UK Folk Rock: Top 10 British Folk Rock Album

During the 1960s, Britain had an active folk rock scene, which was influenced by contemporary American folk rock as well as by traditional British Isles folk music. The influence was rather mutual. While the British folk rock scene absorbed influences from the likes of Bob Dylan and The Byrds, Dylan was hanging out with the Irish traditional band the Clancy Brothers.

Here you can read about the top 10 British folk rock albums in random order. The definition of British folk rock is elusive. Some of the albums listed below are more British folk than British folk rock, while others have nothing British about them, except being recorded by residents of the United Kingdom.

1. Fairport Convention: Liege and Lief

In their fourth album from 1969, the Fairport Convention with Sandy Denny as a lead singer had transformed from a rock band who influenced by folk to the first and most significant British folk rock band in the history. Liege and Lief contains 8 songs, only one of them is original and the others are interpretations on traditional folk music including a medley of British folk classics with a stirring electric guitar adaptation.

2. Shirley Collins and Davy Graham: Folk Roots, New Routes

This 1964 folk album has been a major influence on the British folk rock scene. Folk Roots, New Routes got together two of two unique voices of the British folk: the veteran folk singer Shirley Collins and the acoustic guitarists Davy Graham. Collins unique voice and Graham rhythmic guitar adds unique interpretation to traditional British Isles folk songs. The influences of both Collins and Graham are evident on the most notable representatives of the late 60s early 70s folk rock scene.

3. Bill Fay: Time of the Last Persecution

Bill Fay is one of the most enigmatic figures of the 1970s British folk rock scene. Fays songs are characterized by dark, apocalyptic lyrics background by downbeat melodies. Fay released two albums, Time of the Last Persecution is his second album, and disappeared. Although the lack of commercial success drew his record company to end their relationship shortly after Time of the Last Persecution was released, Fay became a cult figure among musicians. In 2005, Fay had experienced sort of a comeback when Time of the Last Persecution was re released and a re mastered collection of his demos came out.

Nick Drake: Five Leaves Left; Bryter Layter; Pink Moon

Nick Drake was anonymous in his life and his records sold less than 5,000 copies each. Only after his death at the age of 26 from an overdose of anti depression drugs, he had gained recognition and became a popular cult figure. His list of followers is endless and includes musicians and singer songwriters from both sides of the Atlantic.


In short:

• Richard and Linda Thompson: Shoot out the Lights: former Fairport Convention guitarist and his wife in a bittersweet folk rock masterpiece.


• Bert Jancsh: Bert Jancsh: debut solo album of one of the British folk rock most notable guitarists


• Sandy Denny: Sandy: the best solo album of Fairport Convention former lead singer.