Folk/Rock choices that are well recorded

I concur w/ the panel;
Tracy Chapman, John Prine, Jack Jackson, Amos Lee,
Bob Dylan are great recordings for openers.

Keep me posted & Happy Listening!

Although I'd characterize the sound as ok rather than especially good, I'll nevertheless mention The New Christy Minstrels "Greatest Hits" CD. Very likable music, IMO, including their best known hits from the 1960's such as "Today" and "Green, Green."

Regarding the comments about lack of follow-up by the OP, I'm not sure that everyone has noticed that his post was from 2005.

Regards,
-- Al

Picaresque by The Decemberists is an excellent recording and work  with many folk elements.   Recorded in a church somewhere I believe. 

Eva Cassidy’s Songbird is a live recording in a small nightclub & sounds excellent on Qobuz. Some of the most beautiful female vocals you’ll ever hear from a super talented musician. Sad one folk, done blues, some older classics. Very realistic live sound. Don’t miss it. 

I'll second Trinity Sessions by the Cowboy Junkies, and Joni Mitchell's Blue.  Most anything GIllian Welch and/or David Rawlings record is well-recorded.  Joan Baez's debut album is beautifully simple.  The Avett Brothers' I and Love and You.  Most albums by the Wood Brothers.