When I find “new-to-me” great music by someone who’s been releasing albums for more than a decade I feel like I’ve been missing out on so much. Where is the coverage for these great artists? Why is it so hard to find really great music? In any case, I found Karine Polwart’s music a week ago and it’s practically all I’ve been listening to trying to catch up on her 5 – 6 albums.

As a songwriter, Polwart’s music is steeped in traditional Scottish folk music. Her delivery is perfect on every song. So perfect that there have been times when I feel a lump in my throat while listening to her. She makes you feel every emotion in her songs. Whether its happiness, loneliness or sadness, she makes you feel it.

The first song I heard that made me want to listen to everything she’s recorded was “The Death of Queen Jane.” Old traditional songs like this one are tough to pull off. Its the simplicity that makes it difficult. “The Death of Queen Jane” is one chord so the entire song is about the delivery of the story and she delivers it perfectly. Listen to it below:

She carries the traditional style over into her own material. Songs like “Salter’s Road” sound like they could be 70 years old and it’s refreshing that people are still writing songs like this. Take a listen below to “Salter’s Road”:

If I ever find myself in Scotland, I’m going to have to find a live show of hers. I hope you enjoy her tunes as much as I do.