American Folk
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).
Asylum Street Spankers [19962014]
- Spanker Madness [2000, Spanks-a-Lot], B+(***)
- Mercurial [2004, Yellow Dog], B+(***)
- What? And Give Up Show Biz? [2008, Yellow Dog, 2CD], B+(***)
- The Last Laugh [2014, Yellow Dog], A
Daniel Bachman (1989 )
- When the Roses Come Again [2023, Three Lobed], B+(*)
Joan Baez (1941 )
- Joan Baez Volume 1 [1960, Vanguard], C
- 20th Century Masters The Millennium Collection: The Best of Joan Baez [197175, A&M], C+
- Greatest Hits [197276, A&M], D+
Sam Baker
- Mercy [2003, Blue Lime Stone], A
- Pretty World [2006, Blue Lime Stone], B+(***)
- Cotton [2009, Music Road], B+(***)
- Say Grace [2013, self-released], B+(***)
- Land of Doubt [2017, self-released], B+(*)
- Horses and Stars [2018, self-released], B+(*)
Jeff Black
- Tin Lily [2005, Dualtone], B+
Black Prairie [2010 ]
- A Tear in the Eye Is a Wound in the Haeart [2012, Sugar Hill], B+(**)
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
- One Summer Night: Live at the 2018 Subdued Stringband Jamboree [2023, Same Room], B+(**)
Jake Blount (1995 )
- Spider Tales [2020, Free Dirt], B+(***)
- The New Faith [2022, Smithsonian Folkways], B+(**)
Laura Boosinger
- Down the Road [1998, Laura's Label], B+(***)
Kate Brislin
- w/Katy Moffatt: Sleepless Nights [1996, Rounder], B
David Bromberg (1945 )
- Wanted Dead or Alive [1974, Columbia], B
- My Own House / You Should See the Rest of the Band [197880, Fantasy], B+
- The Blues, the Whole Blues and Nothing but the Blues [2016, Red House], B+(***)
Richard Buckner
Tré Burt
- You, Yeah, You [2021, Oh Boy], B+(**)
- Traffic Fiction [2023, Oh Boy], B+(*)
Terry Callier
- Occasional Rain [1972, Verve], B
- What Color Is Love [1973, Verve], B
Kate Campbell (1961 )
- Songs From the Levee [1995, Compadre], B+
- Moonpie Dreams [1997, Compass], B+
- The Portable Kate Campbell [2004, Compadre], A
- Sing Me Out [2004, Compadre], B+
- Blues and Lamentations [2005, Large River Music], A
- Two Nights in Texas [2010, Large River Music], B+(***)
Carolina Chocolate Drops [2005 ]
- Dona Got a Ramblin' Mind [20052006, Music Maker], B+(*)
- Genuine Negro Jig [2009, Nonesuch], B+(***)
- Carolina Chocolate Drops / Luminescent Orchestrii [2011, Nonesuch, EP], B+(***)
- Leaving Eden [2011, Nonesuch], B+(***)
Chuck & Albert
- Énergie [2009, chuckandalbert.com], B+(**)
Lindsay Clark
- Carpe Noctem [2022, Audio Sport], B
Slaid Cleaves (1964 )
- Together Through the Dark [2023, Play Hard], B+(***)
Connie Converse (192474)
- How Sad, How Lovely [1954, Squirrel Thing], B+(**)
Joachim Cooder (1978 )
- Over That Road I'm Bound [2020, Nonesuch], B
Rose Cousins (1977 )
- Natural Conclusion [2017, Old Farm Pony], B
Walter Crockett
- Children So Long [2022, self-released], B+(**)
Buck Curran
- One Evening and Other Folks Songs [20212022, Obsolete/ESP-Disk], B+(*)
Karen Dalton (193893)
- 1966 [1966, Delmore Recording Society], B
- It's So Hard to Tell Who's Going to Love You the Best [1969, Koch International], B
- In My Own Time [1971, Light in the Attic], B+(**)
Barbara Dane (1927 )
- Trouble in Mind [1957, Stardust], B+(*)
- Anthology of American Folk Songs [1959, Empire Music Group], A
- w/Earl "Fatha" Hines: Livin' With the Blues [1959, Fresh Sound], B+(**)
- On My Way [1962, Fresh Sound], B+(***)
- w/Lightnin' Hopkins: Sometimes I Believe She Loves Me [196165, Arhoolie], B+(**)
- w/The Chambers Brothers: Barbara Dane and the Chambers Brothers [1966, Folkways], B+(*)
- FTA! Songs of the GI Resistance [1970, Paredon], B+(***)
- I Hate the Capitalist System [1973, Paredon], B+(*)
