I really enjoy The Kingston Trio ... got a collection of their best. My favorite of their music is Scarlet Ribbons.
My favorite folkies and my favorite folk album by that artist:
John Gorka - Jack's Crows
Bob Dylan - The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
Joni Mitchell - Blue
John Prine - John Prine
Steve Goodman - Say it in Private
Guy Clark - Dublin Blues
Steve Earle - Train a Comin'
Peter Case - Blue Guitar
Dan Fogelberg - Souvenirs
This was just off the top of my head. I need to be sitting in front of my music collection to make sure I don't forget someone. (I'm sure I did.)
Geez...why did it take me so long to discover this board???
Anyway, most of my favorite folkies are the same as Cazbob's. Actually the above list is somewhat of a "required listening" collection as most contemporary folk fans would agree.
Some other notables:
The Bobster- I always liked Bringing It All Back Home and Blood On the Tracks the best out of the "too many to mention pile".
Joni Mitchell- Court and Spark
John Prine- Bruised Orange and The Missing Years are also essential. He was on to something with Pink Cadillac but really needed stronger material.
Steve Goodman- The first self titled album is a classic.
Guy Clark- Old No.1
Steve Earle- Copperhead Road!!! (might not be folk in the purest sense of the word)
Of course there are so many avenues to explore: traditional, neo-trad, ethnic folk, contemporary, etc...though the American country-folk vein has proven to be a particularly deep one, perhaps due to the ultra-glossy influence of the Nashville scene.
I would also throw in a collection of Johnny Whittaker hits ... which would include such songs as The Last Farewell and Dirty Old Town ...
Would "Ghost Riders in the Sky" fall into this category?
I'd say sure, but my definition of "Folk" is pretty broad.
Derf- Not to nitpick or anything but I think you mean Roger Whittaker. BTW, do you know if his Dirty Old Town is the same song that The Pogues did?
I saw John Gorka last night. He was thoroughly entertaining as always, peppering his music with lots of humor. He performed a "work in progress" song that was obviously in response to the 9/11 attacks. The refrain was about the old future being gone forever. He was singing from hand written notes. I think it will be an excellent song when it is finished and I hope he records it.
Ghost Riders In The Sky is really old fashioned
Cowboy Country Music along the lines of a song
like Clear Water and also Tumbling Tumbleweeds.
I believe all three were recorded by Roy Rogers
and The Sons Of The Pioneers.
I'm very eager to see A Mighty Wind.
In the Kingston Trio's Charlie on the MTA, his wife gives him a sandwich every day. Why doesn't she just give him a nickel so he can get off?
Maybe she's happier with him stuck on the train? ;-)