Favorite Folk Artists?

I am a fan of folk music, though that love has burgeoned a bit in recent years. I've been listening to artists like Pete Seeger, The Brothers Four, Shawn Colvin and KT Tunstall and really enjoy the music. Just the pure sound of acoustics and the whole back-to-basics attitude of folk music in general is pleasant.

I'm thinking more of the acoustic or folk-instrument type stuff. So what are some of your favorites if any?

I really like Mumford & Sons.

I love Bob Dylan's first three albums, which were all acoustic, Phil Ochs, Crosby, Stills and Nash come to mind very quickly.

I have also started to like Mumford and Sons.

Indigo Girls and Jennifer Knapp

The Steel Wheels

This is my nephew's band. They are out of Virginia and, though I reserve an uncle's right to be biased , they are quite good. My nephew, Trent Wagler, is the main vocalist and songwriter. They prefer to be called "Americana," but it's the same style you are talking about. Their most recent album, Lay Down, Lay Low, was just nominated by the Independent Music Awards for Americana album of the year. Most of their stuff is streamed (at least as samples) on the website, and available on iTunes, so if you are searching for new bands, I'd appreciate you guys giving them a shot!

Of course I love all the big names; Dylan, Seeger, Richie Havens, Joni Mitchell, CSN&Y, Fairport Convention, Richard Thompson. Here are a few that are a little less widely known but worth checking out...

Nick Drake - One of my all-time favorite singer/songwriters.



John Fahey



Laura Marling. She is easily my favorite current folk artist, incredible voice and her songwriting is wise beyond her years.

Boris2008 wrote:

I really like Mumford & Sons.

same here. They are great to listen to.

All the classics, plus guys like Richard Thompson and John Renbourn:



I'm a huge fan of the folk-rock movement of the late 60s, early 70s like Steeleye Span, but I think that's going beyond the OP's request!

I've mostly enjoyed folk music when it's incorporated into a non-folk band's repertoire, like Zeppelin. Otherwise, I don't care much for it. I had an uncle that used to listen to that stuff and it drove me nuts when I was a kid. Pretty much scarred me for life.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

it drove me nuts when I was a kid. Pretty much scarred me for life.

That explains the smoking monkeys

Not traditional folk, but one of my favorite folk-rock albums...

Auktyon's Ptiza



When it comes to contemporary folk, I like stuff like Nick Drake, Townes Van Zandt, Leonard Cohen, and one of my more recent discoveries, Alela Diane.

Andrew Jackson Jihad:

when it comes to folksie stuff i enjoy The Kingston Trio and Simon & Garfunkle

EvyMetal wrote:

Andrew Jackson Jihad:

They are really good.

I'm a big fan of The Folksmen, the New Main Street Singers, and Mitch & Mickey.

Fat Freddy wrote:

I'm a big fan of The Folksmen, the New Main Street Singers, and Mitch & Mickey.

How did I know you would say this?

SpectreFate wrote:

Fat Freddy wrote:

I'm a big fan of The Folksmen, the New Main Street Singers, and Mitch & Mickey.

How did I know you would say this?

I would like to think it's because you know how clever and witty I am, but in reality I'm probably just predictable as hell.

Fat Freddy wrote:

I'm a big fan of The Folksmen, the New Main Street Singers, and Mitch & Mickey.

The Skeletons of Quinto rules!

Poor Mitch never really got over the breakup with Mickey..

Fat Freddy wrote:

Poor Mitch never really got over the breakup with Mickey..

Love this movie! Christopher Guest's mockumentaries are the best. He has a knack for skewering a silly subject while having a ton of affection for it at the same time. Mitch & Mickey's reunion, as cheesy as it is, brought a tear to my eye! A Mighty Wind FTW!