Folk/Gospel A-List

This is an eclectic collection of folk-oriented or folk-identified artists, excluding folk-rooted genres listed elsewhere (old-time country, bluegrass, blues, gospel, cajun, celtic).

Nathan Abshire (1913–81)

• Nathan Abshire and His Pine Groove Boys: French Blues [1949–56, Arhoolie], A–

Amédé Ardoin (1898–1942)

• The Roots of Zydeco: I'm Never Comin' Back [1930–34, Arhoolie], A–

Asylum Street Spankers [1996–2014]

• The Last Laugh [2014, Yellow Dog], A–

Sam Baker

• Mercy [2003, Blue Lime Stone], A–

Beans on Toast (1980– )

• The Grand Scheme of Things [2014, Xtra Mile], A–
• Rolling Up the Hill [2015, Xtra Mile], A–
• The Inevitable Train Wreck [2019, Beans on Toast Music], A–

Robert Sarazin Blake

• w/Jefferson Hamer: Put It All Down in a Letter [2011, Same Room], A–
• Robt Sarazin Blake: Recitative [2017, Same Room, 2CD], A–

Anne Briggs (1944– )

• The Time Has Come [1971, Water], A

Kate Campbell (1961– )

• The Portable Kate Campbell [2004, Compadre], A–
• Blues and Lamentations [2005, Large River Music], A–

The Campbell Brothers [1997– ]

• Can You Feel It? [2005, Ropeadope], A–

Wylie Champion (1946–2021)

• Pastor Champion: I Just Want to Be a Good Man [2018, Luaka Bop], A–

Michael Chapman (1941– )

• Time Past Time Passing [2008, Electric Ragtime], A–

Clifton Chenier (1925–87)

• Zydeco Dynamite: The Clifton Chenier Anthology [1954–84, Rhino, 2 CD], A–

Harry Choates (1922–51)

• Fiddle King of Cajun Swing [1946–50, Arhoolie], A–

Barbara Dane (1927–2024)

• Anthology of American Folk Songs [1959, Empire Music Group], A–
• w/Tammy Hall: Throw It Away . . . [2016, Dreadnaught Music], A–

The Deighton Family

• Acoustic Music to Suit Most Occasions [1988, Philo], A–
• Mama Was Right [1990, Philo], A–

Iris Dement (1961– )

• Infamous Angel [1992, Philo], A
• My Life [1994, Warner Brothers], A+
• The Way I Should [1996, Warner Brothers], A
• Lifeline [2004, Flariella], A–
• Sing the Delta [2012, Flariella], A–
• Working on a World [2023, Flariella], A–

Thomas A. Dorsey (1899–1993)

• Come on Mama Do That Dance 1928–1932 [1928–32, Yazoo], A–
• Precious Lord: The Great Gospel Songs of Thomas A. Dorsey [1973, Columbia], A

Fred Eaglesmith (1957– )

• Ralph's Last Show [2001, Signature Sounds, 2 CD], A–

John Fahey (1939–2001)

• The Dance of Death and Other Plantation Favorites [1964, Takoma], A–
• The Transfiguration of Blind Joe Death [1965, Takoma], A–
• Of Rivers and Religion [1972, Collectors' Choice], A
• After the Ball [1973, Collectors' Choice], A
• The Best of John Fahey 1959–1977 [1967–77, Takoma], A–
• The Best of John Fahey, Vol. 2: 1964–1983 [1964–83, Takoma], A–

Ferron (1952– )

• Testimony [1981, Philo], A–

Dori Freeman

• Dori Freeman [2015, Free Dirt], A–
• Letters Never Read [2017, MRI], A–

Rhiannon Giddens (1977– )

• Our Native Daughters: Songs of Our Native Daughters [2019, Smithsonian Folkways], A–

Beverly Glenn-Copeland (1944– )

• Transmissions: The Music of Beverly Glenn-Copeland [1970–2019, Transgressive], A–

Arlo Guthrie (1947– )

• Alice's Restaurant [1967, Reprise], A–

Woody Guthrie (1912–67)

