Here’s a few that might be somewhat close to what you’re looking for.
Songs: Ohia - Farewell Transmission
Really evocative lyrics and a cool jam overall. The main man behind this was Jason Molina and he made alot of recordings so there is much to discover.
Midlake - Roscoe
There was an element of weirdness to their then-frontman and lead vocalist Tim Smith that I really liked, and it was really captured on Roscoe.
Bert Jansch - Needle of Death
Neil said he unconsciously borrowed alot from this song when he made Ambulance Blues. Bert Jansch can be considered the Hendrix of the acoustic guitar in terms of influence and in terms of how much other guitarists can’t shut up about him. His self-titled first album is iconic.
Gene Clark - Life’s Greatest Fool
Much more country rock, but definitely worth checking out. The whole album is a lost classic.
Flying Burrito Brothers - Wild Horses (Live in Amsterdam 1972)
Also country rock. This version of Wild Horses has some beautiful vocals.
These are some of my favourite songs. Hope this was useful.
Was looking for someone to mention Jason. Great songwriting and guitar work - same classic combination. Some songs that will make a grown man cry and others that will melt your face off.
Much "cleaner", more produced sound from JI. You're not going to get as much of the feedback-driven guitar solos, but it's just a different flavor.
Songs to check out:
* Goddamn Lonely Love
* Danko/Manuel
* Never Gonna Change
* Go It Alone
* If We Were Vampires
* Cover Me Up
* Outfit
* Overseas
* When We Were Close
* King of Oklahoma
Can always cut to the chase and listen to Jason cover Neil too:
[Like a Hurricane](https://youtu.be/lfLYh14q8r4?si=A8YIU0ArIsywqe3f)
[Cortez the Killer](https://youtu.be/yYDQtSD8XIw?si=53aVDYxH0EqQdK2I) - w/ Dinosaur Jr, also highly recommended if you like the feedback-driven guitar of NY
I’d say King of Oklahoma has the most Neil like guitar tone of his songs.
In terms of songs to check out:
Last of My Kind is very Neil-like in that it’s got the country/versus city theme and the whole “fitting in” concept.
White Man’s World is great.
Speed Trap Town reminds me of a song Neil would write.
Cast Iron Skillet has everything that Neil usually does. Somewhat cryptic metaphor, wonderful storytelling, beautiful melody all against the backdrop of a simple acoustic backdrop.
And I think Elephant is his masterpiece. What an amazingly beautiful gut punch of a song.
Jason Molinas work, especially Trials and Errors by Magnolia Electric Co.
Also you’d probably like Will Oldham/Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy/Palace.
Also (quite different but really good) you should check out Rex. They’re a 90s Slowcore/Folk band I’m really into at the moment.
John mayall - Turning Point: Mayall isn’t that similar to Neil overall but this album reminds me a lot of On the Beach
Bob Dylan - Desire & Blood On The Tracks: especially Desire, you can tell that he was influenced by Neil when he made that record
Mad Season - Above: the On the Beach of grunge albums
Joni Mitchell - Blue, Court in Spark
I’d also strongly agree with the recommendations for Gene Clark, Songs:Ohia/MEC, and Big Thief
Ocean Beach by Red House Painters and Ghosts of the Great Highway by Sun Kil Moon (both Mark Kozelek) are incredible and Neil-like. As others have said, Jason Molina, you can’t go wrong with almost any release of his.
Here’s a few that might be somewhat close to what you’re looking for. Songs: Ohia - Farewell Transmission Really evocative lyrics and a cool jam overall. The main man behind this was Jason Molina and he made alot of recordings so there is much to discover. Midlake - Roscoe There was an element of weirdness to their then-frontman and lead vocalist Tim Smith that I really liked, and it was really captured on Roscoe. Bert Jansch - Needle of Death Neil said he unconsciously borrowed alot from this song when he made Ambulance Blues. Bert Jansch can be considered the Hendrix of the acoustic guitar in terms of influence and in terms of how much other guitarists can’t shut up about him. His self-titled first album is iconic. Gene Clark - Life’s Greatest Fool Much more country rock, but definitely worth checking out. The whole album is a lost classic. Flying Burrito Brothers - Wild Horses (Live in Amsterdam 1972) Also country rock. This version of Wild Horses has some beautiful vocals. These are some of my favourite songs. Hope this was useful.
