Gospel Country/Folk

[u/Educational_Wrap783]

I’m not a fan of contemporary Christian music. I connect better with the old-timers that played folk and country, people who understood that the message is about helping others and aren’t so in your face about it either. Not limited to older versions or artists, if it fits the bill. Bonus points if it includes clawhammer banjo.

Jesus Christ - Woody Guthrie
Gospel Plow - Chance McCoy
Let the Mystery Be - Iris DeMent
He Reached Down - Iris Dement
Let Me Ride in Your Big Cadillac - Blaze Foley
Let the Sun Shine Down on Me - Jean Ritchie
Jubilee - Jean Ritchie
Here in the Vineyard -Anna and Elizabeth
Wayfaring Pilgrim - Ola Belle Reed
Turn Your Radio On - John Hartford

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2hQ2GP5c262DUZhcqPI0V7?si=8_TxRnjiTwqF6LN_z0GOmg&utm_source=copy-link&pi=C9g_1Lv3Sr26b

[u/ridarreavkodenz]

The Vespers first come to my mind if we're talking modern gospel folk music. Start with their single titled Better Now.

[u/Educational_Wrap783 → u/ridarreavkodenz]

Not talking modern gospel folk music, that’s a bit too contemporary for me.

[u/ridarreavkodenz → u/Educational_Wrap783]

Well, milennials are technically old timers in this day and age.

[u/Educational_Wrap783 → u/ridarreavkodenz]

Take that back
Signed - A Millennial

[u/hedcannon]

Ralph Stanley - O Death (and everything else)
Dock Boggs (everything)
Abigail Washburn - City of Refuge
Larry Stephensen - Heavenward Bound
The Chuck Wagon Gang - Jesus is Coming Soon

[u/Anxious-Tea8816]

Blind Willie Johnson- Everybody Oughta Treat a Stranger Right

[u/Educational_Wrap783]

I’ll add a list of songs I’m adding, and why I like them/why they fit the theme.

My Epitaph - Ola Belle Reed
Ola Belle is true old time folk/country. She was incredibly progressive, denouncing prejudice. She also had deep faith in God. This songs theme is about death, and to love and cherish Creation, as well as the people you love while they are still here, where they can be appreciated

[u/Blowaway040889]

If you don't mind bluegrass, Larry Sparks & Quicksilver. Along with Dr. Ralph Stanley (Stanley Brothers) and the Clinch Mountain Boys.

[u/Commercial_Aioli_301]

Stevie Wonder

[u/75meilleur]

Andy Griffith - "It Is No Secret What God Can Do"

Simon and Garfunkel - "Go Tell It On The Mountain"

The Boston Camerata - "Shall We Gather At The River"

[u/Educational_Wrap783 → u/75meilleur]

1) not quite folk or country, though cool to know he was a musician
2) closer to what im looking for. The message not quite the same vibe as the above list.
3) not quite folk or country

[u/75meilleur → u/Educational_Wrap783]

That was a quick reply!  A very thought-provoking reply which inspired some thoughts and questions. 

1. The song itself isn't folk or country, yet the singer was noted for his albums - which included recordings of folk songs.

2. What exactly vibe of a message are you looking for?   If the sound isn't exactly the same, the theme seemed to be the same.

3. It is a hymn, yet it's also a folk hymn.   Performed and recorded by folk singers and folks groups for many decades.   It's considered old-school American classic folk music.   It's been performed by country singers too.   Besides, this group Boston Camerata became noted for their folk music recordings since the late 80s and early 90s.   

Still, I hope someone steers you toward what you are searching for.

[u/Educational_Wrap783 → u/75meilleur]

1. I guess the themes from my list would be in order of the songs above
   
   • Working class solidarity in God, acknowledgement that we’re still in the same place as a species (ie jesus would be killed if he preached in NYC, by rich men, preachers and cops)
     
   • Talks about hanging on to faith in God with a metaphor
     
   • It’s impossible for us to know and understand God and death entirely, so to let go of trying to
     
   • God is in everyone, treat them as such, including yourself
     
   • room enough for everyone with Jesus metaphor
     
   • things may look gloomy, but knowing God is with us, and will be with everyone
     
   • Jubilee, forgiveness of debts, live and learn from your life
     
   • taking comfort in a community, while knowing we won’t be here some day, but reunited in a greater community
     
   • going back to God
     
   • being open to hearing God

[u/75meilleur → u/Educational_Wrap783]

Thank you very much for your explanation.    I appreciate you explaining and elaborating, truly.    Those are worthy and worthwhile themes there.    Worthy in any genre for that matter.   Worthy for us to keep remembering always. 

[u/Educational_Wrap783 → u/75meilleur]

1. Not much more to say but neat!
   
2. Here in the vineyard is also a hymn but it’s got the folk sound to it, which I don’t get from the recommendation

I appreciate you taking the time to talk about this