What's Best in Folk Music?

[jadis]

Though I was born and raised in the Philippines, 'folk music' is a special genre to me. I grew up in grade school with teachers teaching us songs like 500 Miles, Jamaica Farewell, Blowing in the Wind, Puff the Magic Dragon, etc. but during that time I was not aware of the musicians who were behind these songs. Amazingly, my audiophile life brought my attention to many artists while I was record hunting, and I bought several CDs and records of these artists who sang these familiar tunes, artists like Brothers Four, The Weavers, Joan Baez, etc. who are among my favorites today. Aside from them, I also like Peter, Paul & Mary, and Harry Belafonte. For some reasons, I couldn't connect with Bob Dylan. I hope to discover more artists in the future.

 

[Steve Williams]

Ian and Sylvia-Four Strong Winds is a classic.

I grew up in Toronto which is where Ian and Sylvia came from. I used to see them locally at the coffee shops

Another Toronto favorite and somewhat folk singer is Gordon Lightfoot who I also saw frequently

Lets also not forget the Limelighters who were circa The Weavers

I agree with all of your others

 

[Phelonious Ponk]

Though I was born and raised in the Philippines, 'folk music' is a special genre to me. I grew up in grade school with teachers teaching us songs like 500 Miles, Jamaica Farewell, Blowing in the Wind, Puff the Magic Dragon, etc. but during that time I was not aware of the musicians who were behind these songs. Amazingly, my audiophile life brought my attention to many artists while I was record hunting, and I bought several CDs and records of these artists who sang these familiar tunes, artists like Brothers Four, The Weavers, Joan Baez, etc. who are among my favorites today. Aside from them, I also like Peter, Paul & Mary, and Harry Belafonte. For some reasons, I couldn't connect with Bob Dylan. I hope to discover more artists in the future.

It's all good, jadis, but for what it's worth, I've had the opposite reaction. I was never able to connect with the polished versions of folk music presented by the top-40 "follk movement" artists of the early/mid-60s like you mentioned above. But I am absolutely compelled to dig into the rawest, most basic of Dylan's work. My favorite stuff these days is the earliest material from the bootleg series. The only thing that comes close, for me, is the early country blues recordings.

Tim

 

[Gregadd]

Every time think o a good folk singer they same to go mainstream on me ,like Nora Jones and Jewel. Maybe I should redefine my definition of folk music.

 

[Gregadd]

The classic folk singer singing the classic folk song.

 

[Steve Williams]

Or how about Buffy Sainte Marie


I used to see her (as well as Ian and Sylvia, Gordie etc) at a then very hip place in Toronto for folk music. It was called The Purple Onion. She discusses it here

 

[mauidan]

Try some Eric Bibb.

http://www.ericbibb.com/

http://frfb.blogspot.com/2010/12/top-10-for-2010.html

 

[Steve Williams]

I have many of his albums. I agree Dan

He's on Telarc and they are always so well recorded

 

[jadis]

It's all good, jadis, but for what it's worth, I've had the opposite reaction. I was never able to connect with the polished versions of folk music presented by the top-40 "follk movement" artists of the early/mid-60s like you mentioned above. But I am absolutely compelled to dig into the rawest, most basic of Dylan's work. My favorite stuff these days is the earliest material from the bootleg series. The only thing that comes close, for me, is the early country blues recordings.

Tim

Maybe I should examine Dylan's work again one of these days. Who knows...

 

[jadis]

The classic folk singer singing the classic folk song.

Classic indeed. I recently acquired an LP of her 'Diamonds and Rust Live at the Bullring', recorded live in Bilbao, Spain. Side 1 she sings Famous Blue Raincoat, No Woman No Cry, Swing Low Sweet Chariot, Let It Be and the title song. Side 2 are Spanish songs. Nice recording.

 

[jadis]

Or how about Buffy Sainte Marie


I used to see her (as well as Ian and Sylvia, Gordie etc) at a then very hip place in Toronto for folk music. It was called The Purple Onion. She discusses it here

Good one, Steve. Music with a cause, I should say. That could be said too with Dylan, Baez and others. People can easily relate and understand their message in songs as they are sung clearly with a simple guitar. I guess reason why I'm attracted to folk music was my handling the guitar in my teens and learning those kinds of music that were easy to learn and sing and strum. In the college campus I would hear people strumming and singing here and there too. And folk songs were the most common and perhaps easiest to sing with a guitar.

 

[jadis]

Try some Eric Bibb.

http://www.ericbibb.com/

http://frfb.blogspot.com/2010/12/top-10-for-2010.html

Will hear him out. Thanks devert.

 

[jadis]

And I just remember, Mary Black, Irish folk singer. I learned about her music when in the early 90s I saw her CDs virtually in every CD shop in HK so I picked up her 'No Frontiers' album. I liked her enough to buy 3 or 4 more titles till I hunted for her albums on LP and now I got double copies of her records including a 'best of' album called The Collection. Lovely voice. Oh, during those times, I was using a CJ MV125 and her voice through my 801s were just splendid I was glued to my chair listening to her singing. When I changed to the Jadis amps, I felt the midrange magic disappeared. She should be heard through CJs.

 

[jadis]

The Corrs (Sharon and Caroline) singing 'No Frontiers', which was popularized by Mary Black earlier. I wish Andrea was singing too in this one.

 

[Ron Party]

If we're limiting the genre to north american folk music, must include Richie Havens, Ani Difranco, Pete Seeger, Paul Simon, Otis Taylor, Woodie Guthrie, Burl Ives, Joe Henry, Peter Case, Kevn Kinney (no, not a misspelling), Tracy Chapman, Leonard Cohen, The Byrds, Odetta, Jesse Colin Young, shoot, there's just too many to list.

 

[fas42]

The voice of Joan Baez in her prime through a good system is truly the sound of an angel. About as close to being aware of the purity of God down here in an auditory sense as you can get ...

Frank

 

[Ron Party]

Sarah McLachlin's voice is right there as well. Shoot, now we gotta include Janis Ian, Phoebe Snow, Suzanne Vega, Rickie Lee, and Carole King. Oh, face palm moment, I don't know how I could have skipped Joan Armatrading.

 

[jadis]

Thanks Ron and Frank.

And I'd like to introduce our very own folk artist who became an overnight star in the mid 70s after singing this one hit called 'ANAK' (Son). This song became an international hit as well, specially in Germany and Japan and was released in 56 countries and 26 languages. It's a song about his rebellious self in his teens, then coming back home to his parents' arms after repenting. Here is Freddie Aguilar, from the Philippines.

 

[jadis]

Sarah McLachlin's voice is right there as well. Shoot, now we gotta include Janis Ian, Phoebe Snow, Suzanne Vega, Rickie Lee, and Carole King. Oh, face palm moment, I don't know how I could have skipped Joan Armatrading.

Agreed Ron, all good ones.

 

[jadis]

And my favorite among groups singing folk songs - Brothers Four. Their blending of voices is very cool. Now, I am not sure if Brothers Fours the group is really country or folk.