American Folk

This is an eclectic collection of folk-oriented or folk-identified artists, excluding folk-rooted genres listed elsewhere (old-time country, bluegrass, blues, gospel, cajun, celtic).

Joan Baez (1941– )

• Joan Baez Volume 1 [1960, Vanguard], C–
• Greatest Hits [1972–76, A&M], D+

Jeff Black

• Tin Lily [2005, Dualtone], B+

Kate Brislin

• w/Katy Moffatt: Sleepless Nights [1996, Rounder], B

David Bromberg (1945– )

• Wanted Dead or Alive [1974, Columbia], B
• My Own House / You Should See the Rest of the Band [1978–80, Fantasy], B+

Richard Buckner

• Since [1998, MCA], B–

Kate Campbell (1961– )

• Songs From the Levee [1995, Compadre], B+
• Moonpie Dreams [1997, Compass], B+
• The Portable Kate Campbell [2004, Compadre], A–
• Sing Me Out [2004, Compadre], B+
• Blues and Lamentations [2005, Large River Music], A–

Karen Dalton (1938–93)

• In My Own Time [1971, Light in the Attic], B+(**)

Iris Dement (1961– )

• Infamous Angel [1992, Philo], A
• My Life [1994, Warner Brothers], A+
• The Way I Should [1996, Warner Brothers], A
• Lifeline [2004, Flariella], A–

Brett Dennen

• So Much More [2006, Dualtone], B+(***)

Fred Eaglesmith

• Ralph's Last Show [2001, Signature Sounds, 2 CD], A–

John Fahey (1939–2001)

• The Transfiguration of Blind Joe Death [1965, Takoma], A–
• Of Rivers and Religion [1972, Collectors' Choice], A
• After the Ball [1973, Collectors' Choice], A
• The Best of John Fahey 1959–1977 [1967–77, Takoma], A–
• The Best of John Fahey, Vol. 2: 1964–1983 [1964–83, Takoma], A–
• Return of the Repressed: The John Fahey Anthology [1964–90, Rhino, 2 CD], B+

Ferron (1952– )

• Shadows on a Dime [1984, Redwood], B+

Four Bitchin' Babes [1991– ]

• Beyond Bitchin' [2000, Shanachie], B

Steve Goodman (1948–84)

• No Big Surprise: The Steve Goodman Anthology [(1994), Red Pajamas, 2 CD], B+

Patty Griffin (1964– )

• Impossible Dream [2004, ATO], B+
• Children Running Through [2007, ATO], B–

Arlo Guthrie (1947– )

• Alice's Restaurant [1967, Reprise], A–
• Hobo's Lullaby [1972, Reprise], B
• Amigo [1976, Reprise], B+
• The Best of Arlo Guthrie [(1977), Reprise], B+

Woody Guthrie (1912–67)

• Dust Bowl Ballads [1940, Rounder], A–
• The Library of Congress Recordings [(1988), Rounder, 3 CD], B
• Struggle [(1990), Smithsonian/Folkways], B+
• This Land Is Your Land: The Asch Recordings, Vol. 1 [(1997), Smithsonian/Folkways], A
• Muleskinner Blues: The Asch Recordings, Vol. 2 [1944, Smithsonian/Folkways], B
• Buffalo Skinners: The Asch Recordings, Vol. 4 [1944–45, Smithsonian/Folkways], A–

Tish Hinojosa (1955– )

• Culture Swing [1990, A&M], B+
• The Best of the Sandia: Watermelon 1991–1992 [1991–92, Watermelon], B

Robin Holcomb (1954– )

• w/Wayne Horvitz: Solos [2004, Songlines], B+

Holy Modal Rounders [1963– ]

• Holy Modal Rounders 1 & 2 [1964, Fantasy], A
• Live in 1965 [1965, HMR], B+
• Indian War Whoop [1967, ESP], B
• The Moray Eels Eat the Holy Modal Rounders [1969, Water], B+
• Good Taste Is Timeless [1971, Sundazed], B+
• Bird Song: Live 1971 [1971, Water], B+
• Alleged in Their Own Time [1975, Rounder], A–
• Last Round [1979, Adelphi], B+
• Too Much Fun [1999, Rounder], A–
• I Make a Wish for a Potato [1975–99, Rounder], A

