Americana/Folksy Thread

I couldn't find a thread for this genre.

What prompted me to create one is primarily that I've been really enjoying a couple of Americana albums lately:

First is Parker Millsap's album The Very Last Day:




And the other is a band that I wasn't previously familiar with - Shovels and Rope - they have some newer albums but I have really been digging their 2012 effort O' Be Joyful



Feel free to share your latest Americana and Folksy faves

 

The Decemberists are generally more folk than Americana, but their album The King is Dead is one of my favorite Americana albums.

 

Of course these folks are giants of the genre and could occupy their own thread (and more), but my introduction to the Grateful Dead was "Uncle John's Band". It remains a symbol of the Dead's beguiling simplicity for me:

 

Thanks for starting this thread @DigMe. It seems like the older I get the more folk music I listen to. Shovels and Rope reminded me of the song Shovels and Dirt by my favourite Canadian folk The Strumbellas.



I've been obsessed with this track by the Harmaleighs for the last month or so:

 

Two albums I have been caning recently in this vein. Cass McCombs' new album Mangy Love, which is sort of a mix of americana, jazz-rock, and prog, but with that real amorphous Grateful Dead jam band song structure and some utterly caustic lyrics. It's brilliant.



The other is the last record from Jessica Pratt, On Your Own Love Again. Straight up folk troubadour record but inhabits its own crepuscular, intimate, cozy, warm sound-world. The vocal style sounds kinda out there at first listen but - listen again.

 

Loving the chord progressions on that tune. Reminded me of the Kings Of Convenience...

 

I imagine y'all have listened to Alison Krauss and Union Station Live but if you haven't it's a must simply for the stunning, immersive sound:



I got the double CD for like 7 bucks shipped used from Amazon.

 

Sounds like a lot of good stuff to check out. @numbersixx I noticed that Gillian Welch released an album in November that is a throwback to her Revival album - The Official Revival Bootleg. Looks like it's going to be part of a "Boots" series for her. Revival was such a great album - first Welch album that I ever heard.

 

Yes, I have it. It's mostly stripped-back versions of the album, outtakes and demos. I like it. Clean vocals and guitar.

 

The Band - The Band (aka Brown Album)



When I think of Americana, this wonderful album comes to mind. (Although 4 of them were born in Canada.)

 

A couple of folk guitar heroes

 

Get yo Canadana out of here!

At one time I was a huge fan of Fahey-protege Leo Kottke.

brad

 

I've been feeling apocalyptic recently.

 

New Alison Kraus, Windy City, is out. I gave it a quick listen streaming. The music is good, kind of a throwback cover album. BUT...the recording quality is piss poor. This seems so strange to me since historically she has produced some of the best recorded music that I've owned. Must be a new sound engineer. She needs to fire his sorry ass.

 

Holy smokes this thread is amazing. I've added nearly all of these to my collection thanks to you folks!

 

Listen to Sierra Hull instead.