Folk Alley presents a sampling of its favorite CDs this year, submitted by hosts and staff: Elena See, Jeff St. Clair, Barb Heller, Jim Blum, Chris Boros, Ann VerWiebe and Linda Fahey.
Folk Alley programmers have also posted their personal favorites at the Folk Alley Blog.
Folk Alley's Favorites
Susan Werner
Werner uses her singer-songwriter talents to create an unusual collection of ruminations on faith -- told from an agnostic’s point of view. A CD that makes you think while you’re enjoying the well-crafted songs.
Patty Griffin
An eclectic mix: from jazz to R&B, piano ballads to gospel and contemporary folk. This is her finest CD to date.
Levon Helm
After overcoming throat cancer and a fire that destroyed his recording studio, Helm returns with a gritty tribute to his rural Arkansas roots. It's his first solo CD in 25 years.
Eilen Jewell
Straight out of a speakeasy that only serves the good stuff.
LAU
High energy Celtic sounds from a trio that sounds like a sextet.
Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby
An unexpected acoustic collaboration that draws on the strengths of two talented musicians. Long a master of traditional bluegrass, Skaggs uses his instrumentation to blend with the versatile Hornsby.
The Infamous Stringdusters
The International Bluegrass Music Association's Emerging Artist of the Year, this group of younger Nashville veterans has done a fine job with every one of the dozen tracks on this album.
The Greencards
American bluegrass filtered through the perspective of two Aussies and a Brit who met in Austin, Texas. A good range of traditional roots music and a more contemporary sound.
Richard Shindell
After careful consideration and personal reflection, Shindell chose 12 songs fraught with personal meaning. It's a covers album full of unlikely juxtapositions. And yet it works.
Peter Rowan & Tony Rice
These two bluegrass greats can even make "Shady Grove" sound fresh -- tight harmonies throughout, plus sublime guitar work. The final song says it best: "Perfection."
Copyright 2007 WKSU