Mike Compton reminds us of all the reasons why it's worth staying close to the traditions.

It's easy to underestimate the impact that MerleFest has on Americana music, and for anyone who hasn't attended, it's perhaps equally easy to overlook.

"Rotten Taters"
Mike Compton
Self-released

"Rotten Taters" is, unbelievably, the first solo release from a mandolinist that, despite playing Carnegie Hall and the White House, simply should be more widely known than he is.

Punch Brothers
"Who's Feeling Young Now?"
Nonesuch

"Who's Feeling Young Now?" will prove to be one of the most respected, lauded, challenging and influential works of the year. But that doesn't mean you'll like it.

Derided in countless jokes, often by the very people that play it, the banjo just might be poised to show us why it really is the greatest instrument ever. Or, at the very least, to make a good case as to why it isn't the worst.

Music isn't a sport though the idea of a top 10 list can make it seem competitive. It isn't like that, of course, but there are some recordings that are, well, better than others.

Cedar Hill presents themselves as a traditional bluegrass band, and they are, but perhaps not in the way that you might think.

Noam Pikelny
"Beat the Devil and Carry a Rail"
Compass

In "Beat the Devil and Carry a Rail," his latest solo release, Noam Pikelny has created a moving, playful collection that features so much top-flight playing it can make your head spin.

There are no easy labels for Darrell Scott. In his career he's been a first-call session musician in Nashville, a songwriter, performer, collaborator and producer -- and he recently toured with Robert Plant as part of his Band of Joy.

Bearfoot
"American Story"
Compass

Bearfoot has gone through changes along the way, though the lineup on its latest release is the greatest departure from the original set.