Dylan had already set the purists howling with the semi-electric Bringing It All Back Home, this time going the whole way with guitarist Michael Bloomfield on board. 'Like a Rolling Stone' would go on to become a timeless anthem, with the rest a variety of dense folk/blues textures saturated with typically poetic wordplay.
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Rubber Soul The Beatles 1965 [Capitol]
The Beatles got in on the folk-rock act in 1965 with Rubber Soul. It is still basically a rock album, but there are acoustic guitars and tambourines aplenty throughout. 'Norwegian Wood' is a genuine hippie-folk classic, while the preferred US version of the album (not released on CD as yet) also includes 'I've Just Seen a Face'.
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Blonde on Blonde Bob Dylan 1966 [Columbia]
Dylan dabbled in electrified folk in 1965 with Bringing It All Back Home, then went all the way with Highway 61 Revisited. On Blonde on Blonde the mix settled into a refined blend of bluesy country-folk with rock trimmings. 'Rainy Day Women' was a novelty hit, with the rest of the album a mix of folkified pop and classic Dylanesque musings.
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If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears The Mamas & the Papas 1966 [MCA]
The debut album from the Mamas & the Papas is a masterpiece of meticulous studio production combined with the freshness of a new West Coast folk-rock sound. It had all who listened 'California Dreamin' (unless, of course it was 'Monday, Monday') and just plain feeling groovy. The only hippie band Ed Sullivan really liked.
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Mr Tamborine Man The Byrds 1965 [Columbia]
The album that established 'folk-rock' as a commercial winner still rings with Roger McGuinn's chiming 12-string electric guitar, gorgeous vocal harmonies and lyrical complexity. It is, however, a rock album - with nary an acoustic moment in sight. The hit title track is included on any of a plethora of anthologies covering the band's early period.
Donovan started out as Britain's answer to early Dylan, but fairly quickly turned into a fully electrified flower-power folk rocker. Hits include the eponymous title track and the psychedelic blues 'Season of the Witch'. The UK version of the album has a different track listing, notably including the lovely acoustic number 'Sand and Foam'.
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Younger Than Yesterday The Byrds 1967 [Columbia]
Roger McGuinn's distinctive 12-string electric guitar underpinned the early-Byrds status as the top folk-rock outfit of the 60s. The CD version of Younger Than Yesterday with six bonus trackscontains an enticing mix of acid folk, psychedelia and country-rock. Those only wanting to dabble in the first four albums will find plenty of anthological options.
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Forever Changes Love 1967 [Elektra]
Arthur Lee's 60s psychedelic folk-rock outfit is singularly famous for this gem that regularly appears on 'all-time greatest' lists. Each song is pure perfection, although the album and its singles - 'Alone Again Or' and 'Andmoreagain' - were commercial flops. Lee subsequently sacked the band, leaving this as testament to greatness that could have been.
