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Home , Gillian Welch, Soul Journey

of the Year Critics’ favourite new discoveries of 2011

ith The Harrow & The Harvest, Wher first since 2003, has created a dark, raw, dramatic slice of Americana. It’s a comeback album of sorts after the disappointing, largely band-backed, . While clearly steeped in the folk tradition, the lyrics are tight, contemporary, contemplative and fatalistic. She’s accompanied, as always, by on guitar and . And that’s it. More a duet album, really, and a worthy winner of our 11th annual poll. Clearly it struck a note with our critics as Carrie Elkin she won by a landslide. Almost 50 music journalists, radio hosts, artistic directors of clubs and festivals, and various individuals with an acute knowl- Past Album of the Year Winners edge of folk, roots and world music in 2010: Lynn Miles,Fall For Beauty (True North Records) David Rawlings and Gillian Welch Canada added their credibility to this poll. 2009: Jory Nash, New Blue Day (Independent) This year’s results justifiably reflect 2008: Fred Eaglesmith, Tinderbox (A Major Label) strong Canadian content and yet no world 2007: & , Albums of the Year for 2011 music made our Top 10. I have my suspi- (Rounder) 1. Gillian Welch cions why. Penguin Eggs receives very, 2006: , Modern Times (Columbia) The Harrow & the Harvest (Acony) very few promotional copies of the wonder- 2005: Lynn Miles, Love Sweet Love (True North) 2. The Deep Dark Woods ful releases that circulate around Europe. 2004: David Francey, The Waking Hour (Laker Music) The Place I LeftBehind (Six Shooter Records) I have to assume that’s also the case with 2003: David Francey, Skating Rink (Laker Music) The Once other media outlets around the country, thus 2002: Harry Manx, Wise And Otherwise (NorthernBluest) Row Upon Row of the People They Know (Borealis) little or no national exposure for interna- 2001: David Francey, Far End of Summer (Laker Music) June Tabor & Oysterband tional world music. How sad. Ragged Kingdom (Topic) On a more cheerful note, though, our Past New Discovery Winners 5. Laura Marling critics’ Favourite New Discovery of 2011 210: The Once A Creature I Don’t Know (Ribbon Music) turned into the usual bun fight. No less 2009: Kate Reid 6. Blackie & The Rodeo Kings than four acts—The Barr Brothers, Carrie 2008: Amelia Curran Kings & Queens (File Under: Music) Elkin, Pokey LaFarge and New Country Ry Cooder Rehab—shared top honours and are split Pull Up Some Dust and Sit Down (Nonesuch) evenly between two Canadian and two American acts. The King Is Dead (Capitol) As in years past, we asked participants to David Francey list their favourite 10 recordings released in Late Edition (Laker Music) 2011. Every nomination, listed alphabetical- Harry Manx & Kevin Breit ly, received one point. The winner gathered Strictly Whatever (Stony Plain) the most. For the New Discoveries category, we asked for three nominations. A huge New Discoveries of 2011 thanks, then, to all who kindly participated. 1. The Barr Brothers And a hearty congratulations to our winners. Carrie Elkin In the following pages, you can see how our Pokey LaFarge judges voted. Now go out and discover how New Country Rehab wonderful these acts are live. – Roddy Campbell Pokey LaFarge

18 penguin eggs: spring 2012