The Spectrum

I listen to a variety of music that I believe ranges something like this:

Traditional Spiritual Folk, Folk, Southern Rock, Indie, Pop, Rock

Hmm, I think that's an appropriate arrangement, but I'm open to adjustments. Anyway, I'm equally happy listening to almost any of the above but my preferences vary on on my mood. Lately I've been farther to the left side of my scale which means listening to music that I don't often tell people about.

I've noticed it's a hard sell. It seems like many of my friends hear a twang and immediately say "oh, I don't like country" And while many may not recognize a difference, for me country and folk are DISTANT cousins, maybe sometimes there's a marriage, but most of that died out long ago. They're no longer inbred. The country I hear on the radio is so slick and smooth, it seems a lot closer to pop, pop for truck owning NRA members (and if you like that sort of thing, fine by me).

So I guess this has become my give folk a chance plea. And if this helps you, Folk is like indie, real artist relying on their musical ability as much as marketing to make their way in the world. Here's a band I've recently been enjoying, Crooked Still. Aoife O'Donovan has one of the most gorgeous voices, it's transcendent. If you like Alison Krauss like Aaron, you'll probably like Aoife. You can listen to their myspace page here. Sadly, it doesn't have one of my favorite songs they do, which was written by Gillian Welch another amazing folkists, Orphan Girl. I'll put the lyrics below. I think it's a beautiful prayer.

I am an orphan on God's highway
But I'll share my troubles if you go my way
I have no mother no father
No sister no brother
I am an orphan girl

I have had friendships pure and golden
But the ties of kinship I have not known them
I know no mother no father
No sister no brother
I am an orphan girl

But when He calls me I will be able
To meet my family at God's table
I'll meet my mother my father
My sister my brother
No more orphan girl

Blessed Savior make me willing
And walk beside me until I'm with them
Be my mother my father
My sister my brother
I am an orphan girl