Cisco Houston (1918–61)

• The Folkways Years 1944–1961 [1944–61, Smithsonian/Folkways], B+

Michael Hurley (1941– )

• Armchair Boogie [1971, Warner Brothers], B+
• w/Unholy Modal Rounders, Jeffrey Frederick and the Clamtones: Have Moicy! [1976, Rounder], A+
• Long Journey [1976, Rounder], A–
• Snockgrass [1980, Rounder], B+
• Watertower [1988, Fundamental], B
• Down in Dublin [2004, Blue Navigator], B+
• Ancestral Swamp [2007, Gnomonsong], B+(**)

Si Kahn (1941– )

• Home [1979, Flying Fish], B+

Kingston Trio [1956–1968]

• Capitol Collectors Series [1956–64, Capitol], B+

Leo Kottke (1945– )

• Ice Water [1974, One Way], B–

Jim Kweskin (1940– )

• Acoustic Swing and Jug [(1998), Vanguard], B+

Christine Lavin (1951– )

• Future Fossils [1984, Philo], B+
• Compass [1991, Philo], B+

Eddy Lawrence

• Up the Road [1988, Snowplow], B+
• Whiskers and Scales and Other Tall Tales [1989, Snowplow], A–

Gordon Lightfoot (1938– )

• Gord's Gold [(1975), Reprise], B

Bascom Lamar Lunsford (1882–1973)

• Ballads, Banjo Tunes and Sacred Songs of Western North Carolina [1928–49, Smithsonian/Folkways], B+(*)

Mary McCaslin (1946– )

• w/Jim Ringer: The Bramble and the Rose [1978, Philo], A–
• Things We Said Today: The Best of Mary McCaslin [(1992), Philo], A

Kate and Anna McGarrigle [1976– ]

• Kate and Anna McGarrigle [1976, Hannibal], A
• Dancer with Bruised Knees [1977, Hannibal], A+
• Pronto Monto [1978, Warner Brothers], B
• French Record [1981, Hannibal], B+
• Love Over and Over [1983, Polydor], A–
• Heartbeats Accelerating [1990, Private], B–
• Matapedia [1996, Hannibal], A–
• The McGarrigle Hour [1998, Hannibal], B

Lori McKenna

• Unglamorous [2007, Warner Brothers], B+(***)

Erin McKeown (1977– )

• Sing Your Sinners [2006, Nettwerk], B+(***)

Chad Mitchell (1939– )

• The Chad Mitchell Trio Collection: The Original Kapp Recordings [1960–62, Varese], B

Hugh Moffatt (1948– )

• w/Katy Moffatt: Dance Me Outside [1992, Philo], B

Katy Moffatt (1950– )

• The Greatest Show on Earth [1993, Philo], A–

Fred Neil (1937–2001)

• Fred Neil [1967, Water], A–

Tara Nevins

• Mule to Ride [1999, Sugar Hill], B+(*)

The New Lost City Ramblers [1958– ]

• The Early Years 1958–1962 [1958–62, Smithsonian/Folkways], A–
• There Ain't No Way Out [1997, Smithsonian/Folkways], B+

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band [1965– ]

• Will the Circle Be Unbroken [1972, EMI, 2 CD], A
• Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Vol. 2 [1989, MCA/Universal], B+

Phil Ochs (1940–76)

• The War Is Over: The Best of Phil Ochs [1967–70, A&M], C–
• There But for Fortune [(1989), Elektra], B

Odetta (1930– )

• To Ella [1998, Silverwolf], B

Maura O'Connell (1958– )

• Blue Is the Colour of Hope [1992, Warner Brothers], B

Peter, Paul and Mary [1961– ]