• Dust Bowl Ballads [1940, Rounder], A–
• This Land Is Your Land: The Asch Recordings, Vol. 1 [1944–47, Smithsonian/Folkways], A
• Hard Travelin': The Asch Recordings, Vol. 3 [1944–49, Smithsonian/Folkways], A–
• Buffalo Skinners: The Asch Recordings, Vol. 4 [1944–45, Smithsonian/Folkways], A–

The Hackberry Ramblers [1933– ]

• Cajun Boogie [1992, Flying Fish], A–

Brian Harnetty

• American Winter [2007, Atavistic], A–

Holy Modal Rounders [1963– ]

• Holy Modal Rounders 1 & 2 [1964, Fantasy], A
• Alleged in Their Own Time [1975, Rounder], A–
• Unholy Modal Rounders: Unholier Than Thou 7/7/77 [1977, Don Giovanni, 2CD], A
• Too Much Fun [1999, Rounder], A–
• I Make a Wish for a Potato [1975–99, Rounder], A

Michael Hurley (1941– )

• w/Unholy Modal Rounders, Jeffrey Frederick and the Clamtones: Have Moicy! [1976, Rounder], A+
• Long Journey [1976, Rounder], A–

Hurray for the Riff Raff

• The Past Is Still Alive [2024, Nonesuch], A–

Reverend Charlie Jackson (1932–2006)

• God's Got It: The Legendary Booker and Jackson Singles [1970–78, CaseQuarter], A–

Si Kahn (1941– )

• New Wood [1974, Philo], A–

John Kruth (1955– )

• Splitsville [2008, Smiling Fez], A–
• The Drunken Wind of Life: The Poem/Songs of Tin Ujevic [2015, Smiling Fez], A–
• w/La Società dei Musici: Forever Ago [2018, Ars Sploetium], A–

Eddy Lawrence

• Whiskers and Scales and Other Tall Tales [1989, Snowplow], A–

Jeffrey Lewis (1975– )

• 12 Crass Songs [2007, Rough Trade], A–
• Jeffrey Lewis and Los Bolts: Manhattan [2015, Rough Trade], A–
• Works by Tuli Kupferberg (1923–2010) [2018, Don Giovanni], A–
• Jeffrey Lewis and the Voltage: Bad Wiring [2019, Don Giovanni], A–

Lost Bayou Ramblers [2001– ]

• Kalenda [2017, Rice Pump], A–

Ewan MacColl (1915–89)

• Black and White: The Definitive Collection [1972–86, Green Linnet], A–

Leyla McCalla (1985– )

• Capitalist Blues [2019, Jazz Village], A–
• Sun Without the Heat [2024, Anti-], A–

Mary McCaslin (1946–2022)

• Way Out West [1973, Philo], A–
• Old Friends [1977, Philo], A–
• w/Jim Ringer: The Bramble and the Rose [1978, Philo], A–
• Things We Said Today: The Best of Mary McCaslin [1973–78, Philo], A

Liz McComb

• The Spirit of New Orleans [2001, GVE/Sunnyside], A–

Kate and Anna McGarrigle [1976– ]

• Kate and Anna McGarrigle [1976, Hannibal], A
• Dancer with Bruised Knees [1977, Hannibal], A+
• Tell My Sister [1977–78, Nonesuch, 3CD], A
• Love Over and Over [1983, Polydor], A–
• Odditties [1973–90, Querbeservice], A–
• Matapedia [1996, Hannibal], A–

Lori McKenna (1968– )

• The Bird and the Rifle [2016, CN/Thirty Tigers], A–
• The Tree [2018, CN/Thirty Tigers], A–
• The Balladeer [2020, CN], A–
• 1988 [2023, CN], A–

Anaïs Mitchell (1981– )

• w/Jefferson Hamer: Child Ballads [2013, Wilderland], A–

Katy Moffatt (1950– )

• The Greatest Show on Earth [1993, Philo], A–

Jenni Muldaur (1965– )

