James Taylor first came to light as one of Apple Records first signings in ‘68. His earlier recordings showed an inner struggle no doubt attributed to his battles with the “White Horse.” Troubles aside, he was embraced in the ’70s as the quintessential barefooted male folk singer. His music, however, often rang of bitterness and his pop sensibilities were often overlooked. Definitely influential, his self-analytical observations on life will determine whether the guitar you pick up is an acoustic or electric.
- Eric Shea

With a bubbly guitar sound and hesitant, hushed vocals, Simon & Garfunkel became a defining folk duo of the ’60s and ’70s. Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel began collaborating in the mid-1950s. By 1965 they had their first hit with “Sounds of Silence.”

Generation X moviegoers thank him for producing Ione Skye, while Details readers are into his son’s band Nancy Boy, but aging Aquarians know that Donovan was one of the key artists of the revolutionary 1960s. He started his career as Britain’s answer to Bob Dylan, and his first two acoustic folk albums are charming, low-key winners; but he turned into a “Sunshine Superman” just in time for the Psychedelic revolution. If all you’ve heard from Donovan is “Mellow Yellow,” do yourself a favor and check out his late ’60s material. He remained a folk-popper at heart and the ultra-groovy production touches are completely in key with the current Indie scenes in America and Europe. Donovan’s career didn’t survive the post-Altamont age of ’70s cynicism, but in 1996 he cut his album Sutras with Rick Rubin, showing that his flowery style is as groovadelic as ever.
- Eric Shea

With a bubbly guitar sound and hesitant, hushed vocals, Simon & Garfunkel became a defining folk duo of the ’60s and ’70s. Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel began collaborating in the mid-1950s. By 1965 they had their first hit with “Sounds of Silence.”