Best of 2009 (Roots)

1. 

   1. Jack Rose & the Black Twigs: s/t

   This is no easy to review to write, as we’re all still stunned at the sudden passing of Jack Rose, who died on Dec. 5 at the age of 38. For those of us who value the beauty and wonder of the ...read more

2. 

   2. v/a: Fire in My Bones: Raw + Rare + Other-Worldly African-American Gospel (1944-2007)

   The only well-known artist on this three-CD set is Snooks Eaglin (who recasts “Down by the Riverside”); casual gospel or “roots” fans may also have heard of Precious Bryant, Abner Jay, Bishop Perry...read more

3. 

   3. James Blackshaw: The Glass Bead Game

   After garnering a reputation for combining the best elements of John Fahey and Sandy Bull in his beautiful, intricate 12-string-guitar playing, English virtuoso James Blackshaw started branching ou...read more

Tags: americana , folk , gospel , guitar , minimal , rockabilly , roots , solo