Your favourite American folksingers

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: Big Jim from Jackson
Date: 11 Feb 05 - 11:23 AM

There seems to be a lot of confusion in this thread between folk singers and singer/songwriters. I'm not knocking the later group. Some of my favorite people are in this catagory: Bill Staines, Chuck Brodsky, et al. I like Arkie's list, especially the Para's, Michael Cooney, and Gordon Bok.
Also, this list reflects most those artists who have lables. There are a host of other performers who are not well known because they don't have a contract with a company that can distribute their material. I would add Judy Domeny Bowen to the list of singers of old folk songs.
It is interesting to see some of the names on these lists. There are a number of them that I am not familiar with. Others that I would disagree with, and many I think are fantastic. As some above have said, "...in the eye of the beholder."

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 11 Feb 05 - 05:40 AM

Can I put in a word for Happy Traum? Great singer, brilliant guitarist, lovely bloke. His Kicking Mule records always had terrific tab booklets for the songs. Very generous musician.

Also Steve Goodman. If you need to ask I can't explain.

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: GUEST,Obie
Date: 11 Feb 05 - 05:37 AM

At one time country music was folk but both have evolved in different directions. Dylan was folk in his early days but has also evolved to something else. (not always an improvement IMHO! ) :-}
Many years ago Canada and USA were America before our good friends to the south dumped all that good tea in Boston Hbr.
The music of Canada and the USA is often shared as a common pool and can not easily be defined as changing at the border. However, we sing Woody's This Land a bit different. :-}
             Obie

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: Teresa
Date: 11 Feb 05 - 02:45 AM

Some of my favorites:

John McCutcheon (especially the album "Fine Times at Our House", which I'm not sure is still available
Tim OBrien (one of his I listen to constantly is "Songs from the Mountains"
Jean Ritchie
Peggy Seeger
Mike seeger
Pete Seeger
Sally Rogers
Claudia schmidt (especially earlier stuff)
Lou and Peter Berryman (I have a twisted sense of humor.)
John Hartford (saw him live, and he fiddled, clogged, and called a dance all at once!)

None of these in any particular order, and certainly not an exhaustive list. :)

Teresa

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: dianavan
Date: 11 Feb 05 - 02:06 AM

Bob the Postman - With all due respect to George Bowering, I like the expression 'you-alls' better than USAmericans. in fairness, Canadians should probably be called the 'ehs' and the Mexicans could be the 'olas'.

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 08 Feb 05 - 09:33 PM

No one has mentioned my favourite yet in this thread, Spider John Koerner, a guy who takes a traditional song, makes it totally his own, and still leaves it trad. To me, that's a folk-singer!
Are Canadians Americans? To make the claim is a typically Canadian passive-aggressive ploy, humbly drawing attention to our adversary's arrogance. George Bowering, recently Canada's poet laureate, deals with the ambiguity by referring to the you-alls as USAmericans.
Is Joni Mitchell Canadian? Absolutely. Is she a folksinger? Sure, but if she is a Canadian folksinger then so is her old drinking buddy Neil Young, e. g. Helpless, e. g. Long May You Run.

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: Arkie
Date: 08 Feb 05 - 03:03 PM

Cathy & Dave Para
Gordon Bok
Ed McCurdy
Burl Ives (before "Little Bitty Tear")
Bob Everhart
Pete Seeger
Mike Seeger
Bob Zentz
Michael Cooney

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: GUEST,Allan S
Date: 07 Feb 05 - 03:59 PM

JohnCohen
Tom Paley
New Lost City Ramblers

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: dianavan
Date: 07 Feb 05 - 02:29 PM

Guest - "Canadians would prefer not be classed as Americans."

SPEAK FOR YOURSELF!

Most Canadians I know think that it is arrogant for citizens of the U.S. to call themselves Americans and thereby excluding citizens of North, Central and South America. We are all Americans!

Citizens of the States need a new name. Maybe the U.Sers. or the U of A's or the Uniteds or maybe even Statesians. It is pretty confusing when a country names its citizens after a continent.

BTW - My favorite folk singer is Woody Guthrie.

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: GUEST,guest bob
Date: 07 Feb 05 - 01:58 PM

Fred Neil
Pete LaFarge
Eric VonSchmidt
Jesse Winchester

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 04:21 AM

Homer and Jethro ? [ it's a joke ]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned one of my favourites the late Derroll Adams.

I can agree with everyones choices except Prince, jOhn is right Prince is shite, I'm a poet, and didn't know it.

eric

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: number 6
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 07:27 PM

Woody Guthrie
Townes Van Zandt
Son House
John Prine
John Hartford
Pete Seeger

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: Auggie
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 08:51 AM

If you want a good place to start with "East of the Big Pond" folkies, start with the best (living) songwriter in America, MICHAEL SMITH. A sometimes jazz-tinged folkie with evocative lyrics, superb melodies with chord voicings to die for. A guitarist's guitar player with an expressive (certainly not "traditionally beautiful") voice, whose songs can take you from laughter to sorrow to contentment (but who will drive you to distraction when you're trying to figure out the chords from the CD).
There is no one better, and that ain't IMHO, its fact.

