BBC - Radio 2 - Sold On Song - TOP 100 - Streets Of London 'Streets Of London' Ralph McTell The tag ‘one-hit-wonder’ can be a heavy burden to carry – but not for Ralph McTell. His song “Streets Of London” rocketed to number two in 1974, selling 90,000 copies a day at one point, and is generally regarded as a classic. McTell wrote the song after Song facts UK Chart Position 2 busking around Europe in his early twenties and witnessing extreme poverty in Paris. Not wishing to offend Parisians, he changed the setting to London, but felt the song was too depressing and left it off his debut album. However, when a fellow folk star began playing it live with great success, McTell included the song on his second album, 1969’s Spiral Staircase. “Streets Of London” soon became a firm favourite in UK folk circles and when McTell signed to a major label in 1974, they convinced him to re-record it with a backing band.

McTell produced the re-recording himself then watched in amazement as it soared up the charts, peaking at number two that Christmas. Since then it’s never really gone away. At one point there were four versions of it in the German charts and it earned him an Ivor Novello Award for songwriting. But although McTell never again tasted that level of success, he refuses to consider it an albatross and instead says he’s just happy to have recorded such a perennial favourite. Ralph McTell on how he wrote Streets Of London I could have so easily been the Streets Of Paris! Ralph McTell reveals to Brian Matthew his observations on the homeless situation while living in Paris - "I couldn't help but notice the many destitute people on the streets there". Audio help Other versions Sinead O'Connor recorded Ralph McTell's big song as an additional track on her Thank You For Hearing Me single in 1994. The words are so meaningful for any generation as the same problems of loneliness seem to occur again and again.

Marianne Folk Alley's 100 Most Essential Folk Songs : NPR Folk Alley's 100 Most Essential Folk Songs June 19, 20092:16 PM ET From Join the discussion at Folk Alley's Web site Folk Alley , the 24-hour online stream of Kent State University's WKSU, has never hopped on or off any folk-music bandwagons. Which, in turn, makes it a perfect place to explore the genre's many permutations, from bare-bones acoustic protest music to the many forms of electric roots music that followed. Folk Alley recently spent eight weeks polling its listeners in search of a master list of "The 100 Most Essential Folk Songs." The results — found here in the form of a printable list and a continuous music mix, streamed in no particular order — are fodder for debate, discussion and discovery. Folk legend Woody Guthrie. Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Getty Images What are your favorite folk songs? Head over to the Folk Alley site and join the discussion.

To get you started, here's the master list: (The list is the following format: Song - Written OR Performed By ) The 100 Essential Folk Songs 1. "This Land Is Your Land" - Woody Guthrie 2. "Blowin' in the Wind" - Bob Dylan 3. "City of New Orleans" - Steve Goodman 4. "If I Had a Hammer" - Pete Seeger 5. "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" - The Kingston Trio 6. "Early Morning Rain" - Gordon Lightfoot 7. "Suzanne" - Leonard Cohen 8. "We Shall Overcome" - Pete Seeger 9. "Four Strong Winds" - Ian and Sylvia 10. "Last Thing on My Mind" - Tom Paxton 11. "The Circle Game" - Joni Mitchell 12. "Tom Dooley" - The Kingston Trio (Trad) 13. "Both Sides Now" - Joni Mitchell 14. "Who Knows Where the Time Goes" - Sandy Denny 15. "Goodnight Irene" - The Weavers (Trad) 16.

"Universal Soldier" - Buffy Sainte-Marie 17. "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" - Bob Dylan 18. "Diamonds and Rust" - Joan Baez 19. "Sounds of Silence" - Simon & Garfunkel 20. "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" - Gordon Lightfoot 21. "Alice's Restaurant" - Arlo Guthrie 22. "Turn, Turn, Turn!" - The Byrds (Pete Seeger) 23. "Puff the Magic Dragon" - Peter, Paul and Mary 24. "Thirsty Boots" - Eric Anderson 25. "There But for Fortune" - Phil Ochs 26. "Across the Great Divide" - Kate Wolf 27. "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" - The Band (Robbie Robertson) 28. "The Dutchman" - Steve Goodman 29. "Matty Groves" - Fairport Convention (Trad) 30. "Pastures of Plenty" - Woody Guthrie 31. "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" - Gordon Lightfoot 32.

"Ramblin' Boy" - Tom Paxton 33. "Hello in There" - John Prine 34. "The Mary Ellen Carter" - Stan Rogers 35. "Scarborough Fair" - Martin Carthy (Trad) 36. "Freight Train" - Elizabeth Cotton 37. "Like a Rolling Stone" - Bob Dylan 38. "Paradise" - John Prine 39. "Northwest Passage" - Stan Rogers 40. "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" - Eric Bogle 41. "Changes" - Phil Ochs 42. "Streets of London" - Ralph McTell 43. "Gentle on My Mind" - John Hartford 44. "Barbara Allen" - Shirley Collins (Trad) 45. "Little Boxes" - Malvina Reynolds 46. "The Water Is Wide" - Traditional 47. "Blue Moon of Kentucky" - Bill Monroe 48. "No Regrets" - Tom Rush 49. "Amazing Grace" - Odetta (Trad) 50. "Catch the Wind" - Donovan 51.

"If I Were a Carpenter" - Tim Hardin 52. "Big Yellow Taxi" - Joni Mitchell 53. "House of the Rising Sun" - Doc & Richard Watson (Trad) 54. "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine" - The Weavers 55. "Tangled Up in Blue" - Bob Dylan 56. "The Boxer" - Simon and Garfunkel 57. "Someday Soon" - Ian and Sylvia 58. "Miles" - Peter, Paul and Mary 59. "Masters of War" - Bob Dylan 60. "Wildwood Flower" - Carter Family 61. "Can the Circle Be Unbroken" - Carter Family 62. "Can't Help but Wonder Where I'm Bound" - Tom Paxton 63. "Teach Your Children" - Crosby, Stills Nash & Young 64. "Deportee" - Woody Guthrie 65. "Tecumseh Valley" - Townes Van Zandt 66. "Mr. Bojangles" - Jerry Jeff Walker 67. "Cold Missouri Waters" - James Keeleghan 68.

"The Crucifixion" - Phil Ochs 69. "Angel from Montgomery" - John Prine 70. "Christmas in the Trenches" - John McCutcheon 71. "John Henry" - Traditional 72. "Pack Up Your Sorrows" - Richard and Mimi Farina 73. "Dirty Old Town" - Ewan MacColl 74. "Caledonia" - Dougie MacLean 75. "Gentle Arms of Eden" - Dave Carter 76. "My Back Pages" - Bob Dylan 77. "Arrow" - Cheryl Wheeler 79. "Eve of Destruction" - Barry McGuire 80. "Man of Constant Sorrow" - Ralph Stanley (Trad) 81. "Shady Grove" - Traditional 82. "Pancho and Lefty" - Townes Van Zandt 83. "Old Man" - Neil Young 84. "Mr. Tambourine Man" - Bob Dylan 85. "American Tune" - Paul Simon 86. "At Seventeen" - Janis Ian 87.

