This is the second entry in my folk series and perhaps because this is Thanksgiving week my mind turns to folk music, a genre born of timeless story songs which came to America by way of England (more than four hundred years ago). Folk music can be a lot of fun- especially around a campfire- and I think folk runs the risk of being the butt of jokes when it takes itself too seriously. Yet folk remains one of the few remaining musical styles willing to tackle serious issues and to tell it like it is- and how it's always been- to be human.
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| Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, and Arlo Guthrie |
Folk aims to be timeless- to ring true- and cares not for what's hip at the moment. One wonders how many people today even know about the close historical connection between folk music, the civil rights movement, and the American Left- let alone folk's enormous influence on popular music. Here are some more of my favorite folk songs- for which I am very thankful. Enjoy!
01. James McMurtry and the Heartless Bastards – “Out Here in the Middle (Live)” (2003)
02. Ralph McTell – “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” (2011)
03. Peter, Paul, and Mary – “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright (Live)” (1967)
04. Joan Baez – “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” (1971)
05. Dave Van Ronk – “Hang Me, Oh Hang Me” (1962)
06. Nic Jones – “Canadee-I-O” (1980)
07. Lindisfarne – “Run for Home” (1978)
08. Arlo Guthrie – “Coming into Los Angeles” (1969)
09. Judy Collins – “Both Sides Now” (1967)
10. Melanie – “Yankee Man” (1975)
11. Dar Williams – “The Babysitter’s Here” (1993)
12. Loudon Wainwright III – “The Swimming Song” (1973)
02. Ralph McTell – “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” (2011)
03. Peter, Paul, and Mary – “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright (Live)” (1967)
04. Joan Baez – “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” (1971)
05. Dave Van Ronk – “Hang Me, Oh Hang Me” (1962)
06. Nic Jones – “Canadee-I-O” (1980)
07. Lindisfarne – “Run for Home” (1978)
08. Arlo Guthrie – “Coming into Los Angeles” (1969)
09. Judy Collins – “Both Sides Now” (1967)
10. Melanie – “Yankee Man” (1975)
11. Dar Williams – “The Babysitter’s Here” (1993)
12. Loudon Wainwright III – “The Swimming Song” (1973)
Listen to the playlist on Spotify...
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