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: Cluin
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 10:56 PM

Yeah, Richie Havens for sure.

Though I'm not sure who you would define as folk (let's not go THERE again), I also like Greg Brown, Jim Henry, Brooks Williams, Tom Russell, Steve Earle, Martin Sexton, Lyle Lovett, Keb Mo... too many more to list.

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: chris nightbird childs
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 09:10 PM

Mr. Havens is a PHENOMENAL performer! He's still got THAT VOICE! You obviously know the one I'm talking about... Also one of the nicest people I've ever met.

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: momnopp
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 09:04 PM

I was looking for an appropriate thread to gush about the Richie Havens concert I enjoyed last night. The man is just the most incredible, warm, genuine, silly, sweet, intense performer, still. I first saw him live last year when he headlined at the Country Roads Festival in WV. I was taken with his warmth then and got to shake his hand and thank him.

Last night at the Black Rock Arts Center in Germantown, MD, it was just heavenly. It's a very new venue designed for really enjoying live performances - and I was in the front row ;-)

I just had to write this down somewhere because I'm still tingling with the sounds of his performance in my head.

Peace,

JudyO

Subject: joe and Eddie
From: GUEST,Sandy Lang
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 12:51 AM

Looking for all joe And eddie music

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: Peace
Date: 10 Nov 03 - 05:47 PM

Yeah, PoppaGator, I should look or sound that good when I'm sixty. It would involve some surgery that I'm not willin' to undergo, if you take my meaning. Never could get used to high heels. But my God, that woman can sing.

Oh, yeah, there is a singer from the 60s and 70s who hasn't been mentioned. He was a born-in-the-USA guy named Sean Gagnier (nee John Gonyea) from Poughkeepsie I think. He passed away over a year ago. Wonderful voice and a good songwriter.

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: PoppaGator
Date: 10 Nov 03 - 05:31 PM

Joni Mitchell -- Canadian-born, but has lived in LA for longer than many of your have been alive. (Joni turned 60 last week, by the way.)

Canadian or USAian?

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: GUEST,Ely
Date: 10 Nov 03 - 05:22 PM

Well, these are mostly musicians, not necessarily singers, but:

the original Carters
Arlo Guthrie
Norman Blake
David Bromberg
. . . a guy named Bob White who put out his own record 25+ years ago
Paul Geramia
Dwight Lamb
Kate Wolf
Bob Dylan
the Beers Family
Sam Hinton
Elizabeth Cotten
Etta Baker
Steve Earle
Swallowtail
Hazel Dickens
Robert Johnson
Phyllis Boyens
Creedence Clearwater Revival (OK, it's a stretch)
D.L. Menard
the Lost Bayou Ramblers (don't forget the Cajuns!)
Scott Biram
Woody Guthrie
the Red Clay Ramblers
the Freighthoppers
Allen Street String Band
High Woods String Band
. . . all those other great little old-time revival bands
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
Mance Lipscomb
Mississippi John Hurt
Brownie McGhee
Tom Paxton
Townes Van Zandt

and a friend of mine named Lane who passed away recently. He wrote his own novelty songs and played on a homemade folding guitar.

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: GUEST,Rapaire's Secret Santa
Date: 10 Nov 03 - 05:13 PM

taking notes here.

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: Rapparee
Date: 10 Nov 03 - 04:54 PM

No order that I know of....

Bob Gibson
Bob Camp
Dave Van Ronk
Doc Watson
Schooner Fare
PP&M
Huddie Ledbetter
Odetta
Joan Baez
Tom Paxton
Stan Rogers (and don't give me any crap!)
Tommy Makem (and his sons)
Arlo and Woody Guthrie
Kendall Morse
Art Thieme
Phil Ochs
SOME of Bob Dylan
Judy Collins
Chad Mitchell Trio
John Denver
Pete Seeger
Buffy Ste. Marie
Big Mama Thornton
Billy Holliday
Patsy Cline
and a whole lot of other people.

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: Benjamin
Date: 10 Nov 03 - 04:22 PM

James, Eric Andersen's Blue River album has been released on CD (by Columbia I believe) and should be relatively cheap. It's been a while since I've bought it though.

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: Peace
Date: 10 Nov 03 - 03:10 PM

Contentious. Would Joni Mitchell qualify?

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Nov 03 - 02:51 PM

I think you know what I mean...Americans are people from..living in..or citizens of the USA. That is what I meant. I think it is clear that us citizens would be americans, no matter where they live..wouldn't you , or are you just being contetious ?

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: Peace
Date: 10 Nov 03 - 01:44 PM

GUEST: Does that mean who live in the US or are US citizens living in the US, and would that exclude US citizens living abroad?

