For music! How do artists do it? Year after year, through good times and bad, they keep releasing amazing albums. You have to think there will be a bum year at some point, but I really can’t think of any in recent memory.

I have so many favorites from last year and most of them are from female artists. That’s always a plus in my book. Here are a few albums I have on repeat!

Sierra Ferrell
Long Time Coming
On this, her debut album, she very nicely merges a modern sound with authentic old time appalachian music. Here’s a live version of Silver Dollar from the album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbcUZzpQc1Y

Riddy Arman
Self-titled debut
Wow, a ranch hand that has a voice that’ll make you weep! She reminds me of a female Colter Wall, which makes sense because they share a label and he appears on this record.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvQB_HV1zTo

Yola
Stand For Myself
On her first album, she evoked Laurel Canyon, 60’s/70’s folk pop. There’s still some of that on this album, but Yola turns up the funk!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfC_n8efpiM

Aaron Lee Tasjan
Tasjan! Tasjan! Tasjan
He’s just weird and fun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuoNkiVGR-A

Neil Francis
In Plain Sight
What year is it?? Pure 1970’s piano driven boogie woogie rock and roll. Makes me wish I’d seen Dr. John in concert.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcpKxFHMK8o

Tim O’Brien
He Walked On
This is a great album of true and embellished stories of the American folk experience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1rlc4znZno

Allison Russell
Outside Child
A deeply personal solo debut from a member of Birds Of Chicago and Our Native Daughters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU6Z3xhEo_g

What did you love hearing in 2021?

~ Randi