AllMusic 2014 Year in Review
Favorite Folk Albums
From giants like Rosanne Cash, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Loudon Wainwright III to the newer generation of artists such as Ingrid Michaelson, Christopher Denny and the Howlin' Brothers, there were plenty of fine folk releases in 2014.
The traditional singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist delivers an inspired offering produced by M.C. Taylor
Things Are Really Great Here, Sort Of...
The ever-evolving artist delivers a rich, single-mike classic with a set of Handsome Family covers.
This intimate set was produced and mixed by the artist during the midnight hours with excellent songs and performances.
Ashley MacIsaac / Barbara Magone
A strong set of traditional fiddle tunes that captures two veterans in their best light.
Britain's premier big folk group celebrate ten years together with an exultant set on their Island Records debut.
An album of band originals, all with vocals, done in a garage folk-rock style, and with hardly a trace of bluegrass.
The husband-and-wife banjoists deliver an intimate, edifying, and progressive dialogue on musical tradition with standards and originals.
Sixth album from this bluegrass-inspired North Carolina quartet finds them exploring new sounds with their usual excellence.
The Arkansas country-soul crooner overcomes years of personal struggle to deliver his long-overdue sophomore release.
The singer/songwriter's long-in-the-works third album consists of eight exquisitely sculpted songs.
Following an eight-year hiatus, this veteran of the anti-folk scene returns with an album of dark yet hopeful brilliance.
From the first family of British folk, a late-career gem for Martin and a mid-career milestone for Eliza.
A collection of songs, often full of striking images, that came to the gifted vocalist and tunesmith in the deep of night.
Though the prolific actor waited until he was 88 to release his debut as a singer, it was well worth it.
A quiet, intimate showcase for Matthews' idiosyncratic, melodic songs.
A robust production, with an empowered vibe and catchy, infectious material.
The Cellardyke Recording and Wassailing Society
The Scottish singer/songwriter teams up with Hot Chip's Alexis Taylor and KT Tunstall for another fascinating folk narrative.
Cowan's voice and vision are the silver thread and golden needle that hold this fine set together.
This fourth album from the Scottish Gaelic singer and multi-instrumentalist sees her continue to go from strength to strength.
The Scottish folksinger has delivered his most focused and detailed record with this moving soundtrack to director Virginia Heath's historical documentary.
Vari-Colored Songs: A Tribute to Langston Hughes
McCalla's warm, jazzy voice and haunting cello playing take these stark arrangements to deep emotional places.
The Soul of All Natural Things
On her first recording in 44 years, this singer/songwriter -- with help from younger players -- picks up where she left off.
The four Ds -- decay, death, depression, and drinking -- all make appearances in this wonderfully biting, superbly crafted new collection.
Noted songwriter interprets the work of some of his favorite tunesmiths, accompanied by a jazz trio; an experiment that works.
The Australian folk duo's debut for Sub Pop is a treasure of timeless songcraft and gentle restraint.
Revisiting her catalog with a symphony orchestra and choir, the songwriter tastefully and gracefully revisions her songs.
This song cycle about the end of a love affair is unlike any other "heartbreak and healing" album; its songs border on the profound.
Brilliant and unexpectedly successful merger of blazing black metal and traditional Appalachian instrumentation.
An invigorating, unexpected evocation of '60s folk-rock and psychedelia, tied together by Molinari's exceptional songs.
Recording at Justin Vernon's studio, the songwriter-producer delivers her most intimate, understated, and generous recording.
After four years, the band returns to bravely explore new musical worlds, without sacrificing great writing and playing.
This set of road-weary, brooding highway songs is the late-blooming songwriter and guitarist's finest offering to date.
One of the finest sessions from the veteran guitarist, including bluegrass, folk, and pop standards as well as a couple of originals.
Robert Plant / Robert Plant & the Sensational Space Shifters
lullaby and... The Ceaseless Roar
Plant returns to the mysticism of England without abandoning the shape-shifting, genre-bending sound of Band of Joy.
The Scottish-born folk legend returns mightily with his first album of all-original material in eight years.
With their first new material in five years, the acoustic duo deliver fierce, beautifully articulated tunes melding their musical roots with expansive creativity.
The moods and legacies of life in the American South inform these 11 songs from the gifted singer and songwriter.
On his stellar debut, the acoustic guitarist and songwriter draws freely from his inspirations and recombines various musical traditions to reflect his own image.
Guest guitar work from the always innovative Bill Frisell contributes to what may be this experimental folksinger's best work.
Crackling and well-constructed second set from the Nashville-based neo-bluegrass trio.
![Through the Woods [CD/DVD]](https://fastly-s3.allmusic.com/release/mr0004116041/front/400/1ZpSu17fHrBB_k1AY-G_hx_TZlp6n_cq-Emr2zx15tU=.jpg)
Minneapolis children's folk duo follow up their Grammy-winning Can You Canoe? with an Appalachian Trail adventure album.
British folk-rock duo featuring Richard & Linda Thompson's daughter delivers a debut LP full of warmth and grace.
Updates the sound of the first album into a mesh of folky garage rock and girl group ballads.
The progressive bluegrass stalwarts return to form with a warmly produced collection of re-adapted fan favorites.
Remarkable collaborative album featuring members of one of the most celebrated families in U.K. folk-rock.
The New Zealand folk trio's austere sophomore effort lovingly recalls the hushed British folk of classic Witchseason productions.
Various Artists
Look Again to the Wind: Johnny Cash's Bitter Tears Revisited
A moving folk and alt-country salute to Johnny Cash's landmark 1964 album about the struggle of Native Americans.
The British singer/songwriter releases her third -- and claims final -- album. Self-produced and edited, it is a tender, poignant masterpiece.
Bold, uncompromising music from David Eugene Edwards that explores the darker corners of faith and redemption.
The Dirty Three's drummer and a virtuoso Cretan lutist assemble in a recording studio and create dizzying, kinetic, original music.