- w/Tammy Hall: Throw It Away . . . [2016, Dreadnaught Music], A
Smoke Dawson (1935 )
- Fiddle [1971, Tompkins Square], B+(***)
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
- The Trackless Woods [2015, Flariella], B+(*)
- Working on a World [2023, Flariella], A
Brett Dennen
- So Much More [2006, Dualtone], B+(***)
Garry Dial
- w/Terre Roche: Us an' Them [2008, Just Dial Roche], C
William Michael Dillon
- Black Robes and Lawyers [2011, self-released], B+(**)
Willie Dunn (19422013)
- Creation Never Sleeps, Creation Never Dies: The Willie Dunn Anthology [196884, Light in the Attic], B+(***)
Fred Eaglesmith (1957 )
- Ralph's Last Show [2001, Signature Sounds, 2 CD], A
- 6 Volt [2012, Bluewater Music], B+(*)
Erin Rae
- Putting on Airs [2018, Single Lock], B+(*)
- Lighten Up [2022, Good Memory], B+(*)
John Fahey (19392001)
- 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 19591977 [196777, Takoma], A
- The Best of John Fahey, Vol. 2: 19641983 [196483, Takoma], A
- Return of the Repressed: The John Fahey Anthology [196490, Rhino, 2 CD], B+
Ferron (1952 )
- Testimony [1981, Philo], A
- Shadows on a Dime [1984, Redwood], B+
Dom Flemons
- Prospect Hill [2014, Fat Possum], B+(**)
Four Bitchin' Babes [1991 ]
- Beyond Bitchin' [2000, Shanachie], B
Jackson C. Frank (194399)
- Jackson C. Frank [1965, EMI Columbia], B+(**)
Dori Freeman
- Dori Freeman [2015, Free Dirt], A
- Letters Never Read [2017, MRI], A
- Every Single Star [2019, Blue Hens Music], B+(***)
- Ten Thousand Roses [2021, Blue Hens Music], B+(*)
Myriam Gendron
- Ma Délire: Songs of Love, Lost and Found [2021, self-released], B+(**)
- Mayday [2024, Thrill Jockey], B+(**)
Otis Gibbs
- Grandpa Walked a Picketline [2008, Thirty Tigers], B+(***)
Claudia Gibson
- The Fields of Chazy [2024, self-released], B+(**)
Rhiannon Giddens (1977 )
- Tomorrow Is My Turn [2015, Nonesuch], B+(**)
- Freedom Highway [2017, Nonesuch], B+(**)
- Our Native Daughters: Songs of Our Native Daughters [2019, Smithsonian Folkways], A
- w/Francesco Turrisi: There Is No Other [2019, Nonesuch], B+(***)
- w/Francesco Turrisi: They're Calling Me Home [2021, Nonesuch], B+(***)
- You're the One [2023, Nonesuch], B+(**)
Vance Gilbert
- Nearness of You [2015, Disismye Music], B
Eliza Gilkyson (1950 )
- Live From Austin TX [2001, New West], B+(***)
Beverly Glenn-Copeland (1944 )
- Keyboard Fantasies [1986, Atlast], B+(**)
- Live at Le Guess Who? 2018 [2018, Transgressive], B+(***)
- Transmissions: The Music of Beverly Glenn-Copeland [19702019, Transgressive], A
Charles Wesley Godwin
- Seneca [2019, self-released], B+(*)
S.G. Goodman
- Teeth Marks [2022, Verve Forecast], B+(***)
Steve Goodman (194884)
- No Big Surprise: The Steve Goodman Anthology [(1994), Red Pajamas, 2 CD], B+
Patty Griffin (1964 )
- Impossible Dream [2004, ATO], B+
- Children Running Through [2007, ATO], B
- Downtown Church [2010, Credential], B+(*)
- American Kid [2013, New West], B+(***)
- Servant of Love [2015, PGM], B+(**)
Stefan Grossman (1945 )
- Guitar Landscapes [1990, Shanachie], B+(*)
Arlo Guthrie (1947 )
- Alice's Restaurant [1967, Reprise], A
- Hobo's Lullaby [1972, Reprise], B
- Amigo [1976, Reprise], B+
- The Best of Arlo Guthrie [(1977), Reprise], B+
Woody Guthrie (191267)
- Dust Bowl Ballads [1940, Rounder], A
- The Library of Congress Recordings [1940, Rounder, 3 CD], B
- This Land Is Your Land: The Asch Recordings, Vol. 1 [194447, Smithsonian/Folkways], A
- Muleskinner Blues: The Asch Recordings, Vol. 2 [1944, Smithsonian/Folkways], B+(***)
- Hard Travelin': The Asch Recordings, Vol. 3 [194449, Smithsonian/Folkways], A
- Buffalo Skinners: The Asch Recordings, Vol. 4 [194445, Smithsonian/Folkways], A
