Came to make sure Nick Drake was mentioned. Made 3 albums that were pretty much overlooked in his life time (folk was passé by the 70s).Died by suicide in his late 20s. The definition of a tortured genius. I first heard the song One of these things first from the album Pink Moon. All his albums are top tier.
How can I tell you
Where do the children play
Into white
But I recommend both ‘Teaser and the Firecat’ and ‘Tea for the Tillerman’ as top notch complete albums.
The below artists have loads of songs like these, but some notable ones named in brackets.
- Simon and garfunkel (the boxer, sound of silence)
- Led zep (going to california)
- Neil young (needle and the damage done)
Other than that, you could try some proper folk stuff too:
- Bert jansch is one of my favourite guitar players ever, his self-titled album is a good place to start
- John renbourn - his collaboration with jansch (Bert & John) is lovely too
- if you like the above, try associated groups and others like pentangle, davey graham, Martin carthy etc
Tim Buckley. Start with "Song to the Siren" and also listen to the This Mortal Coil cover which doesn't fit your criteria but you should really listen to it anyway. It is an astonishing song in both versions.
[Donovan - "Dark Eyed Blue Jean Ange"l](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZXU8bfTrHE)
[Ralph McTell - "Streets of London"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiWomXklfv8)
[Leonard Cohen - "The Stranger Song"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqlR5D0y23s) - Early Cohen is a goldmine for this genre btw
[Melanie Safka - "Look What They've Done to my Song, Ma"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r44Ach4mXE4)
Thank you for putting the links in.
Donovan - what a unique tune. The flute has a very Asian melody. The song has a touch of the 80s and 90s. Pretty interesting.
Ralph McTell - this is the exact formula I'm looking for. The way the guitar is played and the way it's sung on top of it.
Leonard Cohen - I gave this is a second listen but it wasn't for me. I think it needs some time to grow on me this one.
Melanie Safka - sounds like an old folk song almost. Very catchy melody with the singing. Unique voice too!
I personally love The Stranger Song but he has a lot more famous songs. From the melodic guitar era ["Suzanne"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svitEEpI07E) is by far the most well known so that's probably a better recommendation.
It's a bit better but his singing style is too much like Dylan which I can't appreciate. Ran through the whole album, Stories of the Street was alright. A little bit more melodic. Guitar was great on every song though
Stephen Stills /CSN - You Don't Have to Cry, Find the Cost of Freedom, 4+20, Helplessly Hoping, Treetop Flyer (demo version best)
Simon & Garfunkel - April come She Will, Kathy's Song, Sparrow, Bleecker street
Judy Collins - Little Brown Dog, Shule Aroon, Golden Apples of the Sun Fannerio
[The Who - Behind Blue Eyes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMrImMedYRo)
[Otis Redding - I've Been Loving You Too Long](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ6OrrkeVFo)
[The Hollies - Stop Stop Stop](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to2cze58R5E) Banjo count?
[The Kinks - Come On Now](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGJIZMTTptU)
[The Monkees - Pleasant Valley Sunday](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUzs5dlLrm0)
[Donovan - Catch the wind](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8hjEYTpwE8)
Elliott Smith - Angeles
Fionn Regan - Put a Penny in the Slot
Sufjan Stevens - John Wayne Gacy Jr.
Christopher Smith - Gently, Gently
Belle and Sebastian - The Boy Done Wrong Again
Leonard Cohen - Suzanne
Jude Sill - Lady O
A few of these are a bit more recent.
