Style: Slowcore, American Primitivism, Post-Rock (Louisville Sound), Ambient Americana
Vibes: Loner, Rainy, Meditative, Contemplative, Pastoral, Urban, Hypnotic, Melancholy, Mellow, Soothing
Musical Qualities: Instrumental, Sparse, Solo, Loops, Pulse, Repetitive, Soft, Atmospheric, Minimalistic
Papa M – Live From a Shark Cage Read More »
Style: Free Folk, American Primitivism
Vibes: Sunny, Uplifting, Pastoral, Morning, Rootsy, Spiritual, Warm, Communal
Instrumentation: Banjo, Cello, Fiddle, Harmonium, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Cigar Box, Sruti Box
Friends of the Road – Sunseekin’ Blues Read More »
Style: Glitch-Folk, Collage Folk, American Primitivism, Ambient Americana
Vibes: Apocalyptic, Pastoral, Hypnotic, Reflective, Sombre, Ominous, Meditative
Themes: Ecology, Weather Events, Climate Breakdown, Political
Daniel Bachman – Almanac Behind Read More »
Style: American Primitivism, Appalachian Raga
Vibes: Mysterious, Earthy, Flowing, Eerie, Knotted, Meditative, Rootsy, Nature, Haunting
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Modal, Virtuoso, Fingerstyle
Jack Rose – The Black Dirt Sessions Read More »
Style: Avant-Folk, Southern Gothic, Post-Rock
Vibes: Apocalyptic, Brooding, Mystical, Epic, Utopian, Theological
Musical Qualities: Dynamic, Lyrical, Suite, Progressive
Joseph Allred – New Jerusalem Read More »
Style: Guitar Soli, Avant-Folk, American Primitivism, Middle-Eastern Influence
Vibes: Mysterious, Contemplative, Nocturnal, Spiritual, Eerie, Meditative, Moody
Alvarius B / Sir Richard Bishop – If You Don’t Like It… DON’T! Read More »
Style: American Primitivism, Mystical Folk, North American Raga
Vibe: Devotional, Fantasy, Passionate, Airy, Mountains, Pastoral, Meditative, Mystical, Nature, Spiritual, Warm, Uplifting, Mythic
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Tablas, Vocals
Robbie Basho – Song of the Stallion Read More »
Style: Drone-Folk, Acid Folk, Guitar Soli (LP2)
Vibes: Nocturnal, Intimate, Desert, Raw, Lethargic, Melancholy, Autumnal, Haunting, Mellow, Peaceful
Musical Qualities: Home Recording, Acoustic, Sparse, Lo-Fi, Droney, Instrumental (LP2)
Ilyas Ahmed – Between Two Skies / Towards the Night Read More »
Style: Weird Americana, American Primitive, Appalachian Folk
Vibes: Pastoral, Rootsy, Rural, Knotty, Spiritual, Meditative, Ragged, Twangy
Instrumentation: Banjo, Percussion, Piano, Vocals
Nathan Bowles – Whole & Cloven Read More »
Style: American Primitivism, Post-Minimalism, Ambient Americana
Vibes: Contemplative, Nature, Pastoral, Sombre, Focused, Hypnotic, Rootsy, Aquatic, Meditative
Elijah McLaughlin Ensemble – III Read More »
4LP Box Set including the albums “Womblife”, “Georgia Stomps, Atlanta Struts, and Other Contemporary Dance Favorites”, and
“Hard Time Empty Bottle Blues”
Style: Avant-Folk, Free-Folk, Ambient Blues, American Primitivism, Tape Music
Vibes: Haunting, Nocturnal, Murky, Brooding, Eerie, Aquatic, Bluesy, Woozy, Raw, Meditative
Musical Qualities: Instrumental, Sparse, Improvisation, Collage, Vignettes, Suite, Electro-acoustic, Live
John Fahey – Sea Changes & Coelacanths Read More »
Style: Avant-Folk, Ambient Americana, Free-Folk, American Primitivism
Vibes: Meditative, Personal, Morning, Pastoral, Earthy, History, Hypnotic, Summer, Nature, Soothing