"Bridge Over Troubled Water" - Simon & Garfunkel 88. "Road" - Nick Drake 89. "Tam Lin" - Fairport Convention (Trad) 90. "Ashokan Farewell" - Jay Ungar and Molly Mason 91. "Desolation Row" - Bob Dylan 92. "Love Is Our Cross to Bear" - John Gorka 93. "Hobo's Lullaby" - Woody Guthrie 94. "Urge for Going" - Tom Rush 95. "Return of the Grievous Angel" - Gram Parsons 96. "Chilly Winds" - The Kingston Trio 97. "Fountain of Sorrow" - Jackson Browne 98. "The Times They Are A-Changin'" - Bob Dylan 99. "Our Town" - Iris Dement 100.

"Leaving on a Jet Plane" - John Denver Article continues after sponsorship Streets of London Lyrics Ralph McTell Ralph McTell (born Ralph May in Farnborough, Kent, England, 3 December 1944 and raised in Croydon) is an English singer-songwriter and acoustic guitar player who has been an influential figure on the UK folk music scene since the 1960s.

more » Have you seen the old man in the closed down market Picking up the papers with his worn out shoes In his eyes you see no pride and hanging loosely at his side Yesterdays paper , telling yesterdays news So how can you tell me you're lonely And say for you that the sun don't shine Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London I'll show you something to make you change your mind Have you seen the old dear who walks the streets of London Dirt in her hair and her clothes in rags She's no time for talking , she just keeps right on walking Carrying her home, in two carrier bags So how can you tell me you're lonely And say for you that the sun don't shine Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London I'll show you something to make you change your mind And in the all night cafe at a quarter past eleven Same old man sitting there on his own Looking at the world over the rim of his teacup And each tea lasts an hour and he wanders home alone So how can you tell me that you're lonely And say for you that the sun don't shine Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets

 of London I'll show you something to make you change your mind Have you seen the old man outside the seaman 's mission Memory fading with the medal ribbons that he wears And in the winter city, the rain cries a little pity For one more forgotten hero, and a World that doesn 't care So how can you tell me that you're lonely And say for you that the sun don't shine Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London I'll show you something to make you change your mind The 111 Greatest Acts of the Anglo-American Folk Music Tradition version 2 by Charles H.

Smith, Ph.D. I have seen several lists of this type posted on the Internet by well-meaning but sometimes agenda-driven individuals, so I thought I would take a shot at this myself, consulting some hard data along the way. I have a long and continuing interest in folk music going back to the early 1960s, when my older sister started buying Peter, Paul & Mary albums. For many years I purchased related material for the library collection at the University where I work (see notes here , including further youtube.com links), and some years back opened a website featuring the lyrics of the fondly remembered topical and children's songs writer, Malvina Reynolds . I also maintain a site called "The Classical Music Navigator" , and have a lot of experience in statistical analysis. (See my homepage for contact and other information.) Please read THESE NOTES before proceeding to the list, at the possible risk of assuming a number of things about this compilation that were not intended! Following below is the ranked list of 111--with a few "honorable mentions" to add up to an even 150 thrown in at the end.

In the main list, the artist's name is linked to, first: (1) a leading website concerned with them (in red) and (2) their Wikipedia entry (in purple); then two pieces of information in parentheses: (3) f.r.: "folkie rating" (on scale of 1 [least] to 5 [most], my subjective rating of how "folky" the artist is), and (4) y(es)/n(o) (has or doesn't have individual entry in The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians); then, as appropriate, (5) some representative compositions or recordings by the artist (in blue) and (6) related youtube.com and myspace.com pages (in green); and finally, (7) a rough list of the artist's main genres, indexed by the following asterisk-with-two-letter coding (in orange) that can be used to search across artists by plugging the codes into your browser's "Edit > Find" function: *ac alt-country *af alt-folk *bl blues *ce Celtic *cf contemporary folk *ff folk revival/traditional folk *fj folk-jazz fusion *fp folk-pop *fr folk-rock *mi master instrumentalists *mv master vocal

ists *na New Age *pf folk-punk *ss singer-songwriter *tf topical/political folk * Special Note for Librarians * * * * * 1.

Woody Guthrie (1912-1967) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; y). Woody represents the point at which the "folk tradition" in music (which we had had for many years before him) became dominantly transmitted through songs associated with particular individuals: 'Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad,' 'This Land is Your Land,' 'Pretty Boy Floyd,' 'Pastures of Plenty,' 'I Ain't Got No Home,' 'So Long It's Been Good to Know Ya,' 'Tom Joad,' 'Reuben James,' 'Deportee,' 'Hobo's Lullaby,' 'Take a Whiff on Me,' 'Union Maid,' Dust Bowl Ballads youtube.com videos myspace.com *ff *ss *tf 2. Bob Dylan (1941-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; y). Dylan followed Guthrie's lead but marched a step further: into a literary realm in which folk song became high art: 'Blowin' in the Wind,' 'It Ain't Me Babe,' 'Don't Think Twice It's All Right,' 'The Times They Are a-Changin,' 'Masters of War,' 'Mr.

Tambourine Man,' 'Like a Rolling Stone,' 'If Not For You,' 'Just Like a Woman,' 'All Along the Watchtower,' 'My Back Pages,' 'Hurricane,' Highway 61 Revisited, Nashville Skyline, John Wesley Harding, Blood on the Tracks, Blonde on Blonde, Modern Times youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *fr *ss *tf 3. Pete Seeger (1919-2014) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; y). Friend and disciple of Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger went on to become king of the protest song, especially as related to environmental issues: 'Where Have All the Flowers Gone?', 'The Bells of Rhymney,' 'We Shall Overcome,' 'Little Boxes,' 'Turn Turn Turn,' 'If I Had a Hammer,' 'Waist Deep in the Big Muddy' youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *ff *ss *tf 4. The Weavers Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; n).

Although perhaps not technically the first folk music "supergroup," their collective influence was to create the first mass public appetite for folk music: 'Goodnight Irene,' 'Wimoweh,' 'Wreck of the John B,' 'On Top of Old Smokey,' 'Wasn't That a Time?', 'Kisses Sweeter Than Wine,' The Weavers at Carnegie Hall youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *ff *fp *tf 5. Joan Baez (1941-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; y). Possessor of just about the most beautiful voice ever to express poignant thoughts: 'We Shall Overcome,' 'Love Is Just a Four Letter Word,' 'There But for Fortune,' 'The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,' 'Diamonds and Rust,' Joan Baez youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *ff *mv *tf 6. Peter (1938-), Paul (1937-) and Mary (1937-2009) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; n).

The group that found a way to focus "folk energy" in a manner appealing to a large--and paying--audience: 'Blowin' in the Wind,' 'Where Have All the Flowers gone?', '500 Miles,' 'If I Had a Hammer,' 'Puff the Magic Dragon,' 'Leaving on a Jet Plane,' Peter Paul and Mary, In the Wind youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *ff *fp *mv *tf 7. Joni Mitchell (1943-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; y). Mitchell's brilliance as a songwriter, singer, and guitarist focused further attention on the role of folk singer as intellectual, raconteur, and artiste: 'The Circle Game,' 'Both Sides Now,' 'Big Yellow Taxi,' 'Chelsea Morning,' 'Woodstock,' 'A Case of You,' 'Urge for Going,' Clouds, Court and Spark, Ladies of the Canyon, Blue youtube.com videos *cf *fj *fp *ss 8. Kingston Trio Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; n).

