In no particular order, my favorite albums of 2010.
Anais Mitchell, “Hadestown”
A brilliant folk opera based on the Orpheus myth. Mitchell sings the part of Euridyce, with Ani DiFranco, Greg Brown and Justin Vernon as Orpheus. The songs are gorgeous, intricate and interesting. The production by Todd Sickafoose is amazing. I can’t say enough about this record. I’ve known and played with Anais on the folk circuit and at festivals and have always been so blown away by her writing. Her voice is like a bird, small and lithe and quirky and filled with life and joy. I think this is one of those albums that people will be talking about for years. She takes folk to a completely new level. She is, to me, the most inspiring artist I’ve had the pleasure of knowing.
Jaime Johnson, “The Guitar Song”
Just damned good songwriting, singing. Real country. Believable, raw and honest in a way that what passes as ‘country’ these days has forgotten.
Mumford & Sons, “Sigh No More”
I love this record. I love this band. Sometimes the hype is justified. And they begin the record with a quote from Shakespeare, “Serve God, love me, and mend,” which, somehow, works. Choral harmonies and booming amped up folk. Yummy.
Elizabeth Cook, “Welder”
Full disclosure, she’s a friend and we share management, however this record kicks ass. The first time I heard her sing “Heroin Addict Sister” I couldn’t believe the bravery and depth, and then on the other side of the coin “El Camino” where she sings “and if I wake up married I’d have to annul it, right now my hands are in his mullet.” Ridiculous and wonderful. Produced by Don Was with just the right amount of grit and twang.
Kanye West, “My Beautiful Dark Twisted…”
I’m not much of a listener to urban music, but I bought this record and couldn’t believe it. Melodic and ambitious and vulnerable. I can’t believe I actually wrote that a– I’m a freakin’ folk artist –but man, I do love this record.
Sid Selvidge, “I Should Be Blue”
Well, full disclosure, I’m on this record, but I love this record. Sid is, to my mind, one of the finest voices and songwriters to have graced the planet and Don Dixon captured these songs perfectly. Sid’s version of “That’s How I Got To Memphis” should be a standard. I’m so proud to have been part of this record but even if I weren’t singing on it, it would still make my Top 10!
Joe Pug, “Messenger”
Great songwriting and singing. Joe is my favorite discovery of last year.
Laura Marling, “I Speak Because I Can”
How is it possible that this voice is just 20 years old? World weary and worn and emotional. This record is gorgeous and painful. My favorite kind of music.
Janelle Monae, “Archandroid”
Crazy fun, funky, positive and maybe one of the best live performers I’ve ever seen.
Freelance Whales, “Weathervanes”
Found sounds, beautiful songs and music. Tape loops and moogs and scratchy banjos. Indie folk from Brooklyn and reminds me so much of what I loved so much about the NYC music scene.
Born in Baltimore, Amy Speace started out as an actress/director/playwright in NYC, touring with the National Shakespeare Company , but after a broken heart and a pawn shop guitar sparked a late blooming songwriting spurt, a self-released record, and heavy grassroots touring–a chance meeting with Judy Collins’ manager changed Amy’s life. Visit Amy’s website to purchase copies of the new EP, “Into the New,” released in November, which includes acoustic alternates to 2009’s “The Killer In Me” as well as two never-released songs and you can also download 2 songs from her upcoming 3/29/11 release “Land Like A Bird”!!!!
