You Tube Folk Music: The Best of the Genre
Contents
Looking for the best in You Tube folk music? Look no further than this list of the top performers in the genre. From traditional ballads to modern covers, these artists have it all.
What is Folk Music?
Folk music is a genre of music that is typically passed down from generation to generation. The term “folk” refers to a group of people who share a common culture and history. Folk music is often used to express the traditions and beliefs of a people.
Origins
Folk music has been around since the dawn of humankind. It is the music of the people, created and performed by everyday people, often using traditional instruments and methods.
Folk music can be found all over the world, and it comes in many different styles. Some folk music is very old and has been passed down from generation to generation, while other folk music is more modern and has been created recently.
The United States is home to a rich tradition of folk music, with roots in many different cultures. American folk music includes both traditional songs and more modern, contemporary compositions.
Characteristics
Though it’s often said that “real” folk music is made by “regular” people and not professional musicians, the genre has always been intertwined with the music industry. In fact, one of folk music’s most defining characteristics is its adaptation over time. This type of music is steeped in tradition and often passed down through generations, but it also constantly changes to reflect the times and places in which it’s performed.
Folk music often tells stories about the human experience, including love, loss, hope, and happiness. It can be joyful and upbeat or sad and melancholy. The lyrics are usually straightforward and easy to understand, and they often paint pictures of everyday life. The melodies are usually catchy and easy to sing along to.
Common instruments used in folk music include acoustic guitars, banjos, fiddles, harmonicas, mandolins, and pianos. Traditional folk songs are often passed down orally, so they don’t always have a clear author or composer. Many have been adapted over time, with new verses added or old ones removed.
The Best of Folk Music
Folk music has been around for centuries, and it’s still going strong today. YouTube is a great place to find folk music from all over the world. In this article, we’ll share some of the best folk music videos on YouTube.
The Weavers
The Weavers were an influential American folk music quartet, founded in the late 1940s in Greenwich Village. They popularized many of the songs of Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, and Lead Belly. Their versions of “Goodnight, Irene” (a number one hit in 1950), “Midnight Special”, “On Top of Old Smokey”, and “Kisses Sweeter than Wine” were top-ten hits on Billboard’s pop chart. The group was blacklisted during the McCarthy Era.
Woody Guthrie
Woody Guthrie was an American singer-songwriter and musician who is considered one of the most significant figures in folk music. He was born in 1912 in Okemah, Oklahoma, and began his musical career in the 1930s, playing with various bands and performing on radio shows. In 1940, he moved to California and wrote his most famous song, “This Land Is Your Land.” He continued to write and perform throughout the 1940s and 1950s, and his songs were recorded by many different artists. Guthrie died in 1967, but his music continues to be popular today.
Joan Baez
Joan Baez is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and activist. Baez has a distinctive vocal style, as well as an eclectic choice of material that often includes folk, pop, rock, jazz, and gospel. Although generally regarded as a folk singer, her music has diversified since the counterculture days of the 1960s and encompasses genres such as folk rock and pop rock.
Baez achieved immediate success following her debut album Joan Baez (1960). Monthly magazine songs Folk Music of the month said that “Baez may well prove to be the most remarkable personality to grace the folk scene in a long time.” Her popularity was further enhanced by her second album Joan Baez, Vol. 2 (1961), which Albert Grossman had produced in collaboration with Bob Gibson.
The Future of Folk Music
Folk music has been around for centuries, and it has been constantly evolving. You Tube has given folk music a new platform to reach a wider audience. In this article, we will explore the future of folk music and how You Tube is changing the genre.
The Avett Brothers
Formed in 2000 in North Carolina, The Avett Brothers are composed of two brothers, Scott Avett and Seth Avett, along with Bob Crawford and Joe Kwon. The group’s music is often described as a mix of folk, bluegrass, country and pop. Their unique sound has won them a dedicated following, and they have released nine studio albums since their debut in 2002.
The Avett Brothers’ most recent album, “True Sadness,” was released in 2016 and debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album includes the singles “Ain’t No Man” and “No Hard Feelings,” both of which have become fan favorites.
The group has been nominated for multiple Grammy Awards, and they won a Grammy for Best Americana Album in 2020 for “True Sadness.” They have also won awards from the Americana Music Association, the International Bluegrass Music Association and more.
The Avett Brothers are one of the most popular folk groups in recent years, and their popularity is only increasing. With their unique sound and dedicated fan base, they are sure to be one of the genre’s leading groups for years to come.
Mumford and Sons
Mumford and Sons is a British band that formed in 2007. The band consists of Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett, Winston Marshall, and Ted Dwane. The band’s debut album, “Sign No More,” was released in 2009 and peaked at number two on the UK Albums Chart. The band’s second album, “Babel,” was released in 2012 and won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. The band’s third album, “Wilder Mind,” was released in 2015 and debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart.
The Lumineers
The Lumineers are an American folk rock band based in Denver, Colorado. The band’s classic line-up consists of Wesley Schultz on guitar and lead vocals, Neyla Pekarek on cello, mandolin and backing vocals, Jeremiah Fraites on drums and percussion, and Stelth Ulvang on piano and backing vocals. The Lumineers formed in 2005 in New Jersey, United States. In 2010, they released their self-titled debut album on Dualtone Records.
The Lumineers rose to prominence in 2012 following the release of their single “Ho Hey”, which peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Their first album had been certified double-platinum in the United States by late 2013. In 2016, they released a deluxe version of their second studio album, Cleopatra; it became their first number-one album in the United Kingdom.
Folk music has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, thanks in part to bands like The Lumineers who are keeping the genre fresh and relevant. If you’re a fan of folk music or are simply looking to discover some new music, be sure to check out The Lumineers’ YouTube channel for the best of the genre.
