American Originals
Artist: John Stewart
My Own House/You Should See the Rest of the Band
Artist: David Bromberg

As of the late 1990s, guitarist and fiddler David Bromberg was in musical semi-retirement, supplementing his day job (making his living buying and selling American-made violins) with the odd club gig. But in the 1970s, he had a thriving career as both a bandleader and a sideman, having played on seminal recordings by Bob Dylan, the Eagles, and... Read More

The Best of Townes Van Zandt - CHARLY
Artist: Townes Van Zandt
Looking out the Fishbowl
Artist: Eddie from Ohio

Songwriters Michael Clem and Robbie Schaefer, who separately write the songs for Eddie From Ohio, share an interest in small, quirky subjects: Clem writes from the perspectives of fish and dogs on "Fifth of July," pens an ode to his home state of Virginia on "Old Dominion," and describes the awkwardness of a visit home by a priest long stationed... Read More

High, Low and In Between/The Late Great Townes Van Zandt
Artist: Townes Van Zandt

High, Low and In Between and The Late Great Townes Van Zandt, Townes Van Zandt's two classic records from 1972, were reissued on a single CD from Capitol in 1996. High, Low and In Between, Van Zandt's fifth album, was different from his first four starting with the first few notes. The lead-off track "Two Hands" was an uptempo gospel number... Read More

Lipstick, Lies & Gasoline
Artist: Fred Eaglesmith
Community Score: 10.00

Eaglesmith strips the sound down for this one, building a lot out of relentless rhythm tracks that beat at the frontal lobes until things give way. Eaglesmith's songs have an intimate relationship with force and fury, all carried through in the arrangement and delivery, providing a sense of menace to each tune. This is album noir from end to... Read More

Last Rights: The Life & Times of Townes Van Zandt
Artist: Townes Van Zandt
Moonpie Dreams
Artist: Kate Campbell

Moonpie Dreams follows through on the promise of Kate Campbell's debut, Songs from the Levee, offering 12 well-crafted, superbly performed country and folk-rock songs that are teeming with emotions, melodies and rich performances. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide Read More

Through the Looking Glass
Artist: Eliza Gilkyson

Through the Looking Glass merges poetry with folk and blues to create a common, accessible musical language. Comparisons of writer and singer Eliza Gilkyson to Rickie Lee Jones, Joni Mitchell, John Prine, Jackson Browne and Suzanne Vega are apt but don't do justice to Gilkyson's individual presentation. Through the Looking Glass offers new... Read More

Friend of Mine
Artist: Bill Morrissey

Bill Morrissey and Greg Brown's paths had been crossing on the folk circuit when, in 1993, they formed an acoustic duet in a Massachusetts studio for Friend of Mine. Brown clearly has more of a range than Morrissey, but when it comes to singing with plenty of warmth, humanity and feeling, neither are lacking. And the singers/guitarists clearly... Read More

Angeltown
Artist: Tom Kell

Having parted company with Warner Bros., Tom Kell moved to Vanguard for Angeltown. Vanguard was known for roots music, and given the rootsy, earthy nature of Kell's recordings, it seemed like a logical place for him. The folk/pop/rock artist was far from famous at the time, but his obscurity wasn't due to a lack of talent--on this reflective... Read More

At Town Hall
Artist: Carolyn Hester

This recording is probably the best existing representation of Hester's work, capturing her voice in all of its natural vibrancy, in a setting where spontaneity matters more than control. The repertory may also explain -- along with Hester's Southern/Texas twang -- why she never quite caught on with folk audiences nationwide. By 1965, Hester was... Read More

How Did You Find Me Here
Artist: David Wilcox
Community Score: 10.00

Nice songs that, although sometimes sad, are all solid on this sophomore release. ~ Chip Renner, All Music Guide Read More

Moonlight Grocery
Artist: Connie Kaldor

Moonlight Grocery is one of Connie Kaldor's best, most political albums, featuring the terrific feminist anthems "Get Back the Night" and "Caught in the Crossfire." Arguably, this album explains her appeal more directly than any of her other records. ~ Rodney Batdorf, All Music Guide Read More