Best Folk Music Concerts of 2007

Over the past two decades, Nickel Creek have become one of the most remarkable trios of instrumental prodigies on the contemporary folk and bluegrass scene. 20 years is a long time for any band to keep up that schedule, so it's no surprise that they decided it was time to take a break and explore other projects. The impending hiatus, however, hardly took away from their extraordinary musicianship during this, their final tour (for now).

Seeing a country music legend is enough of a gift in itself, but seeing him team up with an opener the caliber of Neko Case is even more exciting. Case only spent four dates opening for Haggard, but, boy, it was worth every second. Both are exquisite performers, and both put on exceptional performances.

Patty Griffin has the whole package: an awesome voice, beautiful songs and a knack for writing lovely, poetic, narrative lyrics. Live, her energy is even more infectious. In the course of an hour and a half, pulling from her latest album, Children Running Through, she was able to bring the crowd to its feet, and then to tears.

Brandi Carlile is an excellent performer, but this was a particularly great show, because it was the first in a tour that kicked off the release of her album The Story, which has since helped secure her spot on the national music scene.

I had the pleaseure of catching the Infamous Stringdusters a number of times this year: first at Wintergrass, then this show at the Tractor in Seattle, and finally at the 2007 IBMA World of Bluegrass in Nashville. They always put on a great show, featuring their tight musicianship and memorable contemporary bluegrass tunes.

I first learned about Brett Dennen when I saw him doing a cover of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" at the Bumbershoot festival in 2006, so it was great to see him come back to town for a longer set. He's an outstanding performer with a ton of great energy in his live shows, and his songs are some of the sweetest, smoothest grooves around.

I had a great time at the 2007 Pickathon Roots Music Festival down near Portland, Ore. One of the best performances I saw there all weekend, though, was given by New York City's Langhorne Slim. You really can't beat a guy who gets half the audience to cram onstage with him at the end of his set. It was late in the afternoon, at the tail end of a long hot day, and Slim just came out and kicked up the energy with his great, rather articulate folk songs.

Mike Marshall and Hamilton de Holanda are two of the most exceptional mandolin players with whom I've ever had the pleasure of being in the same room. Their performance at the 2007 Wintergrass Bluegrass Festival in Tacoma, Wash., was one of the most titillating of the weekend. It's always nice to see performers that inspire an audience to complete silence.

There's so much going on at a festival the size of Pickathon, that it's impossible to see everything. And so it is that I only managed to catch the tail end of Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band with special guest Jason Webley in the barn at Pickathon. Nonetheless, it still managed to take the cake as one of the most energetic, unforgettable performances of the festival.

You can't get much better than watching one of the most gifted young bluegrass bands performing selections from their forthcoming album in front of a huge picture that frames sunset over downtown Nashville. Need I even say more? Mountain Heart puts on an exuberant live performance, and it was a real treat to be able to catch them at this year's IBMA World of Bluegrass Conference.