1. Joan Baez: "Farewell Angelina"
Joan Baez is included in the revival playlist and the Newport playlist because she is arguably the most influential female folksinger of the revival. Her songs are the basis with which folk singers of the revival were compared to. Farewell Angelina was chosen since it was played at the folk festival in 1966. The song employs simply her voice (and signature vibrato) and her guitar, creating a space to forget life's boundaries.
2. Bob Dylan: "Tambourine Man"
Bob Dylan was another unarguable significant artist at Newport. Along with Joan, he can attribute some of his success to his performances at the festival. The combination of his simple-sounding guitar and harmonica with the lyrics and raspy vocals changed a nation. With influences like Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan focused his influence on national experiences, such as civil rights.
3. Bill Monroe: "Uncle Pen"
Bill Monroe playing at Newport represented something different then Joan and Bob. He represented the common roots that folk music and bluegrass share. This is indicative of the fact that his fiddles, banjos,and nasally vocals were invited to a festival declared for folk musicians.
4. Phil Ochs: "Outside A Small Circle Of Friends"
Phil Ochs continues with the folk revival theme of social protest with this song. The song itself breaks tradition with the change in instruments used. The change from simply using a guitar to using multiple instruments (piano and drums) has been described as the beginning transfer from folk music to folk-rock.
5. Pete Seeger: "Little Boxes"
Pete Seeger, himself, was an important figure for the Newport Folk Festivals. He was able to help arrange which musicians were to attend, directly influencing what was heard at the festival. He seemed to choose bands similar to his music, which also pertains to civil rights, normally using his banjo and clever word play in his songs to give a feeling of happiness. Even when his songs were about distressing ideas.
6. Mississippi John Hurt: "Goodnight Irene"
John Hurts appearance at Newport established the prestige of the festival in the 1960's. His iconic singing style--singing in a loud whisper--and finger-picking his guitar allowed Mississippi John Hurts' music to be recognizable. This was important as it drew fans from all over to see those elements live at the festival.
7. Ramblin' Jack Elliott: "Talking Merchant Marine"
As a student to Woody Guthrie, Ramblin' Jack Elliott had a long history with traditional folk music. He was a perfect choice for the folk festival since he would represent the music of the old. "Talking Merchant Marine" really felt like a conversation with Jack, with his talking style of singing. This helps create a feeling of kinship with the song and the singer.
8. The Freedom Singers: "We Shall Overcome"
The Freedom Singers were not too active in the 1960's, but their performance at Newport had such a large influence their songs were included on Newport festival CD's. They have a gospel singing influence, creating movement within the listener. This also creates a connection with gospel music and folk music, both drawing traditional folk audiences.
9. Peter, Paul, and Mary: "Early Morning Rain"
Peter, Paul, and Mary were a recurring group at the Newport festivals. Songs of social protest persists throughout their music. The harmony of the trio caught the attention of audiences, as it gave their music a fantasy quality that complements the traditional guitar use.
10. Theo Bikel and Judy Collins: "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine"
This duo attended the folk festival singing soothing melodies. The different elements of their songs (ie: knocking on their guitars) produce music that is not quite traditional.
11. The Rooftop Singers: "Walk Right In"
"Walk Right In" is The Rooftop Singer largest single. Although they use traditional instruments in the single, they play the guitars in a new fashion and let their vocals follow the music. This helps listeners feel the new-age twist the song had in the 1960's.
12. Tom Paxton: "The Last Thing On My Mind"
Tom Paxton received recognition for this song,which continued to be played throughout the ages. He was a key element of traditional folk music at Newport, a fact enforced when many of his singles were included on the Newport Folk Festival soundtrack.
13. Peter LaFarge: "Drums"
Peter LaFarge's deep voice creates a feeling of relation to the song. This is important once the lyrics of the song are heard. They speak of classification of people based on their looks, so when everyone can relate the the sound of his voice, they find they can relate to the person himself.
14. Eric Andersen: "Mary Sunshine"
Eric Andersen combines folk and rock elements in his songs. He does this through utilizing different instruments, such as piano and symbols, while upholding mellow folk vocals. These elements are similar to the Beatles, which came about shortly after the Newport folk festival.
15. Son House: "Death Letter Blues"
Son Houses' Death Letter Blues originally sounds like a complete blues song. However, once he slaps the strings of his guitar the folk elements are revealed. This combination of folk instruments and blues vocals are an interesting pair at a folk festival, providing a relation of audiences between these two genres.
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