February 2012

Leonard Cohen

Old Ideas

Genre: Folk/Pop

The legendary songwriter's first studio album in over 8 years.  His subterranean growl has become even deeper and stronger from recent touring.  Topically, many tunes address issues of aging and spirituality.

Del McCoury

Old Memories: The Songs of Bill Monroe

Genre: Folk/Pop

The bluegrass guitar patriarch actually played with the Father of Bluegrass, and celebrates the 100th anniversary of Monroe's birth with this collection of his music.

Tony Rice

The Bill Monroe Collection

Genre: Folk/Pop

This Bill Monroe centennial tribute features bluegrass guitarist Tony Rice.  The Collection draws together Rice's covers of Monroe's music from throughout his career as a solo artist, as well as with the Bluegrass Album Band, David Grisman's band, and more.

Putumayo Artists

Brazilian Beat

Genre: World

Samba soul, bossa grooves, and tropicalia rhythms intertwine on this exhilarating Brazilian collection.  Contributors include Brazuka Fina, Marcos Valle, Brazilian Groove Band, and more.

Ruthie Foster

Let It Burn

Genre: Folk/Pop

As heard on NPR: "Ruthie Foster is from a small town in central Texas. . . . Zigzagging between blues, soul, gospel and rock, the album features solid originals and surprising covers, along with several stirring collaborations with The Blind Boys of Alabama.”
http://www.npr.org/2012/02/04/146303513/ruthie-foster-texas-gospel-with-a-worldly-touch
 

Gretchen Peters

Hello Cruel World

Genre: Folk/Pop

Peters has penned numerous hit tracks for fellow singer-songwriters in the country and Americana vein. Her new solo CD features new tunes, including a collaboration with Rodney Crowell.

Paul McCartney

Kisses on the Bottom

Genre: Jazz/Blues

The former Beatle takes a surprising turn on his new album. With Diana Krall and her band, McCartney revisits pop and jazz standards from his childhood, including "It’s Only a Paper Moon", "The Inch Worm", and "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down".

Mary BLack

Stories From the Steeples

Genre: Celtic

One of Celtic music's foremost singers returns with an album once more bringing together the traditional and the contemporary of Irish song. In addition to a piece with Imelda May, Black collaborates with Finbar Furey, as well as presenting a song performed with her three children.
 

The Punch Brothers

Who's Feeling Young Now?

Genre: Folk/Pop

"Assembled originally to support Nickel Creek frontman Chris Thile for a 2006 solo project, the collection of virtuoso acoustic players doesn't dwell in anything remotely "old timey" — this is a completely modern, collaborative effort that often sounds more like swirling, densely layered classical minimalism and genre-blurring songcraft than simply some rural hootenanny." —Direct Current Music
 

Tennis

Young & Old

Genre: Folk/Pop

Colorado indie rock band Tennis is fronted by husband and wife duo Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley. Their sophomore CD, produced by Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney, adds a bit more punch to their clean pop sound.
 

Kevin Kinney

Good Country Mile

Genre: Folk/Pop

Best known as a founding member of Drivin' n’ Cryin', Kinney collaborates with Anton Fier and the Golden Palominos on his first solo album in more than seven years. Alt-country veteran Kinney is joined by Jim Campilongo, Eleanor Masterson, Tony Scherr, and more.
 

Lampchop

Mr. M

Genre: Folk/Pop

Lambchop prides itself on being the oddest country band in Nashville. Driven by the idiosyncratic vocals of singer and songwriter Kurt Wagner, the band lays down a restrained but lush bed of country-tinged indie rock.

Eric Tingstad

Badlands

Genre: New Age

"In this follow up CD to Tingstad’s 2006 GRAMMY nominated Southwest, there are layers of American fingerstyle guitar over a solid bed of crunchy twangy telecaster and infectious grooves. Badlands features an abundance of dobro, steel guitars, fiddle and shamanic drumming all tied together with the help of Cindy Cashdollar, Nancy Rumbel and Byron Metcalf."