Rediscovering Folksy Classics
December 14, 2014 11:14 AM Subscribe
I've enjoyed how recent video games have featured old bluegrassy/folksy hymns. Any recommendations for further exploring this sound?
For reference, see: Bioshock Infinite's Will the Circle be Unbroken and Kentucky Route Zero's Long Journey Home.
I like these covers' melancholy, simple sound. But while browsing similar channels on Spotify, I mostly find fast-paced, upbeat, countryfied songs and that's not really what appeals to me. My taste in modern music tends more towards Iron & Wine and the Avett Brothers, so I prefer the slower, pared-down versions.
Any recommendations for old classics - or covers of old classics - that I might enjoy?
For reference, see: Bioshock Infinite's Will the Circle be Unbroken and Kentucky Route Zero's Long Journey Home.
I like these covers' melancholy, simple sound. But while browsing similar channels on Spotify, I mostly find fast-paced, upbeat, countryfied songs and that's not really what appeals to me. My taste in modern music tends more towards Iron & Wine and the Avett Brothers, so I prefer the slower, pared-down versions.
Any recommendations for old classics - or covers of old classics - that I might enjoy?
Certainly folksy and spare is Woody Guthrie, slightly less bluegrassy is Arlo Guthrie. Johnny Cash might scratch your itch as well.
posted by vapidave at 12:37 PM on December 14, 2014
posted by vapidave at 12:37 PM on December 14, 2014
Not exactly what you're asking about, but a goodly chunk of Iron Horses' catalog has that aesthetic. But they're doing bluegrass covers of contemporary pop music.
A couple favorites of mine.
The type of music most like those examples is typically pretty low on mass appeal, which can make it a bit hard to dig out, and also less present on the web. But there are lots of currently-recording traditional artists with similar sounds you might like:
Si Kahn
Gordon Bok
Bob Franke
posted by contrarian at 1:13 PM on December 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
A couple favorites of mine.
The type of music most like those examples is typically pretty low on mass appeal, which can make it a bit hard to dig out, and also less present on the web. But there are lots of currently-recording traditional artists with similar sounds you might like:
Si Kahn
Gordon Bok
Bob Franke
posted by contrarian at 1:13 PM on December 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I presume you have already heard the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack.
posted by matildaben at 1:28 PM on December 14, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by matildaben at 1:28 PM on December 14, 2014 [2 favorites]
The definitive collection is Goodbye Babylon, which is six full cds of absolutely amazing religious bluegrass, blues, and folk music from the first half of the 20th century. Well, five cds of music and one cd of sermons.
Anyway, it's probably my very favorite music compilation ever, and sounds like exactly what you're looking for.
posted by Oxydude at 1:53 PM on December 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
Anyway, it's probably my very favorite music compilation ever, and sounds like exactly what you're looking for.
posted by Oxydude at 1:53 PM on December 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
Best answer: You could start with Folkways Smithsonian records. Search for titles with classic, southern, gospel ...you could purchase for download something like this:
http://www.folkways.si.edu/classic-old-time-music-from-folkways/american-folk/album/smithsonian
Find an old record store. They'll have a folk blues section and you can get a pretty good idea of who's who from the packaging.
posted by bonobothegreat at 2:18 PM on December 14, 2014
http://www.folkways.si.edu/classic-old-time-music-from-folkways/american-folk/album/smithsonian
Find an old record store. They'll have a folk blues section and you can get a pretty good idea of who's who from the packaging.
posted by bonobothegreat at 2:18 PM on December 14, 2014
Best answer: The album you want is Skaggs & Rice. Two vocals, one guitar and one mandolin, mostly hymns. Here's an example.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 5:08 PM on December 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 5:08 PM on December 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Elizabeth Cotten! Marisa Anderson. Lots of plaintive fingerpicking. Seconding Folkways,.
posted by fritillary at 6:05 PM on December 14, 2014
posted by fritillary at 6:05 PM on December 14, 2014
The Carolina Chocolate Drops are a pleasurable new take on those old sounds.