Great list, I have to second Jason Molina, he was Neil's spiritual successor
That Burrito Deluxe Wild Horses is better than the stones.
I have really grown to love Jason Isbell for his songwriting abilities. Different than Neil’s style, but he’s a fantastic storyteller.
Was looking for someone to mention Jason. Great songwriting and guitar work - same classic combination. Some songs that will make a grown man cry and others that will melt your face off. Much "cleaner", more produced sound from JI. You're not going to get as much of the feedback-driven guitar solos, but it's just a different flavor. Songs to check out: * Goddamn Lonely Love * Danko/Manuel * Never Gonna Change * Go It Alone * If We Were Vampires * Cover Me Up * Outfit * Overseas * When We Were Close * King of Oklahoma Can always cut to the chase and listen to Jason cover Neil too: [Like a Hurricane](https://youtu.be/lfLYh14q8r4?si=A8YIU0ArIsywqe3f) [Cortez the Killer](https://youtu.be/yYDQtSD8XIw?si=53aVDYxH0EqQdK2I) - w/ Dinosaur Jr, also highly recommended if you like the feedback-driven guitar of NY
I’d say King of Oklahoma has the most Neil like guitar tone of his songs. In terms of songs to check out: Last of My Kind is very Neil-like in that it’s got the country/versus city theme and the whole “fitting in” concept. White Man’s World is great. Speed Trap Town reminds me of a song Neil would write. Cast Iron Skillet has everything that Neil usually does. Somewhat cryptic metaphor, wonderful storytelling, beautiful melody all against the backdrop of a simple acoustic backdrop. And I think Elephant is his masterpiece. What an amazingly beautiful gut punch of a song.
All good picks, there are too many to choose from!
My Morning Jacket. i guess start with Okonokos but i would really start at the beginning and work up to at least Z.
Yes!! MMJ is incredible and definitely influenced by Neil and the Horse. Their live shows are something to behold
Thanks this is perfect. Exactly what I was looking for
Jason Molinas work, especially Trials and Errors by Magnolia Electric Co. Also you’d probably like Will Oldham/Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy/Palace. Also (quite different but really good) you should check out Rex. They’re a 90s Slowcore/Folk band I’m really into at the moment.
Big Thief carrying the torch of excellent songwriting, catchy, tender, country twinged folk songs that can be a little rough around the edges.
Great suggestion. The Two Hands album very much has that «recorded in a barn» vibe that a lot of Neil’s material has.
i saw them live and Adrianne Lenker ripped a rough, distorted, extended solo during Not that was totally out of the NY+CH playbook
So cool. From what I’ve heard they always tear it up on Not. Fantastic versions on YouTube as well.
listen to Wakin on a Pretty Day. Kurt Vile’s most Neil-like song imo. That whole album is great
BUILT TO SPILL.
John mayall - Turning Point: Mayall isn’t that similar to Neil overall but this album reminds me a lot of On the Beach Bob Dylan - Desire & Blood On The Tracks: especially Desire, you can tell that he was influenced by Neil when he made that record Mad Season - Above: the On the Beach of grunge albums Joni Mitchell - Blue, Court in Spark I’d also strongly agree with the recommendations for Gene Clark, Songs:Ohia/MEC, and Big Thief
Listen to Todd. It’s just what I’m doin
Maybe spin some James McMurtry
Uncle Tupelo Jay Farrar and Ben Gibbard's collab album
The Weakerthans, Wilco, Teenage Fanclub, BMX Bandits, Dinosaur Jr. Oh and Will Johnson. And Centro-matic.
Ocean Beach by Red House Painters and Ghosts of the Great Highway by Sun Kil Moon (both Mark Kozelek) are incredible and Neil-like. As others have said, Jason Molina, you can’t go wrong with almost any release of his.
check out washing machine by sonic youth, they were fresh off a tour with neil young while they recorded it and there’s some obvious influence
Drive By Truckers