I thought we could have this thread as a place to ask for and to give recommendations for folk and americana albums and artists.

I'll start with an album that I listened to at a record store this weekend which sounded pretty good to me. Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion's new album 'Exploration.' I only listened to the first track, but it sounded quite a bit like 'Hollywood Town Hall' era Jayhawks, which is a pretty good thing as far as I'm concerned. I then did a little research and found out that Gary Louris from the Jayhawks produced it. So, I'm wondering if anyone out there has heard the album and if they would recommend it.

I haven't heard of it but it sounds intriguing, esp. with The Jayhawks connection. One of the things I loved about The Jayhawks was the gorgeous harmonies -- does this new disc sound the same?

Also, with a name like Guthrie, I wonder if there's any connection to Woody?

I've been trying to buy some Kathryn Williams albums and they are very hard to get. She's quite a highly regarded British folkie. I have two albums by her, "Little Black Numbers" and "Old Low Light" which are both lovely, quiet, intelligent, low-key female singer-songwriter discs. Her new one, "Over Fly Over", is getting very good reviews but I can't find it anywhere. She did a disc of covers last year called "Relations" that I would also like to hear.

Grandaughter, PW, Arlo's daughter.

I've only been through the Guthrie/Irion once so far, but it's been a good first listen. I don't know if it will end up on my year-end list, klt, but I don't think you'd go wrong with it if you find a used copy. I'll get back with you after I've spent some more time with it.

Now Playing: "Your Little Hoodrat Friend" The Hold Steady Separation Sunday

I've got a couple tracks now, and I like them quite a bit. I'm definately on the look out for a good deal on it. I'll probably buy it soon.

David Francey is an amazing Scottish-Canadian folk singer I started listening to about a year ago. All 4 of his CD's are fantastic, though his latest is probably his weakest. I can't recommend him strongly enough.

I recently picked up an advance of the new one by Caitlin Cary and Thad Cockrell, Begonias, and then got my hands on a real copy this weekend.

I don't know Thad's work at all, but Caitlin was a founding member and common-sense foil to Ryan Adams in Whiskeytown, and has put out a few solo records (so-so) and a good one as a member of Tres Chicas.

Begonias is a lovely alt-country record that harkens back to Cary's Whiskeytown days. Her voice is a nice foil for Cockrell's and the songs and instrumentation are great. A really rich, homey sound (courtesy of the incredible production of the always great Brad Jones) and a great bunch of players (Pat Buchanan, of power poppers the Idle Jets, Jen Gunderman, former keyboardist for the Jayhawks, Audley Freed, former Black Crowe, and Cary's hubby, Skillet Gilmore, ex-Whiskeytown drummer) make this a top-notch alt-country/Americana record.

I really liked Jim White's album from last year, Drill a Hole in That Substrate and Tell Me What You See, which was my introduction to his music even though it's his third album since 1997. Before I got around to starting on his back catalog, though, he's put out a new collection. A British film maker used White's 1997 debut Wrong-Eyed Jesus as inspiration for a new movie titled Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus, which follows White on a driving tour of music in the Deep South. The resulting soundtrack features tracks from White, The Handsome Family, Cat Power, David Johansen, and lots more. I've only been through the disc twice so far, but based on those listenings, I think it's well worth checking out.

Now Playing: "Big Louise" Scott Walker It's Raining Today

I had Searching... in my hands the other day, but I put it back after much deliberation (and having not read a thing about it.) Next time I'll be sure to hang on to it. Drill a Hole... went sorely undercovered last year, at least from what I could tell — and it's one of the '04 discs I still listen to frequently.

Blanche - If We Can't Trust The Doctors (Cass)
The Clumsy Lovers - After The Flood (Nettwerk)
Nathan - Jimson Weed (Nettwerk)
Ani DiFranco - *any album*
Xavier Rudd - Solace (Salt)

I may have plugged these boys before (find that post here: http://forums.metacritic.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/686108/m...730000752#2730000752),
but after picking up the most recent (2004) record by Charlie, I figure I'll offer a recommendation for the records of brothers Bruce and Charlie Robison.

These Texas brothers (Charlie is married to a Dixie Chick, Bruce to alt-country songstress Kelly Willis) collaborate frequently, but both of them are top notch songwriters and expressive country singers. Charlie's a little more trad country, Bruce has a slightly more singer-songwriter edge to his work, but both are great. There's a live record with both of them (plus Jack Ingram) playing some of their hits called Lucky Dog: Unleashed, but I recommend checking them out if you like song driven country/alt-country.

quote:

Begonias is a lovely alt-country record that harkens back to Cary's Whiskeytown days. Her voice is a nice foil for Cockrell's and the songs and instrumentation are great.

I wanted to second that - that is a surprisingly strong album that hasn't gotten nearly the attention it deserves!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LinnTate,

So where do I put the Byrds' Sweetheart of the Rodeo? It sure sounds like a Countryholic's Heaven, but I'd hate to shut out an Americanaist!

quote:

Originally posted by mark f:
So where do I put the Byrds' Sweetheart of the Rodeo? It sure sounds like a Countryholic's Heaven, but I'd hate to shut out an Americanaist!

I think you'd be fine putting it in either category - a great album to be sure (although I do wish they'd stop reissuing it - how many time must I but the same album??)

If you like the mid level byrds, be sure to check out Gene Clark's "ECHOES" it is a total masterpiece of sixties folk + country instrumentation. Never gets old.

That's a good recommendation 'results are in.' I'll add the first Dillard and Clark album, 'The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard and Clark' as essential Gene Clark listening.

Also, as long as we are talking about good albums by guys named Clark, I'll throw in Guy Clark's 'Old #1'.

I highly recommend the last two albums from Grey Delisle: 2004's Graceful Ghost and last year's Iron Flowers. Her voice and her music blew me away the first time I heard these albums. I've heard good and great alt-country/American albums with a first spin but never have I expierenced instant timeless classics as I did when I first laid ears on these two albums. These albums breath beauty in every joy and ache Grey expresses, whether it's her own songs or the covers (she does does awesome take on "Bohemian Rhapsody" at the beginning of Iron Flowers).

I just recently found her older albums at Miles of Music and will be digging into them this weekend- a glorious Grey weekend!

Richmond Fontaine.

Old RF sounds like Uncle Tupelo/Son Volt.

Newer RF is more songwriter oriented (still twangy) but also excellent. Think Springsteen circa Nebraska. RF main man Willy Vlautin is a great, underrated songsmith.

I don't know if it's considered Americana, but David Thomas Broughton's Guide To Insufficieny is a great folk rock album

Last year a pretty decent record came out and went nowhere. It was a self-titled album by a band called The Hotel Alexis. Sad, sad country music.

quote:

Originally posted by ¡KevinHess!:
Last year a pretty decent record came out and went nowhere. It was a self-titled album by a band called The Hotel Alexis. Sad, sad country music.

Actually, the album title was The Shining Example Is Lying on the Floor. I agree though, it was a good record. It made my top 20 from last year.