Folk Alley's Favorite CDs of 2007
From
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
Probably Not
Susan Werner
- Song: Probably Not
- from The Gospel Truth
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.
Trapeze
Patty Griffin
- Song: Trapeze
- from Children Running Through
An eclectic mix: from jazz to R&B, piano ballads to gospel and contemporary folk. This is her finest CD to date.
Single Girl, Married Girl
Levon Helm
- Song: Single Girl, Married Girl
- from Dirt Farmer
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.
Where They Never Say Your Name
Eilen Jewell
- Song: Where They Never Say Your Name
- from Letters from Sinners & Strangers
Straight out of a speakeasy that only serves the good stuff.
Hinba: Hinba/Funny Weather
LAU
- Song: Hinba: Hinba/Funny Weather
- from Lightweights & Gentlemen
High energy Celtic sounds from a trio that sounds like a sextet.
Mandolin Rain
Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby
- Song: Mandolin Rain
- from 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.
Fork in the Road
The Infamous Stringdusters
- Song: Fork in the Road
- from Fork in the Road
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.
Here You Are
The Greencards
- Song: Here You Are
- from Viridian
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.
Northbound 35
Richard Shindell
- Song: Northbound 35
- from South of Delia
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.
Shady Grove
Peter Rowan & Tony Rice
- Song: Shady Grove
- from Quartet
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."