Leonard Cohen has long been one of the most beloved songwriters in contemporary folk music. His song "Hallelujah" alone has been covered by just about everyone on the planet (to a point where even Cohen has publicly stated, basically, "Enough already"). And now, in just over a month, he'll be awarded the a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS, a.k.a. the folks who give out Grammy Awards).

Other Lifetime Achievement Award winners at the 2010 Grammys will include Michael Jackson, Bobby Darin, Loretta Lynn, David (Honeyboy) Edwards, Andre Previn, and Clark Terry. Here's hoping that Cohen is mentioned during the telecast and that, if someone performs a song in tribute, it's something other than "Hallelujah." (Check out the full list of nominees for the folk and Americana areas.)

image © Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

Neil Young's latest live album release, Dreamin' Man Live in '92 dropped online and in stores this week. It features a live performance of the entirety of Young's classic album Harvest Moon. If you've yet to download or purchase it yet, or if you're not sure about spending the money just yet, you can stream the whole album now on Glorious Noise.

So far, the album is stirring up enormous praise throughout the blogosphere, as fans and critics alike claim it far outdoes Harvest Moon. Indeed, the songs here have aged exceptionally well, as has Young the performer. In their stark, acoustic simplicity, these songs speak for themselves, leaving few holes in message or stirring emotion. Listen for yourself, then let us know what you think in the comments.

image © Reprise Records

It's been a great year for new music releases in the roots realm. Folk, bluegrass, alt-country, and Americana music are dominating the popular music scene lately, with artists old and new releasing some of the best music around.

This year, we saw a long-awaited debut from one of contemporary folk music's greatest insrumentalists, a breakthrough album from an alt-country chanteuse, a highly anticipated tribute album, and a number of other notable releases from artists spanning all styles of folk and Americana music. Take a look at our About.com Folk Music Top 10 albums of 2009.

image © Acony Records

Jack Cooke, bluegrass bass player and singer, died Tuesday (Dec. 2, 2009) in Norton, Va. Cooke backed some of bluegrass music's greatest names in his career, starting with the Stanley Brothers, then joining Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys in 1956. He played a number of other projects before returning to back up Ralph Stanley in 1970 in the Clinch Mountain Boys. According to the New York Times, "he died at a hospital after collapsing at his home." The Bluegrass Blog posted a statement from Ralph Stanley and a fitting obituary.