posted by Chitownfats at 11:12 PM on December 14, 2014
posted by Chitownfats at 11:12 PM on December 14, 2014
Best answer: Can't imagine that if you like this style of music that you're unfamiliar with their work, but just in case.. Gillian Welch (and her musical partner David Rawlings)
From the sound of it you might like to start with Revival, their first album, though my own preference is for their third album, Time (The Revelator)
posted by Nerd of the North at 12:49 AM on December 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
From the sound of it you might like to start with Revival, their first album, though my own preference is for their third album, Time (The Revelator)
posted by Nerd of the North at 12:49 AM on December 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
Flapjax at midnight posted this link to a giant free download from the Library of Congress' classic release
http://www.metafilter.com/130825/feel-so-good-this-mornin-gon-be-downloadin-all-night-long
I should have first pointed out that Metafilter is a pretty awesome resource in itself. Run a search for Lomax and you'll get tons of posts for amazing free stuff.
posted by bonobothegreat at 1:53 AM on December 15, 2014
http://www.metafilter.com/130825/feel-so-good-this-mornin-gon-be-downloadin-all-night-long
I should have first pointed out that Metafilter is a pretty awesome resource in itself. Run a search for Lomax and you'll get tons of posts for amazing free stuff.
posted by bonobothegreat at 1:53 AM on December 15, 2014
Response by poster: Y'all are the best! Thanks for the recommendations. Every bit of this is great music, and in my heart I'm marking it all as "best answer." Marking this as "resolved" but feel free to add more suggestions. My thoughts:
Folkways is the best resource for finding actual old standards, it's a total rabbit hole. "Classic African-American Ballads" and "Classic Old-Time Ballads" are my favorites so far. Both on Spotify.
The Flame and the Flood - so on point. I cannot wait to buy this entire soundtrack. (It's on Spotify as a single!)
Elizabeth Cotton, Skaggs & Rice, and Gillian Welch are all perfect for the pared-down old-timey sound, especially their various covers of classics. A+ recommendations.
The Carolina Chocolate Drops - Vary a lot in sound from upbeat to mellow, it's all a great modern take. Their songs like Leaving Eden probably suit the question best.
Iron Horses - Thanks to contrarian for pointing them out, now I finally know who did the fabulous Bluegrass covers of Modest Mouse that my favorite coffee shop used to play.
Old Babylon is an awesome anthropological record that I probably wouldn't listen to casually, as the recordings are pretty rough. It's cool as hell though, and I'm going to spend a lot of time listening through to find great old ballads. All on Spotify.
Thanks for reminding me of classics like Woodie Gunthrie, Pete Steeger, and Arlo Guthrie. I'm realizing that I generally prefer female solo vocals or male groups, but I'm sure these guys would scratch someone else's itch. I'd group Sam Amidon with this sound.
posted by Solon and Thanks at 9:12 AM on December 15, 2014
Folkways is the best resource for finding actual old standards, it's a total rabbit hole. "Classic African-American Ballads" and "Classic Old-Time Ballads" are my favorites so far. Both on Spotify.
The Flame and the Flood - so on point. I cannot wait to buy this entire soundtrack. (It's on Spotify as a single!)
Elizabeth Cotton, Skaggs & Rice, and Gillian Welch are all perfect for the pared-down old-timey sound, especially their various covers of classics. A+ recommendations.
The Carolina Chocolate Drops - Vary a lot in sound from upbeat to mellow, it's all a great modern take. Their songs like Leaving Eden probably suit the question best.
Iron Horses - Thanks to contrarian for pointing them out, now I finally know who did the fabulous Bluegrass covers of Modest Mouse that my favorite coffee shop used to play.
Old Babylon is an awesome anthropological record that I probably wouldn't listen to casually, as the recordings are pretty rough. It's cool as hell though, and I'm going to spend a lot of time listening through to find great old ballads. All on Spotify.
Thanks for reminding me of classics like Woodie Gunthrie, Pete Steeger, and Arlo Guthrie. I'm realizing that I generally prefer female solo vocals or male groups, but I'm sure these guys would scratch someone else's itch. I'd group Sam Amidon with this sound.
posted by Solon and Thanks at 9:12 AM on December 15, 2014
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posted by CrystalDave at 11:23 AM on December 14, 2014 [1 favorite]