Musical Qualities: Collage, Electro-Acoustic, Glitchy, Suite, Vignettes, Instrumental, Sampling, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Atmospheric
Instrumentation: Banjo, Acoustic Guitar, Mouthbow, Fiddle, Homemade Instruments, Harmonium, Bell
Daniel Bachman – When the Roses Come Again Read More »
Style: Post-Minimalism, Ambient Folk, American Primitivism
Vibe: Soothing, Morning, Contemplative, Meditative
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Soft, Sparse, Instrumental
Instrumentation: Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar, Clarinet, Percussion, Pedal Steel
Danny Paul Grody – Arc of Day Read More »
Style: Jazz-Folk, American Primitivism
Vibe: Desert, Impressionistic, Pastoral, Peaceful, Meandering, Meditative, Western, Nature
Instrumentation: Vibraphone, 12-String Acoustic Guitar, Drums
Elkhorn – On the Whole Universe in All Directions Read More »
Style: American Primitivism, Folk, Guitar Soli
Moods: Pastoral, Breezy, Bright, Earthy, Rual, Sunny, Uplifting, Warm
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Sparse, Technical, Solo
Peter Lang – The Thing at the Nursery Room Window Read More »
Style: Free Folk, Appalachian Dhrupad, Psychedelic Drone, American Primitive
Moods: Ritualistic, Meditative, Spiritual, Rural, Hallucinogenic, Eerie, Mysterious, Rootsy, Woods
Musical Qualities: Droney, Acoustic, Noisy, Dissonant, Improvisation
Instrumentation: Banjo, Hurdy Gurdy, Acoustic Guitar, Esraj, Tanpura, Bowls, Fiddle, Concertina, Chord Organ, Cymbals
Style: American Primitivism, Avant-Folk, Tape Music, Raga
Moods: Meditative, Mysterious, Pastoral, Surreal, Loner, Raw, Psychedelic, Morning, Nature, Spiritual, Rootsy
Musical Qualities: Lo-Fi, Acoustic, Tape Collage, Sparse, Fingerstyle
John Fahey – Guitar Vol. 4: The Great San Bernardino Birthday Party and Other Excursions Read More »
Style: Free Folk, Ritual Psych, Dhrupad, Tribal Ambient, Acoustic Drone, American Primitive, Weird Americana
Feelings: Ritualistic, Nocturnal, Earthy, Forest, Mystical, Eerie
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Droney, Improvisation, Raga-influenced
By the Fruits… You Shall Know the Roots Read More »
Style: American Primitive Guitar, Appalachian Folk, Avant-Folk
Moods: Contemplative, Spring, Pastoral, Bluesy, Meditative, Rustic, Mellow, Hypnotic, Rootsy, Nature
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Fingerstyle, Instrumental, Sparse, Progressive
John Fahey – The Yellow Princess Read More »
Styles: Free-Folk, Jazz-Folk, Classical Guitar, Country Blues
Moods: Searching, Impressionistic, Hypnotic, Meditative, Exploratory, Spiritual
Musical Qualities: Instrumental, Acoustic, Improvisation, Virtuosic
Sandy Bull – Inventions Read More »
ft. jaimie branch, Tyler Damon, Sam Wagster, Cameron Knowler, David Grubbs, Ryley Walker, & Yasmin Williams
FFO: Jim O’Rourke (Bad Timing / The Visitor), William Tyler, Ry Cooder Instrumentals, Gastr Del Sol, Elkhorn, Moon Bros, Appalachian Folk, Leo Kottke, Jack Rose
Eli Winter – Eli Winter Read More »
Style: American Primitivism, Singer/Songwriter, Folk, Raga?Vibe: Mystical, Nature, Open, Passionate, Pastoral, Peaceful, Airy, Contemplative, Earthy, Impressionistic, Meditative, Morning, Spring, Spiritual,