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Nov 03 - 12:48 PM

Canadians are from Canada, Mexicans are grom Mexico, Brazilians are fromBrazil. If one were to ask for a list of favourite french folksingers, you would not list Italians simple because they are also European. It really does bother some people to be referred to as Americans when they do have very distint nationalities of their own.
As a matter of fact and as a matter of courtesy, Canadians are not Americans. I think it is very obvious that by Americans we mean those people who live in the US.

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Nov 03 - 10:27 AM

From this comprehensive list jOhn should be able to find a few state-side recordings to purchase and enjoy!

SRS

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: cetmst
Date: 10 Nov 03 - 08:34 AM

Groups:
Voices - Priscilla Herdman, Anne Hills, Cindy Mangsen
The Weavers
The Carter Family
New Christy Minstrels
The Beers Family
Mill Run Dulcimer Band
Roberts and Barand - imports from England
Bok, Muir, Trickett
New Lost City Ramblers
Baltimore Consort
Solstice Assembly
Schooner Fare
Ceiltori
The Revels
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Golden Ring and New Golden Ring
Some of The Kingston Trio and The Limeliters

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: GUEST,Chris/Darwin at work
Date: 09 Nov 03 - 11:02 PM

Wow! If this thread tried to cover any more ground it would land on the moon!

The following is a list of some USA folkies who have influenced me enough to want to learn their songs, or at least moved me.

Leadbelly, whose rythmic sense will stay with me until the day I die.

John Hurt, he of gentle soul and wonderful picking.

Doc Watson, another gentle soul with so much to say musically.

Pete Seeger, who opened my eyes to a new world of songs that commented on the state of the world.

Joan Baez, just because she had a beautiful voice did not mean she wasn't singing in the tradition.

Judy Collins, also a beautiful voice but branching into more contemporary material.

Dylan of course, you do not have to have a perfect voice to move people, I know the words to dozens of his songs because of the emotional impact they had.

Byron Berline, Dan Crary, John Hickman, I do not consider these guys commercial pop, their music seems to me to come straight from the tradition, unlike many modern "bluegrass" groups.

Earl Scruggs, who for better or worse got me playing traditional songs on the banjo!



Of the more modern performers, I like Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, who appeal to something raw in me. Kate MacLeod and Kat Eggleston are both contemporary musicians who write a range of songs about life and experience. Keb' Mo' is a blues singer in the Delta tradition who is just as much at home singing Robert Johnston or contemporary material. Chris Smither is another blues singer I also like a lot, although I have only heard him singing contemporary material.

All this is only scratching the surface. Like others I really like many performers on the fringe of folk, like Mary Chapin Carpenter, Emmy Lou, Dixie Chicks, Nickel Creek, etc., although it is hard for me to classify them as folk. I play them on my radio folk show, and I usually get a good response. Without starting a war, I would express the humble opinion that composing a song with the sole purpose of making money automatically rules it out of the definition, at least for 50 years.

Chris

(Ducking for cover!!)

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: Big Tim
Date: 09 Nov 03 - 03:35 PM

From between the old and the new:

Dave Van Ronk,
Bascom Lamar Lunsford,
Cisco Houston,

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: Peace
Date: 09 Nov 03 - 02:59 PM

Seeger's "We Shall Overcome" recording (from the concert at Carnegie Hall) is one of my all-time favourite albums.

Subject: RE: Your favourite American folksingers
From: Little Robyn
Date: 09 Nov 03 - 03:11 AM

My favourites of all time have to be Pete Seeger and the Weavers - all of them, ever since I heard them on NZ radio about 1952!
Robyn

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: jaze
Date: 08 Nov 03 - 08:40 PM

Thanks for clearing that up, Little Hawk. The habit of pidgeon-holing artists is what makes some people think of them in one light. Emmylou and Dolly, while generally regarded as "country" ,both frequently do tradiional and folk music as well. And they do it as well as anyone else. IMHO.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 07 Nov 03 - 11:24 PM

Beat me to it, Candyman... I have both of the Cat Mother albums... Jay Unger played fiddle on the Albion Doowop album..

I don't recall the ZigZag coffee house or the two other people/groups you mentioned. No surprise as the Pass The Hat Coffee Houses came and went. I heard Reverend Gary Davis and Peter Stampfell, among many others, at Pass The Hat places.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Candyman(inactive)
Date: 07 Nov 03 - 10:02 PM

Hey Brucie,

I knew Charlie Chin. He played in Cat Mother and The All Night News Boys with Larry Packer, my old fiddle player.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Peace
Date: 07 Nov 03 - 09:26 PM

Jerry, do you recall the ZigZag Cafe or The Four Winds? Some real talent went through those basket houses. There was a banjo player named Chin (Charlie?). Recall him at all? That's the last of the catch up, but I had to ask.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 07 Nov 03 - 07:28 PM

Sorry, Brucie... don't remember the name Bert Mason. But I remember Cousin Brucie..

Jerry

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 Nov 03 - 06:05 PM

Dachshunds don't get erections...they're like horses, they get extensions.

The reason that Emmy Lou Harris can be classified as a folksinger is because of the particular lyrical quality of a great many of the songs she does...which totally transcends the average country genre, in my opinion, and the musical quality as well.

