The 5 Best Folk Music Albums of All Time
Contents
A list of the 5 best folk music albums of all time, according to experts.
The 5 Best Folk Music Albums of All Time
The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan
1.The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan- Dylan’s second album is his first great one, the one that announced him as a songwriter of uncommon talent and conscience. It’s also one of the most influential albums in the history of rock & roll, since it single-handedly created the notion of the singer/songwriter as a significant creative force.
2.The Times They Are A-Changin’- Like its predecessor, The Times They Are A-Changin’ is an incredible document of its time, filled with songs that defined their generation and continue to speak to succeeding ones.
3.Bringing It All Back Home- Dylan made his first truly great album by bringing together two elements that had previously been kept separate: rock & roll and folk music. It’s an artistic triumph, containing some of his best-written songs and based around first-class studio musicians who were given plenty of room to stretch out and explore.
4.Highway 61 Revisited- Highway 61 Revisited is where Dylan finally achieved the balance between folk tradition and hard rock & roll, crafting some of his strongest songs along the way. Musically, it’s impeccable throughout, as Dylan surrounds himself with top-flight sidemen like Mike Bloomfield, Al Kooper, Paul Griffin, and Harvey Brooks.
5.Blonde on Blonde- The double album Blonde on Blonde is Dylan’s grandest statement and finest achievement, matching his poetic ambitions with equally audacious musical goals. Like Highway 61 Revisited before it, Blonde on Blonde is a groundbreaking work — it’s responsible for shifting rock music away from concise three-minute statement towards sprawling epics like “Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands.”
The Times They Are A-Changin’
Folk music is often thought of as simple songs passed down through the generations, but the genre has produced some truly great albums. Here are five of the best.
The Times They Are A-Changin’ – Bob Dylan
Released in 1964, this album was Dylan’s third, and it is widely considered to be one of his best. The title track is one of Dylan’s most famous songs, and the album also includes “The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll” and “Ballad of Hollis Brown”, two more of Dylan’s most celebrated tracks.
Blood on the Tracks – Bob Dylan
Dylan’s 1975 album Blood on the Tracks is often seen as a return to form after a period of less successful albums. The album features some of Dylan’s most personal songs, including “Tangled Up in Blue” and “Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts”, both of which are considered to be among his finest compositions.
The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan – Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan’s second album, released in 1963, is one of his most important. It includes “Blowin’ in the Wind”, one of Dylan’s best-known songs, as well as “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall”, another classic. The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan is an essential record for any fan of folk music.
Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? – Various Artists
The soundtrack to the 2000 Coen Brothers film Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? was a huge success, winning Grammys for Album of the Year and Best Contemporary Folk Album. The album features traditional folk songs performed by artists like Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch and Ralph Stanley, as well as original songs written for the film by T Bone Burnett. It’s a beautiful record that showcases the best of American folk music.
Invisible Empire // Crescent Moon – Iron & Wine
Sam Beam, aka Iron & Wine, released this double album in 2013 to critical acclaim. Invisible Empire // Crescent Moon features Beam’s trademark atmospheric folk sound, with delicate melodies and ethereal lyrics. It’s a stunning record that is well worth seeking out.
Another Side of Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan’s Another Side of Bob Dylan is one of the best folk albums of all time. Released in 1964, the album features some of Dylan’s most iconic songs, including “Chimes of Freedom” and “My Back Pages.” While many of the tracks on the album are personal and introspective, they also offer a social commentary on issues like racism and war. Another Side of Bob Dylan is an essential album for any fan of folk music.
Bringing It All Back Home
Bob Dylan’s Bringing It All Back Home was released in 1965 to critical and commercial acclaim. The album marked a significant change in Dylan’s musical style, as he began incorporating electric instruments into his previously acoustic sound. The album features some of Dylan’s most celebrated songs, including “Subterranean Homesick Blues” and “Mr. Tambourine Man.” Bringing It All Back Home is widely considered one of the best folk albums of all time.
Dylan’s follow-up album, Highway 61 Revisited, was released in 1965 to similar acclaim. The album features more of Dylan’s electrified sound, as well as some of his most iconic songs, such as “Like a Rolling Stone” and “Desolation Row.” Highway 61 Revisited is widely considered one of the best folk albums of all time.
The Byrds’ 1968 album Sweetheart of the Rodeo is often credited with popularizing country-rock. The album features country-influenced renditions of Bob Dylan songs, as well as original compositions in the same vein. Sweetheart of the Rodeo is widely considered one of the best folk albums of all time.
Crosby, Stills & Nash’s self-titled debut album was released in 1969 to huge success. The album features the trio’s trademark harmonies on a mix of original compositions and cover songs. Crosby, Stills & Nash is widely considered one of the best folk albums of all time.
Simon & Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water was released in 1970 and remains one of the duo’s most popular albums. The soft rock classic features some of Simon & Garfunkel’s most beloved songs, including “The Boxer” and the title track. Bridge Over Troubled Water is widely considered one of the best folk albums of all time.
Highway 61 Revisited
Highway 61 Revisited is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, released on August 30, 1965 by Columbia Records. Companies. Ranking fourth on Rolling Stone magazine’s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” list in 2003, Highway 61 Revisited peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 album sales chart and has been certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
The album features some of Dylan’s most famous songs, including “Like a Rolling Stone”, “Desolation Row”, and “Ballad of a Thin Man”. It is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential rock albums of all time.
