Favourite Acoustic Albums/Tracks
 

What are yours? For the purpose of the thread, I feel that we should stick to a loose criteria at the very least.

Artists should be primarily known for writing their own material.
Artists should generally perform on their own.
Artists can only use one other instrument apart from their own voice. This does mean that electronic manipulation can be used if it's used by the artist and no one else in a live setting although all vids should be the artist performing.

First up for me:


His guitar work is very deceptive with two lines always being played. A simple chord line with embellished flourishes, yet his songs are short, lacking in self pity and upbeat.


No comment.


This mans voice treads that fine line between melancholy and subdued happiness.

And then I meant to post Dylan's "Don't think Twice, it's allright".
But you won't find that on youtube, apparently.
So here's something else that's acoustic.
Probably not what you were thinking of:


And another one:


There you go :)

A few tracks that spring to mind...



^ The first song he plays in particular. I don't know how, but somehow he makes a tune with only two chords into something spectacular. Must be the hat.



^ Generally, if it wants to keep my attention past the initial 20 seconds, an acoustic song has to be something pretty damn special. Here's another one that always manages it for me. Great vocals, great guitar work - only the modfather eh.

Not a live vid, I know, but all the ones I could find had lame percussive augmentations which take a lot from the song in my eyes.



Well, I did say it was off the top of my head :p:

Richard Thompson - Gethsemane

Really just one of my favorite songs in general, and I love this acoustic version. The lyrics and song are just beautiful. Additionally, I would do just about anything to play guitar as well as this man.

John Fahey - Poor Boy's Long Way From Home

Speaking of people I'd love to be able to play as well as...it's instrumental, as it's John Fahey, but it's definitely completely acoustic. Just man and instrument. Lovely piece.

Trey Anastasio - Time Turns Elastic

A very amazing and beautiful piece. It's kind of long, but it's a very intricate and complex composition.

what is the point of limiting the artist (or group?) to one instrument?

This.

First thing I thought of when I saw this thread was Alice in Chains Unplugged album, absolutely legendary.



On another note, been listening to Pink Moon by Nick Drake the past few days, pretty nice - yet very melancholic acoustic album.

Minimalism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Overproduction (music) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Singer-songwriter - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Great choices so far, everybody! I love Nick Drake and Alice in Chains was a nice mention. From my last.fm charts, it's no surprise who I'm posting!

Forgot to mention Son House.

EDIT: Jackhammer, I've never heard of John Martyn but I really enjoyed that.

I have never mentioned him before on these forums...honest!