Hiding somewhere between psychedelic rock and folk music, freak folk is an oft-overlooked genre of the 1960s and 1970s that we believe is worth revisiting. Freak folk was certainly a byproduct of the West Coast hippie movement, but the musical category isn’t limited to those from California.
From its acoustic arrangements to fantastical lyrics to eccentric compositional techniques, freak folk is a distinct blend of musical styles that went on to inspire thousands of artists in the decades to come. Let’s take a look at five freaky good freak folks songs.
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“When The Catfish Is In Bloom” by John Fahey
When it came to pushing the boundaries of both musical genres and instruments, John Fahey was in a world of his own. The American fingerstyle guitarist blended his unique playing approach with a wide array of musical influences, from Gregorian chant to 20th-century classical music to international flavors from Brazil, India, and more. His eighth studio album, Requia, was a master class in eccentric recording techniques.
“When The Catfish Is In Bloom” is a stunning piece of freak folk history from start to finish. The song oscillates from a symphony to Gregorian chant to his distinct acoustic guitar.
“Stoned Soul Picnic” by Laura Nyro
Laura Nyro is the eccentric underground pianist to Joni Mitchell’s earliest commercially mainstream music. Both women were under the management of David Geffen for a time, although Nyro’s falling out with Geffen and her unwillingness to pursue the role of “celebrity” led to her legacy falling by the wayside compared to her contemporaries. Although one could classify her music as soft pop rock, we believe she deserves a spot on this freak folk round-up, especially for her B-side “Stoned Soul Picnic.”
While The 5th Dimension’s version of this track is the most popular, Nyro’s original is a classic in its own right, incorporating sudden groove changes, psychedelic imagery, and her inimitable voice and piano.
“Sunshine Superman” by Donovan
Scottish musician Donovan was a staple of the 1960s British folk scene, thanks in no small part to hits like “Sunshine Superman” and “Mellow Yellow.” Donovan played an often unseen role in the professional and musical development of fellow stars like John Lennon, Jeff Beck, and three of the four members of Led Zeppelin (all but Robert Plant).
Donovan often used elements of Eastern harmonies into his music, marking a distinct departure from other folkies of the time who were emulating American roots music á la Woody Guthrie. “Sunshine Superman” ushered in a new wave of psychedelia for all the freaks and hippies to enjoy.
“I’d Like to Walk Around In Your Mind” by Vashti Bunyan
Often regarded as the “Godmother of Freak Folk,” English singer-songwriter Vashti Bunyan helped inspire a new wave of eclectic artists like Devendra Banhart and Animal Collective. She began cutting her teeth in the mid-1960s and released her first studio album in 1970, but it had little commercial success in the beginning. Eventually, it would become a highly sought out album that sold for thousands above its original price.
“I’d Like to Walk Around In Your Mind” was on a 2004 remaster of her 1970 debut, showcasing her intimate, breathy vocal delivery, hypnotic guitar, and road-worn harmonica.
“Phantasmagoria in Two” by Tim Buckley
Tim Buckley, father of Jeff Buckley (obvious in both physical likeness and the similar trajectories of each man’s life), was a psychedelic folk star of the 1960s Greenwich Village scene. He traveled across the country, cutting his debut album in Los Angeles, and dabbled in a myriad of genres popular at the time. “Phantasmagoria in Two,” a B-side from his 1967 release Goodbye and Hello, is well-deserving of a freak folk classification.
Featuring fantastical imagery sung in his sweet voice and a driving arrangement led by a jangly tambourine, Buckley’s musical offerings epitomize the unique sounds of the 1960s freak folk movement.
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