Hank Williams also rates as a seminal early folksinger, and was in fact CALLED a "folksinger" at the time in many publications. His reach was so broad that again, it surpassed merely a "country" designation.

Same goes for Willie Nelson.

Folk music is a genre in which the lyrics tend to be far more serious, far more poetic, and far more imaginative than the standard formulas usually heard in most country music or most rock n' roll or rock music ( I said MOST...okay?). It's also a genre where the audience tends to listen closely to the words...and you can't say that about most musical genres, can you?

Basically, if you take almost any musical style and wed it to truly good lyrics you may very well have as a result...folk music. That's why I love it.

Gershwin's "Summertime" is a good example of a very well written song that is much favoured by folksingers, and at this point IS a folksong, as far as I'm concerned.

- LH

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Peace
Date: 07 Nov 03 - 04:18 PM

Jerry,

Do you recall Bert Mason? He was darn good, too.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: GUEST,Brien
Date: 07 Nov 03 - 04:05 PM

Well, as far as writing some of those definitive songs about "folk" and their lives Stan Rogers (and his brother Garnet as well) has to be one of the best of the 20th century.

Stan wrote with feeling and truth about fishermen, farmers ("Field Behind the Plow"), farmer's wives ("Lies"), the life of the singer (folk music groupies: "You Can't Stay Here"), love ("45 Years"), ballads ("Harris and the Mare", "Witch of the Westmoreland"- via Archie Fisher (Scotland).)

Stan's sudden and tragic death in an airplane fire (age 33) more than a decade ago was so terrible I still cannot listen to more than a song or two before I become so saddened at the loss of all the things he could have yet seen and sung about.

Thankfully Garnet Rogers has soldiered on afterward on the same path. His many miles driven in his Volvo (no airplanes for him!) going about the nomadic music life has presented most of North America to him and he continues to sing about the land and the people, as Stan did.

Brien
Toronto

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: mg
Date: 07 Nov 03 - 03:30 PM

about dolly and emmy lou..

1. If you know what the clear cut distinctions are between folk and country, by all means please illuminate us
2. You can sing both, even if they are separated distinctly
3. If anyone has roots in the Appalachina type of FOLK music, I would guess it would be Dolly Parton.
4. I like them lots..

mg

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 07 Nov 03 - 03:05 PM

Len Chandler! Wow! I haven't heard that name in a long time. Len used to sing regularly at the Gaslight Cafe in the early 60's, in Greenwich Village. The thing I remember most about him was his guerilla-warfare approach to sing alongs. When he'd do a song with a chorus, and he'd notice that someone wasn't singing along, he'd leave the stage and walk over to the table and make the person sing.
And, he didn't look like someone you'd want to mess with, in those days. A "Sing, Dammit" approach to group participation.

I split an evening at the Fat Black Pussycat in the Village one night, alternating sets with Richie Havens, mostly accompanying himself on bongo drums (you've never heard The House Carpenter, until you've heard it on bongo drums) and Tiny Tim. Meanwhile, I was doing my best to sound like an old-worn out 78 of some old toothless geezer recorded on the front porch of his ramsackle shack in Caroline.

Len moved out to the West Coast, I know, and I haven't heard him since then... he sure was (and maybe still is, as far as I know) a fine singer..

And I ALWAYS sang along on the choruses.

Not taking any chances..

Jerry

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Peace
Date: 07 Nov 03 - 12:03 PM

Len Chandler, Dick Glass, Richie Havens--some others to mention.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: GUEST,Kim C no cookie
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 05:48 PM

our very own Kendall
our very own Jed Marum
John Prine
Guy Clark
Tom Russell
John Hiatt
Jean Ritchie

And my pard Howard, who has never recorded anything, but he's a damn fine singer and picker.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Noreen
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 03:53 PM

Oh, OK then....

The more people who know and love Mr Barker's work the better! I like Spot the Zebra :0)

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Midchuck
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 03:36 PM

Hey Midchuck, how did Les Barker creep into your list? He's from this side of the pond :0)

You're right, I had a brain fart and forgot the topic was limited to Americans.

I hope it's all right if I like his stuff anyway.

Dachshunds With Erections....Ow! Ow! Ow!

Peter.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Noreen
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 03:14 PM

Hey Midchuck, how did Les Barker creep into your list? He's from this side of the pond :0)

Interesting to hear all these opinions, I'm sure jOhn will have his work cut out listening to them all!

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Melani
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 12:47 PM

Bok, Muir and Trickett--finest musical and vocal combination ever recorded!

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Midchuck
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 09:22 AM

First place, singer-songwriter: Tom Russell

First place, guitarist/singer/multi-instrumentalist: Norman Blake

Tied for second overall (alphabetical listing):

the very young Joan Baez
Guy Clark
Dylan, as a songwriter only, provided that someone (anyone!) else sings his stuff
Utah Phillips
Jim Ringer (RIP)
Stan Rogers (RIP)
the Seldom Scene, until Duffey died
Ian Tyson
Doc Watson


First place, funny stuff: Tom Lehrer

Tied for second, funny stuff (alpha listing):

Austin Lounge Lizards
Les Barker
Lou & Peter Berryman
Kendall Morse

You can decide which of these are "folk," which "country," and which "popular." I abstain.

