Folk Music 2008: The Best of the Year

A list of the best folk music of 2008.

Best Albums of the Year

1. The Daredevil Christopher Wright- The Nature of Things
2. Meg Hutchinson- Beyond That
3. David Francey- Late Edition
4. Mary Gauthier- Between Daylight and Dark
5. Kate Rusby- Sweet Bells
6. Si Kahn- Bound to Get There
7. Steve Earle- Washington Square Serenade
8. John Gorka- Writing in the Margins
9. Guggenheim Grotto- Lucky Stars
10. Emmylou Harris & Mark Knopfler- All the Roadrunning

Best Songs of the Year

1. “The Way I Am” – Ingrid Michaelson
2. “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” – Death Cab for Cutie
3. “Home” – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
4. “Babel” – Mumford & Sons
5. “Ho Hey” – The Lumineers
6. “I and Love and You” – The Avett Brothers
7. “The Cave” – Mumford & Sons
8. “Little Talks” – Of Monsters and Men
9. “One More Cup of Coffee (Valley Below)” – The Killers
10. ” bruises” – Chairlift

Best New Artists of the Year

Folk Music 2008: The Best of the Year

It’s been a great year for folk music, with many new artists making their mark on the genre. Here are our picks for the best new artists of the year:

The Avett Brothers – The Avett Brothers burst onto the scene this year with their debut album, “The Gleam.” The North Carolina-based duo’s blend of folk, rock and bluegrass has won them a devoted following, and they show no signs of slowing down.

David Wax Museum – Another newcomer to thefolk scene, David Wax Museum released their debut album “Everything Is Saved” to critical acclaim. Their unique blend of Mexican folk traditions with Americana and indie rock earned them fans from all over the world.

Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes released their much-anticipated self-titled debut album earlier this year, and it did not disappoint. The Seattle-based band’s beautiful harmonies and intricate arrangements won them admirers from all over the musical spectrum.

Best Concerts of the Year

There were many great folk concerts in 2008, but some stood out above the rest. Here are the best of the best.

In February, Kris Kristofferson and Merle Haggard played a free concert in Los Angeles’ Grand Park as part of the city’s celebration of country music. The two legends performed many of their classic hits, including “Kristofferson” and “Hag.” It was a magical performance by two of the genre’s greats.

In May, Another Planet Entertainment and Noise Pop staged the Outer Lands Music and Arts Festival in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. The two-day event featured an eclectic mix of folk, bluegrass, and indie rock performers, including headliners Iron & Wine and Animal Collective. It was a fantastic festival with some great music.

In June, Bob Dylan played a sold-out show at New York’s Madison Square Garden as part of his “Never Ending Tour.” Dylan is still one of the best live performers around, and he proved it with this stunning performance. He played many of his classic songs, as well as some new material from his excellent album “Modern Times.” It was a great show by one of folk music’s true legends.

These are just a few of the great folk concerts that took place in 2008. It was a great year for live music, and there were many other great shows that didn’t make this list. But these three concerts were the best of the best.

Best Music Festivals of the Year

Folk music fans rejoice! There were some great music festivals around the country this year, and we’ve rounded up the best of the bunch. From coast to coast, there was something for everyone, whether you’re into traditional folk or more contemporary sounds.

The highlights of the year included the Newport Folk Festival, which celebrated its 50th anniversary with stellar performances from artists like Emmylou Harris, John Prine, and Jenny Lewis; the Philadelphia Folk Festival, which featured appearances by Steve Earle, Joan Baez, and Arlo Guthrie; and San Francisco’s Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, which brought together acts like The Decemberists, John Fogerty, and Bonnie Raitt for three days of non-stop music.

Other highlights included the clear-cut winner of our poll for Best New Artist (The Avett Brothers), a number of farewell shows from veteran artists (Ruthie Foster, Mary Gauthier), and some incredible live albums (Tim Grimm’s The turning Point, Si Kahn’s In My Heart). It was a great year for folk music, and we can’t wait to see what 2009 has in store.