The Best Folk Singers Of All Time Ranked
Music in this genre is also often called traditional music. Although the term is usually only descriptive, in some cases people use it as the name of a genre. For example, the Grammy Award previously used the terms “traditional music” and “traditional folk” for folk music that is not contemporary folk music. Folk music may include most indigenous music. It was transmitted through an oral tradition. Before the 20th century, ordinary people were usually illiterate; they acquired songs by memorizing them. Primarily, this was not mediated by books or recorded or transmitted media. Singers may extend their repertoire using broadsheets or song books, but these secondary enhancements are of the same character as the primary songs experienced in the flesh. The music was often related to national culture. It was culturally particular; from a particular region or culture. In the context of an immigrant group, folk music acquires an extra dimension for social cohesion. It is particularly conspicuous in immigrant societies, where Greek Australians, Somali Americans, Punjabi Canadians, and others strive to emphasize their differences from the mainstream. They learn songs and dances that originate in the countries their grandparents came from. Here are all of the best Folk Singers of all time ranked.
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20. Blackmore’s Night
“I cannot listen to enough of Blackmore Night’s music. They are soothing, rich sounds of vocals and instruments. I love them. There is not one of their songs that is not fantastic. I have all of their CDs! My favourite Folk Rock Group ~ They are certainly unique!”
19. Jethro Tull
“Jethro Tull are a British rock group, formed in Luton, Bedfordshire, in December 1967. Initially playing blues rock, the band soon developed its sound to incorporate elements of British folk music and hard rock to forge a progressive rock signature.”
18. The Lumineers
“Name ten contemporary folk albums that you can listen to straight through without skipping a track. Both Lumineers albums will be in that top ten. Simply amazing attention to detail. Check out the KEXP live sessions from them. Amazing artists. Amazingly rugged. Amazingly simple. Amazing.”
17. Jim Croce
“James Joseph Croce was an American folk and rock singer-songwriter. Between 1966 and 1973, Croce released five studio albums and singles. His songs “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” and “Time in a Bottle” reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.”
16. Gordon Lightfoot
“Gordon Meredith Lightfoot Jr. is a Canadian singer-songwriter who achieved international success in folk, folk-rock, and country music. He is credited with helping to define the folk-pop sound of the 1960s and 1970s. “The Edmund Fitzgerald” It’s in my head and I can’t get it out! This great singer songwriter is pure Folk Rock.”
15. Joni Mitchell
“Mitchell’s vocal range gave her astonishing flexibility, and over the years, she played with a range of styles, including pop, jazz, and classical. However, it was her folk music that took the world by storm. Mitchell’s early original compositions, especially “Both Sides Now” and “Circle Game,” were often covered by other artists. Songs like “Big Yellow Taxi” and “A Case of You” regained popularity in recent years thanks to covers by new mainstream bands.”
14. Syd Barrett
“Roger Keith Barrett was an English musician, composer, singer, songwriter, and painter. Best known as a founder member of the band Pink Floyd, Barrett was the lead singer, guitarist and principal songwriter in its early years and is credited with naming the band.”
13. James Taylor
“I think his music is more of a mixture of folk rock and soft rock, as he is basically on the same boat as Jackson Browne or Dan Fogelberg (I still have Saturate While Using and Phoenix on vinyl). But James Taylor pretty much embodied 70s folk rock for me. His albums, such as Sweet Baby James and Mud Slide Jim & The Blue Horizon deserve a lot more listens, in my opinion.”
12. The Mamas & the Papas
“The Mamas & the Papas were an American folk rock vocal group formed in Los Angeles, California which recorded and performed from 1965 to 1968. The group was a defining force in the music scene of the counterculture of the 1960s. The group was composed of Americans John Phillips, Cass Elliot, and Michelle Phillips and Canadian Denny Doherty. Their sound was based on vocal harmonies arranged by John Phillips, the songwriter, musician, and leader of the group, who adapted folk to the new beat style of the early 1960s.”
11. Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young
“The best harmony band ever. All know about Young but Stills was very good on guitar particularly the acoustic in addition to being very good song writer and a great vocalist. Crosby and Nash blended in with perfect harmonies while often contributing some brilliant songs. However most of their later albums were disappointing”
10. Leonard Cohen
“It’s not easy to discuss modern music in any genre without mentioning Leonard Cohen. The Canadian singer-songwriter penned some of the most poignant lyrics of all time, including “Hallelujah.” Cohen was born in Quebec in 1934 and gravitated towards folk music during his teen years. He graduated from McGill University, bought a home, and published several poetry collections that failed to deliver. “
9. Passenger
“The greatest by a mile and I mean that I’m not just trying to wind people up, the only artist I’ve ever heard who makes songs which you can’t lyrically figure out for years and then suddenly it hits you I promise if you commit to listening to him you will be rewarded with a lifetime of great music”
8. Cat Stevens
“Stevens became one of the more prolific songwriters of his time and churned out dozens of winners, including “Peace Train,” “Morning Has Broken,” and “Father & Son.” Despite his immense success, Stevens walked away from his lucrative musical career in the 1970s. He changed his name to Yusuf Islam and focused on humanitarian endeavors.”
7. Nick Drake
“It’s sad because not many people know the story behind his sad soul so I will. Nick drake was not a Syd Barrett or Keith moon. He was known to take drugs but that’s not what killed him. What killed him was the same mental disorder these 3 musicians all had: bipolar disorder. He gecame so depressed it was the death of him. Such a sad soul with so little time on the limelight.”
6. The Band
“The Band was a Canadian-American roots rock group formed in 1965 . Which originally consisting of Rick Danko (bass guitar, double bass, fiddle, vocals), Levon Helm (drums, mandolin, guitar, vocals), Garth Hudson (keyboards, saxophones, trumpet), Richard Manuel (piano, drums, vocals) and Robbie Robertson (guitar, percussion, vocals) .”
5. The Byrds
“The Byrds perhaps have the most influence on rock music scene next to Beatles. In addition to kick starting folk rock, they pioneered psychedelic rock and country rock. Sometimes they are unfairly dismissed a has- been band ( starting from Dr Byrds) but they did come up with a couple of great albums subsequently.
Tom Petty &HB and REM made huge careers based on the signature folk rock of the Byrds”
4. Mumford and Sons
“Mumford and Sons is the best Folk/Rock band of all time, because of their musical genius, style, poetic, meaningful lyrics and a sound that appeals to all. Modern day savior of this genre of folk/rock music! They have revitalized the music industry!”
3. Neil Young
“Neil is the best singer songwriter after Dylan. In addition to folk/folk rock he dabbled in many genres and styles ( some not so good). Apart from this Neil and his band Crazy Horse rocked very hard without losing control and sometimes they could also be tender and soft ( Barstool blues,pardon my heart). They also paved the way to grunge. With such a pedigree including CSNY, he must be the most versatile artist ever”
2. Simon & Garfunkel
“This band does not have a bad song. Paul Simon is an amazing songwriter, writing every song they made. “The Sounds of Silence” is a deep song with amazing lyrics. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” is such an inspirational song. Don’t forget “Homeward Bound”, “Cecelia”, “Scarborough Fair”, and “Mrs. Robinson”. There is something for everyone”
1. Bob Dylan
“Dylan splashed onto the music circuit in New York City, amassed a series of supporters, and signed with Columbia Records. His style and sound perplexed many critics but struck a chord with young listeners. Of all the singer-songwriters to contribute to the evolution of American folk music, Dylan’s music has the distinction of featuring some of the most poetic lyrics in the musical canon, including “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “Tambourine Man.””
