Kim Simpson’s Top 10 Picks for 2011
Sunday from 2-4 p.m
Meg Baird is a 2011 top pick of Kim Simpson. photo courtesy of www.myspace.com/pennsylvaniawildlifeAlphabetical
1. Meg Baird – Seasons on Earth
Enchanting mood folk with straightforward singing, a special attraction in the present heyday of the affected vocal.
2. Stein Torleif Bjella –Vonde Visu
You won’t need Norwegian lessons for songs like “Satan’s Early Years” to stick with you.
3. Bruce Cockburn –A Small Source of Comfort
Although “contemporary folk” is a subjective genre, Cockburn consistently outclasses every possible definition.
4. Bart Davenport – Searching for Bart Davenport
Spare and gorgeous cover songs that develop minds of their own.
5. Mary Flower – Misery Loves Company
This Oregon-based blues/ragtime fingerpicker sends dispatches from the BS-free zone, including such originals as “I’m Dreaming of Your Demise.”
6. Pat Hull – Lights
Golden-voiced minimalism from an NYC up-and-comer.
7. Lloyd Jones – Highway Bound
Acoustic blues so fundamental you feel downright self-righteous as you listen.
8. Daniel Lohues – Hout Moet
With songs this likable, you’ll trust that the Dutch singer-songwriter’s heart is in the right place, and you’ll find yourself gutturalling right along.
9. Ed Miller – Come Awa’ Wi’ Me
Austin’s favorite Scotsman delivers up a typically elegant collection with a true folk singer’s focus on people.
10. Gillian Welch – The Harrow and the Harvest
Welch quietly reasserts herself as an “Americana” standard-bearer and demonstrates how “all acoustic” should always be a good thing.
