Best albums, January 2012

Of the albums that arrived in the station in January 2012, my favorites were:

• Home by Dark by Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen.  Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen are superstars in the folk world.  You can see lyrics and buy the CD on their web site at  http://compassrosemusic.com/HomeByDark.html.  I try to buy music directly from the musicians, so that they will get more of the money.  If you want to hear samples or download mp3s, you can do that at iTunes or amazon.
• Front Porch by Michael Johnathan.  You can buy the CD on his web site at  http://www.michaeljohnathon.com/merchantile.html, or you can hear samples or download mp3s on amazon.
• Midwinter by Peter Mayer.  I first got excited about Peter Mayer when his album Heaven Below arrived at the station in September.  The songs on Midwinter are mostly suited to being played in December.  It is not an album of Christmas carols or anything like that, but many of the songs contain references to December or Christmas.  An exception is "Magical World" which celebrates the beauty of the world at all times, but starts with tulips in May.   Peter Mayer's web site offers lyrics and samples, and provides links for buying the album from CDBaby or iTunes.
• Enthralled by Oliver Schroer and Nuala Kennedy.  This album offers instrumentals with fiddle and flute, with influences from a variety of cultures, especially Celtic.
• Move by The Sultans of String.  This album is mostly instrumental, and draws on a variety of styles and cultures, especially flamenco.  You can listen to the music at  http://www.sultansofstring.com/.
• Look Back Don't Stare by Triskele.  This is a local group that plays Irish music. There's an article about the group at http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2011/dec/29/1229_Triskele/.