With this album Dylan emerged as the major songwriter on the folk scene. Freewheelin' represents his maturation on a number of levels, not the least of which is his considerable skill in penning songs of social protest ('Blowin' in the Wind', 'A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall'). The more lighthearted moments round things out nicely.
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Fairytale Donovan 1965 [Pye/Hickory]
For a while this Scottish folkster was seen as Britain's answer to Bob Dylan. With several bonus tracks from EPs and singles of the period, this set is the ideal introduction to the early pre-electric Donovan. 'Colours', 'Sunny Goodge Street' and 'Jersey Thursday' show Donovan could pen a good tune to match the best of them.
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I Ain't Marching Anymore Phil Ochs 1965 [Elektra]
As the album's cover suggests, Ochs was a leading light of the protest movement opposing America's involvement in Vietnam. Often compared to early-Dylan, Ochs is a topnotch guitar player and more than adequate singer in his own right. The classic 'Draft Dodger Rag' may have dated subject matter, but it still hits the mark.
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Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme Simon & Garfunkel 1966 [Columbia]
Production of S&G records would become increasing elaborate after this, their first truly great album. 'Scarborough Fair/Canticle' pays traditionally-styled homage to Simon's time in England, 'Homeward Bound' shows off some homier folk sensibilities and a bit of pop-punch left us all feelin' groovy. Beware the short playing time.
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Astral Weeks Van Morrison 1968 [Warner]
A soothing mix of folk and jazz, with some blue-eyed Irish soul thrown in for good measure. Morrison's first solo outing regularly shows up near the top in lists of 'all-time greatest' albums. While he would make many fine records in his long career (especially the follow-up Moondance), Morrison could never top the perfection on display here.
Often cited as the beginning of the soft rock singer/songwriter movement of the 1970s, Sweet Baby James is an alluring blend of folk, rock, country and blues. There were, of course, singers writing and recording albums of songs long before this, but the melancholy subject matter here seemed to capture the essence of the 70s.
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Tea for the Tillerman Cat Stevens 1970 [A&M]
Stevens was on the comeback trail fashioning a new identity for himself when this fine album was released. The record catalogues his search for meaning and spirituality, while examining some relationships along the way. 'Wild World' and 'Father and Son' scored well on the charts, the latter becoming a folk staple. Recommended.
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Stephen Stills Stephen Stills 1970 [Atlantic]
While most singer/songwriters of the time were preoccupied with morose self-examination, Stephen Stills was cheerfully telling us to 'Love the One You're With'. 'Black Queen' is a nice bit of folk-blues, while 'Cherokee' takes on a jazzier edge. For those of us unwilling to abandon the 60s altogether, this was a great place to be.
