artists of the decade

Music is both timeless and immediate, bound in time and yet connecting beyond it. It is a solitary pursuit and a communal one, at the same time, an art that crosses and lasts through seasons, and years, and decades. At its best, it is a continuing conversation.

Here is a nod to those whose conversations I have particularly enjoyed through these last ten years. Wisdom and grace, fire, courage, creativity, humor, great musicality, and sense of spirit, place, and heritage are part of the work of each artist here.

There will be further articles about each of these artists here along the music road as this year unfolds. I hope you will come along for those.

I've included links to stories about several of the artists here. Including links to all would pose problems with internet search engines. However, taking a tip from our road trip partner at A Traveler's Library, I encourage you to place their names in the search box up there on the right to find stories here on Music Road about these artists, and to stay tuned for what is to come.

Thanks for the music, and thanks for the listening. Here’s to continuing these conversations as this new decade begins.

Music Road artists of the decade are

*Cathie Ryan -- a graceful and thoughtful singer and songwriter, who draws on her Irish and American heritage
*Carrie Newcomer wisdom, grace, and mystery seen through daily life
*Kathy Mattea hope and humor expressed through country and folk music
*Natalie MacMaster the heart and spirit of Atlantic Canada to the heart of the world
behind the scenes, *John Doyle and *John McCusker offer creative and engaging support to many gifted musicians, and are well able to step into the spotlight each on their own, as well
*Matt and Shannon Heaton Irish and American music though voice and instrument with energy and taste
*Christine Albert and Chris Gage draw together the roots of Americana and Texas music, with a dash of Albert’s French heritage too
*Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas engaging and creative conversation between fiddle and cello
*Gretchen Peters character songs and personal songs with consistent heart and intelligence, from unexpected angles
*Hanneke Cassel Scottish fiddle with energy, fire and a touch of grace -- and just a touch of other lands too
*Altan taking the local ground of the northwest of Ireland to the local ground of the world
*Hilary Hahn within the disciplines of classical style, great creativity
*Alison Brown jazz bluegrass folk fusion
*Terri Allard songs of hope, faith, and family from the heartland
*Mark O’Connor new American music which brings classical, folk, and jazz into conversation in the same piece


projects of the decade
*Dual Julie Fowlis and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh explore connections between stories and melodies in Scottish Gaelic and Irish
*The Darwin Song project eight songwriters collaborate to write songs inspired by the life of scientist Charles Darwin
*Wilderness Plots five songwriters tell of connections of people, place, and history in the Ohio Valley

you may also wish to see
Best Music, 2010
New Year's Eve

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