There were a lot of albums on tight rotation with me back when I first got turned onto folk music. But, it was Woody Guthrie's Asch Recordings Vol. 1-4 which became my first favorite folk recording. The songs included in that extensive collection covered historical and topical songs, protest songs, work songs, nonsense songs, love songs, and all manner of other folk songs. It was the first time I'd considered the enormous breadth of American folk music, and came to understand the capabilities of the well-written song.
What was your first favorite folk/roots/Americana album? Was Dylan your gateway drug? Share your story about the first album to draw you into the world of American folk music.
image © Smithsonian Folkways
Comments
while Dylan sorta started me, I’d have to say it was the Happy and Artie Traum album “double back” that set me on the path. followed closely by Harry Chapin