Read on for a chance to win an 8-CD set from Putumayo’s Acoustic and Café series. Dan Storper is the CEO and Founder of Putumayo World Music.
I am really excited to release our first contemporary singer-songwriter collection since 1994. It includes some of my favorite recording artists from the US, Canada, South Africa and Australia and combines the best elements of Putumayo’s successful Acoustic and Café series, which has been sold in most Whole Foods Market stores.
On Acoustic Café, Putumayo features rising young stars and new discoveries. In keeping with our global approach, the artists hail from around the globe. American singers such as Trevor Hall, Justin Townes Earle, Sarah Jarosz, are represented, while Harry Manx (Canada), Gregory Alan Isakov (South Africa) and The Waifs (Australia) are featured as well.
These innovative artists offer a variety of vocal highlights, from the bluesy folk stylings of Brown Bird (“Danger and Dread” — check out this video) to Trevor Hall’s contemporary “The World Keeps Turnin’.” Harry Manx’s cover of Van Morrison’s Crazy Love” and Sarah Jarosz’s rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Ring Them Bells” demonstrate the power of contemporary artists to re-interpret beloved classics in their own styles.
Justin Townes Earle showcases his distinctive dark and raspy vocals with an Americana edge on “One More Night in Brooklyn,” while The Sweet Remains offer beautiful harmonies on “Dance With Me.” Gregory Alan Isakov brings a modern folk sound to “The Stable Song” while Lucy Kaplansky hews to a more traditional folk sensibility on “Manhattan Moon. “ Fences tells a tale of lost love on “From Russia With….” and Jon and Roy offer the uplifting “Any Day Now.” The Waifs from Australia round out the collection with their upbeat energy on “Love Serenade.”
Acoustic Café is available at most Whole Foods Market stores. Do you have a favorite singer-songwriter? Let us know who they are in the comments below for a chance to win an 8-CD set from Putumayo’s Café and Acoustic series. Comment by October 18th for a chance to win. We’ll choose one comment at random to receive the CDs.




October 17th, 2011 at 9:35 am
Indigo Girls have been writing and performing beautiful, honest music for several decades now. I love them.
October 17th, 2011 at 10:24 am
I love so many artists it’s hard to pick just one; however, based strictly on artistic merit, I will pick Bjork. I love her energy, her voice, her ability to express herself without compromise or fear of what others think, and the fact that she writes all her own music and lyrics…she’s not just a face/brand.
October 17th, 2011 at 10:41 am
Love the Indigo girls!
October 17th, 2011 at 10:44 am
Jann Arden
October 17th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
My favorite local singer-songwriter is David Schmitz, from Windham, NH. He writes out of his life experiences, and sometimes it’s about pain, sometimes it’s about hope, but it’s always real. Way to go Dave!
October 17th, 2011 at 1:04 pm
I haven’t heard any yet but would perhaps choose the one called “Israel”.
October 17th, 2011 at 1:22 pm
I love the Jayhawks, who have just reunited for a new album after 10 years!!
October 17th, 2011 at 4:17 pm
I love Putumayo CDs!
October 17th, 2011 at 5:57 pm
My favorite singer-songwriter is Seu Jorge.
October 17th, 2011 at 8:38 pm
I always liked the Jayhawks, also. Thank-you.
October 18th, 2011 at 1:15 am
Hi I look forward to more third world compilations and new sounds, especially reggae in any language.
October 18th, 2011 at 11:06 am
I love David Wilcox. Excellent songwriter.
October 18th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
Though there are many singer songwriters I love, at this moment Paul Simon stands out for many reasons. His diversity, endurance, exploration, and the fact that he is a home town boy who in his first line of “Kodachrome”, sang of the high school we both attended.
October 18th, 2011 at 12:40 pm
I really enjoy all of the acoustic cafe releases.
October 18th, 2011 at 4:52 pm
The Civil Wars are my current fav!
October 18th, 2011 at 5:15 pm
Love international music!
October 18th, 2011 at 11:56 pm
I ahve several intl cds and really enjoy the flavor and soul of the music
October 19th, 2011 at 8:11 am
Because I have 2 toddler, most of my music choices revolve around them at the moment, and we all really enjoy the Laurie Berkner Band.
October 19th, 2011 at 10:57 am
Hugh Cornwell of the Stranglers. He has a great solo catalog.
October 19th, 2011 at 11:33 am
I love Christine Lavin!
October 20th, 2011 at 10:29 am
Albannach, Enya, Bryan Ferry
October 20th, 2011 at 3:51 pm
When I think singer – songwriter, I think great acoustic guitar so I will say Melissa Etheridge.
October 22nd, 2011 at 8:15 am
I find the fusion of French & African music style by “Les Nubians” to be on the level of Putumayo. Timeless, global, descriptive or a culture and soothing.
October 22nd, 2011 at 8:24 pm
Harry Connick Jr
October 28th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
One of my favorite singer- songwriters is Dave Alvin.
November 4th, 2011 at 12:23 pm
Love to play international music for my students.
December 3rd, 2011 at 8:15 am
Stevie Nicks Silent Night
December 3rd, 2011 at 8:15 am
George Cavanaugh & the Browne Sisters perform some beautiful Celtic Christmas music.
December 3rd, 2011 at 8:29 am
Love the music, so natural and organic sounds
December 3rd, 2011 at 9:58 am
This is a jingle from a local jewelry store- BC Clarks Aniversary sale. It is only played during the holidays and every Oklahoman knows and loves it. We look forward to it every year. Enjoy http://www.bcclarkjingle.com/video
December 3rd, 2011 at 11:21 am
The writing and thoughtful lyrics of Mark Iris in his album The Other Side of Evolution has been poignant to me. Though Mark’s philosophy is diverse from mine I pay attention to his work and his musical and acoustical talent. Mark lives in Portland OR and is a SUNY graduate. When his album first was introduced all moneys were donated to Japanese earthquake relief. His writings and more about Mark are on his website http://www.markiris.com
I believe that Mark Iris and his compositions and writings are but a beginning to the volume he will produce and be known and someday remembered for.