Acoustic guitars rule.
It’s no secret I love acoustic guitar. The sound of the steel and wood can hit me like nothing else. Resonance is a word that comes to mind when I think about it. It resonates with me. Speaks my language. These are some of my favorite acoustic albums and songs I’ve discovered (so far) along the journey. Enjoy.
Julian Lage and Chris Eldridge, “Mount Royal.”
My favorite acoustic guitar at the moment is Julian Lage and Chris Eldridge. On the CD, Mount Royal, it sounds like they plug-in a nice ribbon mic for each acoustic and call it done. The sound is simple and phenomenal. The fingers do the talking here. They say a lot.
This album captures essentially what it’s all about to me, performance. It took rehearsal, it took an idea. Then they did it. I love that about music.
Grace Petrie, “Build Something Better.”
If you like acoustic guitars, spirited performance, protest music, and flawless execution, look no further. Grace has you covered.
What I love in particular about this album is the song craft and protest vibes are equally through the roof. Many times, protest music can feel like a one-off. This is not that. These are all great songs performed beautifully.
Jeffrey Martin, “Thank God We Left the Garden.”
Here’s a songwriter who doesn’t need many tools besides his voice and a guitar. He’s an expert songsmith so don’t let that fool you. If you hear what Jeffrey Martin is saying, it’s deep and enriching.
This album changed my whole getup. I crave “simple,” in certain aspects of recording and producing. It’s because of this. It actually taught me that.
Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson, “What Did The Blackbird Say to The Crow?”
This one came out not too long ago. It doesn’t have acoustic guitar. It is fiddle and banjo, so we’re calling that “close enough.” Not only that, it was recorded outside in North Carolina. Birds and bugs make appearances. They take away nothing.
This album started off with an idea and folks were dedicated to see it through. It works beautifully at putting me as a listener somewhere else. You can’t ask more from music than that. Hope we have enough tables and chairs and red gingham tablecloths. Pass the potato salad. (On the Bandcamp, they have videos of filming the songs being recorded. I need that in my life, don’t know about you.)
Nick Drake, Pink Moon.
If you’re not familiar, next time you’re depressed, give it a listen. I kid, but only partly. Nick Drake is mood music for me. Has been most my life. It’s this album in particular that I go to when I feel like listening to music, but everything sucks and I’m down. I need that. Not a whole lot of music for that mood. It’s in a special place.
O’ Brother Where Art Thou Soundtrack – various artists, put together by T Bone Burnett.
(Apple Music)
This is one album that changed me in some ways on my personal artistic journey. It was as if these artists were telling me I was trying too hard at one thing, and not hard enough at what mattered. Music is not piddling around or free styling to me. It’s a coherent message. It all works together to speak to listeners. This album did that to me. I blame T-Bone. Haha.
“Tracy Chapman” (1988) (Apple Music)
I was just an 11 year old kid, knew nothing, and just liked singing. When I heard this it rang bells and opened doors. Started playing guitar shortly after. Wanted to be a songwriter. I was toast. The emotion, sound, light touches and heavy hands. It’s all perfect here. To me, this album contains what it’s about to be an artistic-type songwriter. She is forever class for this. A light came on for me, and a few others too. I’d wager.
John Serrano, Alive (Deluxe Version).
Speaking of voices, John Serrano has a voice that rattles my insides. Truth! He has resonance not only with the words, but the sheer quality in tone in is voice. He could be singing about cotton candy. Doesn’t matter. When the words come out, they burn into your brain with tone and clarity. He’s one of the best singers I’ve ever heard. There’s acoustic, fun jazz folk stylings, and he’s all over the map with releases. But “Alive” fits this list. I’m glad he’s here.
A few songs we need to mention:
“I’ll Never Leave You Alone” by The Staves
Very simple acoustic guitar and amazing voices and not a whole lot else on this one. When you can sing like The Staves can, it’s rude to cover those beautiful voices with unnecessary arrangement. I believe that. Fortunately, they might believe that too.
“The Sea,” Sierra Ferrell
Sierra Ferrell knows the value in a good acoustic guitar. But there’s also a lot going on here. Sounds like someone playing a saw, for example. Sounds like an old “number.” Brilliant.
It’s one thing for an artist to put me in a place as a listener. It’s another thing for that place to be underwater or a hobo on a train in the 30’s. Sierra has that ability. It even feels natural. I’m jelly of Sierra Ferrell.
Marbin, “For Soraya.”
This is classical guitar done perfectly to my taste. This album is my favorite classical guitar album. It’s just the damn guitar and I dig that. For me, accompaniment to classical guitar unless you’re doing the Willie Nelson thing is cheese most of the time. It’s similar to plugging in an acoustic bass. Just plug in the electric bass.. . Why? We need to consider microphones and smaller arrangements for instruments that sound beautiful but don’t necessarily cut through a band. I’ve interviewed Dani Rabin of Marbin. He’s a very thoughtful music teacher and a supremely skilled player. He knows what’s up.
Self-plug (The Kintners, “Like a River.”)
I’ve worked with Adam Whittikar several times and I love what he did with the acoustic guitar in particular on this song. It did not sound like that when I handed it off to him for mixing, can verify. I’m fine if this is as good as my acoustic ever sounds. I like it that much.
“Like a River,” The Kintners. (bandcamp)
Bonus Album with Lots of Acoustic: Kris Kristofferson’s “Border Lord.” (Apple Music)
I discovered this album from a record producer in Tuscon I went to high school with. He did an indie album project about Kris. He got to meet Kris. He’s a Kris expert. He’s even in a documentary. Mike Dixon is his name. I asked him his favorite Kris record. He said this. So I started here, recently wound up back here. I agree with Mike. The songcraft game is strong. Also Kris is at a nice spot with his voice here. Very tender and well done on the mixing side. But yeah, the songs.
I hope you’re able to find some acoustic guitar in your life. Making this list has helped me realize it’s been an integral part of mine.
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