In the late 1950s and early 1960s revival period this was one of the most popular folk acts, trading in conventional arrangements of both traditional and new material, and reaching a broad audience: 'Scotch and Soda,' 'Greenback Dollar,' 'M. T. A.,' 'Tom Dooley,' 'Where Have All the Flowers Gone?', The Kingston Trio, The Kingston Trio At Large, Sold Out youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *ff *tf 9. Simon (1941-) and Garfunkel (1941-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; y). Paul Simon's genius as a songwriter and Art Garfunkel's vocal and arrangement skills rocketed S & G to the greatest commercial success ever attained by a folk act: 'The Sounds of Silence,' 'Homeward Bound,' 'The Boxer,' 'El Condor Pasa,' 'Bridge Over Troubled Water,' 'American Tune,' 'America,' 'Scarborough Fair,' Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme, Bookends, Bridge Over Troubled Water youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *fp *fr *mv *ss 10.

Lead Belly (1888-1949) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; y). The legendary folk and blues performer who inspired many of the top white folk music performers of the 1940s and 1950s: 'Goodnight Irene,' 'Cotton Fields,' 'Where Did You Sleep Last Night?', 'Pick a Bale of Cotton,' 'Midnight Special,' 'Gallows Pole,' 'Rock Island Line' youtube.com videos myspace.com *bl *ff *mi *tf 11. Odetta (1930-2008) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; n). From the 1950s on, one of the most authentic and respected voices in the world of folk: 'Motherless Children,' 'Amazing Grace,' 'This Little Light of Mine,' 'You Don't Know My Mind,' Ballads and Blues, At the Gate of Horn, Odetta at Town Hall, Movin' On youtube.com videos *bl *ff *mv *tf 12. Doc Watson (1923-2012) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; n).

The country folks might also claim Doc Watson for their own, but his forte was always authentic voice and guitar-featuring performances of traditional material: 'Tennessee Stud,' 'Deep River Blues,' 'Black Mountain Rag,' 'Shady Grove,' 'Wabash Cannonball,' The Watson Family, Memories, Then and Now, Doc Watson, Southbound youtube.com videos myspace.com *ff *mi 13. Judy Collins (1939-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; y). Collins's beautiful, soothing voice and intelligent interpretations introduced many a fan to the up-and-coming songwriters of the 60s: 'Both Sides Now,' 'Suzanne,' 'In My Life,' 'Amazing Grace,' 'Someday Soon,' 'Send in the Clowns,' In My Life, Fifth Album, Who Knows Where the Time Goes? youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *ff *fp *mv 14. The Byrds Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 2; y). In early 1965 the Byrds took listeners by storm with a new brand of pop music--folk-rock--but a year later veered in the direction of country-rock: 'Mr.

Tambourine Man,' 'Chimes of Freedom,' 'All I Really Want to Do,' 'Turn Turn Turn,' 'I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better,' 'You Ain't Going Nowhere,' 'Chestnut Mare,' 'My Back Pages,' 'Ballad of Easy Rider,' Sweetheart of the Rodeo youtube.com videos myspace.com *fp *fr 15. Fairport Convention Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; y). Over several decades, the leading exemplar of the term "folk rock": 'Matty Groves,' 'Meet on the Ledge,' 'Fotheringay,' 'Crazy Man Michael,' 'Tam Lin,' Liege & Lief, Full House, What We Did on Our Holidays youtube.com videos *cf *fp *fr *mi 16. Neil Young (1945-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; y).

Young's career as an explorative and committed folk-rocker now spans five decades, and he's still not showing any signs of rusting out: 'Sugar Mountain,' 'Southern Man,' 'Broken Arrow,' 'Down By the River,' 'Old Man,' 'Heart of Gold,' 'Ohio,' 'Helpless,' 'Only Love Can Break Your Heart,' After the Gold Rush, Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, Harvest, Rust Never Sleeps youtube.com videos myspace.com *af *cf *fr *ss *tf 17. Phil Ochs (1940-1976) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; y).

The quintessential 60s folk singer/songwriter, with a penchant for liberal values and bare-nerved social criticism: 'I Ain't Marching Anymore,' 'Power and the Glory,' 'The Crucifixion,' 'Draft Dodger Rag,' 'Outside of a Small Circle of Friends,' 'Changes,' 'The Highwayman,' 'When I'm Gone,' 'Links on the Chain,' 'There But for Fortune,' 'Pleasures of the Harbor,' All the News That's Fit to Sing youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *ss *tf 18. The Everly Brothers Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 2; y). The brothers Phil and Don set a standard for vocal performance of traditional and folk-like material that has never been surpassed, or possibly even equaled: 'Wake Up Little Susie,' 'Let It Be Me,' 'Bye Bye Love,' 'All I Have to Do Is Dream,' 'Devoted to You,' 'Bird Dog,' 'Cathy's Clown' youtube.com videos myspace.com *fp *mv 19. Donovan (1946-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; n).

Initially a Guthrie-style folkie, Donovan Leitch branched out to create a commercially and creatively successful form of folk-pop that embraced psychedelia, jazz, lore, and myth: 'Catch the Wind,' 'Colours,' 'Sunshine Superman,' 'Universal Soldier,' 'Lalena,' 'Season of the Witch,' 'Hurdy Gurdy Man,' 'Atlantis,' 'There Is a Mountain,' A Gift From a Flower to a Garden, Sunshine Superman youtube.com videos myspace.com *ce *cf *fj *fp *fr *na *ss *tf 20. Jimmie Rodgers (1897-1933) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 2; y). Although viewed more as a direct line father of modern country music, nearly equally an influence on the development of American folk styles, especially through such figures as Woody Guthrie and Ramblin' Jack Elliott: 'T for Texas,' 'Blue Yodel Number 2,' 'Waiting For a Train,' 'Standing on the Corner,' 'Mule Skinner Blues,' 'In the Jailhouse Now,' 'T.B. Blues' youtube.com videos myspace.com *bl *ff 21.

John Fahey (1939-2001) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 2; n). Though not truly a folkie, this quirky instrumentalist remained true to his root influences while inspiring a whole generation of guitarists: 'In Christ There Is No East Nor West,' 'Sunflower River Blues,' 'Sligo River Blues,' The Voice of the Turtle, The Yellow Princess, The Transfiguration of Blind Joe Death, The New Possibility--Christmas Album, Blind Joe Death youtube.com videos myspace.com *af *bl *ff *mi 22. The Carter Family Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 2; y). Over the middle half of the twentieth century, the Carters were perhaps the most successful and influential popularizers of rural traditional and country forms: 'The Wildwood Flower,' 'Wabash Cannonball,' 'Will the Circle Go Unbroken?', 'Keep on the Sunny Side,' 'Single Girl Married Girl' youtube.com videos myspace.com *ff *mv 23. Gordon Lightfoot (1938-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n).

