The big news from 2021’s Grammy Awards was of course that Beyonce overtook Alison Krauss to become the most decorated woman in the ceremony’s history, but there were also awards a plenty in less reported categories, including Gillian Welch & David Rawling winning best folk album for their lovely ‘All the Good Times’ record, Texan Sarah Jarosz winning best americana album for her record ‘World on the Ground’ (and who did one of our mini-gigs for us during last year’s lockdown) and John Prine winning two further roots categories. Here is the list of winners in those categories.
FOLK ALBUM:
WINNER: “All the Good Times” — Gillian Welch & David Rawling
“Bonny Light Horseman” — Bonny Light Horseman
“Thanks for the Dance” — Leonard Cohen
“Song for Our Daughter” — Laura Marling
“Saturn Return” — The Secret Sisters
BLUEGRASS ALBUM:
WINNER: “Home” — Billy Strings
“Man on Fire” — Danny Barnes
To Live in Two Worlds, Vol. 1” — Thomm Jutz
“North Carolina Songbook” — Steep Canyon Rangers
“The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project, Vol. 1” (various artists)
AMERICANA ALBUM:
WINNER: “World on the Ground” — Sarah Jarosz
“Old Flowers” — Courtney Marie Andrews
“Terms of Surrender” — Hiss Golden Messenger
“El Dorado” — Marcus King
“Good Souls Better Angels” — Lucinda Williams
AMERICAN ROOTS SONG:
WINNER: “I Remember Everything” — Pat Mclaughlin & John Prine, songwriters (John Prine)
“Cabin” — Laura Rogers & Lydia Rogers, songwriters (The Secret Sisters)
“Ceiling to the Floor” — Sierra Hull & Kai Welch, songwriters (Sierra Hull)
“Hometown” — Sarah Jarosz, songwriter (Sarah Jarosz)
“Man Without a Soul” — Tom Overby & Lucinda Williams, songwriters (Lucinda Williams)
AMERICAN ROOTS PERFORMANCE:
WINNER: “I Remember Everything” — John Prine
“Colors” — Black Pumas
“Deep in Love” — Bonny Light Horseman
“Short and Sweet” — Brittany Howard
“I’ll Be Gone” — Norah Jones & Mavis Staples
CONTEMPORARY BLUES ALBUM:
WINNER: “Have You Lost Your Mind Yet?” — Fantastic Negrito
“Live at the Paramount” — Ruthie Foster Big Band
“The Juice” — G. Love
“Blackbirds” — Bettye LaVette
“Up and Rolling” — North Mississippi Allstars
TRADITIONAL BLUES ALBUM:
WINNER: “Rawer Than Raw” — Bobby Rush
“All My Dues Are Paid” — Frank Bey
“You Make Me Feel” — Don Bryant
“That’s What I Heard” — Robert Cray Band
“Cypress Grove” — Jimmy “Duck” Holmes
After the CMA snub, good to see the late, great John Prine being recognised in two categories. Also, I am personally gratified to see Gillian Welch and David Rawlings getting Folk Album of the Year.