The Best Folk & Singer-Songwriter Albums of the 1970s
Our pick of the essential folk & singer-songwriter records released in the 1970s, ranked.
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1BlueJoni Mitchell
Blue
An intimate, confessional landmark of singer-songwriter craft, spare in arrangement and emotionally fearless. Mitchell's melodies and open tunings are extraordinary throughout. Routinely named one of the greatest albums ever made.
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2Bridge over Troubled WaterSimon & Garfunkel
Bridge over Troubled Water
Their final and biggest album, balancing the soaring title hymn with lighter, worldlier songs. Immaculately produced and hugely popular. A perfect send-off.
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3HarvestNeil Young
Harvest
Young's warmest, most accessible record, full of country-rock comfort and the tender 'Heart of Gold'. His best-selling album for good reason. An easy entry point.
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4Court and SparkJoni Mitchell
Court and Spark
Mitchell's jazziest, most accessible record, pairing sophisticated arrangements with sharp, witty writing. It was her commercial peak and remains deeply rewarding. A perfect bridge between her folk and jazz periods.
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5HejiraJoni Mitchell
Hejira
A restless, jazzy travelogue of long, literate songs and Jaco's bass. Reflective and singular. A late peak.
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6Ladies of the CanyonJoni Mitchell
Ladies of the Canyon
A warm bridge between folk and her jazzier turn, home to 'Big Yellow Taxi'. Tuneful and beloved. A favourite.
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7Pink MoonNick Drake
Pink Moon
Recorded in two nights with just voice and guitar, it is spare, intimate and quietly devastating. Overlooked in his lifetime and now treasured. Hushed perfection.
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8Bryter LayterNick Drake
Bryter Layter
A lusher, jazz-touched record of bittersweet beauty. Warm and understated. A quiet classic.
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9Songs of Love and HateLeonard Cohen
Songs of Love and Hate
A stark, intense peak of literary folk, home to 'Famous Blue Raincoat'. Dark and beautiful. One of his best.
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10TapestryCarole King
Tapestry
The album that defined the confessional singer-songwriter era, warm and tuneful from 'It's Too Late' to 'You've Got a Friend'. A massive, enduring seller. Comfort itself.
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11Sweet Baby JamesJames Taylor
Sweet Baby James
A gentle, intimate landmark of the singer-songwriter era, home to 'Fire and Rain'. Warm and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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12Tea for the TillermanCat Stevens
Tea for the Tillerman
Warm, melodic folk-pop of searching and faith, home to 'Father and Son' and 'Wild World'. Gentle and enduring. His defining record.
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13MoondanceVan Morrison
Moondance
Warmer and more song-based than Astral Weeks, all joy and swing, from the title track to 'Into the Mystic'. Soulful and beloved. A perfect record.
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14After the Gold RushNeil Young
After the Gold Rush
A fragile, beautiful set balancing piano ballads and ragged electric rock, more haunted than Harvest. A quiet favourite among devotees. Timeless.
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15On the BeachNeil Young
On the Beach
A bleak, beautiful record of disillusion and fragile beauty. Raw and beloved. A devotee favourite.
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16John PrineJohn Prine
John Prine
A wry, humane debut of perfect songwriting, home to 'Angel from Montgomery'. Warm and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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17Red Headed StrangerWillie Nelson
Red Headed Stranger
A spare, cinematic concept album that defied Nashville convention and became a landmark of outlaw country. Quiet and haunting. Proof less can be more.
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18The Hissing of Summer LawnsJoni Mitchell
The Hissing of Summer Lawns
An ambitious, jazz-and-world-leaning peak of suburban critique. Bold and acclaimed. A grower among fans.
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19For the RosesJoni Mitchell
For the Roses
A reflective, jazz-leaning bridge in her catalogue. Beautiful and acclaimed. A grower among fans.
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20Rust Never SleepsNeil Young
Rust Never Sleeps
A two-sided acoustic-then-electric peak of restless energy. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.
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21Tonight's the NightNeil Young
Tonight's the Night
A raw, grief-soaked record of loss and ragged beauty. Harrowing and beloved. A cult favourite.
