Acoustic guitar + vocals - recommendations?

Listening to Tallest Man On Earth has me in the mood to listen to songs that are just acoustic guitar + vocals, maybe a little percussion, an organ or strings here and there. A few years ago this type of music (indie folk?) was more popular, there seem to be less new bands making music like this. Or maybe they're not getting a lot of press and I haven't heard of them?

I feel like I know most of the usual suspects, so I'm looking for some recommendations. I'm mainly interested in newer acoustic guitar + vocals bands, or older acts that are underappreciated. Thanks!

recent stuff i have dug like this, both quite folky

john smith - the fox and the monk
jo bartlett - upheaval

try some john lennon

oh wait

imagine there's no electricity

Jens Carelius is my favorite person to come out of this corner of music in the last few years.

also the men-an-tol album 'through the quoit' is an underrated masterpiece of medieval folkiness

no vocals, but maybe check out James Blackshaw or Jack Rose for some really nice guitar playing.

I just listened to side 2 of Bringing it All Back Home, that's a good place to start.

I will definitely check out everything posted in this thread, I just have to find the this stuff. I've already heard Jack Rose and he is briliant. I just checked out John Smith on youtube and he is an awesome guitarist. Yeah this probably would be a good time to finally get into early Dylan.

Try young man, sam amidon

Not sure if this falls under yr 'usual suspects' but Elliott Smith's posthumous New Moon compilation is all acoustic and really beautiful. Likewise with Sun Kil Moon's Admiral Fell Promises, their Tiny Cities covers LP is a particular favourite too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4LVLLjZ9aY

mountain man
white buffalo
dylan leblanc
fleet foxes drummer J. tillmans solo stuff is nice.

A lot of Richard Youngs is like this although he does other styles as well, his discography is dauntingly huge but Sapphie is a really good ac gtr + vox one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuA_Xpjyf10

there's lots of intricate picking and sad, pretty Nick Drake-isms on Roddy Frame's solo album Surf. two of his live albums from a few years later, Live At The Blue Note, Osaka and Live at Ronnie Scott's also fit your description.

Here's some Jens Carelius (from 2008) for anyone else interested. There are some Nick Drake-isms present here too. His second album is kind of like the Dylan-goes-electric shift (and I don't like it quite as much, but it's still worth hearing).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kd_JBEH_3y8

you should definitely check out some stuff by fabrizio de andre.

Doug Paisley

tiny vipers

Not sure if this falls under yr 'usual suspects' but Elliott Smith's posthumous New Moon compilation is all acoustic and really beautiful. Likewise with Sun Kil Moon's Admiral Fell Promises, their Tiny Cities covers LP is a particular favourite too.

― Bill A, Tuesday, 8 February 2011 14:28 (Yesterday)

Oh, Elliott's like my main guy, and yeah that album is pretty amazing. I actually have that Sun Kil Moon stuff, I haven't listened to it much though - I'll try again.

funny that. i would have thought john lennon was elliott's main guy.

If I could throw a couple more into the mix, both Gravenhurst and I Am Kloot might also fit the bill - neither is exclusively acoustic, but they both have loads of songs that are. Gravenhurst's The Western Lands is a good starting point. Kloot have a much bigger back catalogue but I'd probably rep for their latest Sky At Night, esp. for the wonderful version of "Proof".

nick drake
the microphones
thanksgiving (adrian orange)

Johnny, really like that Jens Carelius vid upthread, cheers for posting.

diane cluck
jandek
sebadoh
junior elvis
daniel johnston

Elena Tonra aka Daughter is really good too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XWmlZGe6gI

wow..... that's almost too hushed for inclusion, huh

I'm really liking the both Jens Carelius albums, he's a fantastic guitarist and songwriter. I agree the second album sounds a lot like The Band, and it's not as interesting to me, but I thought it was well done.

Here's a little teaser video for the new Jens Carelius album that comes out in a few days:

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

The new hiss golden messenger is streaming on pitchfork now. It's v good

Blake Mills, holy shit!

Doug Paisley

― lmao reminisces about his days in southern china (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, February 8, 2011 5:49 PM (2 years ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

also, right on

Blake Mills, holy shit!

― Heez, Friday, January 10, 2014 1:16 PM (1 hour ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Yes!!! New record this year as well.

I will take any opportunity to tell people to listen to Nina Nastasia.