• w/Teddy Thompson: Once More (Sing the Country Duets) [2021–2023, Sun], A–

Fred Neil (1937–2001)

• Fred Neil [1967, Water], A–

The New Lost City Ramblers [1958– ]

• The Early Years 1958–1962 [1958–62, Smithsonian/Folkways], A–
• Volume II: Out Standing in Their Field [1963–73, Smithsonian/Folkways], A–

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band [1965– ]

• Will the Circle Be Unbroken [1972, EMI, 2 CD], A

Utah Phillips (1935– )

• w/Ani DiFranco: The Past Didn't Go Anywhere [1996, Righteous Babe], A–

Rod Picott (1964– )

• Welding Burns [2011, Welding Rod], A–

John Prine (1946–2020)

• John Prine [1971, Atlantic], A
• Diamonds in the Rough [1972, Atlantic], A–
• Sweet Revenge [1973, Atlantic], A
• Common Sense [1975, Atlantic], A
• Prime Prine: The Best of John Prine [1971–75, Atlantic], A–
• Storm Windows [1980, Oh Boy], A–
• Aimless Love [1984, Oh Boy], A–
• The Missing Years [1991, Oh Boy], A
• Great Days: The John Prine Anthology [1971–91, Rhino, 2 CD], A+
• Lost Dogs and Mixed Blessings [1995, Oh Boy], A
• In Spite of Ourselves [1999, Oh Boy], A
• Fair and Square [2005, Oh Boy], A–
• For Better, or Worse [2016, Oh Boy], A–
• The Tree of Forgiveness [2018, Oh Boy], A–

The Ragpicker String Band

• The Ragpicker String Band [2015, Yellow Dog], A–

Bonnie Rideout (1962– )

• Celtic Circles [1994, Maggie's Music], A–

Jean Ritchie (1922–2015)

• w/Doc Watson: Jean Ritchie and Doc Watson at Folk City [1963, Smithsonian/Folkways], A–

Pete Seeger (1919–2014)

• The Complete Bowdoin College Concert 1960 [1960, Smithsonian Folkways, 2CD], A–
• The Essential Pete Seeger [1941–66, Columbia/Legacy], A–

Chris Smither (1944– )

• All About the Bones [2024, Signature Sounds], A–

Todd Snider (1966– )

• Songs for the Daily Planet [1994, MCA], A–
• That Was Me 1994–1998 [1994–98, Hip-O], A–
• Live: Near Truths and Hotel Rooms [2003, Oh Boy], A
• East Nashville Skyline [2004, Oh Boy], A
• Peace, Love and Anarchy (Rarities, B-Sides and Demos, Vol. 1) [2000–2004, Oh Boy], A–
• The Devil You Know [2006, New Door], A
• Crank It, We're Doomed [2007, Aimless], A–
• Peace Queer [2008, Aimless, EP], A–
• The Excitement Plan [2009, Yep Roc], A–
• Live: The Storyteller [2010, Aimless, 2CD], A
• Agnostic Hymns and Stoner Fables [2012, Aimless/Thirty Tigers], A
• Cash Cabin Sessions, Vol. 3 [2019, Aimless], A–
• First Agnostic Church of Hope and Wonder [2021, Aimless], A–
• Live: Return of the Storyteller [2021, Aimless, 2CD], A–

The Soul Stirrers

• w/R.H. Harris: Shine on Me [1950, Specialty], A–

Peter Stampfel (1938– )

• w/Steve Weber: Going Nowhere Fast [1981, Rounder], A–
• Peter Stampfel and the Bottlecaps: Demo '84 [1984, Don Giovanni], A
• You Must Remember This [1995, Gert Town], A–
• The Jig Is Up [1984–99, Blue Navigator], A–
• Antonia's 11 [1975–2006, Blue Navigator], A–
• w/Jeffrey Lewis: Come on Board [2011, self-released], A–
• The Sound of America [2013, Red Newt], A–
• Have Moicy 2: The Hoodoo Bash [2015, Red Newt], A–
• Peter Stampfel and the Brooklyn & Lower Manhattan Fiddle/Mandolin Swarm: Holiday for Strings [2016, Don Giovanni], A–

