Like Kate Rusby...?

+1 for this. Try also "Fairest Floo'er" (mostly traditional material) and "This Earthly Spell" (mainly self-written) by the same artist.

Kate Rusby is wonderful - she is an artist whose records I just buy as soon as they hit the shops ... her Live at Leeds DVD is a great show. 

Karine Polwart is just about the best modern singer songwriter to emerge from these shores - - she is an artist whose records I just buy as soon as they hit the shops ... I have, but have not yet listened to Traces. I certainly think "This Earthly Spell" is a superb album. All Karine's work is great though ... you can buy the CDs directly from her. 

There are many great folk artists who have emerged in recent years ... Lucy Ward, Jenna Witts, Jackie Oates, Bella Hardy to mention a few. Jackie's The Voliet Hour is wonderful.

And don't for get the Unthanks. 

Personally I hope they don't go too contemporary ... not keen on the idea of Kate doing a rap.

She's the Barnsley nightingale.

A little bit more contemporary were Waking The Witch (Rachel Goodwin, Patsy Matheson, Becky Mills and Jools Parker) ... best girl band ever (imho) ... Patsy still cuts records, but they don't quite have the magic of the group. 

Long live the Bellowhead.  

Cheers for the tips Guido

Ha you heard The Pond with Kathryn Williams? Mostly succesful folk/world blend.

My feeling about Kate Rusby is that she is in a comfortable groove, I've stopped buying her albums because of it. I'd love to hear her obvious talents applied to something a bit more varied and see what she can do. Richard Hawley a good example maybe?

Bruce

Bruce,

you might want to give Martha Tilston a try. Her collaboration with her brother, as Mouse, from a few years back is a favourite.

Huw

Bruce, totally with you here. Kate Rusby like some of her contemporaries plays a rather sweet and sentimental cliche folk style .. Quite pleasant in small doses but not that challanging and a bit too produced, but because of this I suspect quite accesable to many brought up on 'popular music singer song writer'.

.

For me Folk should be  sometimes  challanging  and sometimes quite thought provoking.. and be natural and inclusive..

For contemporary english folk (though language can get explicit) i enjoy Frank Turner.

For traditional authenticity and no 'added sugar' I really enjoy the Cooper Family and  their  original recordings made by the family in Sussex of songs from all round Britain but a good concentration from southern England - outstanding.

All rounder, albeit she was quite commercial, the great Sandy Denny. 

Melodian and fiddle , Spiers and Boden c an be very enjoyable and good to play along to.

Others of note I really enjoy and can be thought provoking .. The Watersons, Grace Notes  and June Tabor.. All provide fantastic renditions of English folk and beyond with not too much sugar and sentimenatilty with often  challanging songs. The Grace Notes  are superb live, and encourage floor singing  .. Superb in unamplified acoustic sets.

Simon

Totally with you on Karine Polwart. Her voice is mesmerising. I have all her previous albums and there isn't a bad one amongst them. Sound quality is also way above average. Haven't got hold of the new one yet, but definitely will.