Folk Music Review: The Best of the Best
Folk music has been around for centuries, and it shows no signs of slowing down. If you’re looking for the best of the best when it comes to folk music, you’ve come to the right place. In this folk music review, we’ll take a look at some of the best folk albums out there.
Introduction
It’s that time of year again when we take a look back at the best of the best in folk music. This year was full of great albums, songs, and performances, so it was tough to narrow things down. But after much deliberation, we’ve come up with our list of the Best of the Best in folk music for 2017.
Here are our picks for the top 10 albums of the year:
1. The Barr Brothers – Queen’s Bay Cottage
2. Ry Cooder – The Prodigal Son
3. John Prine – The Tree of Forgiveness
4. I’m With Her – See You Around
5. The Lovin’ Spoonful – Do You Believe in Magic?
6. The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
7. Joan Baez -Whistle Down the Wind
8. Martin Simpson – Trails and Tribulations
9. Mary Gauthier – Rifles and Rosary Beads
10. Elliott Murphy – Aquashow Deconstructed
The Best of the Best
If you’re a fan of folk music, then this compilation is a must-have. The tracks are beautifully arranged and the musicianship is top-notch. The variety of styles represented is impressive, and the overall quality of the recording is excellent.
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The group consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. They became widely regarded as the foremost and most influential music band in history. Rooted in skiffle, beat, and 1950s rock and roll, the Beatles later experimented with several genres, ranging from pop ballads and Indian music to psychedelia and hard rock, often incorporating classical elements and unconventional recording techniques in innovative ways. In 1963, their enormous popularity first emerged as “Beatlemania”; as the group’s music grew in sophistication, led by primary songwriters Lennon and McCartney, they began to be referred to as “the Fab Four”. By early 1964, the Beatles were international stars, leading the “British Invasion” of the United States pop market. From 1965 onwards, they produced what many critics consider their finest material, including the innovative and widely imitated albums Rubber Soul (1965), Revolver (1966), Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967), The Beatles (commonly known as the White Album; 1968), Abbey Road (1969), and Let It Be (1970).
Lennon abruptly left the group in October 1969 and McCartney assumed leadership thereafter. Ringo Starr quit temporarily due to health issues in 1968 but returned before they broke up. Harrison also temporarily left the band during 1968 but returned prior to their breakup. The Beatles disbanded acrimoniously in April 1970. According to legend swans mate for life which means that if one dies the other will never mate again this same thought can be applied to the break-up of former Beatle members.
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin is often cited as one of the greatest and most influential rock bands of all time. Formed in 1968, the group originally consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. Led Zeppelin’s early heavy metal sound was often deemed overwhelming and excessive, but their unique style – which incorporated elements of blues and folk music – soon won them a devoted following. Over the course of their career, Led Zeppelin released nine studio albums, which have sold over 300 million copies worldwide. The band’s widespread popularity and critical acclaim culminated in their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. Though Bonham’s death in 1980 brought an end to Led Zeppelin, Page, Plant, and Jones have continued to collaborate on various musical projects over the years.
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd is widely considered to be one of the best rock bands of all time. The band formed in London in 1965 and released their debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, in 1967. Pink Floyd is known for their innovative and ground-breaking music, intense live performances, and their use of powerful visual imagery. The band has sold over 200 million records worldwide and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Conclusion
All in all, this was an excellent album and a great addition to any folk music collection. The album showcased the various artists’ talents and demonstrated the range of styles within the genre. If you are a fan of folk music, or even if you’re just curious about the genre, this album is definitely worth checking out.