Since he first broke through with 'Early Morning Rain' in the early 60s, Lightfoot has been the most recognized name in Canadian folk circles: 'If You Could Read My Mind,' 'Rainy Day People,' 'Sundown,' 'The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,' 'Canadian Railroad Trilogy,' 'For Lovin' Me,' Lightfoot! youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *fp *ss 24. Arlo Guthrie (1947-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n). Since the days of 'Alice's Restaurant Massacree,' one of America's most representative--and beloved--folkies: 'City of New Orleans,' 'The Motorcycle Song,' Amigo, Alice's Restaurant, Hobo's Lullaby youtube.com videos myspace.com *af *cf *fr *tf 25. Alan Stivell (1944-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n). Famous just about everywhere except in the U.

S., this harp-playing native of the Breton region of France almost single-handedly engineered the worldwide late twentieth century Celtic music revival: Renaissance de la Harpe Celtique, Harpes du Nouvel Age, Symphonie Celtique, A l'Olympia youtube.com videos myspace.com *ce *cf *ff *fj *fr *mi *na 26. Bert Jansch (1943-2011) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; y). Though little known in the U. S., Pentangle leader Jansch's international influence as a folk guitar stylist--and on the contemporary folk movement in Britain in general--was phenomenal: 'Needle of Death,' 'Blackwaterside,' 'Angie,' Bert Jansch, Jack Orion, Rosemary Lane, The Black Swan youtube.com videos myspace.com *bl *cf *fj *fr *mi *ss *tf 27. Pentangle Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; y).

The most inventive and virtuostic string band of their time, Pentangle explored the connections between folk and jazz, blues, and early music: 'Light Flight,' The Pentangle, Basket of Light, Cruel Sister, Sweet Child, Reflection youtube.com videos myspace.com *af *fj *mi 28. Richard Thompson (1949-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; y). After leaving Fairport Convention, Thompson really came into his own as a leading singer, songwriter, and electric and acoustic guitarist: 'Beeswing,' '1952 Vincent Black Lightning,' 'I Misunderstood,' 'Meet on the Ledge,' Shoot Out the Lights, Mock Tudor, Rumor and Sigh youtube.com videos myspace.com *af *cf *fr *mi *ss *tf 29. Nick Drake (1948-1974) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n).

Little more than ignored in his own time, Drake's brooding, introspective music eventually caught on years after his accidental death in 1974: 'Day Is Done,' 'Time Has Told Me,' 'River Man,' 'Pink Moon,' Bryter Later, Five Leaves Left, Pink Moon youtube.com videos myspace.com *af *cf *fj *ss 30. Leonard Cohen (1934-2016) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 2; y). Master of word and image, Canadian Cohen is the poet laureate of the contemporary folk scene: 'Suzanne,' 'Famous Blue Raincoat,' 'Everybody Knows,' 'Hallelujah,' 'Bird on a Wire' youtube.com videos myspace.com *af *cf *fj *ss 31. Crosby (1941-), Stills (1945-) and Nash (1942-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 1; y).

Adroitly plying the waters of pop, rock, and folk, CSN produced beautiful performances of solidly composed "folk-like" material: 'Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,' 'Ohio,' 'Teach Your Children,' 'Our House,' 'Carry On,' 'Woodstock,' Crosby, Stills & Nash, Deja Vu youtube.com videos *fp *fr *mv *ss *tf 32. The New Lost City Ramblers Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; n). Led by Mike Seeger, the Ramblers were/are (they have never officially disbanded) the leading string band revivalist act, since the late 1950s introducing new generations to the traditional music of earlier times: The Early Years, Old Time Music, There Ain't No Way Out youtube.com videos *ff 33. John Denver (1943-1997) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 1; n).

Pop star Denver was one-third folkie, one-third country boy, and one-third romantic idealist: 'Take Me Home Country Roads,' 'Rocky Mountain High,' 'Thank God I'm a Country Boy,' 'Leaving on a Jet Plane,' 'Annie's Song' youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *fp *ss 34. Ewan MacColl (1915-1989) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; y). Activist MacColl wrote songs and plays, collected and (brilliantly) sang traditional material, and overall earned a place in mid-twentieth century history as Britain's foremost figure in the world of folk: 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,' 'Dirty Old Town,' 'My Old Man,' 'Moving On Song,' 'Joy of Living,' 'The Shoals of Herring,' 'Sweet Thames Flow Softly,' The English and Scottish Popular Ballads, Broadside Ballads youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *ff *mv *ss *tf 35. Ramblin' Jack Elliott (1931-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; n).

No one even comes close to doing "folk singer" as well as Jack does!: 'Pretty Boy Floyd,' Sings the Songs of Woody Guthrie, South Coast, The Essential, America youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *ff 36. The Chieftains Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; n). The Chieftains have been keepers of the flame of Irish traditional music for what seems like forever: 'The Foggy Dew,' 'Women of Ireland,' The Long Black Veil, Irish Heartbeat, The Chieftains 4 youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *ff *mi 37. Tom Paxton (1937-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; n). Contemporary folk singer-songwriter par excellence Paxton has turned increasingly to the world of children's (folk) music: 'Bottle of Wine,' 'What Did You Learn in School Today?', 'I Can't Help but Wonder Where I'm Bound,' 'The Last Thing on My Mind,' 'Ramblin Boy,' 'The Marvelous Toy,' 'Talking Vietnam Potluck Blues' youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *ss *tf 38.

John Prine (1946-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; n). Singer-songwriter Prine typically performs his contemporary folk-like compositions with a wink, in the mood of an ambling walk down a country lane: 'Paradise,' 'Grandpa Was a Carpenter,' 'Hello in There,' 'In Spite of Ourselves,' 'Illegal Smile,' 'Angel From Montgomery,' 'That's the Way the World Goes 'Round,' 'Sam Stone,' John Prine, The Missing Years, Fair and Square youtube.com videos myspace.com *ac *af *cf *ss *tf 39. Clannad Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n). The leading band of the Celtic music revival, as well as a significant influence on the development of so-called "New Age" music: 'Theme From Harry's Game,' 'I Will Find You,' Magical Ring, Anam, Clannad youtube.com videos myspace.com *ce *na 40. June Tabor (1947-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; y).

Tabor's dark rich voice has made her her generation's leading British traditional songs stylist: 'And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda,' Silly Sisters, Abyssinians, Airs and Graces, A Cut Above, An Echo of Hooves youtube.com videos *cf *ff *fj *mv 41. Stan Rogers (1949-1983) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n). But for his untimely death in an airplane fire in 1983, by now Rogers almost certainly would have reached the highest levels of fame within folk circles: '45 Years,' 'Barrett's Privateers,' 'The Mary Ellen Carter,' 'White Squall,' 'The Field Behind the Plow,' Fogarty's Cove, From Fresh Water, Northwest Passage youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *mv *ss 42. Steeleye Span Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; y).

