The definition of a great folk song....

[fitness1]

Almost 30 years old now...but the message rings true today as well...

[mercy]

what is the definition of a folk song, guitar and voice? I really dont know. I lived through the great folk song fad and loved it but I still dont know the difference between singer/songwriter and folk song. At first they were traditional songs like Molly on the pipes, then Bob Dylan the Times they are a'changin, then PPM Leaven on a jet plane. What is a folk song?

[Glennwillow]

That was really nice, Todd! I had not heard of Dave Mallett before. His melody choices are a lot like Jim Croce's melodies on his songs.

- Glenn

[fitness1]

Originally Posted by Glennwillow

That was really nice, Todd! I had not heard of Dave Mallett before. His melody choices are a lot like Jim Croce's melodies on his songs.

- Glenn

He's been around a long time - just mostly known for his songwriting.

His son's have a country rock/Americana band too:

[H165]

Thanks for posting. Someone new to me. Reminds me of Stan Rogers and Gordon Bok.

Seems to me there are two definitions we need here:

1. Great song

2. Folk Song

Too many to list on both counts, but folk often means performance style, acoustic instruments, a complete story, and other stuff besides content. Being a USA boomer, my folk song benchmarks are PPM, Lightfoot, Weavers, Dylan, Kate Wolf, Nanci, & Kingston Trio. As for great folk song, I like Kate Wolf's version of David West & Cyrus Clark’s "Telluride".

[fitness1]

Originally Posted by H165

As for great folk song, I like Kate Wolf's version of David West & Cyrus Clark’s "Telluride".

Love and own just about everything Kate did - her music brought comfort to a lot of tough times for me over the last 40 years!

Hard not to love this one too...

[KevWind]

Yes indeed Todd, I a agree a quintessential folk song, had not heard it or him before, thanks for posting ...

[fitness1]

Originally Posted by mercy

What is a folk song?

A mic and a simple message for the masses mixed with three chords and the truth?

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by fitness1

A mic and a simple message for the masses mixed with three chords and the truth?

Well I am not sure I could define folk song in words, but I know it when I hear it

[aK_bAsh7]

Originally Posted by fitness1

Almost 30 years old now...but the message rings true today as well...

I lived in Maine for nine years and during that time was fortunate to attend a D. Mallet concert at a small venue known as the Chocolate Church in Bath. An underrated artist!