- Struggle [1946, Smithsonian/Folkways], B+
Brian Harnetty
- American Winter [2007, Atavistic], A
- w/Bonnie "Prince" Billy: Silent City [2009, Atavistic], B+(**)
- The Star-Faced One: From the Sun Ra/El Saturn Archives [2013, Atavistic], B+(*)
- Rawhead and Bloodybones [2015, Dust-to-Digital], B+(**)
John Hartford (19372001)
- RCA Country Legends [196770, Buddha], B+(***)
- Me Oh My, How the Time Does Fly: A John Hartford Anthology [197684, Flying Fish], B+(**)
Kirby Heard
- Mama's Biscuits [2019, self-released], B+(**)
The Henrys
- Paydirt [2020, HR-2019], B+(*)
Tish Hinojosa (1955 )
- Culture Swing [1990, A&M], B+
- The Best of the Sandia: Watermelon 19911992 [199192, Watermelon], B
- Dreaming of the Labyrinth / Soñar del Laberinto [1996, Warner Brothers], B+(***)
Robin Holcomb (1954 )
- Robin Holcomb [1990, Elektra], B+(*)
- w/Wayne Horvitz: Solos [2004, Songlines], B+
Roscoe Holcomb (191281)
- The High Lonesome Sound [196174, Smithsonian/Folkways], B+(*)
Lonnie Holley (1950 )
- Keeping a Record of It [2013, Dust-to-Digital], B+(**)
- MITH [2018, Jagjaguwar], B
- Oh Me Oh My [2023, Jagjaguwar], B+(*)
Holy Modal Rounders [1963 ]
- Holy Modal Rounders 1 & 2 [1964, Fantasy], A
- Live in 1965 [1965, HMR], B+
- Indian War Whoop [1967, ESP], B
- The Moray Eels Eat the Holy Modal Rounders [1969, Water], B+
- Good Taste Is Timeless [1971, Sundazed], B+
- Bird Song: Live 1971 [1971, Water], B+
- Alleged in Their Own Time [1975, Rounder], A
- Unholy Modal Rounders: Unholier Than Thou 7/7/77 [1977, Don Giovanni, 2CD], A
- Last Round [1979, Adelphi], B+
- Too Much Fun [1999, Rounder], A
- I Make a Wish for a Potato [197599, Rounder], A
Cisco Houston (191861)
- The Folkways Years 19441961 [194461, Smithsonian/Folkways], B+
Lena Hughes (190498)
- Queen of the Flat Top Guitar [2013, Tompkins Square, EP], B+(**)
Michael Hurley (1941 )
- First Songs [1964, Folkways], B
- Armchair Boogie [1971, Warner Brothers], B+
- w/Unholy Modal Rounders, Jeffrey Frederick and the Clamtones: Have Moicy! [1976, Rounder], A+
- Long Journey [1976, Rounder], A
- Snockgrass [1980, Rounder], B+
- Watertower [1988, Fundamental], B
- Down in Dublin [2004, Blue Navigator], B+
- Ancestral Swamp [2007, Gnomonsong], B+(**)
- Ida Con Snock [2009, Gnomonsong], B+(**)
- Time of the Foxgloves [2021, No Quarter], B+(**)
Hurray for the Riff Raff
- My Dearest Darkest Neighbor [2013, Mod Mobillian/This Is American Music], B+(**)
- Small Town Heroes [2014, ATO], B+(**)
- The Navigator [2017, ATO], B+(*)
- Life on Earth [2021, Nonesuch], B+(***)
- The Past Is Still Alive [2024, Nonesuch], A
Kara Jackson (2000 )
- Why Does the Earth Give Us People to Love? [2023, September], B+(*)
Ella Jenkins (1924 )
- Little Johnny Brown [1971, Smithsonian/Folkways], B+(***)
Joy Kills Sorrow
- This Unknown Science [2011, Signature Sounds], B+(**)
Si Kahn (1941 )
- New Wood [1974, Philo], A
- Home [1979, Flying Fish], B+
Robert Earl Keen Jr. (1956 )
- Live From Austin TX [2001, New West], B+(*)
- Ready for Confetti [2011, Lost Highway], B+(**)
Kingston Trio [19561968]
- Capitol Collectors Series [195664, Capitol], B+
Leo Kottke (1945 )
- Ice Water [1974, One Way], B
John Kruth (1955 )
- Banshee Mandolin [1992, Flying Fish], B+(***)
- Eva Destruction [2006, Crustacean], B+(**)
- 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
- Love Letters From the Lazaretto [2020, self-released], B+(***)
Jim Kweskin (1940 )
- Acoustic Swing and Jug [(1998), Vanguard], B+
- Never Too Late: Duets With Friends [2024, Storysound], B+(***)
Pokey LaFarge
- Middle of Everywhere [2011, Continental Song City], B+(**)
Stephanie Lambring
