Poll: Who's the Best Folk Guitar Player?
Wednesday August 2, 2006
The whole concept of folksingers being seriously skilled on their instruments is relatively recent. Some of the oldest folk songs were made with no instruments. There are folksingers that didn't even try to be great instrumentalists. For folks like Woody Guthrie, having incredible skills as an instrumentalist didn't really matter. Sure, Woody knew his way around a fretboard, but it wasn't his chief concern.
Then there are artists whose guitar work is so innovative and influential that it's almost impossible to ignore. These players singlehandedly revolutionize the way the instrument is approached everytime they write a new song. Who do you think is the best contemporary folk guitarist?
Poll: Who's the Best Folk Guitar Player?
To vote: click on the person's name. Or click "Someone Else" if you disagree with the other options.
John Fahey (listen | tribute CD)
Martin Sexton (listen | bio/profile)
Ani Difranco (listen | bio/profile)
Chris Smither (listen)
Kaki King (listen | Interview)
Someone else (leave your vote in the comments for this blog post)
Comments
Ani D! (Because she’s the only one I know on the list and because the woman blew out her wrists for her art! That’s rock n roll.)
Ah, well if we’re counting injuries, doesn’t Leo Kottke get a vote or two, although you’ve got Fahey? I guess he’s country blues, which … brings up the specter of Kelly Joe Phelps’ awesome command of lap-slide and fingerstyle.
If you haven’t heard of him, check him out.
Keep on playin’.
And how come Bob Dylan doesn’t get some props?
Both good votes I didn’t even think of at the time, Finrod! I’m totally with you on Kelly Joe Phelps. Dylan’s a fine guitarist, but next to these others, doesn’t really compare, IMHO.
Ramblin’ Jack Elliot in his day was one of the best! It’s hard to separate out his exuberant vocal style though from his stacatto fast flat picking. But his style and exuberance, showmanship, and skill has inspired thousands of other guitarists including, most notably, Bob Dylan (who referred to him as his “musical father” or something like that) and Kris Kristophersen. Check out his playing on Vanguard Records “the Essential Ramblin Jack Elliot” recorded around 1963, or his more recent CD “South Coast” from the mid ’90’s. Or Watch him do Woody Guthrie’s “Talkin’ Merchant Marine” on Youtube. Wow!
how can richie havens not be here
Nic jones has never been surpassed for folk. John Martyn was and still is the king of taking a folk foundation and building to the stars where he will now be entertaining beyond the pearly gates.