In the underrated genre of folk singing, my awards for the best overall is Peter, Paul, and Mary. The New Christy Minstrels are the 2nd best group. Best male folk singer is Gordon Lightfoot, followed closely by John Denver. Bob Dylan has a lot of fans, but I have never liked the sound of his voice. One of the CDs I just bought is the best of Judy Collins. I had heard her most famous song Both Sides Now and a great rendition of Amazing Grace. But most of the songs on this CD were new to me, I would now say she is the best solo female folk singer. Although I have never considered Barbra Streisand folk, maybe she is with Judy's version of Send In the Clowns on this CD.

First off let me say Icecream this is a wonderful thread, I like folk music too and I have heard The New Christy Minstrels a lot on Pandora and they sound amazing and their song Today is so wonderful. I also like Odetta because her songs had such spirit in them

I never knew why people liked Judy Collins a lot but her song Both Sides Now seems to be popular and almost every singer has covered it. I also like Joan Baez and I love her song Diamonds And Rust and that song is so cool and she also did a wonderful album of Spanish language folk songs too

I love Gordon Lightfoots first Album!!

Best male folk singer is Gordon Lightfoot, followed closely by John Denver.

John Denver's 1985 Farm Aid performances backed by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band are SO good, the Dirt Band complements his songs excellently.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQicl2mOPpI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOT0M249MHo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9dCI-YqICQ


My favorite Gordon Lightfoot song is "Beautiful."

What record is that on buddy?

Carolyn Hester has a pretty voice on the Yarrow song. It just played on SiriusXM's classic folk station.

Bob Dylan, Peter Paul and Mary, Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell are my favorites.

Bob Dylan, John Denver, Gordon Lightfoot, Cat Stevens

I still feel obligated to mention The Free Design. This band became semi-famous late in the game back in the 1960's, and never had as much success as Peter, Paul, and Mary, the Mamas and the Papas or Spanky and Our Gang, but a lot of alternative musicians of the 1990's mentioned their influence on their own music.

https://lastfm.freetls.fastly.net/i/u/770x0/1f2ab3a6aae9edd140ef453f2c960e95.jpg#1f2ab3a6aae9edd140ef453f2c960e95

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0kBpEQZh0g

Want more? Okay.

Does anybody remember the 1981 ABC Afterschool Special "Starstruck," starring Trini Alvarado? This was her second ABC Afterschool Special and she played a daughter of a widowed mother who wanted a musical career, while her mother tried to push her into college and a part-time job at the factory she worked in. When you hear her first song in the movie "City Song" you'd think she may have started the folk revival of the 1980's.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFyuCfGlonw

Also, I got into The Indigo Girls before they came out as lesbians.

I havent heard them I dont beleve..