best music, 2008

Songs of heart and spirit, about life in the coal fields of the Appalachians, the western isles of Scotland, the heart of Indiana, the deep south of Mississippi, songs about winter, about love, loss, grief, healing, faith, and questions, answered and unanswered, and many other things are part of what you’ll find in this list of choices for the best recordings of 2008. the links will lead to to further information about each recording. I invite you to take some time with my list, and to let me know yours.

Gretchen Peters: Northern Lights top songwriter reflects on the quieter side of the winter season

Dual: Julie Fowlis & Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh songs in Irish and Scots Gaelic, exploring their connections and differences

Carrie Newcomer: The Geography of Light faith, hope, love, and questions -- and email gone astray


Kathy Mattea: Coal old and new songs about what it means to make a living, and a life, in coal

Caroline Herring: Lantana southern gospel and souhtern gothic both run through Herring’s stories in song

Emily Smith: Too Long Away songs from the tradtion and original songs by Smith illuminate lives and love and time through stories set in southwestern Scotland

Sarah-Jane Summers: Nesta Highland Scotland and Nordic influences meet

Mary Black: 25 years 25 songs a fine trip through Black’s ability to tell true songs and true stories through the years.
several new songs are included as well


Wilderness Plots: the dvd this is actually a dvd but it belongs here. five top songwriters singing songs and talking about creative process

Tish Hinojosa Our Little Planet country and folk with heart integrity, and originality

Capercaillie Roses & Tears Scots trad and originals with groove, beat ,invention, and thought

Heidi Talbot: in love +lighttop notch voice, top notch song selection from Tom Waits to Tim O’Brien


Beth Nielsen Chapman: Prism: the human family songbook songs of the spirit from many places



“Europe is in my blood and Texas is in my soul,” says Christine Albert of her album Paris, Texafrance

barry walsh : the crossing original piano meditations and creations

Hanneke Cassel and Christopher Lewis: Calm the Raging Sea
melodies of familiar hymns on Scottish style fiddle and guitar






you may also like to see

season of grace

listening to Christmas

:best of 2007

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