- Autonomy [2020, self-released], B+(**)
Christine Lavin (1951 )
- Future Fossils [1984, Philo], B+
- Good Thing He Can't Read My Mind [1988, Philo], B+(**)
- Compass [1991, Philo], B+
Eddy Lawrence
- Up the Road [1988, Snowplow], B+
- Whiskers and Scales and Other Tall Tales [1989, Snowplow], A
- Used Parts [1992, Snowplow], B+(**)
Jeffrey Lewis (1975 )
- The Last Time I Did Acid I Went Insane and Other Favorites [2002, Rough Trade], B+(*)
- It's the Ones Who've Cracked That the Light Shines Through [2003, Rough Trade/Sanctuary], B+(***)
- 12 Crass Songs [2007, Rough Trade], A
- 'Em Are I [2009, Rough Trade], B+(**)
- A Turn in the Dream-Songs [2011, Rough Trade], B+(***)
- w/Peter Stampfel: Hey Hey It's . . . the Jeffrey Lewis and Peter Stampfel Band [2013, self-released], B+(*)
- Jeffrey Lewis and the Jrams [2014, self-released], B+(***)
- "A Loot-Beg Bootleg" [2014, self-released], B+(***)
- Jeffrey Lewis and Los Bolts: Manhattan [2015, Rough Trade], A
- w/Peter Stampfel: Both Ways (The Great Lost 2017 Double-Album) [2017, self-released], B+(**)
- Works by Tuli Kupferberg (19232010) [2018, Don Giovanni], A
- Jeffrey Lewis and the Voltage: Bad Wiring [2019, Don Giovanni], A
- When That Really Old Cat Dies [20142018, self-released, EP], B+(*)
- Asides and B-Sides (20142018) [20142018, self-released], B+(***)
Gordon Lightfoot (19382023)
- Gord's Gold [(1975), Reprise], B
Li'l Andy
- Li'l Andy & Karaoke Cowboy: Home in Landfill Acres [2008, self-released], B+(**)
- All Who Thirst Come to the Waters [2010, self-released], B+(*)
- While the Engines Burn [2024, self-released], B
- All the Love Songs Lied to Us [2019, self-released], B+(**)
- The Complete Recordings of Hezekiah Procter (19251930) [2022, Back-to-Wax], B+(***)
Bascom Lamar Lunsford (18821973)
- Ballads, Banjo Tunes and Sacred Songs of Western North Carolina [192849, Smithsonian/Folkways], B+(*)
Mama's Broke
- Count the Wicked [2017, self-released], B+(***)
- Narrow Line [2022, Free Dirt], B+(**)
Leyla McCalla (1985 )
- Vari-Colored Songs: A Tribute to Langston Hughes [2013, Smithsonian Folkways], B+(***)
- A Day for the Hunter, a Day for the Prey [2016, Jazz Village], B+(**)
- Capitalist Blues [2019, Jazz Village], A
- Breaking the Thermometer [2022, Anti-], B+(***)
- Sun Without the Heat [2024, Anti-], A
Mary McCaslin (19462022)
- Way Out West [1973, Philo], A
- Prairie in the Sky [1975, Philo], B+(***)
- 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 [197378, Philo], A
- A Life and Time [1981, Flying Fish], B+(***)
- Broken Promises [1994, Philo], B+(**)
- Better Late Than Never [2006, Mary McCaslin Music], B+(***)
Kate and Anna McGarrigle [1976 ]
- Kate and Anna McGarrigle [1976, Hannibal], A
- Dancer with Bruised Knees [1977, Hannibal], A+
- Tell My Sister [197778, Nonesuch, 3CD], A
- Pronto Monto [1978, Warner Brothers], B
- French Record [1981, Hannibal], B+
- Love Over and Over [1983, Polydor], A
- Heartbeats Accelerating [1990, Private], B
- Odditties [197390, Querbeservice], A
- Matapedia [1996, Hannibal], A
- The McGarrigle Hour [1998, Hannibal], B
Lori McKenna (1968 )
- Paper Wings and Halo [2000, Orchard], B+(**)
- The Kitchen Tapes [2001, Gyrox], B+(*)
- Pieces of Me [2001, Signature Sounds], B+(***)
- Bittertown [2004, Signature Sounds], B+(**)
- Unglamorous [2007, Warner Brothers], B+(***)
- Lorraine [2011, Signature Sounds], B+(*)
- Massachusetts [2013, Liz Rose Music], B+(***)
- The Bird and the Rifle [2016, CN/Thirty Tigers], A
- The Tree [2018, CN/Thirty Tigers], A
- The Balladeer [2020, CN], A
- Christmas Is Right Here [2021, CN, EP], B+(***)
- 1988 [2023, CN], A
Loreena McKennitt (1957 )
