This may be stretching the boundaries of Mudcat a little, depending on how restrictive your definition of folk music is. I wouldn't really call rhythm and blues folk music, but there is a lot of the early stuff that makes the boundaries between folk, blues and gospel seem questionable. I'm starting this thread because I love rhythm and blues... at least what was called rhythm and blues up until the 60's. The title since then has lost all meaning to me, and the vocal groups that were called rhythm and blues in the 50's and 60's may now be referred to as Doo Wop. But until the 60's everything from Bo Diddley, Little Richard and Fats Domino to The Penguins and the Orioles were called rhythm and blues. Even blues musicians like John Lee Hooker and Little Milton had their hits in rhythm and blues.

A week ago, I picked up a four CD set titled The Dawn Of Doo Wop, and I'm finging it fascinating listening. It traces "Doo Wop" ( a term I've never really liked) back to the Ink Spots, Mills Brothers and gospel quartets. Some of the recordings have guitar backing that sounds just like country blues, to me. One of the guys in one of the Men's Choruses I sing in was the lead singer in one of the Ink Spots
groups formed after Bill Kenney left, and that's gotten me interested in their early stuff, too.

Mostly, this'll be a short thread... just wondering who else in here has a love for early rhythm and blues.

And then this thread can go to The Land Of Threads That Time Forgot.

Jerry