Some of the artists that have
inspired my own musical journey
Malvina Reynolds
Her song “Little Boxes” which was later used as the theme song for the TV Series Weeds. The song is a sharp protest against the "American Dream" of the 1950s and 1960s. It follows a typical suburbanite through college, marriage, business, and death, suggesting everyone follows the exact same lifeless path, living in the exact same cardboard, identical houses. The phrase “Ticky-tacky” in the song became a byword for flimsy, sleazy building materials.
Nike Drake
His song “Things Behind The Sun” a deeply personal, melancholic reflection on feeling misunderstood, depressed, and detached from the world. Drake, who struggled with severe depression, uses the title to represent hidden truths, magic, or the internal realities people hide from mainstream society. The chord changes on this particular track are beautiful.
John Denver
John Denver was an American country and folk singer with 23 albums to his credit. His most celebrated hits include "Leaving On a Jet Plane," "Annie’s Song", "Sunshine on My Shoulders," "Rocky Mountain High" and of course "Country Roads". There's also one of my favourites, "Windsong" a musical tribute to nature, love, and personal growth where the wind is a symbol of freedom, wisdom, and life's journey.
Joan Baez
With over 30 albums to her credit she is famous for her clear, operatic soprano voice and her lifelong support for human rights and nonviolence. Her music mixes traditional folk songs with powerful protest messages. She shaped the 1960s music scene and helped launch Bob Dylan's career. Some of her most famous hits include "Diamonds and Rust," "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, and my own favourite "Jesse" with its beautiful walking guitar riffs.
Bob Dylan
There are many songs I could pick from this brilliant artist with 40 albums released in his career. But if I was to pick a favourite it would be “The Times They Are A-Changin”. The song is about inevitable transformation and rejecting the status quo. Written in 1963, it captured the energy of the Civil Rights Movement and shifting youth culture at the time. Dylan’s core message is that those who resist change will be left behind. My own song “Live For Today” was written with his lyrical and musical style in mind.
Joni Mitchell
With 19 albums released in her career this is another artist that has many songs I have enjoyed. Perhaps the one I’ve played most is the classic “Big Yellow Taxi” a song about environmental destruction, urbanization, and taking nature for granted. The title comes from the final verse, where her lover leaves her in a taxi. The song teaches a simple lesson: people often fail to appreciate what they have until it is gone.
Yusuf/Cat Stevens
Again, there are many songs I have enjoyed from this artist who released 17 albums throughout his career. If I was to pick a favourite it would have to be classic “Father and Son”, a song about the struggle between generations. It shows the clash between a father who wants stability and safety for his child, and a son who wants to break away to find his own destiny.
Simon & Garfunkel
Simon & Garfunkel were an American folk-rock duo formed by singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel. They released five official studio albums together between 1964 and 1970 and became famous in the 1960s for their beautiful vocal harmonies. Their many hit songs include "Homeward Bound" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and one of my own favourites that I'm sure you will have heard before “The Sound Of Silence”.
Neil Young
Neil Young is a famous Canadian-American singer and guitar player with 40 albums to his credit. He is known for his unique high voice and noisy guitar style. He is called the "Godfather of Grunge" because his loud, heavy rock songs inspired 1990s bands. He plays both soft folk music and loud rock music and some of his more well known tracks include "Heart of Gold" (a slow acoustic song) ad "Harvest Moon" (a sweet love song). And one of my personal favourites “The Needle And The Damage Done” with its beautiful guitar riffs.
Joe Brooks
Joe Brooks is a British singer-songwriter. He became famous on Myspace in the 2000s. "Dandelion Hair" is a popular folk-pop song by Brooks. It features singer Melissa Polinar. The song won the Unsigned Songwriting Award. It is about young love and nostalgia. I love the guitar in this track and also the call and response singing. A beautiful song.
Stefan Grossman
A brilliant guitarist, famous for his finger picking guitar style, delta blues playing, and one I spent many hours painfully trying to learn tablature to some of the tracks he plays like “Coney Island Cakewalk”, “Mississippi Blues” and more. The track I’ve chosen “Dallas Rag” shows off many of his skills and took me ages to learn (although don't ask me to play it now). I just love the many styles he plays including early blues, brilliant guitarist.
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