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Indian-Influenced, Sparse, Technical
Robbie Basho – Visions of the Country Read More »
Style: American Primitivism, Acoustic Blues, Folk
Vibe: Meditative, Loner, Morning, Rustic, Spring, Spiritual, Pastoral, Bittersweet, Hypnotic, inspiration, Melancholy, Nature, Raw, Warm
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Technical, Fingerstyle, Instrumental, Sparse, Progressive
John Fahey – Volume 2: Death Chants, Breakdowns, & Military Waltzes Read More »
Style: Americana, Folk
Vibe: Pastoral, Breezy, Sunny, Morning, Rustic, Warm, Rootsy
Instrumentation: Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar, Pedal Steel, Upright Bass, Drums, Harmonica
Moon Bros – These Stars Read More »
Style: Fingerstyle Folk, Psych, American Primitive Guitar
Vibe: Pastoral, Sunny, Hypnotic, Desert, Mellow, Psychedelic, Warm, Intertwined
Musical Qualities: Instrumental, Improvisation, Acoustic
Elkhorn – Sun Cycle Read More »
Style: Finger-style Guitar, Folk
Vibe: Nature, Reflective, Knotty, Morning, Existential, Loner
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Solo, Technical, Instrumental (except 2 tracjs), Self-Recorded
Scott Key – The Forest and the Sea Read More »
Style: Solo Guitar Improvisations, American Primitive Guitar
Vibe: Pastoral, Peaceful, Contemplative, Soothing, Open
Musical Qualities: Sparse, Improvisation, Solo, Atmospheric
David Grubbs – Borough of Broken Umbrellas Read More »
LP, Thrill Jockey, 1998 Reissue (2015) Style: Chamber Folk Vibe: Pastoral, Peaceful, Warm, Focused, Morning, Intertwined Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Technical, Melodic Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitars, Acoustic Bass, Classical Guitar, Irish Bazouki, and Dobro
Pullman – Turnstyles & Junkpiles Read More »
Style: Ambient Blues, Solo Electric Guitar
Vibe: Longing, Soothing, Nocturnal, Impressionistic, Lonely, Meditative, Melancholy, Suspenseful,
Musical Qualities: Sparse, Improvisation (solo), Atmospheric, Instrumental, Lo-fi
Loren Connors – Blues: The “Dark Paintings” of Mark Rothko Read More »
Style: American Primitvism, Ambient Blues, Solo Electric Guitar
Vibe: Meditative, Longing, Spiritual, Pastoral, Loose, Kinetic
Musical Qualities: Improvisation, Dissonance, Instrumental, Sparse
Bill Orcutt – Odds Against Tomorrow Read More »
Style: Primitivist Theater, Avant-Folk Minimalism, Drone
Vibe: Pastoral, Alienation, Hypnotic, Abstract
Musical Attributes: Sparse, Theatrical, Repetitive, Minimalist, Acoustic
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Voices, Organ, Cello, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Saxophone
David Grubbs – The Coxcomb [Review] Read More »
Style: Appalachian Folk, Folk Blues, American Primitive Guitar??
Vibe: Bittersweet, Rural, Spiritual, Intimate, Pastoral, Warm, Rootsy??
Musical Attributes: Acoustic Fingerstyle, Solo Performance, Sparse, Technical
Elizabeth Cotten – Folksongs and Instrumentals with Guitar Read More »
This impressionistic and contemplative collaboration channels deep American folk roots through free flowing improvisations. The panoramic and sensitive drumming of Jim White (Dirty Three, Cat Power, etc) is a perfect match for Marisa Anderson’s primitivist guitar sensibilities, which feel both immediate and abstract.
