The difference, by ear
Country rock is folk rock's child pointed at American country rather than at British and American folk ballads - the repertoire changes and the pedal steel arrives.
Both are sung cleanly and move at much the same pace, around 80 to 120 bpm. To hear the difference, play The Eagles next to The Byrds. Country rock grew out of folk rock, four years later.
In figures
Country rock
Where it sits
Rock › Folk rock › Country rock
In short
Pedal steel and three-part harmony over a rock rhythm section. The sound of Laurel Canyon.
How it sounds
- Pedal steel and acoustic guitar over a rock rhythm section.
- Vocal harmony in thirds and sixths, sung loosely.
- Moderate tempos and warm, airy production.
Key acts
- The Eagles
- Gram Parsons
- Neil Young
Start here
The pickThe Flying Burrito Brothers - The Gilded Palace of Sin. Cannabis embroidered on the suits, serious music inside.
Full page →Folk rock
Where it sits
In short
Folk lyrics played on a twelve-string electric guitar. It taught rock that the words can matter as much as the riff.
How it sounds
- Twelve-string guitar, clean tone, open arpeggios.
- Dense vocal harmony inherited from the American folk tradition.
- The text comes first: songs are built around the words rather than the riff.
Key acts
- The Byrds
- Bob Dylan
- Fairport Convention
- Simon & Garfunkel
Start here
The pickFairport Convention - Liege & Lief. The birth certificate of British folk rock.
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