- An Ancient Muse [2006, Verve/Quinlan Road], B+(**)
Erin McKeown (1977 )
- Sing Your Sinners [2006, Nettwerk], B+(***)
Anaïs Mitchell (1981 )
- Hadestown [2010, Righteous Babe], B
- Young Man in America [2012, Wilderland], B+(*)
- w/Jefferson Hamer: Child Ballads [2013, Wilderland], A
- Anaïs Mitchell [2022, BMG], B+(**)
Chad Mitchell (1939 )
- The Chad Mitchell Trio Collection: The Original Kapp Recordings [196062, Varese], B
Hugh Moffatt (1948 )
- w/Katy Moffatt: Dance Me Outside [1992, Philo], B
Katy Moffatt (1950 )
- The Greatest Show on Earth [1993, Philo], A
Bill Morrissey (19512011)
- North [1986, Philo], B+(*)
- Bill Morrissey [1991, Philo], B+(*)
- w/Greg Brown: Friend of Mine [1993, Philo], B+(**)
Jenni Muldaur (1965 )
- Jenni Muldaur [1992, Reprise], B
- w/Teddy Thompson: Once More (Sing the Country Duets) [20212023, Sun], A
Zoe Muth
- Zoe Muth and the Lost High Rollers: Sarlight Hotel [2011, Signature Sounds], B+(***)
Fred Neil (19372001)
- Fred Neil [1967, Water], A
Kinloch Nelson (1950 )
- Partly on Time: Recordings 19681970 [196870, Tompkins Square], B+(*)
Tara Nevins
- Mule to Ride [1999, Sugar Hill], B+(*)
The New Lost City Ramblers [1958 ]
- The Early Years 19581962 [195862, Smithsonian/Folkways], A
- Volume II: Out Standing in Their Field [196373, Smithsonian/Folkways], A
- There Ain't No Way Out [1997, Smithsonian/Folkways], B+
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band [1965 ]
- Will the Circle Be Unbroken [1972, EMI, 2 CD], A
- Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Vol. 2 [1989, MCA/Universal], B+
Phil Ochs (194076)
- The War Is Over: The Best of Phil Ochs [196770, A&M], C
- There But for Fortune [(1989), Elektra], B
Odetta (1930 )
- To Ella [1998, Silverwolf], B
Maura O'Connell (1958 )
- Blue Is the Colour of Hope [1992, Warner Brothers], B
Ol' Savannah [2011 ]
- They Lie in Wait [2022, Anticapital], B+(**)
J.S. Ondara
- Folk N' Roll, Vol. 1: Tales of Isolation [2020, Verve Forecast], B
- Spanish Villager No: 3 [2022, Verve Forecast], B+(*)
Charlie Parr (1967 )
- Hollandale [2014, Chaperone], B+(*)
- Stumpjumper [2015, Red House], B+(**)
- Little Sun [2024, Smithsonian Folkways], B+(*)
Joel Paterson
- Wheelhouse Rag: The Original Fingerstyle Guitar Instrumentals of Joel Paterson [2021, Jalopy], B+(**)
Peter, Paul and Mary [1961 ]
- The Best of Peter, Paul and Mary: Ten Years Together [196269, Warner Brothers], B
- The Very Best of Peter Paul and Mary [19622003, Warner Brothers/Rhino], C+
Utah Phillips (1935 )
- I've Got to Know [1991, AK Press], B
- w/Ani DiFranco: The Past Didn't Go Anywhere [1996, Righteous Babe], A
- w/Ani DiFranco: Fellow Workers [1999, Righteous Babe], B+
Phranc (1957 )
- Folksinger [1985, Island], B
Rod Picott (1964 )
- Welding Burns [2011, Welding Rod], A
- Hang Your Hopes on a Crooked Nail [2014, Welding Rod], B+(***)
- Fortune [2015, Welding Rod], B+(***)
Allison Pierce (1975 )
- Year of the Rabbit [2017, Masterworks], B+(*)
Chris Pierce
- American Silence [2021, Pierce], B+(*)
Jana Pochop
- The Astronaut [2022, self-released], B+(**)
John Prine (19462020)
- Chicago '70: The Early Sessions [1970, Hobo], B+(***)
- The Singing Mailman Delivers [1970, Oh Boy, 2CD], B+(***)
- 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 [197175, Atlantic], A
- Bruised Orange [1978, Asylum], B+
- September 78 [1978, Oh Boy], B+(***)
- Pink Cadillac [1979, Asylum], B
- Storm Windows [1980, Oh Boy], A
- Aimless Love [1984, Oh Boy], A
- Live in Asheville '86 [1986, Oh Boy], B+(**)
- German Afternoons [1988, Oh Boy], B+
- John Prine Live [1988, Oh Boy], B+(*)
- The Missing Years [1991, Oh Boy], A
