International Folk

International Folk music brings together acoustic sounds and musical traditions from all over the world. This genre blends authentic stories, traditional instruments, and timeless melodies, offering a sonic journey rich in emotion.

Discover commercially available International Folk vinyl records that open a window to diverse musical cultures and histories.

Sort by:

Folk Vinyl Records: From Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan to Today's Songwriters

Folk on vinyl: what this collection covers

This page collects the international folk vinyl records listed on Vinyles.com, each with offers from several partner stores. It runs from American pioneers Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger through 60s revival figures like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Peter, Paul & Mary, to current songwriters such as Glen Hansard, The Tallest Man on Earth, Laura Veirs and Hurray for the Riff Raff. Folk is built on voice and acoustic guitar, and a good pressing brings out the grain of a singer's voice and the detail of the strings.

Essential folk albums on vinyl

Harry Smith's "Anthology of American Folk Music" for Folkways (1952) became the songbook of the whole revival generation. In the 60s, "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" (1963) put the songwriter at the center of folk, while Joan Baez and Pete Seeger carried the protest song tradition. Peter, Paul & Mary took many of those songs onto the pop charts and onto family record players.

In Britain, Fairport Convention electrified traditional material on "Liege & Lief" (1969), while Nick Drake's "Pink Moon" (1972) and Vashti Bunyan's "Just Another Diamond Day" (1970) found their audience long after release. Joni Mitchell's "Blue" (1971) bridged folk and confessional songwriting. Today, artists like Glen Hansard and The Tallest Man on Earth carry the tradition forward.

Folk pressings and reissues: what to know

The big 60s and 70s folk classics were pressed in large numbers, so they are easy to find used, and many have recent reissues. For traditional music, the Folkways catalog (now Smithsonian Folkways) and the UK's Topic Records are key references. Cult records that were rediscovered later mostly circulate as reissues, since originals are scarce and expensive.

Check the mix: some 60s albums exist in both mono and stereo
For used copies, listen for surface noise, which is obvious on acoustic music
Choose an official reissue over an unauthorized pressing
Compare prices across stores for the same edition

Where to go next

International folk sits within the site's Country/Folk section. For music sung in French or regional languages, the French Folk collection picks up the thread, from Brittany to Quebec. If you like a more electronic edge, folktronica blends acoustic guitars with digital textures. The genre's new releases and pre-order pages make it easy to follow new albums from current songwriters.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best folk albums to own on vinyl?

"The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan", Joni Mitchell's "Blue" and Nick Drake's "Pink Moon" make a strong core. Add Fairport Convention's "Liege & Lief" for British folk and a Joan Baez or Woody Guthrie record for the roots of the genre, and you have a well-rounded start.

What was the folk revival?

The folk revival was a surge of interest in folk music in the US and UK, mainly from the late 50s through the 60s. Artists such as Pete Seeger, Joan Baez and Bob Dylan brought traditional songs and protest songs back to a wide audience, often drawing on older field recordings.

Mono or stereo for 60s folk records?

For many early 60s albums, the mono mix was the main version and got the most attention. Stereo mixes from that period sometimes split vocals and instruments hard left and right. Both have fans; what matters is knowing which one you are buying, so read the listing details.

Does Vinyles.com sell the records?

No. Vinyles.com is a price comparison site: it shows offers from several partner stores for each record. You pick the offer that suits you and complete the purchase on the store's own site, and that store handles shipping and customer service.

Explore International Folk styles

International Folk 1292 records