P.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: GUEST,Strollin' Johnny
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 09:21 AM

Hey Santa! I can think of quite a few specific terms for inhabitants of the USA, most of which are much more offensive than 'Yanks'. (NO, PUT IT DOWN, I'M ONLY KIDDING!) :-)

I still don't understand how a genre of music propagated and generated in the main by the Nashville Machine can be lumped together with Folk. There's a lot of great 'traditional' music in the USA which does fall into the Folk category, but Dolly and Emmylou don't seem, to me at any rate, to be exponents of it (wonderful though they are). Nor do they seem to be of the same ilk as the 'contemporary' North-American (there, that OK?) folk artistes such as the aforementioned Stan and Gordie, Paxton, Bobby The Zee, and many, many more.

As an English lover of Folk AND Country (and any other Quality Music for that matter) I don't need to have the difference explained to me - it's gob-smackingly obvious when you listen to them. I just wonder why Americans don't seem able to hear it?

Just my point of view, I know lots of people will tell me I'm talking out of the back of my neck!

Merry Christmas to all our readers. :-)

Johnny

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: kendall
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 08:48 AM

In that case Jerry, Paul Robeson.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 08:23 AM

Maybe I should start a thread "Who Are Your Favorite Singers of Any Kind Of Music In North And South America." Has everyone forgotten John9?, by the way? Ya Shoulda Been More Specific John-O. :-)

Jerry

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: GUEST,jim clark london england
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 06:26 AM

If I had to select an all time great of the folk/blues genre, I'd say

Mississippi Big Joe Williams that guy lived for over 50 years the life of the rambling bluesman and nobody I ever heard could speak to me through his songs or guitar with such intense profound elequence about lifes angst as he did.

Of living folk performers I'd select Ritchie Havens,Like Big Joe his songs seem to just spill out his heart. He conjures from commonplace expression and sometimes biblical text the most beautiful passionate musical commentary about lifes realities. His performance just transfixes me..

Regards.

Jim Clark...

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Santa
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 05:59 AM

American is the term used in standard English (and American English, as far as I can tell) to distinguish the inhabitants of the USA from inhabitants of other nations on the North American continent.

If "American" is used in a more general term then we would lack a specific term for the inhabitants of the USA - I'm told that "Yanks" is unacceptable.

Similarly, if Country music is the same as Folk music, then why do we need a specific term to describe it?

I can see how an American could find it difficult to understand why Country, or indeed blues or bluegrass, shouldn't be described as folk music. For a British (ok, English!) folk music enthusiast it seems clear enough. Accepting that all musical boundaries are fuzzy.

I should have added to my earlier post that I have seen Kristina Olsen (some years ago) and Mike Agranoff gave a very entertaining show a few weeks ago. But the US folk singers don't tour the UK they way they used too. (Fings ain't what they used to be! Aaahhh..)

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: GUEST,Strollin' Johnny
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 03:33 AM

Mary et al - why do you insist on confusing Country with Folk? Seems to be something you USA-folks do a lot, judging by some of the names that have cropped up in this thread. Dolly and Emmylou are superlative Country Artistes, not Folksingers. You'll be telling me next that Meatloaf and Eminem are Folk Singers. (I dare you!):-)

Just to add a perverse comment, and probably damning myself in the process - someone (I reckon it was Martin Carthy - who IS a British FOLKSINGER and guitarist extraordinaire - but I may be wrong) once said that "All songs are sung by folks, therefore all songs are Folk Songs". Perhaps by the same token ALL singers are Folk Singers? Just a thought.

And re the Canada business, the subject of the thread is 'Your favourite American folksingers' - correct me if I'm wrong but isn't America the Continent which encompasses the USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile etc. etc. etc.? Therefore Stan Rogers, Gordon Lightfoot and the others mentioned earlier are Americans from Canada. QED. They are also jolly fine singers and writers.

Peace Brothers and Sister
Johnny

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Peace
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 10:58 PM

The Kingston Trio did the same for me. But the capper was Dylan. Made me go folkie instead of regular army.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: squeezeldy
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 10:45 PM

This is probably going to enrage many people, but Peter, Paul and Mary made a huge impact on the revival of folk music in America in the 60's. I realized later in life (being of a certain age) that many of the folk songs I know were learned from my older sister's albums, which I filched and listened to on the sly.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 09:21 PM

Might as well as which one is my favorite child.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Little Hawk
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 06:00 PM

Geez...forgot Gordon Lightfoot! Talk about a fine songwriter. He's Canadian, which is included in North America. Also Tish Hinojosa, who is Mexican-American.

Favourite British folksingers: Al Stewart and Maddy Prior.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Little Hawk
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 05:51 PM

Goin' way back...Bob Dylan, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Joan Baez.