Steeleye Span's clever arrangements of traditional material have made them an enduring favorite among British folk fans: 'Gaudete,' 'King Henry,' 'The Blacksmith,' 'When I Was on Horseback,' 'All Around My Hat,' Below the Salt, Parcel of Rogues youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *ff *fp *fr 43. Sandy Denny (1947-1978) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; y). Folk/folk-rock lost its leading female singer-songwriter prematurely when Denny died in an accident at the age of 31: 'Who Knows Where the Time Goes?', 'Fotheringay,' 'John the Gun' youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *fr *mv *ss 44. Harry Belafonte (1927-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; y).

Perhaps most associated with calypso music styles of the 50s and 60s protest music, Belafonte has recorded all kinds of folk-related material over his career: 'The Banana Boat Song,' 'Matilda,' 'Jamaica Farewell,' Calypso youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *ff *fp *mv *tf 45. Josh White (1908-1969) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; y). Singer-guitarist White was a key player in first the blues, then folk-revival scenes in the 40s, 50s, and 60s, influencing figures ranging from Ray Charles to Don McLean and The Animals: 'House of the Rising Sun,' 'Careless Love,' 'St. James Infirmary,' 'One Meat Ball' youtube.com videos myspace.com *bl *ff 46. Sweet Honey in the Rock Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n).

Bernice Johnson Reagon (1942-)'s a cappella ensemble, embracing topical and traditional themes alike, has been active for over thirty years: 'I Got Shoes,' 'We Are,' 'Emergency,' Still the Same Me, I Got Shoes, Live at Carnegie Hall youtube.com videos myspace.com *bl *cf *fj *tf 47. James Taylor (1948-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 1; y). Taylor's emotionally plaintive voice continues to endear him to the folk community, even as his material selections move him further and further into MOR: 'Fire and Rain,' 'How Sweet It Is,' 'Carolina in My Mind,' 'You've Got a Friend,' Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon, Sweet Baby James youtube.com videos *cf *fp *ss 48. Martin Carthy (1940-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; y). Collector, singer, and acoustic guitarist extraordinaire, one of the leading figures in the English folk revival: 'The Famous Flower of Serving Men,' 'Scarborough Fair,' Byker Hill, Martin Carthy youtube.com videos *cf *ff *mi 49.

Townes Van Zandt (1944-1997) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 1; n). Perhaps more a country artist than a folkie, the late Townes Van Zandt ranked as one of our finest singer-songwriters: 'Pancho and Lefty,' 'None But the Rain,' 'Waiting Around to Die,' 'Tecumseh Valley,' 'To Live's to Fly,' 'If I Needed You,' Live at the Old Quarter, The Late Great Townes Van Zandt youtube.com videos myspace.com *ac *cf *ss 50. The Almanac Singers Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; n). This informal group including Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Lee Hays lasted only a couple of years in the early 1940s, but one can point to their union as a legitimate starting point of the twentieth century's "contemporary folk" movement: 'Talking Union,' 'Union Maid,' Talking Union, Songs for John Doe youtube.com videos *cf *ff *tf 51.

Kate (1946-2010) and Anna (1944-) McGarrigle Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; n). Tight harmonies and smartly crafted songs characterize the work of this highly regarded bi-lingual Canadian duo: 'Heart Like a Wheel,' 'Talk of Me of Mendocino,' 'NaCl (Sodium Chloride),' 'My Town,' Kate & Anna McGarrigle, French Record, Dancer With Bruised Knees youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *ss 52. Loreena McKennitt (1957-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 2; n). She of Canadian nationality, Celtic and rock sensibilities, and Barbra Streisand-class voice: 'Mummers' Dance,' 'All Souls Night,' 'Bonny Portmore,' 'Night Ride Across the Caucasus,' 'The Lady of Shalott,' An Ancient Muse, The Visit, The Mask and the Mirror, The Book of Secrets youtube.com videos myspace.com *ce *fr *mv *na 53. Suzanne Vega (1959-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n).

The break-through figure in the "New Folk" movement of the 80s: 'Tom's Diner,' 'Luka,' Suzanne Vega, Solitude Standing youtube.com videos myspace.com *af *cf *fr *ss 54. Loudon Wainwright III (1946-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; n). Sly, wry, or sometimes just plain silly, singer-songwriter Wainwright alternately makes us laugh and cry: 'Dead Skunk,' 'Red Guitar,' 'Swimming Song,' Album III, More Love Songs, Last Man on Earth, I'm Alright youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *ss 55. Ralph McTell (1944-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n). One of the top tunesmiths and songwriter-guitarists of the contemporary folk genre: 'Streets of London,' 'Gypsy,' 'From Clare to Here,' 'Zig Zag Line,' 'First Song,' You Well Meaning Brought Me Here, Easy, Not Till Tomorrow youtube.com videos *cf *mi *ss 56.

Tracy Chapman (1964-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n). One of the stars of the "New Folk" generation, with the flexibility of delivery to cross over to pop and rock at will: 'Fast Car,' 'Give Me One Reason,' 'Talkin Bout a Revolution,' Tracy Chapman, Crossroads, New Beginning youtube.com videos myspace.com *af *ss *tf 57. The Seekers Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n). While the Byrds were inventing folk rock, the Seekers were the number one act of 1965 in the British charts, showing the way from Peter Paul and Mary to the folk pop of Simon and Garfunkel and the Mamas and the Papas: 'I'll Never Find Another You,' 'A World of Our Own,' 'The Carnival Is Over,' 'Morningtown Ride,' 'Georgy Girl' youtube.com videos myspace.com *ff *fp *mv 58. Gillian Welch (1967-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; n).

Relative newcomer Gillian Welch has quickly risen to the top of the current generation of tradition-oriented roots performers: 'Wrecking Ball,' Time (The Revelator), Soul Journey, Revival youtube.com videos myspace.com *ac *ss 59. Tim Hardin (1941-1980) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n). A great songwriter and emotional singer, Hardin was another of the stable of 60s/70s folkies who couldn't quite gather the will to survive that era: 'If I Were a Carpenter,' 'Simple Song of Freedom,' 'Reason to Believe,' 'Misty Roses' youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *mv *ss 60. Leo Kottke (1945-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n). John Fahey's most famous disciple, singer/songwriter/instrumentalist Kottke has long been known as the king of the twelve-string: Six and Twelve-String Guitar, Greenhouse, Leo Kottke Anthology youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *mi 61. The Clancy Brothers (and Tommy Makem) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; n).

Another legendary band from the Irish folk tradition: 'The Jug of Punch,' 'Brennan on the Moor,' The Rising of the Moon, Come Fill Your Glass With Us youtube.com videos myspace.com *ce *ff 62. Buffy Sainte-Marie (1941-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n). Canadian First Nations-born singer-songwriter Sainte-Marie has had a long and successful career both within music, and beyond: 'Until It's Time for You to Go,' 'Soldier Blue,' 'Co'dine,' 'Universal Soldier,' 'Up Where We Belong,' It's My Way! youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *ss *tf 63. The Band Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 2; y). Led by the irrepressible Robbie Robertson (1943-), The Band moved folk rock back in the direction of roots music: 'The Weight,' 'Chest Fever,' 'The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,' 'Up On Cripple Creek,' 'I Shall Be Released,' The Band, Music From Big Pink youtube.com videos myspace.com *fr 64.

