Folk Alley's Top CDs of 2007 v.2

December 6, 2007

Ann VerWiebe - Folk Alley's Website & Newsletter Editor - Top 10 CD List for 2007

Susan Werner - 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.
Favorite Song - “Probably Not”

Josh Ritter - The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter
A large, wonderful CD filled with humable melodies and powerful storytelling – stretching Ritter’s acoustic roots. Some have criticized Ritter for his Dylanesque sound on a few numbers, but if we had to silence every neo-folkie who had Dylan moments, it would be a very quiet room.
Favorite Song - “Rumors”

Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby - Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby
An unexpected acoustic collaboration that draws on the strengths of two talented musicians. Skaggs has long been the master of the trad bluegrass revival and he uses his instrumentation to blend with the versatile Hornsby.
Favorite Song - “Mandolin Rain”

Uncle Earl - Waterloo, Tennessee
A more than convincing example of the good that comes from groups comprised of legitimate solo artists – here KC Groves, Abigail Washburn, Rayna Gellert and Kristin Andreassen – as they combine their musical parts to create an engaging whole.
Favorite Song - “Streak o’ Lean, Streak o’ Fat”

Mountain Heart - Road That Never Ends: The Live Album
Mountain Heart’s first CD with new lead singer, Josh Shilling, demonstrates the roots rock side of bluegrass with high energy live cuts. One of the rising young bands in bluegrass nearly crackles in its natural setting – live performance.
Favorite Song - “While The Getting’s Good”

Marc Cohn - Join the Parade
The long awaited new CD from the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter who was blown out of his writer’s block by a 2006 gunshot to the head. Cohn has been under the radar for awhile (his last CD came out in 1998), but his bluesy voice and storytelling skills are winning new fans.
Favorite Song - “Giving Up the Ghost”

The Greencards – Viridian
American bluegrass filtered through a foreign perspective in the guise of two Aussies and a Brit who met in Austin, TX. A good range of traditional roots music and a more contemporary sound. Great chops that drew the attention of Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan, who took them out on tour last year.
Favorite Song - “Here You Are”

Loudon Wainwright III - Strange Weirdos: Music From and Inspired by the Film Knocked Up
Not your average film soundtrack, “Knocked Up” director and admitted Wainwright fan Jud Apatow asked the singer/songwriter to write the score after hearing him perform many of these songs in LA. One of Wainwright’s most well-rounded recent collections.
Favorite Song - “Daughter”

The Roches – Moonswept
All three sisters – Suzzy, Maggie and Terre – plus Suzzy’s daughter, Lucy Wainwright Roche, on a new collection of great songs that prove they’re still the best when it comes to heartfelt lyrics and sing-along harmonies.
Favorite Song - “No Shoes”

Raul Malo - After Hours
The former lead singer of The Mavericks returns with a solo collection of covers honoring the country crooners of the ‘50s and ‘60s – including songs by Buck Owens, Roger Miller and Hank Williams.
Favorite Song - “Crying Time”