Jim White and Marisa Anderson – The Quickening Read More »
Originally released in 1998 Exiled Records reissue (2016) Format: LPx2, blank D-side
Sir Richard Bishop – Salvador Kali Read More »
Style: American Primitive Guitar, Folk
Vibe: Rootsy, Eclectic, Raw
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Lo-fi, Sound Collage, Vignettes, Bluesy, Instrumental
John Fahey – The Voice of the Turtle Read More »
Style: Free Folk, American Primitive Guitar, Poly-Free Improvisation, Experimental Rock
Vibe: Contemplative, Pastoral, Loner, Moody, Melancholy, Mellow, Abstract, Eerie
Musical Qualities: Improvisation, Complex, Electro-Acoustic
David Grubbs – Prismrose Read More »
Released in 2019 on Western Vinyl Format: LP
Moon Bros – The Easy Way is Hard Enough Read More »
Originally released on CD in 2005 on Drag City First vinyl pressing – 2009 Format: LP
Six Organs of Admittance – School of the Flower Read More »
Released in 1973 on Takoma Records Format: LP
John Fahey – Fare Forward Voyagers (Soldier’s Choice) Read More »
Another interesting one from Fahey, side A consists of some amazingly intricate guitar duets with Woodrow Mann, including my favorite Fahey song “Jaya Shiva Shankarah”. Side B takes a strange turn though…halfway through the title track a 10-piece dixieland band kicks for a few tracks of New Orleans-style jazz. The album closes in a more familiar place with a contemplative solo piece that most Fahey fans would dig.
John Fahey & His Orchestra – Old Fashioned Love Read More »
Released in 1967 on Takoma Records Format: LP
Robbie Basho – The Falconer’s Arm II Read More »
Releases in 1983 on Takoma Records Format: LP
John Fahey – Railroad Read More »
1967 Originally Released in 1965 on Takoma Records 1967 Reissue Format: LP
John Fahey – Volume 3: The Dance of Death & Other Plantation Favorites Read More »
Released in 2002 on Holy Mountain Format: LP
Six Organs of Admittance – Dark Noontide Read More »
Released in 2015 on Drag City Composed using Ben Chasny’s Hexadic System
Six Organs of Admittance – Hexadic II Read More »
On his debut album, the guitar and banjo virtuoso starts off with a 22-minute droning epic fusing American and Arabic Folk music with Indian Raga on his acoustic guitar (often trying to imitate the feeling of the oud). Here, he is accompanied by the fluid, driving drums of Billy Higgins. Side 2 is made up of 4 shorter solo pieces, mostly for the banjo, including an impressive rendition of “Carmina Burana” by German composer Carl Orff and a folky mountain song.
Sandy Bull – Fantasias for Guitar and Banjo Read More »
Pastoral psychfolk from guitar master Ben Chasney. Here his serene acoustic fingerpicking is occasionally accompanied by harmonium drones and trippy guitar overdubs, but overall the album is extremely sparse and meditative.
Six Organs of Admittance – Asleep on the Floodplains Read More »
Album Information: Released in 2017 on Blue Chopsticks Records (Imprint of Drag City Records) Eli Keszler – Drums, Percussion (Tracks 1,2,4) Jan St. Werner – Electronics (1,4) Nate Woolley – Trumpet (1,2,4,6,7) Recorded by Mitch Rackin at the Seaside Lounge, Brooklyn, Jan-Mar 2017 Mastered by Douglas Henderson Cover Art: Albert Oehlen Back Photo: Tom Van
David Grubbs – Creep Mission Read More »
Album Information: Released in 1967 on Takoma Records Includes 15-page book of stories and song notes
John Fahey – Volume 6: Days Have Gone By Read More »
Album Information: Released in 1967 on Takoma Records This album was originally released on 100 copies in 1959, but was re-recorded in 1967 for this issue This album is included in the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry for being considered culturally significant.
John Fahey – Volume 1: Blind Joe Death Read More »
An introspective, instrumental journey of pastoral fingerstyle guitar, occasionally joined by piano, synth and horn arrangements
Jim O’Rourke – Bad Timing Read More »
Style: American Primitive Guitar, Folk
Moods: Joyful, Warm, Playful, Summer, Contemplative, Rootsy, Pastoral, Nature, Loner
Musical Qualities: Solo, Acoustic, Fingerstyle, Instrumental, Technical
Leo Kottke – 6 & 12-String Guitar Read More »
Primitivist acoustic guitar instrumentals in the form of droney ragas, jovial ragtime, and pastoral fingerpicking
Jack Rose – Opium Musick Read More »
