Interactive poll No. -46 2/3 - the folk music poll

...and a quick follow-up on the rest of the suggestions:

micky: If I would have a model in mind of what American folk music would sound like it could be this song by Gordon Lightfoot. Great singing and great playing, and the way both the guitar and the drums convey the tension of the situation is wonderful. Great choice!

Raff: Belfast Child, this is actually from the only album (Street Fighting Years) from Simple Minds that I have, and a great album it is, including this song: they have appropriated the traditional Irish folk music and incorporated it in their own style of pop-rock in a very powerful way. Engaging! With Admirals Hard we're going at sea in a very up-tempo and festive manner. The music may not be the most original, but the playing is tight and the vocal harmonies are beautiful (and I like the way how they exploit the extreme wide angle lens for the filming of this clip!). The  Nuova Compagnia di Canto Popolare remain more traditional in their performance, musically speaking, but they make it very engaging, especially through their singing. Fotheringay still top all of these though, for me.

mathman: Nice round-trip! Yes, with James Holden & The Animal Spirits we definitely go into more psychedelic territory; makes me think of some of The Grateful Dead. Very nice. Then two by Tin Hat (Trio or more...): first we wander away on the Width of the World with an intimate kind of contemporary saloon-folk - very cinematic. On Helium Reprise there is more accent on the contemporary aspect of the music without loosing the cinematic quality. Love the way the accordion is used on both of these tracks. Crimson doesn't grab me as much as the previous suggestions. There is nothing not to like in it, great melodies from the different instruments and the singing, but it is not really sticking with me once it's over. Unfolk, with Bedroom Discothèque, leaves a similar impression: a very pleasant song, great arrangements, some very nice vocal harmonies, but it doesn't leave a big impression either. A farewell to your selections with Tuva Farewell, interesting blues-folk mixed with Tuvan singing, which works quite well, but his own singing brings this on a much higher level. Very interesting, but my personal favourite of yours is Width of the World by Tin Hat Trio.

The Anders: Sorten Muld bring us a kind of soothing traditional which builds up through its rich arrangements. Nice production but maybe a bit to smooth for my ears? The Greek traditional conveys more emotion, imo. Musically we're indeed in more traditional territory regarding the playing. I'm more on a holiday trip than with the previous one, but at the same time it is not very challenging either. The song you put up by Väsen is by far my preferred one.

Lewian: I saw a documentary about the architecture of the Elbphilarmonie - quite impressive building and the acoustics of the auditorium seems to be exceptional! The Danish String Quartet are less impressive than the architecture of the building to my ears; nice but a bit short, so I probably need to see/hear them live over there...

"Siuil A Ruin" has some really interesting vocal harmonies in the chorus, especially with the phrasings. In the verses it gets a bit new age-like to my taste, especially with the soft strings. But I really enjoy the chorus. Faun - "Federkleid" begins with a tin whistle (I think - it also appears in the previous song), but the song is more rhythmic. A bit too feel-good like for my taste tbh. "Estrelina Do Lucero" starts with a harp. The vocal performace is more neutral, and the track is clearly my favourite among those three.

Opa Cupa - Pompei is quite a surprising style combination between folk and "music conservatory funk". The latter dominates the instrumentation while the singing and melody is clearly folkish. The combination works surprisingly well. Solarference is another interesting combination. Obviously in the area of folktronica, but they clearly have their own interpretation of the term. Sampler and acoustic guitar. Very interesting song. Reminds me a bit of an Australian project called Clue to Kalo.

TCat (continued)

The Amazing Blondel - "Seascapes" sounds like something that could have been released in the 1970's. Must be based on some British folk music tradition. Great vocal harmonies. Interesting with the orchestral arrangement. Fovea Hex - "You Were There" has some very delicions backing vocals. Harmonically it is based  on the Dorian mode. There's a drone in the bottom which - among the drums that come in later - makes me think of Indian music. Fleet Foxes - "Ragged Wood": And now for something completely different. It sounds more American to me. Fine song, but I like the other two a lot better.

@The Anders

happy to hear your words....

My nomination is

STORMY SIX:

Il barbiere