What would you call this type of music

Subject: Folklore: What would you call this type of music
From: lefthanded guitar
Date: 17 Nov 11 - 03:05 PM

I was trying to explain to someone what one of my favorite types of music is- and I'm not sure I'm using the right term. It may be called folk-blues, or singersongwriter; but let me tell you the players I love that are in this category:

Mississippi John Hurt
Chris Smither
Steve Earle
Danny Kalb
Doc Watson
Rev. Gary Davis
early Bonnie Raiit

I've been calling it Country Blues, but not sure I"m right on that either. I welcome your analysis.

Subject: RE: Folklore: What would you call this type of music
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 17 Nov 11 - 04:03 PM

All those you have mentioned do lovely stuff. Don't bother trying to give it a name. Just call it MUSIC, and enjoy.

Subject: RE: What would you call this type of music
From: Tunesmith
Date: 17 Nov 11 - 04:45 PM

In the UK, it MIGHT be called American roots music.

Subject: RE: What would you call this type of music
From: gnu
Date: 17 Nov 11 - 04:54 PM

Good stuff man.

Subject: RE: What would you call this type of music
From: The Sandman
Date: 17 Nov 11 - 05:01 PM

john hurt could be classified as piedmont guitar, gary davis is fairly similiar.doc played banjo , flat picked an finger picked

Subject: RE: What would you call this type of music
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 17 Nov 11 - 05:09 PM

For the sake of simple convenience i'd also go with 'American roots music'..

but definitely not 'Americana' - don't know why, just never felt comfy using it - a bit too media trendy..???

Subject: RE: What would you call this type of music
From: Elmore
Date: 17 Nov 11 - 08:00 PM

Folk Music

Subject: RE: What would you call this type of music
From: GUEST,Wesley S
Date: 17 Nov 11 - 08:02 PM

"Good" is a description that comes to mind.

Subject: RE: What would you call this type of music
From: BTNG
Date: 17 Nov 11 - 08:10 PM

Americana is an amalgam of roots musics formed by the confluence of the shared and varied traditions that make up the American musical ethos; specifically those sounds that are merged from folk, country, blues, rhythm and blues, rock and roll and other external influential styles

before anyone starts (don't) this not my definition, but that of Pete Knapp (2008-10-06). "What is Americana Music?

Subject: RE: What would you call this type of music
From: lefthanded guitar
Date: 22 Nov 11 - 02:41 PM

Ah well, it's all good. Thanks for the input; I don't know why but I'm not always comfy with the term Americana either; but it's apt enough. I think 'piedmont' guitar is closest to what I'd call it.

Or good ;D

Subject: RE: What would you call this type of music
From: Tunesmith
Date: 22 Nov 11 - 03:29 PM

Well, if you want one title to cover all the artist listed, then "piedmont" guitar won't do!

Subject: RE: What would you call this type of music
From: lefthanded guitar
Date: 01 Dec 11 - 03:04 PM

You know, tune, in reconsideration; I originally used to call this music Delta Blues. Howsabout Delta-style blues?

Subject: RE: What would you call this type of music
From: greg stephens
Date: 01 Dec 11 - 03:11 PM

As far as I know, none of those artists have anything to do with the style normally called delta blues, which originated in the Missippi delta (nb not the delta down at the mouth of the river, that's something else, confusingly)

Subject: RE: What would you call this type of music
From: Don Firth
Date: 02 Dec 11 - 12:13 AM

I would be uncomfortable calling this "Americana." I think most people would assume that this term encompasses a much broader scope than you're shooting for, including such things as the music of Stephen Foster, Cole Porter, et al.

I think "American roots music" is about as good as you're going to get.

Don Firth