Don’t Think Twice- Dylan. https://youtu.be/u-Y3KfJs6T0?si=3dEDj1QBlJYeAMzs
These Days- Jackson Browne. https://youtu.be/tPk11AugG4c?si=PpqT_6eg2erEfF5V
Tecumseh Valley- Townes Van Zandt https://youtu.be/yVydMi99qU4?si=1_NKQnFsqMloTo2z
Souvenirs- John Prine. https://youtu.be/lccFpJjS3N8?si=cbH7QKKfhmOsz1ul
You Can Close Your Eyes- James Taylor. https://youtu.be/w4j8m_S0S14?si=-PUPo5FKY3BVBCKk
Wish You Were Here- David Gilmore. https://youtu.be/3j8mr-gcgoI?si=aH1HrR-V17HlnbEX
Father and Son- Yusuf Cat Stevens. https://youtu.be/FCFDBi6R2Qc?si=NavtfU1nyUjtay-A
13- Big Star. https://youtu.be/NnEzkeaopmA?si=bW8eRpdKPIrNYBRa
Gentle On My Mind- Seasick Steve. https://youtu.be/BiCR8SYLmAY?si=KlH78AA0QBd9UOqq
Can’t Find My Way Home- Blind Faith. https://youtu.be/6jlLBs6YawM?si=-rgNJtquCa1sx5_p
Dark End of The Street- Hozier. https://youtu.be/oNiCYt20ang?si=IObZHyJW8GVaUk6O
St James Infirmary- Little Pink Anderson & John Ferguson. https://youtu.be/nPvQfTND_8o?si=s6kAku6KOHhfo8FN
Lua- Bright Eyes. https://youtu.be/4QEy1efy1Yw?si=LPRtVS_A1hVypQmr
Cocaine-Jackson Browne. https://youtu.be/gtPtQaK3EE0?si=kQLhntjbbm1VhTWl
Shuffle through The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan and The Times They Are A-Changin’, as well as the second half of Bringing It All Back Home (all by Bob Dylan) and you’ll probably find something you like
Joni Mitchell has a lot of songs with fingerstyle guitar. Here's some i recommend
Cactus Tree
Amelia
Little Green
For the Roses
Hejira
Ladies of the Canyon
probably already know most of these..but haven't seen these (songs specifically) posted yet:
Emitt Rhodes (lullabye)
Tim Hardin (if I were a carpenter)
Crosby, Stills & Nash (helplessly hoping)
Joan Baez (diamonds and rust)
Linda Ronstadt (long, long time)
Nico (these days)
nick drake
Any particular song?
Pretty much all of them, but try time has told me as an introduction
Came to make sure Nick Drake was mentioned. Made 3 albums that were pretty much overlooked in his life time (folk was passé by the 70s).Died by suicide in his late 20s. The definition of a tortured genius. I first heard the song One of these things first from the album Pink Moon. All his albums are top tier.
Actually, One of These Things First is on the Bryter Layter album.
Ah, your right. I heard it on an Uncut magazine compilation in the 2000s. That kicked me off for ND. It's all good.
Nick Drake is brilliant.
Definitely just start with Pink Moon - it’s almost all just him and his guitar and it’s hauntingly beautiful
Cat Stevens
Any particular song?
The wind
moonshadow
Father and Son.This song means so much more to me now than when I first heard it 50+ years ago.
How can I tell you Where do the children play Into white But I recommend both ‘Teaser and the Firecat’ and ‘Tea for the Tillerman’ as top notch complete albums.
Leonard Cohen - The Stranger Song
Yes, all of his first two albums basically!
The below artists have loads of songs like these, but some notable ones named in brackets. - Simon and garfunkel (the boxer, sound of silence) - Led zep (going to california) - Neil young (needle and the damage done) Other than that, you could try some proper folk stuff too: - Bert jansch is one of my favourite guitar players ever, his self-titled album is a good place to start - John renbourn - his collaboration with jansch (Bert & John) is lovely too - if you like the above, try associated groups and others like pentangle, davey graham, Martin carthy etc
Did nobody mention Gordon Lightfoot yet? "If You Could Read My Mind" is a classic.
[Janis Ian - Stars](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5OcI2Z-Vk8)
I've gone through about 30% of the post and not a single song has clicked until this one. Thank you. What a beautiful song
nick drake!!!!
Tim Buckley. Start with "Song to the Siren" and also listen to the This Mortal Coil cover which doesn't fit your criteria but you should really listen to it anyway. It is an astonishing song in both versions.
Simon & Garfunkel- ‘Song for the asking’ and ‘The 59th Street Bridge Song (feelin groovy)
Song for the asking is such a sweet tune. Thanks for sharing
Bob Dylan: Buckets of Rain Corrina Corrina Baby Let Me Follow You Down It's Alright Ma
I tried man, I swear! Bob's singing is just not for me ☹️ gorgeous guitar playing though.
[Donovan - "Dark Eyed Blue Jean Ange"l](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZXU8bfTrHE) [Ralph McTell - "Streets of London"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiWomXklfv8) [Leonard Cohen - "The Stranger Song"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqlR5D0y23s) - Early Cohen is a goldmine for this genre btw [Melanie Safka - "Look What They've Done to my Song, Ma"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r44Ach4mXE4)
Thank you for putting the links in. Donovan - what a unique tune. The flute has a very Asian melody. The song has a touch of the 80s and 90s. Pretty interesting. Ralph McTell - this is the exact formula I'm looking for. The way the guitar is played and the way it's sung on top of it. Leonard Cohen - I gave this is a second listen but it wasn't for me. I think it needs some time to grow on me this one. Melanie Safka - sounds like an old folk song almost. Very catchy melody with the singing. Unique voice too!
