Okay, it is extremely difficult to put together a “best of” list, and I hesitate to call my selections that. These are however, CDs that I will be listening to and playing on the radio long after the clock reaches midnight on New Year’s Eve. These recordings are what I consider “essential” CDs that were relased during the last 12 months – recordings that reflect the folk community as it exists in 2008.

This is just my opinion, and I would love to hear yours. Please add a comment to remind me of recordings that you enjoy and that I might have overlooked or feel differently about. I’d love to hear what YOU are listeningto!

Here are mine –

Pete Seeger “At 89” (Appleseed) Some people might think that a Pete Seeger selection is a sentimental favorite. You need to listen to this CD in its entirety to realize that it is a epic story in word and song about the life and music of Pete Seeger.

David Bernz did an outstanding job of producing this collection of songs and spoken introductions. Every song standsout, but the real beauty of the CD can be discovered by listening the “old fashioned way” – from the first cut straight through to the end. Bernz enlisted superb musical support from members of his band Work O’ The Weavers- a quartet that pays tribute the legendary folk group that featured Seeger) produced this recording. In addition, other Seeger-influenced performers such as the Walkabout Clearwater Chorus, The Hudson River Sloop Singers are included in the recording of classic and new Seeger songs.

various “The Imagined Village” (Real World) Technically, this CD was a 2007 release in the UK but the first US distribution came in the summer of 2008. Developed as a project by Afro Celt Sound System member Simon Emmerson, the CD is folk music in the 21st century – “living” trad music that reflects a contemporary folk community and influences of a multi-cultural England.

When Cecil Sharp and his contemporaries collected folk song over a century ago, they created an image of rural life that may have glossed over realities. This “imagined village” concept inspired this project that features a diverse collection of musicians including English “folkies” Martin Carthy and his daughter Eliza, Billy Bragg, and the Copper Family alongside contemporary artists with a worldly beat such as Tiger Moth, Transglobal Underground and dub artist Benjamin Zephaniah who duets with Eliza Carthy on one of my favorite tracks – a modern retelling of “Tam Lyn”.

The entire CD shows that music is not meant to be put on a shelf and admired from a distance – it has a living soul that reflects the community it serves.

Kathy Mattea “Coal” (Captain Potato)Watching Kathy Mattea share a workshop with Jean Ritchie at the Philadelphia Folk Festival this summer solidified the fact that Kathy invested her heart and soul into this recording. It is more than just a thematic collection of songs about coal miners and their lives; it is a personal affirmation of her connection with the community that she sings about. Her West Virginia roots and exposure to the hardships and triumphs enabled Kathy to create one of the most powerful collections of songs to come our way since the days of Woody Guthrie.

Kathy’s stunning vocals do not gloss over the grit and harsh reality of the songs. A well deserved Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Folk Album.

Kerfuffle “To the Ground” (Root Beat) The third release from this UK band is helping to build their reputation as one of the most exciting young bands in the English folk scene. The group formed as a trio 2001 when the members were just 13 and 14 years old who met at a competition for young folk musicians. Realizing they shared a love for traditional music and were in sync with each others style they continued to explore the music, eventually adding a fourth member to their group.

You might hear echoes of groups like Pentangle or Fairport Convention in the music of Kerfuffle, but their style is unique and honors the tradition. Vocalist Hannah James (who also plays accordion) turns in some beautiful performances on standards such as “Down by the Greenwood Side”. A group to watch!!!

Magpie – “In This World: Looking Back, Moving Forward” (Sliced Bread) Greg Artzner and Terry Leonino celebrated their 35th anniversary of performing together with this new release on Sliced Bread Records. For this anniversary celebration, Magpie selected and re-recorded songs from various points of their career.

Their new takes on these songs reflect the experience they have gathered since they first joined together in harmony in Kent, Ohio. They have included songs such as “Give Light”, a song that first appeared on their 25th anniversary CD release and has matured into a fitting song for our time. Magpie shows that they have not wavered from their commitment to do their part in creating a better world for everyone. Their gift of music is to be cherished! (I also had the honor of interviewing Greg & Terry for an article that appears in the current issue of Sing Out magazine – www.singout.org .)

Two-Man Gentleman Band “Heavy Petting” (Serious Business) – Any group that releases a CD with songs such as “When Your Lips Are Playing My Kazoo” and “Dippin’ Sauce” will immediately get my attention. But it is the strength of the songs that will keep them on the radar.