• The Best of Peter, Paul and Mary: Ten Years Together [1962–69, Warner Brothers], B
• The Very Best of Peter Paul and Mary [1962–2003, Warner Brothers/Rhino], C+

Utah Phillips (1935– )

• I've Got to Know [1991, AK Press], B
• w/Ani DiFranco: The Past Didn't Go Anywhere [1996, Righteous Babe], A–
• w/Ani DiFranco: Fellow Workers [1999, Righteous Babe], B+

Phranc (1957– )

• Folksinger [1985, Island], B

John Prine (1946– )

• John Prine [1971, Atlantic], A
• Diamonds in the Rough [1972, Atlantic], A–
• Sweet Revenge [1973, Atlantic], A
• Common Sense [1975, Atlantic], A
• Bruised Orange [1978, Oh Boy], B+
• Aimless Love [1984, Oh Boy], A–
• German Afternoons [1988, Oh Boy], B+
• The Missing Years [1991, Oh Boy], A
• Great Days: The John Prine Anthology [1971–91, Rhino, 2 CD], A+
• Lost Dogs and Mixed Blessings [1995, Oh Boy], A
• Live on Tour [1997, Oh Boy], B+
• In Spite of Ourselves [1999, Oh Boy], A
• Souvenirs [2000, Oh Boy], B+
• Fair and Square [2005, Oh Boy], A–
• w/Mac Wiseman: Standard Songs for Average People [2007, Oh Boy], B+(*)

Leon Redbone

• On the Track [1975, Warner Brothers], B+

Jean Ritchie (1922– )

• w/Doc Watson: Jean Ritchie and Doc Watson at Folk City [1963, Smithsonian/Folkways], A–

Stan Rogers (1949–83)

• Fogarty's Cove [1977, Fogarty's Cove], B

Mike Seeger (1933– )

• Solo — Oldtime Country Music [1991, Rounder], B
• Third Annual Farewell Reunion [1994, Rounder], B+
• Southern Banjo Sounds: An Anthology of Style and Technique [1998, Smithsonian/Folkways], B+

Pete Seeger (1919– )

• Darling Corey and Goofing-Off Suite [1950–55, Smithsonian/Folkways], B+
• American Industrial Ballads [1957, Smithsonian/Folkways], B–
• The Essential Pete Seeger [1941–66, Columbia/Legacy], A–
• If I Had a Hammer: Songs of Hope and Struggle [1955–98, Smithsonian/Folkways], B+

Shel Silverstein (1932–99)

• The Best of Shel Silverstein: His Words His Songs His Friends [1965–85, Columbia/Legacy], B
• Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook [2005, Harper Children's Audio], B–

Chris Smither (1944– )

• Another Way to Find You [1991, Flying Fish], B
• Drive You Home Again [1999, High Tone], B
• Honeysuckle Dog [2004, Okra-Tone], B
• Leave the Light On [2006, Signature Sounds], B+(***)

Todd Snider (1966– )

• Songs for the Daily Planet [1994, MCA], A–
• That Was Me 1994–1998 [1994–98, Hip-O], A–
• Live: Near Truths and Hotel Rooms [2003, Oh Boy], A–
• East Nashville Skyline [2004, Oh Boy], A
• Peace, Love and Anarchy (Rarities, B-Sides and Demos, Vol. 1) [2000–4, Oh Boy], A–
• The Devil You Know [2006, New Door], A

Peter Stampfel (1938– )

• w/Steve Weber: Going Nowhere Fast [1981, Rounder], A–
• Peter Stampfel and the Bottlecaps [1986, Rounder], B+
• The People's Republic of Rock n' Roll [1989, Homestead], B+
• You Must Remember This [1995, Gert Town], A–
• The Jig Is Up [1984–99, Blue Navigator], A–
• Antonia's 11 [1975–2006, Blue Navigator], A–

Andy Statman

• The Hidden Light [1998, Sony], B+

Sweet Honey in the Rock [1973– ]

• Still on the Journey [1993, Earthbeat], B+

Two Nice Girls [1989–1992]

