The Best Folk Music Albums of All Time

We all have our favorite folk music albums, but what are the best of all time? This blog will attempt to answer that question by taking a look at some of the greatest folk albums ever released.

The Best Folk Music Albums of All Time

Folk music has been around for centuries, and it’s no surprise that some of the best folk albums of all time have been released in recent years. There are so many great folk albums to choose from, and we’ve compiled a list of our favorites.

Whether you’re a fan of traditional folk music or modern folk-rock, there’s something on this list for everyone. We’ve included classic albums like Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence” and The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”, as well as more contemporary releases like Bon Iver’s “For Emma, Forever Ago” and Fleet Foxes’ “Helplessness Blues”.

There are also a few compilation albums on this list, including “The Best of Bob Dylan” and “The Best of Woody Guthrie”. These are perfect for fans who want to sample a variety of folk artists and styles.

So if you’re looking for some great folk music to add to your collection, be sure to check out our list of the best folk albums of all time.

The Best Folk Music Albums of the 1960s

In the 1960s, the folk music scene was thriving. From Bob Dylan to Simon and Garfunkel, there were many iconic folk albums released during this decade. Below are some of the best folk albums of the 1960s.

-Bob Dylan – “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan” (1963)
-Peter, Paul and Mary – “In the Wind” (1963)
-Joan Baez – “Folksingers ’Round Harvard Square” (1964)
-Simon and Garfunkel – “Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.” (1964)
-The Byrds – “Mr. Tambourine Man” (1965)
-The Mamas and the Papas – “If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears” (1966)
-The Beatles – “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” (1967)
-The Bee Gees – “Horizontal” (1968)
– Crosby, Stills & Nash – “Crosby, Stills & Nash” (1969)

The Best Folk Music Albums of the 1970s

The 1970s were a great decade for folk music, with many landmark albums released during the course of the decade. Here are ten of the best:

1. John Prine – John Prine (1971)
2. Carole King – Tapestry (1971)
3. Joni Mitchell – Blue (1971)
4. Neil Young – After the Gold Rush (1970)
5. Leonard Cohen – Songs of Love and Hate (1971)
6. Bob Dylan – Blood on the Tracks (1975)
7. Jackson Browne – Running on Empty (1977)
8. Emmylou Harris – Pieces of the Sky (1975)
9. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Damn the Torpedoes (1979)
10. Bruce Springsteen – Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978)

The Best Folk Music Albums of the 1980s

The 1980s was a decade that saw the continuation of many folk music traditions, as well as the genre’s evolution. While some of the decade’s folk music was in keeping with tradition, other artists pushed the boundaries of what folk music could be. These are some of the best folk music albums of the 1980s.

The Best Folk Music Albums of the 1990s

Folk music experienced a renaissance in the 1990s, thanks to a new generation of singer-songwriters who modernized the sound while still staying true to the genre’s roots. These are the best folk music albums of that decade.

The Best Folk Music Albums of the 2000s

In the 2000s, the folk music scene underwent a massive renaissance, with a new wave of artists revitalizing the genre for a new generation of listeners. These are the best folk albums of the 2000s.

-The Falcon and the Owl by Chuck Ragan (2006)
-The Forgotten Arm by John McCutcheon (2007)
-Babel by Mumford & Sons (2012)
-Caroline by Shovels & Rope (2016)

The Best Folk Music Albums of the 2010s

The 2010s saw a resurgence in popularity for folk music, with a new generation of artists taking influence from the classic sounds of the genre and updating them for contemporary audiences. These are the best folk music albums of the decade.

Mumford & Sons – ‘Sigh No More’ (2010)

The debut album from Mumford & Sons was an instant classic, cementing their place as one of the most popular folk bands of the 2010s. ‘Sigh No More’ is packed with catchy tunes and sing-along anthems, making it the perfect introduction to the band’s unique brand of English folk-rock.

Bon Iver – ‘Bon Iver, Bon Iver’ (2011)

The second album from Justin Vernon’s Bon Iver project saw him move away from the lo-fi sound of his debut in favor of a more polished and atmospheric soundscape. The result is a stunningly beautiful and deeply moving record, filled with unforgettable songs like ‘Holocene’ and ‘Calgary’.

Leonard Cohen – ‘Old Ideas’ (2012)

At the age of 77, Leonard Cohen returned with one of his finest albums in ‘Old Ideas’. The album finds Cohen in top form, writing searingly honest songs about love, loss and spirituality with his characteristic wit and intelligence. It’s a fitting testament to Cohen’s lasting legacy as one of folk music’s greatest songwriters.

Laura Marling – ‘Once I Was an Eagle’ (2013)

On her fourth studio album, Laura Marling created one of the most ambitious and accomplished records of her career. At over an hour long, ‘Once I Was an Eagle’ is a sprawling work that traverses themes of love, heartbreak and self-discovery with Marling’s trademark eloquence and charisma.