Forgotten Folk Albums From the 1970s You’ve Never Experienced (But Should)

The 1970s was a great era for folk, and there are plenty of records out there that topped the charts and inspired countless folk and folk-adjacent musicians in the decades since. However, the following four folk albums from the 1970s were ahead of their time when they were first released, and they’ve been more or less forgotten by modern folk fans. Even Rolling Stone hailed a few of these albums as the very best back in the day. We think they deserve more love. Let’s take a look at a few forgotten folk albums from the 1970s worth revisiting!

1. ‘Double-Back’ by Happy And Artie Traum

This brother-and-brother duo may have been from the Bronx, but their involvement in the Greenwich Village folk music movement led to this incredible folk album. Double-Back was released in 1971 and was an impressive sophomore record for the pair. Each song is delightful in its own way with no filler or fluff.

2. ‘In My Own Time’ by Karen Dalton

Okay, maybe this one isn’t completely forgotten. But it’s mainly only hardcore folk music fans who tend to reference how incredible this underrated album is. Karen Dalton was a muse and inspired a few famous folk stars (namely Bob Dylan), but her musical talents and songs do not get as much love as they should. 

Dalton tapped into the human condition in a way you wouldn’t expect from such a young songwriter. In My Own Time from 1971 is particularly heartwrenching and haunting.

3. ‘Take Heart’ by Mimi Fariña And Tom Jans

Mimi Fariña, sister of folk icon Joan Baez, was an icon in her own right. Her work with her husband Richard on the folk-rock album Celebrations For A Grey Day is stunning. 

After the untimely death of her husband, Fariña continued to produce excellent music. Her work with her second husband Tom Jans is particularly noteworthy. Take Heart features some of Fariña’s greatest songs, with a voice that was notably more evolved and polished.

4. ‘Traveling Through The Jungle’ by Various Artists

Out of all the forgotten folk albums from the 1970s on this list, this one has to be the most unique. Traveling Through The Jungle is a compilation of field recordings from various artists. Its title has unfortunately not aged well (not that it was ever acceptable), considering the bulk of the incredible musicians on this record are African-Americans who lived in the deep American South. 

However, title aside, this folk record is incredible in showcasing the underappreciated talents of so many black musicians in the 1970s.

Photo by Alain Dejean/Sygma via Getty Images

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