Rock with strings

"Something in the Way" on Nirvana's Nevermind is a nice use of the cello as well.

Not Rock music (that didn't happen until he engaged Toto to play on his recordings, much to the detriment of his music, imo), Randy Newman's first album features fantastic orchestration. It's production, by Lenny Waronker and Van Dyke Parks, is excellent as well.

My problem with Groups/Bands with string sections (ELO, for example) is that the Group/Band is then obligated to find something for them to do on every damn song, whether the songs need strings or not. I prefer it when the song is allowed to dictate whether or not it needs them (according to the tastes of the Artist and Producer, of course). Same thing with "Horn Bands". Chicago sounds like their horn parts are just tacked onto the songs.

Martykl,

Try the 2013 redo version of "The Snow Goose" by Camel. I think you would appreciate Andrew Latimer's guitar work alone here if you have never heard it before.

The original from the mid 70's is regarded as one of the masterpiece works of progressive rock in many quarters and there are some strings and other orchestrations introduced in this version that the original was perhaps longing for.

Camel is IMHO one of the most under appreciated musical acts of any genre of the 20th century. Anyone who thinks David Gilmour in Pink Floyd is something will take right to Andrew Latimer except the music of Camel is not dark at all like Floyd, in fact generally quite the opposite, maybe by design. I read Latimer at one time was under consideration to replace Gilmour in FLoyd but it did not work out. Floyd's loss.

sting, symphonicities

So this thread seems to have evolved from the original "strings" topic to encompass acoustic instruments of all flavors. Quite frankly my favorite music is from those who explore the use of unique instruments in a rock format. Someone mentioned flute. Mr. Anderson did a phenomenal job with the flute. In an interview he said the reason he took up the flute was due to the fact that he felt he wasn't good enough on guitar (could have fooled me). Another phenomenal use of flute was Peter Gabriel in Genesis. I am always amazed at how the guitar work of Steve Hackett melded so well with Tony Banks keyboards and Peter's flute.

As for strings, I would suggest taking a look (you tube) at the version of "Rainsong" that Robert Plant and Jimmy Page performed with strings in the background. It's very cool especially with Jimmy playing acoustic guitar. He's simply amazing!

There is so much good music out there that involves strings/acoustic instruments.....many have been mentioned but consider also, Loreena McKennitt (what a wide variety of instruments she employs), ELP and the outstanding guitar work of Greg Lake also Neil Young, check out Afrocelt Sound System for some Celtic based world music, even DMB use violin, and a variety of wind instruments, Traffic (more flute)....I could go on and on. Geez, how can you knock Jethro Tull? Listen to Mother Goose!