Steve Goodman (1948-1984) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; n). Singer-songwriter Goodman died young (from leukemia), but left us with 'The City of New Orleans' and other treasures: 'You Never Even Call Me By My Name,' 'The Lincoln Park Pirates,' 'Chicken Cordon Bleus,' 'A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request,' 'My Old Man,' 'The Dutchman,' Unfinished Business, Steve Goodman youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *ss 65. Kate Wolf (1942-1986) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; n). A singer-songwriter of rare compassion whose early death, also from leukemia, robbed both the folk and women's music communities of a top talent: 'Give Yourself to Love,' 'Across the Great Divide,' 'Eyes of a Painter,' 'Redtail Hawk,' Give Yourself to Love, Close to You, Gold in California youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *ss 66. Hazel Dickens (1935-2011) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n).

Dickens' high-pitched "mountain" singing voice and authentic song writing supported her various successful forays into bluegrass, honky-tonk, traditional folk, and roots country: 'Mama's Hand,' Hazel & Alice, It's Hard to Tell the Singer From the Song, Heart of a Singer, By the Sweat of My Brow youtube.com videos myspace.com *ac *ff *tf 67. Elizabeth 'Libba' Cotten (1893-1987) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; n). An ageless folk performer whose songwriting and country blues guitar-playing talents made her an influential favorite in the 50s and 60s: 'Freight Train,' 'Shake Sugaree,' 'Ain't Got No Honey Baby Now' youtube.com videos myspace.com *bl *ff *mi 68. Taj Mahal (1942-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; n).

Over his five-decade-long career Taj Mahal has traversed the worlds of blues, jazz, folk, and international music with equal skill and success: 'Take a Giant Step,' 'Queen Bee,' 'Statesboro Blues,' 'Fishin' Blues,' Giant Step, The Source, Phantom Blues youtube.com videos myspace.com *ff *fj 69. Bruce 'Utah' Phillips (1935-2008) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; n). A classic American contemporary topical folkie and storyteller following in the footsteps of Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Malvina Reynolds: 'The Telling Takes Me Home,' 'Hallelujah I'm a Bum!,' 'Goodnight-Loving Trail,' 'Green Rolling Hills,' 'Rock Salt & Nails,' 'Bread and Roses,' 'Moose Turd Pie,' Good Though youtube.com videos *cf *tf 70. Dave Van Ronk (1936-2002) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n).

Van Ronk's roots were in the blues, but his best known efforts fall more within the contemporary folk and singer-songwriter realms: 'Would You Like to Swing on a Star?', 'St. James Infirmary,' 'Cocaine Blues,' 'Sunday Street,' Folksinger youtube.com videos myspace.com *bl *cf *ff *mi *tf 71. Christy Moore (1945-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n). In the world of politically-motivated folk music, Moore is one of the top guns: 'Ordinary Man,' 'Ride On,' 'Black Is the Colour,' 'Go, Move, Shift,' Christy Moore, Ride On youtube.com videos myspace.com *ce *cf *tf 72. The Roches Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 2; n). Suburban punk-rock folk is the Roches' forte, but from that starting point they've stepped out to explore a dozen other musical directions: 'We,' 'Hammond Song,' 'Mr.

Sellack,' 'Hallelujah Chorus,' 'On the Road to Fairfax County,' 'The Married Men,' The Roches youtube.com videos myspace.com *af *cf *fj *mv *pf 73. Nanci Griffith (1954-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 2; n). Sweet-voiced Nanci Griffith sings and writes wistful songs that appeal to both country and contemporary folk audiences: 'Love at the Five and Dime,' 'From a Distance,' 'Once in a Very Blue Moon,' 'Trouble in the Fields,' Last of the True Believers, Other Voices Other Rooms, Lone Star State of Mind youtube.com videos myspace.com *ac *cf *ss 74. John Renbourn (1944-2015) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; y). Renbourn's virtuostic blending of folk, blues, and early classical music made him one of the world's top guitar stylists for fifty years: Sir John Alot..., Traveller's Prayer, The Lady and the Unicorn, Wheel of Fortune youtube.com videos *cf *tf *fj *mi 75.

Tim Buckley (1947-1975) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 2; n). The early death of Tim Buckley was perhaps presaged in the surreal lyrics to his most celebrated song, 'Morning Glory.' 'Song to the Siren,' 'I Must Have Been Blind,' Goodbye and Hello, Happy Sad youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *fj *mv *ss 76. Bruce Cockburn (1945-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; n). Canadian singer-songwriter-instrumentalist Cockburn doesn't shy away from the label "leftist": 'Wondering Where the Lions Are,' 'Lovers in a Dangerous Time,' 'All the Diamonds in the World,' 'If I Had a Rocket Launcher,' Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws, Stealing Fire youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *fr *ss *tf 77. Greg Brown (1949-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n).

Gruff-voiced Greg Brown has made a reputation writing elegantly picture-perfect songs on the "little" things in life: 'Who Woulda Thunk It,' 'If I Had Known,' 'Canned Goods,' 'In the Dark with You,' Slant 6 Mind, Further In youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *ss 78. Davey Graham (1940-2008) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n). Gifted acoustic guitarist Graham was one of the least-known, most underrated--and most important--movers in the early development of both world music and the British Soho folk scene: 'Anji,' 'She Moved Through the Fair,' Folk Roots New Routes, Folk Blues & Beyond youtube.com videos myspace.com *bl *cf *fj *mi 79. Maddy Prior (1947-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; y). Possessor of one of folk music's most outstanding voices and for many years leader of Steeleye Span, Prior is also an important collector/interpreter: Silly Sisters, Summer Solstice youtube.com videos *cf *ff *fp *mv 80.

Altan Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; n). Celebrated for the way they feature Donegal fiddle-playing and Gaelic songs, Altan has been a top Irish folk act for over twenty years: Horse With a Heart, Local Ground, Harvest Storm youtube.com videos myspace.com *ce *ff 81. The Brothers Four Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; n). An important vocal group from the 1960s folk revival days: 'Greenfields,' 'Try to Remember,' 'Green Leaves of Summer' youtube.com videos myspace.com *ff 82. Richie Havens (1941-2013) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n). The husky voice of Richie Havens brilliantly combines what seem to be diametrically opposed qualities: roughness and tenderness: 'Here Comes the Sun,' 'Freedom,' 'Just Like a Woman,' Mixed Bag youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *fj *fp 83. Joan Armatrading (1950-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 1; y).