Movin' forward a little...Emmie Lou Harris and Shawn Colvin.

Best I've seen lately...Chris Smither. He is superb.

- LH

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: allanwill
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 05:43 PM

Never see any mention of a 60's duo Dick and Deedee, but as far as "commercial" 60's folk music goes, they were as good as any (IMHO).

Allan

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Midchuck
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 04:43 PM

Canadians are Americans.
United Statesians (?) are Americans.
Mexicans are Americans.

And that's just North America...

Peter.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From:
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 04:06 PM

BLIND WILLIE MCTELL
RAMBLIN' JACK ELLIOTT
NORMAN BLAKE

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: GUEST,Jaze
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 12:56 PM

Guest James, Barnes and Noble usually has Eric Andersen's "Blue River"

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Chris in Wheaton
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 12:43 PM

I think I heard once that Sam Hinton was the first person to bill himself as a folk singer. It was when he was on the vaudeville circuit after winning on the Major Bowes Amateur Hour   True?

Chris in Wheaton

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: GUEST,pdq
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 12:03 PM

If you are a Folk fan and have any doubt that an artist or group is Folk, just accept the people you like. Therefore Dolly Parton, Emmy Lou Harris and The Band are Folk..........works for me.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: mg
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 10:01 AM

why would we say Emmy Lou and Dolly aren't folk singers? Sure sound like it to me. mg

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 09:18 AM

Canadins would prefer not be classed as Americans. Not because we dislike the Americans but because we are Canadian.
What about Gillian Welch.. I love her stuff, or is she country. Sometimes I am very confused.
   I thought the object of the thread was to come up with unfamiliar names, so that people might explore the work of some artists new to them.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: GUEST,Strollin' Johnny
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 09:13 AM

Oh Mary, come ON!!! Get real - Dolly and Emmylou are great SINGERS, but FOLK-SINGERS they are not!

And IMOH the pillock who said Ponce (oops, sorry I meant Prince or Squiggle or whatever barmy name the conceited, over-sexed little git calls himself nowadays) really is away with the fairies. :-)

The problem with this thread is that there's a lot of names cropping up that us Limeys have never heard of. But I'd have to go with Odetta and Stan The Man (if Canadians can be classed as American).

It's all personal taste really, isn't it?

Johnny

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 09:08 AM

Leonard cohen is not american, I don't think he is a folk singer either.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Beverley Barton
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 08:05 AM

sorry, that post should have been bigger

LEONARD COHEN

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Beverley Barton
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 07:58 AM

LEONARD COHEN !

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Santa
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 07:50 AM

I looked into this thread hoping it would give me a few names to watch out for. Years back I was familiar with the work of Ochs, Paxton, Dylan, Guthrie(s), Farina, Baez etc but the only US act I've seen/heard recently is Pint and Dale. Whom I like very much, but I'm sure there are more around. However, this list seems to have become dedicated to historic rather than contemporary (in time, not necessarily in material) artists, and blues/bluegrass etc which certainly isn't "folk" in the UK. Who should I be looking out for?

I'm not sure about including Canadians either - at least those who stay in Canada rather than moving South - but if you must, I'd add Tanglefoot and Eileen McGann.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 12:21 AM

John-
CAMSCO takes VISA or MASTERCARD. If you wish, you can send a cheque to Bill Sables, and I'll send you the CDs.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: mg
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 11:24 PM

Iris Dement ...I love her...also Dolly Parton and Emmy Lou Harris..mg

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: GUEST,pdq
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 11:17 PM

Doc Watson is America's voice. Note the Southern accent.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: richlmo
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 11:10 PM

I don't know if he is American or not, but John Gorka has a great voice. I'm not real sure where the "folk" fades into country and old time/bluegrass and such, but Doc Watson has to be in there somewhere.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 01:57 PM

Couldn'ta said it better myself pdq!!!

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: GUEST,pdq
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 01:56 PM

The worst thread about music is better than the best thread about politics!

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: mg
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 01:46 PM

I don't find these threads useless at all. I find them interesting. If you find them useless, why read them? Why respond? mg

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 01:20 PM

Great Big Sea???

May as well list Barenaked Ladies and Moxy Fruvous as well then... And then no, it's not that far a stretch to include Grandmaster Flash, Snoop-Doggy-Dog and Prince...

And well, how can you talk about 'Famous Canadians" with out James Keelaghan, Stephen Fearing, Len Wallace, Ian Tamblyn, GARNET Rogers, Connie Caldor, Andrew Cash, Blue Rodeo, Don Ross, The Cowboy Junkies, Rick Deevey, The Skydiggers, Ferron, Tamarack, James Gordon, and on and on and on...

See how useless these kinds of threads are... They just end up being one long list of names that most posters here won't even bother trying to find...

The longer the list, the less it matters...

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: GUEST,Chris
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 01:07 PM

Natalie MacMaster, Don Messer (RIP) and Buddy MacMaster are fiddlers, not folksingers.

