Folk musicians have never been a group of musicians to over publicize or make their appearance known. They always lurk in shadows and do what they do best, which is to put great truthful sentiments on the page and back them up with simple musical arrangements. And that is where the charm of folk musicians lies.
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Folk musicians who have done this but seemingly been put into the mainstream include Townes Van Zandt, Blaze Foley, and Elliot Smith. However, there are a handful of folk musicians who have been in the game for quite some time and still fly under the radar to this day. That being so, if you are a folkie, here are three underrated folk musicians to add to your playlist.
Jackson C. Frank
Jackson C. Frank’s career ended as soon as it started. In 1965, Frank released his one and only album, Jackson C. Frank. Following that album, Frank disappeared from the music scene, but to this day, his music has been circulating, and one major shoutout his music got was in the 2018 Robert Redford film The Old Man & the Gun.
One of the film’s most major tracks was Frank’s 1965 single, “Blues Run The Game.” The single appeared on Frank’s self-titled album, which was actually produced by the one and only Paul Simon. So if you don’t trust our word, then take Paul Simon’s word for it.
Beans on Toast
Beans on Toast is not an orthodox folk musician; however, he certainly still falls under the genre. The UK-based folk singer came to prominence in 2005 in the underground UK folk scene. Since his music career became one of the focal points of his life, the artist has written and released 15 studio albums.
Some of his more prominent tracks include “On & On,” “A Beautiful Place,” “The Price of Rice, and “The Great American Novel.” Musically, Beans on Toast is not at all what you expect from a folk musician. Though, lyrically, he checks off all the boxes, as he speaks the truth in an eloquent manner.
Josh Ritter
Josh Ritter is everything you want in a folk musician. He is just a man with his guitar who sings while telling a phenomenal story. Despite the familiar style, it is original, as he blends 20th-century folk styles with a 21st-century Americana flair. Currently, Ritter performs with his group Royal City Band.
Ritter has a phenomenal catalog, though, for the sake of sparing you some time, the three songs of his you should check out are “Homecoming,” “Change of Time,” and “Come and Find Me.” If you’re looking to wind down to a sweet guitar melody, then you have found your guy.,
Photo credit: Sam Kassirer Courtesy Sacks & Co.
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