A few selections of Jeff Emery's KZSC 88.1 FM playlist of December 30:

John Rumsey's Top 10 (and more) folk releases from 2018

From John Rumsey:

"In the year of the woman exciting releases came from icons like Joan Baez, Eliza
Gilkyson, Kathy Mattea and Mary Chapin Carpenter.  But the first release of self written material by Tracy Grammar was my favorite.  Another year of spectacular music with inspiration provided by the dysfunctional White House.  Thanks to all of you folk artists.

John Rumsey, Four Strong Winds KVMR Nevada City, CA
                       
    1    Tracey Grammer Low Tide Tracey Grammer       
    2    Rita Hosking For Real Rita Hosking       
    3    Mary Chapin Carpenter Sometimes Just the Sky Ambient Light       
    4    John McCutcheon Ghost Light Appalseed       
    5    Joan Baez Whistle down the Wind Razor & Tie       
    6    Eliza Gilkyson Secularia Red House Records       
    7    Andy & Judy Reflections Andy & Judy       
    8    Craig Bickhardt Home for the Harvest Stone Barn Records       
    9    Lowlily 10,000 Days Like These Mad River Records       
    10 Joe Jencks The Forgotten Turtle Bear Records       
        
Honorable Mention:               
        Barwick & Siegfried Stones & Gravel FGM   

These songs and as many more of my favorites for 2018 will be broadcast from 10 am to noon pst on 12/26 steaming on KVMR.org"

From across the pond

"Raw, brutal masterpieces: 2018's best folk albums" Jude Rogers, The Guardian

Paste Music's 20 Best Folk Albums of 2018

"The 20 Best Folk Albums of 2018" Paste Music staff

"Fairytale of New York background

"The Story of The Pogues’ 'Fairytale of New York,' the Boozy Ballad That Has Become One of the Most Beloved Christmas Songs of All Time" Josh Jones

Jackson C. Frank, folk artist

"Jackson C Frank: The forgotten folk hero whose tragic life overshadowed his genius
From childhood trauma to mental illness and destitution, the singer-songwriter led a tragic life – but, writes Alexandra Pollard, his brilliant music lives on"

Jeffrey St. Clair's best releases of 2018

Among Jeffrey St. Clair's best releases of 2018 are:

Mary Gauthier

and

Rich Krueger

Mike Regenstreif's Top 18 for 2018

"Mike Regenstreif's Top 18 for 2018"

"Here are my picks for the Top 18 folk-rooted or folk-branched albums of 2018..."