Fingerstyle

Joseph Allred – Hoddmímis Holt

Style: Appalachian Folk Music, American Primitivism

Vibes: Rootsy, Spiritual, Warm, Passionate, Meditative, Religious, Storytelling, Sentimental, spiritual, storytelling

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Traditional, Lyrical, Droney, Open Tunings, Solo, Sparse

Instrumentation: Vocals, Harmonium, Acoustic Guitars (6- & 12-String), Autoharp, Piano, Banjo

Robbie Basho – Song of the Stallion

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

Ilyas Ahmed – Between Two Skies / Towards the Night

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)

Elijah McLaughlin Ensemble – III

Style: American Primitivism, Post-Minimalism, Ambient Americana

Vibes: Contemplative, Nature, Pastoral, Sombre, Focused, Hypnotic, Rootsy, Aquatic, Meditative

Julie Byrne – The Greater Wings

with Jake Falby, Alex Somers, Eric Littmann, Marilu Donovan, Jefre Cantu-Ledesma & Nadia Hulett

Style: Chamber-Folk, Singer/Songwriter, Ambient Pop, New Age

Vibes: Heartfelt, Reflective, Loving, Bittersweet, Mournful, Healing, Introspective, Compassionate, Observational, Poetic, Contemplative, Ethereal, Summer

Musical Qualities: Lyrical, Soft, Lush, Orchestral

Instrumentation: Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Strings, Piano, Synthesizers, Harp, Modular Synthesizer

Danny Paul Grody – Arc of Day

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

Meg Baird – Furling

Style: Singer/Songwriter, Dream-Folk

Moods: Reflective, Flowing, Dreamy, Bittersweet, Melancholy, Pastoral, Mellow, Breezy, Haunting, Morning, Contemplative, Poetic, Peaceful, Soothing

Instrumental Music of the Southern Appalachians

Style: Appalachian Folk, Piedmont Blues

Vibe: Pastoral, Rootsy, Morning, Rustic, Bright, Spiritual, Warm, Passionate, Contemplative

Musical Qualities: Solo Instrumentals, Acoustic, Melodic, Sparse, Fingerstyle

Instruments: Fiddle, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar, Dulcimer, Harmonica

Samara Lubelski – The Fleeting Skies

Styles: Singer-Songwriter, Chamber Folk, Math-Pop

Moods: Breezy, Flowing, Intertwined, Morning, Warm, Dreamy, Sunny, Spring, Bright, Colorful, Forest, Soothing

Musical Qualities: Soft, Lush, Melodic, Catchy, Loose, Fingerstyle

Instrumentation: Electric Guitar, Violin, Flute, Drums, Bass, Piano, Recorder

Bert Jansch – Jack Orion

Style: Folk Baroque, English & Scottish Folk Music

Moods: Medieval, Romantic, Storytelling, Rural, Intimate, Morning, Rootsy, Melancholy, Passionate, Mellow

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Sparse, Fingerstyle, Technical

John Fahey – The Yellow Princess

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

Eli Winter – Eli Winter

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

Joan Shelley – Over and Even

Style: Folk, Singer/Songwriter

Vibe: Morning, Reflective, Soothing, Gentle, Bittersweet, Warm, Mellow, Contemplative

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Lush, Soft, Vocal Harmonies, Melodic, Sparse, Polished Production

Instrumentation: Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Piano, Harmonium, Glockenspiel, Keyboards

Six Organs of Admittance – Dust & Chimes

Style: Psych Folk, American Primitive Guitar, Ritual-Folk

Vibe: Forest, Ritualistic, Seeking, Mystical, Witchy, Nocturnal, Adventure

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Droney, Fingerstyle, Loose, Percussive, Modal, Raga

Pentangle – Solomon’s Seal

Style: Brit-Folk, Chamber Folk, Jazz-Folk

Vibe: Flowing, Morning, Breezy, Warm, Medieval, Sentimental, Rootsy, Mellow, Pastoral, Uplifting

Musical Qualities: Vocal Harmonies, Acoustic, Traditional, Melodic, Improvisation

Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitars (Fingerstyle), Vocals, Upright Bass, Sitar, Dulcimer, Banjo, Recorder, Harmonica, Electric Guitar, Drums

Robbie Basho – Visions of the Country

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

John Fahey – Volume 2: Death Chants, Breakdowns, & Military Waltzes

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

Moon Bros – These Stars

Style: Americana, Folk

Vibe: Pastoral, Breezy, Sunny, Morning, Rustic, Warm, Rootsy

Instrumentation: Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar, Pedal Steel, Upright Bass, Drums, Harmonica

Elkhorn – Sun Cycle

Style: Fingerstyle Folk, Psych, American Primitive Guitar

Vibe: Pastoral, Sunny, Hypnotic, Desert, Mellow, Psychedelic, Warm, Intertwined

Musical Qualities: Instrumental, Improvisation, Acoustic

Scott Key – The Forest and the Sea

Style: Finger-style Guitar, Folk

Vibe: Nature, Reflective, Knotty, Morning, Existential, Loner

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Solo, Technical, Instrumental (except 2 tracjs), Self-Recorded

Julie Byrne – Not Even Happiness

Julie Byrne’s gentle new-age folk is so light and airy it’s easy to miss its depth, but repeated listening shows that it’s strength lies in its weightlessness. Her soothing voice and delicate fingerpicking are enveloped in warm string arrangements, all tied together by soft reverb and pristine production that makes for an inviting, peaceful listen every time.?

John Fahey – Volume 1: Blind Joe Death

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.

Leo Kottke – 6 & 12-String Guitar

Style: American Primitive Guitar, Folk

Moods: Joyful, Warm, Playful, Summer, Contemplative, Rootsy, Pastoral, Nature, Loner

Musical Qualities: Solo, Acoustic, Fingerstyle, Instrumental, Technical

Jack Rose – Opium Musick

Primitivist acoustic guitar instrumentals in the form of droney ragas, jovial ragtime, and pastoral fingerpicking