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CORDELIA'S DAD - Wake Up [SPINE/Appleseed Records] Brilliant fourth album 
	from this young band that's at the forefront of American
        traditionalists. See the band's website at 
	www.cordeliasdad.com
COTEAU - Acadian Two-Step [HIGHLY SEASONED CAJUN MUSIC/Rounder] 20 years after 
	their breakup in 1977, the legendary Cajun roots-rock band Coteau
	finally makes a record, which alas may be their last, after the
	death of guitarist Tommy Comeaux, who was instrumental in
	reforming the band.  This was their signature tune, and in a way
	it's mine -- I like to start off new radio shows with this tune. :)
DWIGHT DILLER - Waynesboro [HARVEST: WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAIN MUSIC/
	Dwight Diller] First CD after many self-released tapes by this
	master of W.Va. oldtime music.
JONES AND LEVA - Someday [LIGHT ENOUGH TO FIND MY WAY/Rounder] Latest album of 
	all-original material by this lovely oldtime/country duo
RED MEAT - Highway of Heartaches [MEET RED MEAT/Ranchero]  High-cholesterol 
	honky-tonk from this highly pedigreed S.F. Bay Area-based band,
	featuring singer/songwriter Scott Young, three former members of
	The Movie Stars, and the incomparable vocal stylings of Mr.
	Smelley Kelley
	
STEVE JORDAN - El Alacran [THE RETURN OF EL PARCHE/Rounder] The eyepatched one,
	doing one of my favorite tunes, one that's also brilliantly
	covered by ...
THE IGUANAS - La Llanta de Me Ponchó [SUGAR TOWN/Blowout Records] Their 
	fourth, and first self-release.  Recorded with more of a loose,
	live feel, this is the most wide-ranging and perhaps most
	representative Iguanas album yet.
SANTIAGO JIMENEZ, JR. - Atotonilco [EL MERO, MERO DE SAN ANTONIO/Arhoolie]
	There's always room for a polka.

THE BALFA BROTHERS - La Valse de Balfa [THE BALFA BROTHERS PLAY TRADITIONAL 
	CAJUN MUSIC, VOLUMES 1-2/Swallow] Will Bolfa's signature tune,
	from this classic compiation of the deans of Cajun fiddle
BALFA TOUJOURS - Madame Bosso [A VIEILLE TERRE HAUTE/Swallow] Carrying on
	the Balfa family tradition proudly and brilliantly, this is one
	of the only remaining bands that play old-time Cajun music.
	Featuring Christine Balfa, daughter of Dewey, and her husband Dirk
	Powell, renowned old-time fiddler
STEVE RILEY AND THE MAMOU PLAYBOYS - Lovers' Waltz [TRACE OF TIME/Rounder] 
	A beautiful waltz penned by Jay Ungar and Molly Mason
MELVIN WINE - Waiting for the Boatman [COLD FROSTY MORNING/Poplar]
	Traditional old-time fiddle tunes from this still-lively
	octogenarian from Braxton Co, W. Virginia.
JAKE KRACK - Shakin' Down the Acorns [HOW 'BOUT THAT!/Wisekrack Records] 
	Astonishing debut from then-11-year-old fiddler, now 12 going on
	13 and even better.  A student of Brad Leftwich and Melvin Wine --
	he'll go far.
	
LA BOTTINE SOURIANTE - Ouverture [EN SPECTACLE/Disques Mille Pattes] Quebecois 
	traditional music with touches of jazz. Absolutely wonderful,
	"instant happy music".  My pick for best record of 1997.
ZACHARY RICHARD - Au Bord de Lac Bijou [CAP ENRAGÉ/Initial] Beautiful, 
	beautiful song from Zack's first all-French album in years, and a
	Canada-only release (it was also available in certain Louisiana
	record stores).  This record is very Cajun as well as very Canadian,
	geared toward a Francophone Canadian audience, with several songs
	having Canadian themes and characters.  My #2 pick for 1997.  
	www.zacharyrichard.com
NATALIE MacMASTER - A Buddy Jig [A COMPILATION/Rounder] Fiddle tunes for
	dancing, from Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia
	
DAVID KINCAID - Free and Green [THE IRISH VOLUNTEER: SONGS OF THE IRISH UNION 
	SOLDIER, 1861-1865/Rykodisc] Fascinating and moving album by
	singer Kincaid, who painstakingly researched the songs of the
	period and does quite well by them.  He's joined by several
	excellent musicians, including virtuoso piper Jerry O'Sullivan.
	This one's the story of the beloved Captain Taggart, felled in
	battle.
JERRY O'SULLIVAN - Can You Dance a "Tobacco Hill"?/Washington's March/
	Stump-Tailed Dolly [THE GIFT/Shanachie] American-born of Irish
	parents, O'Sullivan is the pre-eminent uilleann piper in American
	today. On this album he gives us Irish, Scottish and Cape Breton
	tunes, as well as jazz, swing, classical (!) and these three
	Appalachian tunes, the middle of which was learned from Emmen
	Hammons.
KILA - On Taobh Tuathail Amach [TÓG É GO BÓG É/
	Key Records]  A wee digression into Ireland, for this knockout of
	a band.  All original compositions, Irish traditional
	instrumentation, LOTS of percussion, a vocal sensibility ranging
	from folk to near-rap, and more.  This is a truly
	knock-your-socks-off band, who raised the roof at this year's 
	San Francisco Celtic Music and Arts Festival. 
	See the band's website at www.kila.ie

THE ZION HARMONIZERS - This Little Light of Mine [GOD PROMISED ME/C&G Musical 
	Partners]  Rev. Sherman Washington and the Harmonizers are still
	going strong, 58 years on, with this excellent album of
	traditional gospel songs.
AUBREY GHENT - What He's Done For Me [CAN'T NOBODY DO ME LIKE JESUS/Arhoolie] 
	One of the top players/preachers in the South Florida "sacred
	steel" tradition, playing church and gospel music on the lap steel
	guitar.  Hair-raising. Hallelujah!
THE METERS - Hey Pocky Way [MARDI GRAS IN NEW ORLEANS, VOLUME 2/Mardi Gras 
	Records]  Classic Mardi Gras Indians-inspired song and a mainstay
	of New Orleans music.  Covered by many bands, including the
	Grateful Dead, who approach next on "Sarastic Deadhead"

UNCLE TUPELO - Screen Door [NO DEPRESSION/Rockville]  "Down here, where we're 
	at, all we do is sit out on the porch and play our songs, and
	nothing's wrong; sometimes friends come around, they all sing
	along."  Yeah you rite.