1. Singer/Songwriters of the 70s (aka: Acoustic Music)

2. Singer/Songwriter Catchall term to describe primarily acoustic music of early-mid 1970sCatchall term to describe primarily acoustic music of early-mid 1970s Extension of folk rockExtension of folk rock Emphasis on vocal ability, songwritingEmphasis on vocal ability, songwriting Two types:Two types: –Groups –Singer/songwriters

3. Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young SupergroupSupergroup –David Crosby from The Byrds –Stephen Stills & Neil Young from Buffalo Springfield Acid-country-folk rockAcid-country-folk rock Similar to Byrds but more folkieSimilar to Byrds but more folkie Ex. For What It’s WorthEx. For What It’s Worth –Graham Nash from The Hollies

4. Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young Crosby, Stills, Nash came together 1968Crosby, Stills, Nash came together 1968 –Tight harmonically –But missing high end –Ask Young to join early ‘69 All four songwriters - varied character to outputAll four songwriters - varied character to output

5. Teach Songwriter: Graham NashSongwriter: Graham Nash Country influenceCountry influence Two part harmonies on first verseTwo part harmonies on first verse Four part harmony in refrainFour part harmony in refrain Second verse - lead vocals + tight, Everly Brothers harmoniesSecond verse - lead vocals + tight, Everly Brothers harmonies

6. Ohio Songwriter = Neil YoungSongwriter = Neil Young Lyrics about Kent State massacre (1970)Lyrics about Kent State massacre (1970) Riff-basedRiff-based Distorted electric guitarDistorted electric guitar No harmonies at beginning - significantNo harmonies at beginning - significant Particularly tight harmonies for rest - adds tensionParticularly tight harmonies for rest - adds tension

7. CSNY Harmonies Most characteristic traitMost characteristic trait Expands tight vocal harmonies of Everly Brothers to four partsExpands tight vocal harmonies of Everly Brothers to four parts

8. Simon and Garfunkel Heavily influenced by Everly BrothersHeavily influenced by Everly Brothers –1957 hit “Hey Schoolgirl” (as Tom and Jerry) near copy of Everly Brothers style Also Brill BuildingAlso Brill Building

9. Simon and Garfunkel – Sound of Silence Originally issued acoustically – flopsOriginally issued acoustically – flops Re-released with studio production, rock band backing - #1 hitRe-released with studio production, rock band backing - #1 hit Dark imagery, but framed as pop songDark imagery, but framed as pop song

10. Singer/Songwriters Musician who writes own materialMusician who writes own material Usually solo actUsually solo act Not oriented toward mainstreamNot oriented toward mainstream Latter-day folk rock, with many other additional influencesLatter-day folk rock, with many other additional influences –FolkJazz –RockPop –Blues

11. Singer/Songwriters - style Generally introspective, self-oriented lyricsGenerally introspective, self-oriented lyrics Usually play instrument – guitar or pianoUsually play instrument – guitar or piano Contrast to hard rock, black-influenced styles, and mainstream rockContrast to hard rock, black-influenced styles, and mainstream rock

12. James Taylor (1948- ) Started as folk artist in NYC coffee housesStarted as folk artist in NYC coffee houses Signed to Apple Records in 1967Signed to Apple Records in 1967 First successful album Sweet Baby James (1970)First successful album Sweet Baby James (1970) –Painful, introspective lyrics

13. Fire and Rain Clear folk rock orientationClear folk rock orientation Lyrical content personal, but with pop elementsLyrical content personal, but with pop elements Acoustic guitar by TaylorAcoustic guitar by Taylor Backing from rock band, with fair amount of productionBacking from rock band, with fair amount of production End-weightedEnd-weighted

14. Neil Young Tremendously important as solo artistTremendously important as solo artist Performs in variety of stylesPerforms in variety of styles –Rockabilly –Country rock –R&B –Pop “Godfather of Grunge”“Godfather of Grunge”

15. Neil Young - Style Heavily influenced by Bob DylanHeavily influenced by Bob Dylan Storytelling songs, but also personal impressionsStorytelling songs, but also personal impressions Hard-edgedHard-edged Frequent guitar breaksFrequent guitar breaks

16. The Loner Intro - acoustic guitar + keyboardIntro - acoustic guitar + keyboard Verse - complete change of sound, textureVerse - complete change of sound, texture –Heavy bass and guitar –Distorted, buzzy guitar –Every phrase completed by 2 bar break for guitar Bridge - another complete changeBridge - another complete change –Sweeping strings –Heavy drumming –Exposed guitar Hook as refrain - a capellaHook as refrain - a capella

17. The Loner More rhythmic version of introMore rhythmic version of intro Verse, bridge, hookVerse, bridge, hook Interlude - guitar solo + strings, bassInterlude - guitar solo + strings, bass Verse, bridge, hookVerse, bridge, hook Interlude = OutroInterlude = Outro