- Great Days: The John Prine Anthology [197191, Rhino, 2 CD], A+
- Lost Dogs and Mixed Blessings [1995, Oh Boy], A
- Live on Tour [1997, Oh Boy], B+
- In Spite of Ourselves [1999, Oh Boy], A
- Souvenirs [2000, Oh Boy], B+
- Fair and Square [2005, Oh Boy], A
- w/Mac Wiseman: Standard Songs for Average People [2007, Oh Boy], B+(*)
- In Person & on Stage [2010, Oh Boy], B+(**)
- For Better, or Worse [2016, Oh Boy], A
- The Tree of Forgiveness [2018, Oh Boy], A
Joe Pug
- Messenger [2010, Lightning Rod], B+(**)
The Ragpicker String Band
- The Ragpicker String Band [2015, Yellow Dog], A
Dave Rawlings
- Dave Rawlings Machine: Nashville Obsolete [2015, Acony], B+(*)
Leon Redbone (19492019)
- On the Track [1975, Warner Brothers], B+
Dan Reeder (1954 )
- Dan Reeder [2004, Oh Boy], B
- Every Which Way [2020, Oh Boy], B
Jenny Reynolds
- Any Kind of Angel [2020, Pretty Okay Music], B+(**)
Jim Ringer (193692)
- Waitin' for the Hard Times to Go [1972, Folk-Legacy], B+(*)
- The Band of Jesse James: Best of Jim Ringer [197381, Rounder], B+(*)
Jean Ritchie (19222015)
- w/Doc Watson: Jean Ritchie and Doc Watson at Folk City [1963, Smithsonian/Folkways], A
Emily Scott Robinson
- Traveling Mercies [2019, Tone Tree Music], B+(***)
Terre Roche (1953 )
- Inner Adult [2024, self-released], B+(**)
Stan Rogers (194983)
- Fogarty's Cove [1977, Fogarty's Cove], B
Jack Rose (19712009)
- Luck in the Valley [2009, Thrill Jockey], B+(*)
Kevin Roth (1957 )
- Between the Notes [2006, Star Gazer], B
Mike Seeger (1933 )
- Solo Oldtime Country Music [1991, Rounder], B
- Third Annual Farewell Reunion [1994, Rounder], B+
- Southern Banjo Sounds: An Anthology of Style and Technique [1998, Smithsonian/Folkways], B+
Pete Seeger (19192014)
- Darling Corey and Goofing-Off Suite [195055, Smithsonian/Folkways], B+
- American Industrial Ballads [1957, Smithsonian/Folkways], B
- The Complete Bowdoin College Concert 1960 [1960, Smithsonian Folkways, 2CD], A
- The Essential Pete Seeger [194166, Columbia/Legacy], A
- If I Had a Hammer: Songs of Hope and Struggle [195598, Smithsonian/Folkways], B+
Joan Shelley (1985 )
- Over and Even [2015, No Quarter], B+(*)
- The Spur [2022, No Quarter], B+(**)
Shel Silverstein (193299)
- The Best of Shel Silverstein: His Words His Songs His Friends [196585, Columbia/Legacy], B
- Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook [2005, Harper Children's Audio], B
Chris Smither (1944 )
- I'm a Stranger Too! [1970, Poppy], B+(**)
- Don't It Drag On [1972, Poppy], B+(***)
- Honeysuckle Dog [1973, Okra-Tone], B
- In Ain't Easy [1984, Adelphi], B+(**)
- Another Way to Find You [1991, Flying Fish], B
- Small Revelations [1997, Hightone], B+(***)
- Drive You Home Again [1999, High Tone], B
- Leave the Light On [2006, Signature Sounds], B+(***)
- Time Stands Still [2009, Signature Sounds], B+(***)
- Hundred Dollar Valentine [2012, Signature Sounds], B+(*)
- Still on the Levee [2014, Signature Sounds, 2CD], B+(*)
- All About the Bones [2024, Signature Sounds], A
The Smothers Brothers
- Sibling Revelry: The Best of the Smothers Brothers [196268, Rhino], B+(**)
Todd Snider (1966 )
- Songs for the Daily Planet [1994, MCA], A
- Step Right Up [1996, MCA], B+(***)
- Step Right Up [1996, MCA], B+(***)
- Viva Satellite [1998, MCA], B+(**)
- That Was Me 19941998 [199498, Hip-O], A
- Happy to Be Here [2000, Oh Boy], B+(***)
- New Connection [2002, Oh Boy], B+(**)
- 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) [20002004, 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
- Time as We Know It: The Songs of Jerry Jeff Walker [2012, Aimless], B+(*)
- Eastside Bulldog [2016, Aimless, EP], B+(***)
- 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