The Staple Singers [1955– ]

• Freedom Highway [1965–67, Columbia/Legacy], A–
• Stax Profiles [1969–73, Stax], A–

Swan Silvertones [1938– ]

• Love Lifted Me / My Rock [1952–53, Specialty], A–
• Swan Silvertones / Singin' in My Soul [1956–60, Vee-Jay], A–
• Amen Amen Amen: The Essential Collection [1952–63, Rockbeat/Archive Alive], A–
• Get Your Soul Right [1956–65, New Cross], A–

Rosetta Tharpe (1915–73)

• The Swinging Gospel Queen 1939–1947 [1939–47, Blues Collection], A–

Richard Thompson (1949– )

• w/Linda Thompson: I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight [1974, Hannibal], A–
• w/Linda Thompson: Hokey Pokey [1974, Hannibal], A
• w/Linda Thompson: Pour Down Like Silver [1975, Hannibal], A–
• Live (More or Less) [1977, Island, 2 LP], A–
• w/Linda Thompson: Shoot Out the Lights [1982, Hannibal], A
• Hand of Kindness [1983, Hannibal], A–
• Watching the Dark: The History of Richard Thompson [1972–92, Hannibal, 3 CD], A–
• Dream Attic [2010, Shout! Factory], A–

Anna Tivel

• Small Believer [2017, Fluff and Gravy], A–

Loudon Wainwright III (1947– )

• Attempted Mustache [1973, Columbia/Legacy], A–
• Unrequited [1975, Columbia/Legacy], A
• Career Moves [1993, Virgin], A
• Grown Man [1995, Virgin], A–
• Last Man on Earth [2001, Red House], A–
• Recovery [2008, Yep Roc], A–
• High Wide and Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project [2008–2009, 161, 2 CD], A
• 10 Songs for the New Depression [2010, 2nd Story Sound], A–
• Older Than My Old Man Now [2012, 2nd Story Sound], A
• Lifetime Achievement [2022, StorySound], A–

Doc Watson (1923–2012)

• Doc Watson [1964, Vanguard], A
• w/Clarence Ashley: The Original Folkways Recordings of Doc Watson and Clarence Ashley [1960–67, Smithsonian/Folkways, 2 CD], A–
• The Best of Doc Watson 1964–1968 [1964–68, Vanguard], A–
• Memories [1975, Sugar Hill], A–

Gillian Welch (1967– )

• Revival [1996, Almo], A–
• Time (The Revelator) [2001, Acony], A–

William Elliott Whitmore (1978– )

• Field Songs [2011, Anti-], A–

Ann Zimmerman

• Blue Wild Indigo [2004, A-Z Music], A–

Various Artists

• American Primitive Vol. II [1897–1939, Revenant, 2 CD], A–
• Anthology of American Folk Music [(1997), Smithsonian Folkways, 6 CD], A
• Broken Hearts and Dirty Windows: Songs of John Prine, Vol. 2 [2021, Oh Boy], A–
• Folkways: A Vision Shared — A Tribute to Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly [1988, Columbia], A–
• Folkways: The Original Vision [(1989), Smithsonian/Folkways], A–
• Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music, Volume 4 [1928–40, Revenant, 2 CD], A
• Note of Hope: A Celebration of Woody Guthrie [2011, 429 Records], A–
• Southern Journey, Vol. 2: Ballads and Breakdowns [1959, Rounder], A–
• A Cajun Music Anthology, Vol. 2: Raise Your Window [1928–41, Country Music Foundation], A–
• Mardi Gras Party [1971–90, Rounder], A–
• Jubilation! Great Gospel Performances, Vol. 3: Country Gospel [(1992), Rhino], A
• Negro Religious Field Recordings: From Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee (1934–1942): Vol. 1 [1934–42, Document], A–
• Sacred Soul of North Carolina [2020, Bible & Tire], A–
• Something Got a Hold of Me: A Treasury of Sacred Music [(1990), RCA], A–