A difficult artist to categorise, Fahey is godfather to the modern school of finger-picking guitarists. As such, he has had as much of an influence on New Age as he has on folk. He began recording in 1959, eventually establishing a name for himself in the mid-60s with his early albums for his own Takoma label. A mesmerisingly beautiful record.
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Naturally J J Cale 1971 [Shelter]
This album is so laidback it's horizontal. Cale has a uniquely understated vocal delivery that melds country, rock and blues into an intoxicating journey through breezy backwoods vignettes. Featured here is his 'After Midnight', a hit for Eric Clapton, as well as other Cale classics like 'Call Me the Breeze' and 'Crazy Mama'. Underrated.
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Striking It Rich Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks 1972 [Blue Thumb]
Considered one of folk's true eccentrics, Hicks released a handful of terrific jazz-inflected acoustic hippie swing albums in 60s and 70s. The best is probably 1978's It Happened One Bite, but poor availability makes this a good alternative. Includes the classics 'I Scare Myself' and 'Canned Music', as well pop gem 'Moody Richard'.
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Closing Time Tom Waits 1973 [Asylum]
Some earlier bluesy records have been released since, but this was Waits' official debut. Although there are signs of the theatrically-styled eccentric he would become, most of the music here is relatively accessible. Waits tackles a range of styles including blues, country and jazz - making this the folksiest of his early releases.
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The David Grisman Quintet The David Grisman Quintet 1977 [Pastels/Rhino]
Boundary-shattering record that gave rise to the term 'newgrass'. Already seasoned in bluegrass, folk and rock - mandolinist Grisman added a touch of jazz to the mix to create a new instrumental style altogether. More accurately, the influence of swing guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grapelli was… instrumental.
By the end of the 70s folk appeared to be on the ropes thanks to a seemingly endless parade of whining confessional singer/songwriters - then the Roches came along. Three sisters who weren't sexy in the slightest, sang about normal things that happened in their lives, and did it with quirky harmonising virtuosity rarely heard.
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Welcome to the Cruel World Ben Harper 1994 [Virgin]
Don't listen to the knockers… this is the record that won Harper an international audience and launched his infectious bluesy roots sound. Harper has a penchant for old guitars and in-your-face politics. Cruel World is more reserved than the superb Fight for Your Mind follow-up (available together as a two-fer), but it is also the more listenable.
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Not a Pretty Girl Ani DiFranco 1995 [Righteous Babe]
DiFranco constantly runs the risk of being arrested for assaulting her guitar, not to mention making intentionally offensive comments in public. Yeah… she may not be pretty, but she is poetically stunning. Some like to call this 'anti-folk', a kind of acoustic punk music for those who like their anger straight. Fabulous stuff for the adventurous.
