THROUGH THE LENS: ND Photographers Share Their Favorite Albums of 2019

As with their live performance selections, the No Depression photographers again chose a diverse assortment of artists when picking their favorite albums of the year, with no two alike. The list is a nice blend of familiar names and those that are less well-known. Always remember, a list is the beginning of a conversation. Here goes.

Allison Moorer – Blood

The best songs are rooted in honesty, and this album, the companion to Moorer’s book of the same name, is just that. The clean and spare production allows her lyrics to shine and the beautiful melodies to carry you on a journey back to her painful past. From the moody opening of “Bad Weather” to the final cut, “Heal,” these are deeply personal songs. The songs were written by Moorer, except “Heal” (with Mary Gauthier), and “I’m the One to Blame,” an unfinished song by her father, completed by her sister, Shelby Lynne. Troubles shared are troubles lessened, they say, and in opening her great wound, Moorer allows us to heal our own. — Brenda Rosser

 Lillie Mae – Other Girls

I’ve been a fan of Lillie Mae since I first saw her in Jack White’s band about five years ago. I really enjoyed her previous record, but this one really grabbed me. The songwriting and arrangements show how she’s really grown as an artist and songwriter. There’s a depth to these songs that keeps me putting this album back on the turntable. — Todd Gunsher 

Lee Penn Sky – Lean Into The Letter

Sky (aka Lee Penchansky ) is a singer-songwriter from Boise, Idaho. I met Lee as he was the stage manager at one of the venues at the Treefort Music Fest. Over the course of the festival, his stage featured Anna Tivel, June West, and a variety of other outstanding musicians. Lee shared with me that he was recording an album inspired by stories from a relative in Israel who had survived the Holocaust and some correspondence with a family that he never knew. While Sky is not a well-known musician nationally, this record touches the heart and is a testament to all those musicians that play in small bars and roadhouses across the land and who have a story to share. It’s as moving as his performance at Treefort. — Peter Dervin

Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real – Turn Off the News (Build a Garden) 

Extremely talented roots-rock singer-songwriter. Clever lyrics and toe-tapping melodies. This album would also be great to listen to at a casual afternoon party.  — C. Elliott  

Roseanne Reid – Trails

Having highlighted her talent in this column before, I knew Reid’s long-awaited debut album would be great. Reid, from Scotland, is a protégé of Steve Earle. Produced by Teddy Thompson and recorded in the US, the studio brings a fresh breadth of arrangements to her superb songwriting, and a voice that’s smoky and seductive. With a showcase at AmericanaFest this year, and a nomination for Song of the Year by the Americana Music Association UK, Reid is on an upward trajectory. Listen to “Sweet Annie,” with Earle and you’ll understand why this had to be my album of the year.  — Carol Graham

Mandolin Orange – Tides of a Teardrop

I was fortunate to be one of Mandolin Orange’s 3,000 closest friends at the Durham Performing Arts Center in North Carolina for the release party for this album. Featuring the band’s signature mellow sound and poignant lyrics that tackle new ideas and experiences from songwriter Andrew Marlin, the album takes me to some wonderful places. — Rob Laughter

Steve Earle & The Dukes – Guy

Paying tribute to Guy Clark by covering his more famous songs with the backing of the Dukes is a delight for sore ears. The album closes way too soon with “Old Friends,” which has several of Clark’s friends lending a hand. I went to the mountaintop and asked why this album is so good: ”Because both are Master Craftsmen” was the reply.  — Boom Baker 

The Pine Box Dwellers – Desperate Days & Longing Nights

This band’s self-described “swampadelic” music germinated on boundaries of the Okeefenokee wetlands in southern Georgia. Their debut album in 2017 helped earn them the Georgia Country Music Band of the Year award last year and this latest release only serves to solidify the reputation of this hardworking four-piece band.  — Kim Reed 

Justin Townes Earle – The Saint of Lost Causes 

This album’s theme of revealing the thoughts and emotions that led Earle to where he is today, having gone through some rough times, and his place in the world is quite moving. — Mark J. Smith

Missy Raines – Royal Traveller

I saw Raines for the first time this year and was blown away. I bought the album at the gig and have kept it on high rotation. There’s a long roster of stellar guests, but it never feels gimmicky or piecemeal. The album was deservedly nominated for the Bluegrass Album of the Year Grammy this year. — Steve Ford 

Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis – Beautiful Lie

This Texas singer-songwriter duo have done it again with another stellar album — their third. Two songs alone make the admission price worthwhile. First, the gorgeous stunner “If I Had a Rose” is just perfect in every way. Kelly Willis’s voice really shines, the melody is gorgeous, and Geoff Queens’ steel guitar playing all add up to a wonderful song. The other, “One Dime at a Time,” is a honky-tonk masterpiece that showcases the magic they bring to the duet concept. Other tracks, like the nostalgic “Astrodome” and the melancholy “Lost My Best,” serve as icing on the cake. A  wonderful album and a recent live show at Natalie’s in Columbus, Ohio, solidified it for me.  — Kevin Smith

Yola – Walk Through Fire 

Since I first heard Yola in 2016, back when she was still Yola Carter, I have been saying she was one good album away from being a roots music superstar. But not even I could have suspected she’d get a production assist from Dan Auerbach that would enhance her soulful side while retaining the country roots that made me first take notice. In a year full of mega-releases from roots music’s biggest names, Yola is still the best.  — Chris Griffy 

 Now, the photos.