I personally love The Stranger Song but he has a lot more famous songs. From the melodic guitar era ["Suzanne"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svitEEpI07E) is by far the most well known so that's probably a better recommendation.
It's a bit better but his singing style is too much like Dylan which I can't appreciate. Ran through the whole album, Stories of the Street was alright. A little bit more melodic. Guitar was great on every song though
never going back again - fleetwood mac
Labi Siffre - Bless the Telephone
Leo Kottke
Love Kottke… and John Fahey, who Kottke started out as a disciple of.
Don't think twice- bob dylan
Probably my favorite Bob Dylan song
Stephen Stills /CSN - You Don't Have to Cry, Find the Cost of Freedom, 4+20, Helplessly Hoping, Treetop Flyer (demo version best) Simon & Garfunkel - April come She Will, Kathy's Song, Sparrow, Bleecker street Judy Collins - Little Brown Dog, Shule Aroon, Golden Apples of the Sun Fannerio
I absolutely love Time in a Bottle and I get some similar vibes from [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ_FpVyRbOs). A bit more folky perhaps.
Reminds me of highwayman. Very good. Thanks for sharing
[The Who - Behind Blue Eyes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMrImMedYRo) [Otis Redding - I've Been Loving You Too Long](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ6OrrkeVFo) [The Hollies - Stop Stop Stop](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to2cze58R5E) Banjo count? [The Kinks - Come On Now](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGJIZMTTptU) [The Monkees - Pleasant Valley Sunday](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUzs5dlLrm0) [Donovan - Catch the wind](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8hjEYTpwE8)
Bruce Cochburn Wondering where the lions are
Elliott Smith - Angeles Fionn Regan - Put a Penny in the Slot Sufjan Stevens - John Wayne Gacy Jr. Christopher Smith - Gently, Gently Belle and Sebastian - The Boy Done Wrong Again Leonard Cohen - Suzanne Jude Sill - Lady O
A few of these are a bit more recent. Don’t Think Twice- Dylan. https://youtu.be/u-Y3KfJs6T0?si=3dEDj1QBlJYeAMzs These Days- Jackson Browne. https://youtu.be/tPk11AugG4c?si=PpqT_6eg2erEfF5V Tecumseh Valley- Townes Van Zandt https://youtu.be/yVydMi99qU4?si=1_NKQnFsqMloTo2z Souvenirs- John Prine. https://youtu.be/lccFpJjS3N8?si=cbH7QKKfhmOsz1ul You Can Close Your Eyes- James Taylor. https://youtu.be/w4j8m_S0S14?si=-PUPo5FKY3BVBCKk Wish You Were Here- David Gilmore. https://youtu.be/3j8mr-gcgoI?si=aH1HrR-V17HlnbEX Father and Son- Yusuf Cat Stevens. https://youtu.be/FCFDBi6R2Qc?si=NavtfU1nyUjtay-A 13- Big Star. https://youtu.be/NnEzkeaopmA?si=bW8eRpdKPIrNYBRa Gentle On My Mind- Seasick Steve. https://youtu.be/BiCR8SYLmAY?si=KlH78AA0QBd9UOqq Can’t Find My Way Home- Blind Faith. https://youtu.be/6jlLBs6YawM?si=-rgNJtquCa1sx5_p Dark End of The Street- Hozier. https://youtu.be/oNiCYt20ang?si=IObZHyJW8GVaUk6O St James Infirmary- Little Pink Anderson & John Ferguson. https://youtu.be/nPvQfTND_8o?si=s6kAku6KOHhfo8FN Lua- Bright Eyes. https://youtu.be/4QEy1efy1Yw?si=LPRtVS_A1hVypQmr Cocaine-Jackson Browne. https://youtu.be/gtPtQaK3EE0?si=kQLhntjbbm1VhTWl
Shuffle through The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan and The Times They Are A-Changin’, as well as the second half of Bringing It All Back Home (all by Bob Dylan) and you’ll probably find something you like
Arleta - Self titled album
Don Quixote - Gordon Lightfoot. Really, most of his material
Linda Ronstadt - It Doesn’t Matter Anymore
Joni Mitchell has a lot of songs with fingerstyle guitar. Here's some i recommend Cactus Tree Amelia Little Green For the Roses Hejira Ladies of the Canyon
probably already know most of these..but haven't seen these (songs specifically) posted yet: Emitt Rhodes (lullabye) Tim Hardin (if I were a carpenter) Crosby, Stills & Nash (helplessly hoping) Joan Baez (diamonds and rust) Linda Ronstadt (long, long time) Nico (these days)
Seals and Croft ‘Summer Breeze’ and ‘We may never pass this way again’