WTJU Best of 2018: Steve Kindig (Folk)
By Folk Department
Steve Kindig co-hosts Atlantic Weekly I, heard Saturday morning from 8-10 (eastern).
ARTIST/ALBUM/LABEL
I’m With Her/See You Around/New Rounder
The all-star trio of Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan, and Sara Watkins combine their many talents to create tuneful, sophisticated acoustic music that’s hard to pigeonhole but easy to like. Smart songwriting and arrangements, crisp, clean, playing, and tight harmonies.
Doc Watson/Live at Club 47/Yep Roc
A wonderful CD recorded live in 1963 before Doc’s official debut album was released on Vanguard. He performs 26 songs, accompanying himself on guitar, banjo, harmonica, and autoharp. His singing, playing, and warm stage patter all come though in crystal-clear sound quality.
Hawktail/Unless/Padiddle Records
A beautiful album of instrumental “chamber grass” from four of today’s most accomplished players: Brittany Haas on fiddle, Jordan Tice on guitar, Dominick Leslie on mandolin, and Paul Kowert on upright bass.
Jonathan Byrd & the Pickup Cowboys/Pickup Cowboy/Jonathan Byrd
North Carolinian Jonathan Byrd is an insightful, funny songwriter I wish more people knew about. His hard luck stories of lovers and losers take unexpected turns, and his wry, supple singing makes no judgments.
The Brothers Comatose/Ink, Dust & Luck/Swamp Jam Records
I intended to just give this disc a cursory listen, but I ended up playing every track. And then I listened to the whole thing again. Need some music to give your spirits a lift? Put this CD on.
Clay Parker & Jodi James/The Lonesomest Sound That Can Sound/Clay Parker & Jodi James
This Baton Rouge duo was unknown to me, but they won me over with this quietly compelling collection of original folk/country songs.
Caitlin Canty/Motel Bouquet/Caitlin Canty
Strong followup to her outstanding 2015 album, Reckless Skyline. Looking forward to seeing her perform live at The Southern in January.