- Songs for the Daily Planet (Purple Version) [2020, Aimless], B+(**)
- Step Right Up (Purple Version) [2020, Aimless], B+(**)
- Viva Satellite (Purple Version) [2020, Aimless], B+(*)
Peter Stampfel (1938 )
- w/Steve Weber: Going Nowhere Fast [1981, Rounder], A
- Peter Stampfel and the Bottlecaps: Demo '84 [1984, Don Giovanni], A
- Peter Stampfel and the Bottlecaps [1986, Rounder], B+
- The People's Republic of Rock n' Roll [1989, Homestead], B+
- You Must Remember This [1995, Gert Town], A
- w/The Dysfunctionells: Not in Our Wildest Dreams [199496, Don Giovanni], B+(*)
- Dook of the Beatniks [1999, Piety Street Files & Archaic], B+(***)
- The Jig Is Up [198499, Blue Navigator], A
- Antonia's 11 [19752006, Blue Navigator], A
- w/Baby Gramps: Outertainment [2010, Red Newt], B+(***)
- w/Zoë Stampfel: Ass in the Air [2010, Jolly Olga], B+(**)
- w/Jeffrey Lewis: Come on Board [2011, self-released], A
- A Sure Sign of Something [2011, KormDigitaal], B+(**)
- The Sound of America [2013, Red Newt], A
- Peter Stampfel and the Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan Banjo Squadron: Better Than Expected [2014, Don Giovanni], B+(**)
- 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
- Peter Stampfel and the Atomic Meta Pagans: The Ordovician Era [2019, Don Giovanni], B+(*)
- Peter Stampfel's 20th Century in 100 Songs [2021, Louisiana Red Hot], B+(**)
- w/Eli Smith, Walker Shepard: Wildernauts [2024, Don Giovanni], B+(**)
Andy Statman
- The Hidden Light [1998, Sony], B+
Styrofoam Winos
- Styrofoam Winos Play Their Favorite M. Hurley Songs [2022, Sophomore Lounge], B+(*)
Sweet Honey in the Rock [1973 ]
- Still on the Journey [1993, Earthbeat], B+
3hattrio
- Lord of the Desert [2018, Okehdokee], B+(**)
Anna Tivel
- Small Believer [2017, Fluff and Gravy], A
Two Nice Girls [19891992]
- 2 Nice Girls [1989, Rough Trade], B
William Tyler (1979 )
- Behold the Spirit [2010, Tompkins Square], B+(**)
- Impossible Truth [2013, Merge], B+(**)
- Modern Country [2016, Merge], B+(*)
- Goes West [2019, Merge], B+(**)
Dave Van Ronk (1937 )
- The Folkways Years (19591961) [195961, Smithsonian/Folkways], B+
Townes Van Zandt (194497)
- For the Sake of a Song [1968, Poppy], B
- High, Low and In Between [1972, Tomato], B
- Sky Blue [1973, Fat Possum], B+(*)
Loudon Wainwright III (1947 )
- Album I [1970, Collectors' Choice Music], B+(*)
- Album II [1971, Collectors' Choice Music], B
- Album III [1972, Columbia], B+
- Attempted Mustache [1973, Columbia/Legacy], A
- Unrequited [1975, Columbia/Legacy], A
- Final Exam [1978, Arista], B
- A Live One [197678, Rounder], B
- Fame and Wealth [1983, Rounder], B
- I'm Alright [1985, Rounder], B+
- More Love Songs [1986, Rounder], B+
- Therapy [1989, Silvertone], B
- History [1992, Charisma], B+
- Career Moves [1993, Virgin], A
- BBC Sessions [197193, Fuel 2000], B+
- Grown Man [1995, Virgin], A
- Little Ship [1998, Charisma], B
- Social Studies [1999, Hannibal], B
- Last Man on Earth [2001, Red House], A
- So Damn Happy [2003, Sanctuary], B+
- Recovery [2008, Yep Roc], A
- High Wide and Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project [20082009, 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
- Haven't Got the Blues (Yet) [2014, 429 Records], B+(*)
- Surviving Twin [2017, StorySound], B+(*)
- Years in the Making [19732018, StorySound, 2CD], B+(***)
- w/Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks: I'd Rather Lead a Band [2019, Search Party], B+(**)
- Lifetime Achievement [2022, StorySound], A
Ryley Walker (1989 )
- All Kinds of You [2014, Tompkins Square], B+(*)
- Primrose Green [2015, Dead Oceans], B+(**)
