For music with something different, I would also try Julie Miller's My Blue Pony and Broken Things (a bit of a little girl's voice at times). Her husband, Buddy Miller, is a maker of good "country" music. I agree with Linda Thompson, Dreams Fly Away and Fashionably Late, as well as the work with her ex-husband Richard Thompson. Richard's live music, available from the Connection, is also real music. His electric guitar solos on "More Guitar" are some of the best I've ever heard on disk. His accoustic work on Celtschmertz is good too.
I would second Kate Wolf, Iris Dement, and others mentioned above. I might also add Catie Curtis and the Cowboy Junkies earlier albums and Lucinda Williams. I would also add "Live and Pickin" by Doc and Merle Watson as good music that will lighten your spirit.
I would second Kate Wolf, Iris Dement, and others mentioned above. I might also add Catie Curtis and the Cowboy Junkies earlier albums and Lucinda Williams. I would also add "Live and Pickin" by Doc and Merle Watson as good music that will lighten your spirit.