West Indian by birth then English by adoption, Armatrading's unmistakable voice and solid material guarantees her a continuing fanbase: 'Love and Affection,' Joan Armatrading, Me Myself I, Into the Blues youtube.com videos myspace.com *fj *fp *ss 84. Michelle Shocked (1962-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n). Shocked took the music world by storm in the late 80s, then settled back into a lower-key career as an activist singer-songwriter: 'Anchorage,' Kind Hearted Woman, Arkansas Traveler, The Texas Campfire Tapes youtube.com videos myspace.com *af *cf *ss *tf 85. Mike Seeger (1933-2009) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; y). Half-brother of Pete Seeger and leader of the New Lost City Ramblers, Mike Seeger was a leading custodian of the authentic folk tradition: True Vine, Retrograss youtube.com videos *ff 86. Cisco Houston (1918-1961) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; n).

An itinerant traveling troubadour of the Jack Elliott/Woody Guthrie mold active in the 30s, 40s and 50s, before cancer silenced him at the age of 42 in 1961: Best of the Vanguard Years, The Folkways Years 1944-1961 youtube.com videos myspace.com *ff *tf 87. Ani DiFranco (1970-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 2; n). A highly successful singer-songwriter from the "New Folk" generation, with just enough grit and punk in her bag to have successfully crossed over into commercial pop: 'Little Plastic Castle,' 'Untouchable Face,' 'You Had Time,' Not a Pretty Girl, Puddle Dive youtube.com videos myspace.com *af *pf *ss *tf 88. Mississippi John Hurt (1893-1966) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 2; y).

Hurt had two careers: one back in the early twentieth century as a light country blues guitar man, and one during the 60s as a "rediscovered" inspiration to the new generation: 'Satisfied and Tickled Too,' 'Avalon Blues,' 'Poor Boy Long Ways From Home,' 'Candy Man Blues' youtube.com videos myspace.com *bl *ff *mi 89. The Pogues Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 2; n). Whether you think of them as folk rock or Celtic punk, The Pogues have been responsible for a lot of genre limits-stretching in their time: 'Dirty Old Town,' 'Fairytale of New York,' Peace and Love, If I Should Fall From Grace With God youtube.com videos myspace.com *af *fr *pf *tf 90. Ian (1933-) and Sylvia (1940-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; n). The stylistically influential Canadian folk duo also known for the folk classics 'Four Strong Winds' and 'You Were on My Mind.' youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *ff *ss 91.

Patty Griffin (1964-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; n). Griffin's star is still on the rise; a brilliant songwriter with a strong voice, she moves effortlessly from folk to folk rock to alt-country: 'Let Him Fly,' 'Top of the World,' 'Mary,' Living With Ghosts, 1000 Kisses youtube.com videos myspace.com *ac *af *fp *ss 92. A. L. "Bert" Lloyd (1908-1982) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; y). Lloyd was a key figure in the British folk revival both as a singer and as a collector of materials, especially from the maritime tradition: Blow Boys Blow, English Drinking Songs youtube.com videos *ff 93. Jean Ritchie (1922-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; n). Dulcimer virtuoso and traditional singer Ritchie is an American folk treasure: 'Shady Grove,' Carols for All Seasons, Jean Ritchie and Doc Watson at Folk City, Ballads youtube.com videos *ff *mi 94.

John Martyn (1948-2009) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; y). From his origins as a hotshot acoustic guitarist in the Soho days of British folk, Martyn evolved an eclectic style bordering on blues or jazz: 'May You Never,' 'Couldn't Love You More,' 'Solid Air,' 'Don't Wanna Know,' On the Cobbles, Solid Air, One World youtube.com videos myspace.com *bl *cf *fj *mi *ss 95. Janis Ian (1951-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; n). Even before her hits 'Society's Child' and 'At Seventeen' Ian was well known to the folk community, having published topical songs in major venues by the age of thirteen: 'Jesse,' 'Fly Too High,' Between the Lines, Aftertones youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *fp *ss *tf 96. Buffalo Springfield Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 2; y).

A short-lived supergroup whose individual members would go on to make fundamental contributions to the development of folk- and country-rock: 'For What It's Worth,' 'Bluebird,' 'Broken Arrow,' 'Expecting to Fly,' Buffalo Springfield Again youtube.com videos myspace.com *fr 97. Dar Williams (1967-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; n). Williams has gathered a large following by writing sensitive songs shunning celebrity and crediting who she terms "the real heroes" in our lives: 'The Christians and the Pagans,' 'When I Was a Boy,' Mortal City, Cry Cry Cry youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *fp *ss 98. Tom Rush (1941-) Wikipedia entry (f.r: 4; n). Handsome and smooth-voiced, Rush proved an ideal interpreter of other folkies' material in the 60s and 70s, and was a good songwriter to boot: 'No Regrets,' 'The Remember Song,' The Circle Game youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *fp *ss 99. Eric Bogle (1944-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n).

Scottish-Australian topical songwriter Bogle has received many important honors for his fervent humanitarianism: 'No Man's Land' ('The Green Fields of France'), 'Singing the Spirit Home,' 'All the Fine Young Men,' 'Safe in the Harbour,' 'And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda,' Something of Value, Scraps of Paper youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *ss *tf 100. Country Joe McDonald (1942-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; y). In his Vietnam War protest days with his group the Fish, Joe played for keeps: "Be the first ones on your block to have your boy come home in a box...": 'I- Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin-to-Die Rag,' Electric Music for Mind and Body, I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin-to-Die youtube.com videos myspace.com *af *fr *tf 101. Billy Bragg (1957-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 2; y).

This English singer-songwriter is one of the kings of topical music, especially as viewed through the lens of socialism: 'She's Leaving Home,' 'A New England,' 'Sexuality,' Back to Basics, Mermaid Avenue youtube.com videos myspace.com *af *pf *ss *tf 102. The Highwaymen Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; n). The Highwaymen had but one major success--'Michael'--but it came just at the right time, the summer of 1961, helping propel the folk revival movement to national awareness. 'Cotton Fields' youtube.com videos *ff 103. Harry Chapin (1942-1981) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 2; n). Singer-songwriter Chapin was headed for super-stardom when an automobile accident cut him down at the age of 38: 'Taxi,' 'Cats in the Cradle,' Heads & Tails youtube.com videos myspace.com *fp *ss *tf 104. Capercaillie Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; n).

Scotland's currently most popular traditional music band: Secret People, To the Moon, Dusk Till Dawn youtube.com videos myspace.com *ce *ff 105. Burl Ives (1909-1995) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n). Ives fashioned a highly successful career as actor, educator--and folk, country, and MOR singer: 'Blue Tail Fly,' 'On Top of Old Smokey,' 'A Holly Jolly Christmas,' 'Little Bitty Tear,' 'Frosty the Snowman,' 'The Wayfaring Stranger' youtube.com videos myspace.com *ff *fp 106. Richard (1937-1966) and Mimi (1945-2001) Fariña Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n). This talented duo managed only a pair of l.p.

releases before writer, singer-songwriter and dulcimer stylist Richard was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1966: 'Pack Up Your Sorrows,' 'Birmingham Sunday,' 'The Quiet Joys of Brotherhood,' 'Reno Nevada,' Celebration for a Grey Day, Reflections in a Crystal Wind youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *ss *tf 107. Martin Simpson (1953-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n). No one else plays traditional material on solo guitar with the grace and purity that Simpson can muster: Cool and Unusual, Prodigal Son, When I Was on Horseback youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *ff *mi 108. Kate Rusby (1973-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; n). In the generation of British traditional singers after Tabor and Prior, Rusby is perhaps the brightest star: 'You Belong to Me,' 'Awkward Annie,' 'Who Will Sing Me Lullabies,' The Girl Who Couldn't Fly, Awkward Annie, 10 youtube.com videos myspace.com *cf *ff 109.