• 2 Nice Girls [1989, Rough Trade], B

Dave Van Ronk (1937– )

• The Folkways Years (1959–1961) [1959–61, Smithsonian/Folkways], B+

Townes Van Zandt (1944–97)

• High, Low and In Between [1972, Tomato], B

Loudon Wainwright III (1947– )

• Album III [1972, Columbia], B+
• Attempted Moustache [1973, Columbia/Legacy], A–
• Unrequited [1975, Columbia/Legacy], A
• Final Exam [1978, Arista], B
• A Live One [1976–78, Rounder], B
• Fame and Wealth [1983, Rounder], B
• I'm Alright [1985, Rounder], B+
• More Love Songs [1986, Rounder], B+
• Therapy [1989, Silvertone], B
• History [1992, Charisma], B+
• Career Moves [1993, Virgin], A
• BBC Sessions [1971–93, Fuel 2000], B+
• Grown Man [1995, Virgin], A–
• Little Ship [1998, Charisma], B
• Social Studies [1999, Hannibal], B–
• Last Man on Earth [2001, Red House], A–
• So Damn Happy [2003, Sanctuary], B+
• Recovery [2008, Yep Roc], A–

Doc Watson (1923– )

• The Doc Watson Family [1963, Smithsonian/Folkways], B
• Doc Watson [1964, Vanguard], A
• The Essential Doc Watson [1963–64, Vanguard], B+
• Doc Watson and Son [1965, Vanguard], B+
• w/Clarence Ashley: The Original Folkways Recordings of Doc Watson and Clarence Ashley [1960–67, Smithsonian/Folkways, 2 CD], A–
• The Best of Doc Watson 1964–1968 [1964–68, Vanguard], A–
• Memories [1975, Sugar Hill], A–

Gillian Welch (1967– )

• Revival [1996, Almo], A–
• Hell Among the Yearlings [1998, Almo], B+
• Time (The Revelator) [2001, Acony], A–
• Soul Journey [2003, Acony], B+

Don White

• Live at the Somerville Theatre [1995, Lyric Moon], B+
• Brown Eyes Shine [1998, Lumperboy], B+

Dar Williams (1967– )

• End of the Summer [1997, Razor & Tie], B

Ann Zimmerman

• Blue Wild Indigo [2004, A-Z Music], A–

Various Artists

• American Polka [(2002), Trikont], B+
• American Primitive Vol. II [1897–1939, Revenant, 2 CD], A–
• Anthology of American Folk Music [(1997), Smithsonian Folkways, 6 CD], A
• The Appalachians [1927–2003, Dualtone], B
• Beat the Retreat: Songs by Richard Thompson [1994, Capitol], B+
• The Best of Broadside 1961–1988 [1962–88, Smithsonian/Folkways, 5 CD], B
• Close to Home: Old Time Music from Mike Seeger's Collection [1952–67, Smithsonian/Folkways], B+
• Folkways: A Vision Shared — A Tribute to Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly [1988, Columbia], A–
• Folkways: The Original Vision [(1989), Smithsonian/Folkways], A–
• Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music, Volume 4 [1928–40, Revenant, 2 CD], A
• The Harry Smith Connection: A Live Tribute [1998, Smithsonian/Folkways], B+
• Let's Put the Axe to the Axis: Songs of World War II [1941–45, Smithsonian/Folkways], B–
• Putumayo Presents: Americana [2002–5, Putumayo World Music], B
• Putumayo Presents: Québec [1993–2007, Putumayo World Music], B
• The Revenge of Blind Joe Death: The John Fahey Tribute Album [2006, Takoma], B+(**)
• River of Song: A Musical Journey Down the Mississippi [1995–97, Smithsonian/Folkways, 2 CD], B–
• The Rose and the Briar: Death, Love and Liberty in the American Ballad [1927–2004, Columbia/Legacy], B–
• The Rough Guide to Americana [1984–2001, World Music Network], B–
• Wayfaring Strangers: Ladies From the Canyon [1969–76, Numero Group], B