If you love folk/acoustic music that speaks to your soul, what’s on your autumn playlist?

[Allromanticsmeetthesamefate]

It’s fast approaching my favourite season Autumn and I have started to think about a playlist with music that feels seasonal to me, whether that’s for nostalgic reasons or because it makes me feel connected to the Autumn months.

I like good story telling in music anyway but for some reason it just feels more apt in Autumn…

On my list so far I have The River Sessions by Bert Jansch, fabulous stories and lovely anecdotes, I find his voice calming and interesting and I particularly love his version of “in the bleak mid-winter” which is just beautiful.

Joni Mitchell’s album (Blue) which I grew up with but really spoke to my heart when I was heavily pregnant with our 1st child over the “ber” months and my husband had just started his military training and was away for most of it. There for the happy moments, and more lonely and “River” can still take me back to those a moments.

And lastly, so far Sufjan Stephen’s Mystery of Love, the intro and his voice just speaks to me and it’s my “rainy/snowy day, look out the window” song.

If like me music and seasons speak to your souls, let me know what else I should add and what it means to me and how you discovered it.

Oh and a lovely seasonal one - Still Winter, Still Waiting by Katherine Priddy

Came on to say Johnny Flynn but somebody beat me to it. Saw him in Bristol last year. Also Katherine Priddy as mentioned by others. Saw her live too and she’s very talented. Also love Nick Drake too.

I was gonna say him, hes epic and makes me feel autumny

I think Carole King might have quite an autumnal feel, and some Simon and Garfunkel.

Have ypu ever listened to James Yorkston? The album Moving Up Country is really good, but maybe more winter than autumn.

I'm going to try to listen to all these suggestions, I've never heard of half of them!

I have a cosy playlist that I listen to when the air gets crisp and the nights start drawing in, it includes the following;

Who Says - John Mayer
Breathe - Alexei Murdoch
Orange Sky - Alexei Murdoch
Northern Sky - Nick Drake
First Day of My Life - Bright Eyes
Hold You in my Arms - Ray Lamontaigne
Pink Moon - Nick Drake
Each Coming Night - Iron and Wine
Trouble - Ray Lamontaigne

Following for the recommendations! Mine are humble offerings, but in this frame of mind I do love:

John Denver classics,
Sailing to Philadelphia

and... The Oh Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack!

Thanks so much everyone.

We also have a “Sunday” playlist and many of the above suggestions feature on there, Simon & Garfunkel, Nick Drake etc…

It’s very overcast here in Cornwall, DH is about to pour me a glass or red, light the fire and I’m going to have a little folk session with all your suggestions so keep them coming.

There are lots of good west country (indie) folk musicians if you are looking for something more local (not sure if they are autumnal though!). Gaz Brookfield, Nick Parker & many others. If you play them in Spotify you'll get similar suggestions.

Thank you for this thread! Also came to say Johnny Flynn. I won tickets to see him when I was a student about 16 years ago, was mesmorised and hooked since (also the little known support act was Mumford and Sons!) See also Laura Marling.

My favourite has to be Sons and Daughters by The Decemberists. So perfect for this time of year, I love it.

1952 Vincent Black Lightning by Richard Thompson

I really like The Unthanks too. Saw them a couple of years back and they were excellent.

Yes, I was going to suggest Johnny Flynn.

For early autumn harvest time, The Girl From The Hiring Fair - love all the versions by both Ralph McTell and Fairport Convention (RM wrote it for FC) but the top recording for me is the live version on Fairport's 'Off The Desk' album.

@Coffeeandcrochet Ooh love a bit of Ralph Mctell. Faves are Factory Girl and The Maginot Waltz. Not seasonal but lovely wistful songs with haunting imagery.

I love Ruth Notmans versions of both of these. Not strictly autumnal but I enjoy everything she does!
Any of Bryter Later
kate rusby just sounds autumnal!
also for a more blues vibe a bit of mark lanegan (god rest him)

Another artist forever played on our Spotify is Blue Rose Code.

Absolutely incredible Scottish singer/song writer who varies his folk back up and instrument players to showcase local and independent talent.

Pokedown Waltz
Boscombe Armistice
Edina
Grateful

being some of my favourites

Also: the Leylines & Sound of the Sirens

Love Blue Rose Code! Favourite track is Sadie. Saw him live in a little club and he was fab.

So many Nick Drake favourites… It’s hard for me to choose individual tracks, but “From the Morning” and “Pink Moon” resonate very deeply. But then there’s “Northern Sky”, “I Was Made to Love Magic”, “River Man” - to be honest, I may as well list the whole discography and be done with it!

If you want a flavour of John Renbourn, “The Black Balloon” album might be a good place to start, or “Wheel of Fortune”, a live album with Robin Williamson. There’s also his material with Pentangle - which also featured Bert Jansch - to consider. It’s a rich vein of wonderful material, very rewarding.

This is really cool, I rarely speak to anyone who has heard of Ross, we have seen him a few times too and always walk away thinking wow!

@Allromanticsmeetthesamefate Ive never come across anyone who has heard of him! Well apart from you!

Yes! Saw the Unthanks recently, they were brilliant. They sang a heartbreaking song based on the testimony of a woman coal miner in the 19th century, brought a tear to my eye.

"The Testimony of Patience Kershaw". Magnificent, makes me tear up as well every time, along with "Here's the Tender Coming".
Joni Mitchell was mentioned earlier, and I would definitely put "Hejira" on the playlist. It's a wonderful album.

Dougie Maclean...Caledonia is obviously so well known but he has lots of amazing songs. Gloomy Winter is lovely as is Silver and Gold, Over My Mountain, Ready for the Storm and lots more. Sandy Denny...Late November, No End, Who Knows Where The Time Goes. Ralph McTell as mentioned.Thea Gilmore also.

Joni Mitchell's Urge for Going is fab and The Decemberist's January Song.

Like so many others on here Nick Drake came to my mind first, closely followed by Kathryn Williams who is lovely and very much on my Autumn playlist. I also like the Unthanks a lot and First Aid Kit. Although not strictly folk, I will add Withered Hand and some Kurt Vile to the list of suggestions.