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22ZumaNeil Young
Zuma
A loose, electric Crazy Horse peak, home to 'Cortez the Killer'. Raw and beloved. A high point.
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23Grievous AngelGram Parsons
Grievous Angel
A tender, definitive country-rock record, his duets with Emmylou Harris luminous throughout. Beautiful and influential. A cosmic-country landmark.
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24GPGram Parsons
GP
A tender solo debut of cosmic country, with Emmylou Harris's harmonies. Warm and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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25Solid AirJohn Martyn
Solid Air
A warm, jazzy folk landmark of slurred vocals and atmosphere. Singular and beloved. His masterpiece.
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26Just Another Diamond DayVashti Bunyan
Just Another Diamond Day
A fragile, pastoral folk gem ignored on release and later revered. Beautiful and beloved. A cult treasure.
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27I Want to See the Bright Lights TonightRichard & Linda Thompson
I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight
A peak of British folk-rock songcraft and harmony. Beautiful and acclaimed. A genre cornerstone.
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28Closing TimeTom Waits
Closing Time
A tender, piano-led debut of late-night ballads, home to 'Ol' 55'. Warm and understated. A quiet classic.
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29Sail AwayRandy Newman
Sail Away
A sharp, ironic song-cycle of American satire and lush arrangements. Clever and acclaimed. His masterpiece.
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30Nilsson SchmilssonHarry Nilsson
Nilsson Schmilsson
A tuneful, eclectic peak, home to 'Without You' and 'Coconut'. Witty and beloved. His commercial high.
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31Warren ZevonWarren Zevon
Warren Zevon
A sharp, literate singer-songwriter peak of dark wit. Clever and acclaimed. His breakthrough.
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32Late for the SkyJackson Browne
Late for the Sky
A reflective, beautifully written peak of California songcraft. Tender and acclaimed. His finest.
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33New Skin for the Old CeremonyLeonard Cohen
New Skin for the Old Ceremony
A literate, intricate peak of dark wit. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.
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34Tupelo HoneyVan Morrison
Tupelo Honey
A warm, pastoral peak of soulful folk-rock. Gentle and beloved. A high point.
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35Veedon FleeceVan Morrison
Veedon Fleece
A mystical, underrated peak of free-flowing Celtic soul. Beautiful and acclaimed. A cult favourite.
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36Teaser and the FirecatCat Stevens
Teaser and the Firecat
A tuneful peak, home to 'Morning Has Broken' and 'Peace Train'. Warm and beloved. A high point.
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37Mud Slide Slim and the Blue HorizonJames Taylor
Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon
A warm, gentle peak, home to 'You've Got a Friend'. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.
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38Diamonds & RustJoan Baez
Diamonds & Rust
A mature peak, home to its autobiographical title song. Beautiful and acclaimed. Her finest.
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39Judee SillJudee Sill
Judee Sill
A gorgeous, gospel-tinged folk debut of overlooked genius. Beautiful and acclaimed. A cult treasure.
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40Sweet RevengeJohn Prine
Sweet Revenge
A wry, warm peak of perfect songwriting. Funny and beloved. A high point.
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41Small ChangeTom Waits
Small Change
A boozy, jazzy peak of late-night ballads and barroom poetry. Warm and acclaimed. A high point.
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42Blue ValentineTom Waits
Blue Valentine
A noir-ish, late-night peak of barroom ballads. Warm and acclaimed. A high point.
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43Paul SimonPaul Simon
Paul Simon
An eclectic, tuneful solo debut blending styles with ease. Warm and beloved. A strong start.
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44Still Crazy After All These YearsPaul Simon
Still Crazy After All These Years
A polished, jazzy peak of mature songcraft. Tuneful and acclaimed. A Grammy-winning high.
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45In My Own TimeKaren Dalton
In My Own Time
A haunting, soulful folk peak of a singular voice. Beautiful and reappraised. A cult treasure.
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46No OtherGene Clark
No Other
A lavish, cosmic-Americana cult masterpiece ignored on release. Beautiful and reappraised. A treasure.
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47StardustWillie Nelson
Stardust
A surprising, beloved collection of pop standards in Willie's warm phrasing. Smooth and acclaimed. A crossover classic.