Folk Rock?

[Northern Neil]

All this talk of folk music, and not a single mention of The Decemberists. Probably one of the more creative 'folk' groups out there. They remind me of a sort of civil war marching theme.

A great album to check out is "The Decemberists - The King is Dead." Tremendous song writing, excellent lyrical content and a great mixture of upbeat and downtempo songs throughout the entire album.

are they folk rock? I liked the song they used on Mad Men ("The Infanta"), so I listened to the rest of the album on Youtube. It was a long time ago. I don't remember any of it being folk rock. I don't even remember it being folky at all. It was indie rock from what I remember. Maybe they have albums of various styles?

Musical classification... I would classify them as folk rock. They use acoustic guitars, banjos, violins, etc. And, they are usually playing flok music festivals. Nonetheless, it is just like trying to classify a balkan blend. Some people think they are this way, other believe they are that way.

Nonetheless, I think they have some really great music, and if you are into folk music, I would think that The Decemberists would be a band worth checking out. Hell, everyone should take a listen and let me know... Folk Music or not?

 

[Vito]

...WE screw ourselves trying to classify music...

Yep. I just posted about that very thang a few days ago: About Genres

:joker:

 

[Idlefellow]

Shovels and Rope.

 

[PozzSka]

I also love a lot of the Blue grass and Newgrass (or whatever they're calling it)...

Check out Chris Thile (he was awarded the "Genius" Award from the MacArthur Foundation several years ago...he's probably the best mandolin player in the world right now (and has been called the best ever by other highly renowned mandolinists)....

And his new band, The Punch Brothers. They are really cool.

(And their banjo player is Noam Pikelny, who was awarded the Steve Martin Award for Banjo).

 

[Slartibartfast]

The old Fairport Covention - especially the Richard Thompson/Sandy Denny years but the Jerry Donahue stuff's great as well - and the old Pentangle always sound just that lil' bit sweeter to my ears this time of year, when the chill begins settle in and the cider flows.  Love it!

Sweeney's Men, Planxty & The Bothy Band are all great as well, though maybe a bit more on the traditional side for some folk's taste.

"Poor Old Dirt Farmer" is a great tune no doubt, but it was written fairly recently by Tracy Schwarz, well known to some from his time with the New Lost City Ramblers.  David Lindley also does a fantastic version of it - on bouzouki no less!

 

[Bluefisher]

I'd recommend William Elliott Whitmore and Jenn Rawling & Basho Parks.

 

[jefe1037]

Back to Big Casino's reference to some older folk stuff that was going on, he mentioned some that were part of the "singer/songwriter" movement that was coming out of LA in the 60s into the 70s. My favorite character out of that era was Warren Zevon. He was working a lot with Jackson Browne and was friends with just about everyone and their mother. He spent a lot of his time in the 80s (when he wasn't in a rehab clinic) playing a lot of shows in Colorado so he could be close to a good buddy of his, Hunter S. Thompson. He died of lung cancer, but not because of his long term cigarette habit, but of mesothelioma (from the ambulance chaser commercials, mostly from asbestos exposure. Irony?) He was an out there type who never had the megastar commercial success, but was prolific, and he made a ton of friends along the way. His album "Excitable Boy" has the most commercial successes, so I definitely recommend that one for the most songs that you may already know (but may not know exactly where from). His whole discography is worth a listen if you are up to it.

 

[Growley]

I like:

AKUS (Alison Krauss & Union Station)
Ron Block - Probably the best banjo player I know. Great guy too.
Andrew Peterson - More of a Christian Folk artist, and one heck of a storyteller.

 

[jefe1037]

I like:

AKUS (Alison Krauss & Union Station)
Ron Block - Probably the best banjo player I know. Great guy too.
Andrew Peterson - More of a Christian Folk artist, and one heck of a storyteller.

+1 for Allison Krauss.

The O Brother Where Art Thou Soundtrack for a bonus +1

 

[smg913]

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Don't know if it is "rock" enough but I love this stuff

 

[smg913]

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I think this might be a little on the bluesy side but non the less, cant get enough.

saw these guys live and they rocked it.

 

[smg913]

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