The Two-Man Gentleman Band is a duo from New York City that perform a vaudeville style blend of hot jazz, old-time country, tin pan alley and other roots styles. They deliver a performance that despite some double entendre references is geared for a family to enjoy. Performing original songs that sound as if they were written 70 to 80 years ago, the Two-Man Gentleman band have recorded a CD that always makes me smile, tap my foot and forget about the burdens of contemporary times.

Lindsay Mac “Stop Thinking” (Taiga Records) – Walking over the hill at Falcon Ridge this year, I glanced at the stage and wondered who was this person with a huge guitar. As I drew closer I realized that she was actually playing a cello (strapped as a guitar) and the music and performance was captivating – a combination of assertive lyrics and a poetic sensibility that stands out among the current crop of singer-songwriters.

Coupled with a performing style that delivers the honesty as well as the imagination behind the songs, Lindsay Mac has recorded a CD that should reach far beyond the contemporary folk music enclave. These songs are “radio friendly” and I find the tunes playing in my head long after the CD player has been turned off.

Joan Baez “Day After Tomorrow” (Razor & Tie) This just might be my favorite Joan Baez recording of all time. While her songs have always been part of the soundtrack to my own life, her albums have often been uneven and could have been produced with a lighter touch in order to focus more attention on her skill as an interpreter of song. “Day After Tomorrow”, thanks to the insightful touches from producer Steve Earle, delivers a cohesive collection of songs that allows Baez to deliver a knockout punch.

While her voice is no longer the pristine instrument that catapulted her to international fame, she can still share emotion and tell a story like no other performer on the stage today. This recording captures her spirit and perseverance that has not diminished. The title cut, a song written by Tom Waits, is an anti-war song that delivers a deeply personal message unlike other songs of the genre.

Red Molly “Love and Other Tragedies” (self) Be still my heart!!! This trio continues to expand their musical horizon and gain new fans. Their exquisite harmonies have never sounded sweeter than they do on their latest CD.

I fell in love with this mix of standardsand originals that all meld into a style that is unique to Red Molly. From a torch-ballad take on Amy Speace’s “Make Me Lonely Again” to the swingtime feel of “Sentimental Gentleman from Georgia” this CD has something for every mood.

Trad fans will enjoy their beautiful take on “Wayfaring Stranger”, a song that in other hands would sound overdone and clichéd, but Red Molly makes it feel like you are listening to the song for the first time. By the way, I have a theory that every good CD that was released in 2008 was touched in some fashion by Red Molly. All three of the bandmates, as well as the unofficial “4th” Red Molly member Anthony da Costa, have guested on numerous recordings this year. They are hot!!!

Hardy & Massengill “Partners in Crime” (Great Divide) Seeing a CD from the Folk Brothers was a breath of fresh air this summer. A relatively simple production without fancy bells and whistles that seem to dominate the work of contemporary singer-songwriters, “Partners in Crime” allow the duo of Jack Hardy and David Massengill to shine and remind the listener of the powerful and influential music they have created during their lengthy careers. While not household names (except in better households!), Hardy & Massengill have individual careers that many others have tried to emulate.

During the 1980’s, there was a renaissance of singer-songwriters in Greenwich Village. My excursions from New Jersey to a club called Speakeasy on Macdougal Street allowed me the opportunity to witness a new breed of singer-songwriters that were coming on the scene. A new “Camelot” was rising from the ashes left by Dylan, Ochs, Van Ronk & the crew, and the new generation was led by Jack Hardy.

Jack ventured into the Village from his upstate NY home and became a fixture on the scene. Jack helped create the Coop – short for musicians Co-operatative. The weekly gathering in Jacks apartment was attended by up and coming songwriters. Some of the artists who appeared on these LP’s would go onto fame and fortune, some would disappear, and others would carry on – creating magnificent music for a subculture that they helped build.

If Jack was King Arthur in this new Camelot, David Massengill was the shining knight. Originally from Tennessee, David came to New York seeking fame and fortune and found it by washing dishes and creating music.

Over the years, the spotlight has swung to many other talented performers who owe thanks to Jack & David. It is good to have this CD as a reminder of what they can do with a song and how they can reach an audience through concise words and simple phrasing. It adds up to memorable listening!

Honorable mention: Greg Klyma, Randall Williams, The Angel Band, Debra Cowan