- Golden Sings That Have Been Sung [2016, Dead Oceans], B+(*)
Abigail Washburn (1979 )
- City of Refuge [2011, Rounder], B
Doc Watson (19232012)
- The Doc Watson Family [1963, Smithsonian/Folkways], B
- Doc Watson [1964, Vanguard], A
- The Essential Doc Watson [196364, Vanguard], B+
- Doc Watson and Son [1965, Vanguard], B+
- w/Clarence Ashley: The Original Folkways Recordings of Doc Watson and Clarence Ashley [196067, Smithsonian/Folkways, 2 CD], A
- The Best of Doc Watson 19641968 [196468, Vanguard], A
- Memories [1975, Sugar Hill], A
Gillian Welch (1967 )
- Revival [1996, Almo], A
- Hell Among the Yearlings [1998, Almo], B+
- Time (The Revelator) [2001, Acony], A
- Boots No. 2: The Lost Songs, Vol. 1 [2002, Acony], B+(*)
- Soul Journey [2003, Acony], B+
- The Harrow and the Harvest [2011, Acony], B+(**)
- w/David Rawlings: All the Good Times Are Past and Gone [2020, Acony], B+(**)
- w/David Rawlings: Woodland [2024, Acony], B+(***)
Don White
- Live at the Somerville Theatre [1995, Lyric Moon], B+
- Brown Eyes Shine [1998, Lumperboy], B+
The White Buffalo
- Shadows, Greys and Evil Ways [2013, Unison Music], B+(**)
William Elliott Whitmore (1978 )
- Field Songs [2011, Anti-], A
- Kilonova [2018, Bloodshot], B+(**)
The Whitmore Sisters [2022 ]
- Ghost Stories [2022, Red House], B+(**)
Dar Williams (1967 )
- End of the Summer [1997, Razor & Tie], B
Yasmin Williams
- Urban Driftwood [2021, Spinster], B+(**)
Ann Zimmerman
- Blue Wild Indigo [2004, A-Z Music], A
Various Artists
- American Polka [(2002), Trikont], B+
- American Primitive Vol. II [18971939, Revenant, 2 CD], A
- Anthology of American Folk Music [(1997), Smithsonian Folkways, 6 CD], A
- The Appalachians [19272003, Dualtone], B
- Beat the Retreat: Songs by Richard Thompson [1994, Capitol], B+
- Beautiful Dreamer: The Songs of Stephen Foster [2004, Emergent], B+(***)
- The Best of Broadside 19611988 [196288, Smithsonian/Folkways, 5 CD], B
- Broken Hearts and Dirty Windows: Songs of John Prine [2010, Oh Boy], B+(**)
- Broken Hearts and Dirty Windows: Songs of John Prine, Vol. 2 [2021, Oh Boy], A
- Close to Home: Old Time Music from Mike Seeger's Collection [195267, Smithsonian/Folkways], B+
- 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 [192840, Revenant, 2 CD], A
- The Harry Smith Connection: A Live Tribute [1998, Smithsonian/Folkways], B+
- Let's Put the Axe to the Axis: Songs of World War II [194145, Smithsonian/Folkways], B
- Link of Chain: A Songwriters' Tribute to Chris Smither [2011, Signature Sounds], B+(**)
- Alan Lomax's American Patchwork [197883, Mississippi], B+(***)
- Native North America, Vol. 1: Aboriginal Folk, Rock, and Country 19661985 [196685, Light in the Attic, 2CD], B+(*)
- Note of Hope: A Celebration of Woody Guthrie [2011, 429 Records], A
- On the Road: A Tribute to John Hartford [2020, Lo Hi], B+(***)
- Putumayo Presents: Americana [20022005, Putumayo World Music], B
- Putumayo Presents: Québec [19932007, Putumayo World Music], B
- The Revenge of Blind Joe Death: The John Fahey Tribute Album [2006, Takoma], B+(**)
- River of Song: A Musical Journey Down the Mississippi [199597, Smithsonian/Folkways, 2 CD], B
- The Rose and the Briar: Death, Love and Liberty in the American Ballad [19272004, Columbia/Legacy], B
- The Rough Guide to Americana [19842001, World Music Network], B
- Southern Journey, Vol. 2: Ballads and Breakdowns [1959, Rounder], A
- Southern Journey, Vol. 3: 61 Highway Mississippi [1959, Rounder], B+(***)
- Tribute to JJ Cale, Volume 1: The Vocal Sessions [2010, Zoho Roots], B
- Wayfaring Strangers: Ladies From the Canyon [196976, Numero Group], B
Introduction