Oysterband Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; y). The Oysterband combines an alternative rock and folk style with a flair for topical subjects: 'The Oxford Girl,' Little Rock to Leipzig, Freedom and Rain youtube.com videos myspace.com *ff *fr *tf 110. Christine Lavin (1952-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; n). Lavin has an unsurpassed talent for poking fun--as much at herself, as at her various peeves: 'Sensitive New Age Guys,' 'Balded Headed Men,' 'If You Need Space Move to Utah,' Live at the Cactus Cafe--What Was I Thinking?, Beau Woes (and Other Problems of Modern Life) youtube.com videos *cf *ss *tf 111. John Gorka (1958-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n).

With his edgy baritone and various intellectual musings, Gorka became the leading "sensitive 90s guy" among contemporary folkies: 'I Know,' 'Love Is Our Cross to Bear,' 'Land of the Bottom Line,' Land of the Bottom Line, I Know youtube.com videos *cf *ss *tf ___________________________________ Honorable Mentions #112 to #150 (in alphabetical order only): Eric Andersen (1943-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n). Devendra Banhart Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 2; n). The Battlefield Band Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n). The Beau Brummels Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 2; n). Norman Blake (1938-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 2; n). Dock Boggs (1898-1971) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; n). Paul Brady (1947-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n). Moya Brennan (1952-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; n).

Mary Chapin Carpenter (1958-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 1; n). Shirley Collins (1935-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; y). Reverend Gary Davis (1896-1972) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; y). De Danann / De Dannan Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n). The Decemberists Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; n). Iris DeMent (1961-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; n). Dick Gaughan (1948-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; n). Bob Gibson (1931-1996) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n). The Grateful Dead Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 2; y). Ashley Hutchings (1945-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; y). The Incredible String Band Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; y). Indigo Girls Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 2; n). The Limeliters Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; n).

Dougie MacLean (1954-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n). Miriam Makeba (1932-2008) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; y). Tommy Makem (1932-2007) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; n). John McCutcheon (1952-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n). Roger McGuinn (1942-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n). Don McLean (1945-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; n). Melanie (1947-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; n). Fred Neil (1936-2001) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; n). The New Christy Minstrels Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; n). Triona Ni Dhomhnaill Wikipedia entry (f.r: 5; n). Ellis Paul (1965-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 3; n). Planxty Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4; y).

Peggy Seeger (1935-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; y). Solas Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; n). Cat Stevens (now Yusuf Islam) (1948-) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 2; n). Dave Swarbrick (1941-2016) Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; y). The Tannahill Weavers Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 4.5; n). The Watersons Wikipedia entry (f.r.: 5; y).

Other folks I considered (some only briefly, some not...): 10000 Maniacs, The Albion Band, Frankie Armstrong, Gene Autry, Aly Bain, Duck Baker, Patrick Ball, Derek Bell, Peter Bellamy, Pierre Bensusan, Theodore Bikel, Mary Black, Blackmore's Night, Luka Bloom, Gordon Bok, Bok Muir & Trickett, The Bothy Band, Boys of the Lough, Oscar Brand, Anne Briggs, David Bromberg, Big Bill Broonzy, Jackson Browne, Vashti Bunyan, Kevin Burke, John Butler, Terry Callier, Eliza Carthy, Chad & Jeremy, Cherish the Ladies, Lui Collins, Shawn Colvin, Ry Cooder, Michael Cooney, Phil Coulter, Marshall Crenshaw, Jim Croce, Mike Cross, Cry Cry Cry, Johnny Cunningham, Phil Cunningham, Barbara Dane, Erik Darling, Lonnie Donegan, Connie Dover, Jimmy Driftwood, The Dubliners, Antje Duvekot, Cliff Eberhardt, Eddie From Ohio, Enya, Espers, Marianne Faithfull, Ferron, Cathy Fink, Archie Fisher, Dan Fogelberg, Steve Forbert

, Alasdair Fraser, Jesse Fuller, Jerry Garcia, Alice Gerrard, Ronnie Gilbert, Vance Gilbert, Eliza Gilkyson, Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen, Gordon Giltrap, Joe Glazer, Tracy Grammer & Dave Carter, The Greenbriar Boys, Stefan Grossman, Jack Hardy, Roy Harper, Emmylou Harris, Tim Hart, John Hartford, Lee Hays, Judy Henske, Priscilla Herdman, Carolyn Hester, Joe Hill, Anne Hills, Tish Hinojosa, The Holy Modal Rounders, The Horseflies, The House Band, The Irish Rovers, Andy Irvine, Eileen Ivers, John James, Nic Jones, Rickie Lee Jones, Si Kahn, Cindy Kallet, Lucy Kaplansky, Dolores Keane, James Keelaghan, Luke Kelly, John Kirkpatrick, "Spider" John Koerner, Bonnie Koloc, Alison Krauss, Patty Larkin, Lindisfarne, Trini Lopez, Jez Lowe, Uncle Dave Macon, David Mallett, The Mamas & the Papas, Marcy Marxer, David Massengill, Iain Matthews, Matt McGinn, Barry McGuire, Rod McKuen,

 The Chad Mitchell Trio, Keb Mo, Mick Moloney, Bill Morrisey, Geoff Muldaur, Holly Near, Mickey Newbury, Carrie Newcomer, Nightnoise, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Tim O'Brien, Maura O'Connell, Mike Oldfield, Beth Orton, Ossian, Gram Parsons, Patrick Street, Peter & Gordon, Phranc, The Poozies, Jean Redpath, Relativity, Malvina Reynolds, Ralph Rinzler, Paul Robeson, Gamble Rogers, Garnet Rogers, Sally Rogers, Peter Rowan, Tom Russell, Tommy Sands, Claudia Schmidt, John Sebastian, Richard Shindell, Shel Silverstein, Silly Wizard, Nina Simone, P.

F. Sloan, Judy Small, Elliott Smith, Michael Smith, Chris Smither, Rosalie Sorrels, Joseph Spence, Bruce Springsteen, Bill Staines, Ralph Stanley, Al Stewart, Andy M. Stewart, John Stewart, Stephen Stills, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Steve Tilston, Happy & Artie Traum, Jay Ungar, Eric Von Schmidt, Jerry Jeff Walker, M. Ward, Norma Waterson, We Five, Susan Werner, Cheryl Wheeler, David Wilcox, Lucinda Williams, Victoria Williams, Cris Williamson, Robin Williamson, Jesse Winchester, Wolfstone, Glenn Yarbrough, Jesse Colin Young, The Young Tradition, The Youngbloods ___________________________________

Question: Who wrote the folk music classic, 'Streets Of London'?
Answer: RALPH McTELL