C

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 01:04 PM

Perhaps we should do famous Canadians...I see Canadians as having contributed a slightly different type of contemporary folk.
Ian and Sylvia, Gordon Lightfoot,Bruce Cockburn, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young(sort of), Stan Rogers, John Allan Cameron, The Rankins, Buffy St. Marie, Natalie MacMaster, Don Messer, Laura Smith, Allan Mills, Clary Croft,Buddy MacMaster,Great Big Sea, The Irish Descendants...lots more. I am sure I have forgotten a lot of names.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: GUEST,Chris
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 01:04 PM

I don't think Peggy Lee or Dinah Washington would have liked being called men.

C

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Grab
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 12:53 PM

Phil Ochs, Tom Paxton, Dylan as a writer but not as a singer. Leonard Cohen should qualify - he's Canadian, but from the continent of North America.

Lou and Peter Berryman are probably the best writers of funny songs in the US. You need to be in a "funny song mood" to listen to the CDs, but they're great for performing.

And if bluesmen qualify, then Peggy Lee, Dinah Washington, Cab Calloway and Louis Armstrong should also be on the list.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 12:21 PM

The singers I listed are all people I heard on albums as I grew up. If I listed folks (sans albums) then I'd have added my father to the list! I should have included Pete Seeger--that was an oversight. I know some of McCurdy's have been hard to find on vinyl or CD--I found that out the hard way after Dad died and I tried to replace some of the holdings in his collection.

SRS

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: GUEST,James
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 12:08 PM

Does anyone know if Blue River LP by Eric Anderson is available anywhere..it is great. I had forgotten about Eric. Also, what about Tim Hardin, Tom Rush Mike Seeger,Emmy Lou Harris(or is she Country). John Stewart, Jack Eliot, Dave Van Ronk...loads more I guess.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 10:49 AM

Hey, John:

Whenever anyone starts a thread it reflects our own concept of folksinger. I didn't include people like Mississippi John or Robert Johnson, because blues seens to be considered as a separate category from folk (wrongly, as far as I'm concerned.) I also didn't include
Rev. Gary Davis... one of my very favorite singers and guitarists, because most people would just label him gospel. Same with Steve Earle, who I really admire, and would consider a country singer. I would not include Prince (who I think was a genius in his own right, although I never bought any of his music.) If Prince is a folk singer, then I have no idea what a folksinger is. That's not to minimize his genius. And if Prince is a folksinger, the Beatles are one of my favorite folk groups.

Now, if you're talking about what is easily available on CD, that's a different story. I love Cisco Houston as a singer, but I don't know how much is easily avaiable to you in England.

And how could we forget the greatest singer of American folk music ever?

Lonnie Donegan

Jerry

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Benjamin
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 10:33 AM

There's also Mudcat's own Frank Hamilton. His music has been a favorite of mine for a long time now.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Amos
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 09:17 AM

I enjoy that honor me own self! :>)

A

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 07:08 AM

Does anyone know where I can find lyrics to any of the sixties protest music about women's rights?

please email [e-mail] if you do. I need them for a research paper I'm doing. Thank you!

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: GUEST,James,
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 07:04 AM

Arlo Guthrie, John Prine , Judy Collins, Barbara Dane, Odetta.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: kendall
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 06:21 AM

Buryl Ives.

John, I was joking for Christ's sake!

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: greg stephens
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 05:58 AM

When we consider influence on modern musicians, I reckon Alanabit is right on the ball with his Robert johnson nomination....it would be hard to think of an American folksinger who has had more impact on the subsequent direction of music.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: alanabit
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 05:03 AM

I like most of the ones I have heard mentioned here - in particular Leadbelly, Mississippi John Hurt and Woody Guthrie. Pete Seeger has been mentioned less often than I would have expected. If only because of his influence , I would rate him as one of the giants.
Bill Zorn lived in England for several years and I thought he sounded alright. He can play the banjo a bit as well. I thought Robert Johnson was going to get a few more mentions. For me he was the definitive Delta bluesman - although I will probably have to defer to the more knowledgeable Mudcatters on this one!

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: VIN
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 04:41 AM

Joan Baez, Peggy Seeger and Tom Paxton must rank up there with the best of em although he's probably written mostly all his own stuff - i reckon 'Last Thing On My Mind' must rate as a 'folk' song now eh?
(Uh oh, careful vin, let's not start on that thread agin)

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: greg stephens
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 04:20 AM

There are two, Leadbelly and Woody Guthrie, and then the rest.And the list of the rest goes on for ever. Listening to wonderful American folk music goes on for ever and you still havent scratched the surface.
    I dont normally like ranking people in order, but there's really no contest in this field. Leadbelly has got to be number 1. I am leaving out Bob Dylan, he is number 1 in a different category as far as I am concerned.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 02:22 AM

heloo dick greenhouse, do axept solo cards or maestro cards fpr your cd shop?
i like to buy some nice americsn cd's and i goive you my crefit card number., i give it to max to buy a mudcat t shirt before
, but nit tak3e that oner, and i don t knoe how toarreange pay pay etc, i wi;ll see about pay-pal,and see waht they say.johhn

