The Best Folk Music Duets of All Time
Contents
A guide to the best folk music duets of all time, including Simon & Garfunkel, The Civil Wars, and more.
Introduction
Folk music duets are a special and unique form of musical expression. They are often intimate and personal, telling the story of two people and their lives together.
There are many great folk music duets throughout history, but we’ve compiled a list of what we believe to be the best of the best. These are the folk music duets that have stood the test of time and remain powerful and moving today.
The Best Folk Music Duets of All Time
There’s something special about a folk music duet. Whether it’s the harmonization of the vocals, the back-and-forth between the singers, or the simple beauty of two people making music together, folk duets have a way of captivating listeners. In this article, we’ll count down the best folk music duets of all time.
Simon and Garfunkel – “The Sound of Silence”
This classic Simon and Garfunkel song is one of the most well-known and beloved folk duets of all time. The simple, yet beautiful melody and lyrics are unforgettable, and the harmonies between Simon and Garfunkel are perfection.
Bob Dylan and Joan Baez – “Blowin’ in the Wind”
This song was written by Bob Dylan in 1962 and recorded by him the following year. It became a global anthem for the anti-war and civil rights movement, and has been covered countless times by artists from all genres. Joan Baez recorded her version of the song with Dylan in 1963, and their performance of it at the 1963 Newport Folk Festival helped to make the song an international hit.
Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young – “Teach Your Children”
This peace-loving anthem, which was written by Graham Nash, is one of the most successful folk songs of all time. Crosby, Stills & Nash first performed it in 1969 at the Woodstock Music & Art Fair, and it quickly became an international hit. The song was later recorded by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young on their 1970 album Déjà Vu. It has been covered by many other artists over the years, including Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, Cher, James Taylor, and Dolly Parton.
Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton – “To Daddy”
This Gram Parsons-penned tune was originally recorded by Harris in 1974, but Parton’s contribution to the song – both vocally and financially, as she gave Harris $5,000 to help finance the album – makes this version definitive. The song is a touching ode to Harris’ father, who died when she was young, and features both singers at the top of their game.
Johnny Cash and June Carter – “Jackson”
Carter was originally hesitant to record with Cash, feeling that their voices wouldn’t work well together. But the two meshed perfectly on “Jackson,” a duet about a young couple dreaming of leaving their small town for the big city. The pair married in 1968 and would go on to record several more duets, including “If I Were a Carpenter” and “It Ain’t Me Babe.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best folk music duets of all time are those that manage to combine the unique strengths of both artists into a single, coherent whole. These are the duets that showcase each artist at their best, and which manage to create something greater than the sum of its parts. The best folk music duets are those that can be enjoyed by both fans of the individual artists, and by those who are simply interested in good music.
