Artist	Song

Comment:

A fixture on the early-'60s U.S. folk circuit, Ian & Sylvia became one of the first Canadian folk acts to command a genuine fan-base outside of their homeland. Cue up the first two tracks among these still-vital Essentials, and you'll instantly understand the strength and depth of the couple's appeal. The influential "Four Strong Winds" — written by Ian, inspired by an early, live Bob Dylan rendition of "Blowin' In the Wind," and later covered by the Searchers and Neil Young — rings clear across the decades and twang-y folk-rock cornerstone "You Were On My Mind" (penned by Sylvia and also a big mid-'60s hit for San Francisco band We Five) retains its power to captivate. A couple of traditional folk songs from the couple's debut album light up our Next Steps.

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