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: GUEST,weerover
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 02:20 AM

Loudon Wainwright
Randy Newman
Mississippi John Hurt
PAUL ROBESON
Joan Baez
Bob Dylan
Pat Sky

wr

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 01:56 AM

If you want to get away from the performersand interpreters and go back to the folk, there a vast treasure of fabulous American music available on CD:

Iron Head
Vera Ward Hall
Any of the Wallin clan
Larry Older
Leadbelly
Texas Gladden
Frank Proffitt
Dock Boggs
Alfred Reed
E.C. Ball (with Orna)
Tink Tillet.......
the list goes on, and on, and on. E-mail me if you want some suggestions    [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: karen k
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 12:15 AM

Jean Ritchie
Doc Watson
Sheila Kay Adams
Helen Schneyer
Bob Zentz
Ed Trickett
Sandy Paton
Elizabeth Cotten
Mississippi John Hurt
Jesse Fuller
Lisa Null
Becky Kimmons

I'm sure there's more!!!

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Alex.S
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 12:06 AM

Well I ain't too familiar with Prince, but I must say he doesn't really strike me as a "Folk Singer" from the few songs I've heard. I'd probably go with Doc Watson, Bob Dylan, or Peggy Seeger.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 03 Nov 03 - 11:32 PM

so "Prince" is a highly acclaimed and well respected american folk singer?
I never knew that!
I learn something new every day from this site!

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 03 Nov 03 - 11:26 PM

Eye of the beholder mate... eye of the beholder...

I see a lot of people listed here that I'm sure someone could qualify as shite...

That's one reason why threads like these serve no purpose at all...

And well, if Purple Rain is all you know of Prince's music, I'm afraid your opinion ain't worth the powder to blow it to hell John...

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 03 Nov 03 - 11:16 PM

Prince?
you talking about that "purple Rain guy
you taking the piss
no way is Prince a folk singer!
If Prince is one of the best american folksingers you can think of,,
i'll stickj to the english folksingers that i know of !
no offence mate, but Prince is shite!
Anyone else reckon Prince is the best american folk singer?

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Benjamin
Date: 03 Nov 03 - 11:14 PM

I should also mention that John Jacob Niles has been highly recomended to me, although I haven't quite gotten to any of his recordings just yet.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Benjamin
Date: 03 Nov 03 - 11:12 PM

Dave Van Ronk
Doc Watson
Norman Blake
Eric Andersen
Lead Belly
Brownie McGhee
Sonny Terry
J.C. Burris
Elizabeth Cotten

This list could get too long, but I'd recomend any of these guys. For the most part, they shouldn't be too hard to find.
I hope you enjoy them John
Benjamin

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 03 Nov 03 - 11:11 PM

Kris Kristofferson
John Prine
Towns Van Zant
Robert Earl Keen
Todd Snider
Tom Russle
Bob Dylan
Steve Earl
Michael O'Brien
Prince


In no particular order

:-)

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Nov 03 - 11:02 PM

Richard Dyer Bennet
Ed McCurdy
Sam Hinton
Burl Ives
Peggy Seeger
Jean Ritchie

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: GUEST,pdq
Date: 03 Nov 03 - 10:52 PM

Bill Clifton lived in England for many years and recorded a lot. Should be easy to find. Heard of him, jOhn?

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 03 Nov 03 - 10:39 PM

i dident threaten anyone, i said, the only time i have ever threatened anyone here was gargoytle, and serves him right.

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Noreen
Date: 03 Nov 03 - 10:36 PM

jOhn, you started threatening people in the other thread which doesn't go down well.

Stop worrying about it and enjoy THIS thread!

(Hi, Jerry!)

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 03 Nov 03 - 10:32 PM

thanks mary!,
Indeed WHAT HAPPENED TO THE OTHER THREAD?
who deleted it, and why?

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 03 Nov 03 - 10:29 PM

Thanks Jerry,
I'm looking for american folk singers whose cd's I can buy, this is the second thread, on the subject i hasve started today, kendall acuseed me of been a troll stirrirng up shit, and the second one was deleted!
thanks jerry.john

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: mg
Date: 03 Nov 03 - 10:27 PM

what happened to the other thread? It was just getting good. Anyway, the ones I would go to some trouble to see..hear I guess..Joan Baez, Linda Rondstadt, Gordon Bok, Utah Phillips if he just sang, Priscilla Herdman, any good shanty/sea groups...I'm thinking, who would I go to see if it was across town on the bus on a cold, windy night...narrows it down...I like groups of people I guess...mg

Subject: RE: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 03 Nov 03 - 10:23 PM

Hi, John:

Let me be first:

   Art9 Thieme
   Jerry9 Rau
   Doc9 Watson
   Jean9 Ritchie
   Almeda9 Riddle

You didn't specify whether they had to be living..

Jerry9

Subject: Your favourite american folksingers
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 03 Nov 03 - 10:19 PM

tell us about them.