A Baker's Dozen of Our North American Favorites of 1999

This is my annual sampling of a baker's dozen of albums I enjoyed and found myself listening to a good deal during the past year, including the landmark folk opera, "The Man From God Knows Where" by Tom Russell. The choices are arbitrary but also with an eye to quality, listener response and historical context. These days such a list is a essentially an exercise in futility because of the vast numbers of excellent albums being produced. This show is restricted to albums from America and Canada. Next week, there will be a cursory glimpse at favorites from across the Atlantic although it will be shortened because an in-studio guest, singer/songwriter Kevin Briody, will be appearing on the show.