bob Marley, Bill
Monroe, and Robert Johnson here may be taken as resulting from
their primary association with other roots genres, and not
because I think they are unimportant figures overall!!
Also,
the rankings here are connected to the artists' relative success,
per: (1) placing a profile in The New Grove Dictionary of Music
and Musicians (2nd ed., 2001) (2) the number of their recordings
held by libraries in the OCLC WorldCat database (3) the
number of their cross-listings in the Index to The Guinness
Encyclopedia of Popular Music (2nd ed., 1995) (4) the number
of their recordings currently available on Amazon.com (5) Google
search results combining artist names with the word "folk." The
rankings on this list have therefore been established in a manner
that is at least "semi-scientific."
Last,
understand that the rankings are time sensitive--ten years ago,
the list would have been different (even apart from the absence
of newer acts, that is), and ten years from now, one should expect,
it also will be. History is not always kind to acts that
were at one point popular!
Version
Two
Over
the last several months of 2007 I conducted some additional analyses,
crunched some more numbers, and came up with a slightly revised
order for the top 111 artists. Among some of the new factors/sources
specifically considered were YouTube.com mentions, number of mentions
in several additional reference books, American vs. non-American
nationalities--and a seven-factor scale of my own creation designed
to give me some feeling for the complex meaning of "significance."
Thus I attempted to rate, on a scale of one to ten, my impression
of each act vis-a-vis the following seven possible aspects
of "significance," their level of: commercial success,
influence on other artists, "folkiness," long-term staying
power, promotion of the folk tradition, influence on social change,
and raw innovativeness. For all of this I used multiple regression
techniques to help me evaluate where rankings seemed to over-
or under-estimate what the numbers were saying. In this revision
the artists who relatively speaking moved up the most were: Leadbelly,
the Carter Family, Nick Drake, Josh White, the Almanac Singers,
Taj Mahal, Tim Buckley, Ani DiFranco, and Mississippi John Hurt.
Special
Note for Librarians
One
of the main reasons I have taken the time to compile this list
is to address the collection development concerns of librarians.
The "variables" I have taken into account to assess rank
importance are of my own choosing, of course, but I feel they
relay an evaluation of "significance" that is not entirely arbitrary.
Further, it is an evaluation I believe is particularly apt
in the context of library collections, especially college and
university and large public library collections. Draw from
this list and I believe you will be getting maximum all-around
value for your dollar--that is to say, you will be doing as best
you can at the moment to survey the best and leading figures from
this particular genre of music.
Those
who have found the list here entertaining might also be interested
in the choices, annotations, and wider range of genres treated
in our own library's CD genres collection, detailed
here (though as of September 2008 I no longer manage
this collection, and that particular list will now remain "frozen
in time").
