WHAT'S GOOD UPDATED JAN 19 2008

Battlefield Band, Battlefield Band
This brilliant early album from the renowned Scottish traditional band is a showcase for bouzouki player & vocalist Jamie McMenemy. In my opinion, McMenemy (along with Irish player Donal Lunny) is the finest bouzouki player in all of Celtic music, and here he demonstrates the languid, open style of accompaniment he would later refine to incredible effect with Kornog.

Rosie Thomas, These Friends Of Mine
In this jaded hipster-plagued time, you don't often hear music as heartfelt and direct as this, or as beautiful. The starkness and sincerity of songs like "Kite Song" and "Much Farther To Go" is striking, and Thomas' voice is heartbreakingly expressive. (iTunes link)

Paul Galbraith, French Impressions
Several years ago, I was lucky enough to see 8-string classical guitar virtuoso Galbraith perform live, and the most moving piece of the night was a rapturous reading of Debussy's Children's Corner suite. He finally committed it to disc here.