Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver's release More Behind the Picture Than the Wall has certainly got to be at the top of the list because it is that good. Doyle never ceases to amaze me. His material gets better and better with every release and this one is no exception. This is pure Doyle at its finest!

Ron Block's Latest Release DoorWay is a spiritual album with many dimensions and needs to be considered for both Ron's insights and the musical artistry. This album is a good reflection of the songwriter and the performer.

On the Gospel front, we also saw David Parmley and Continental Divide release Church House Hymns. I've been a fan of David Parmley for well over a decade and I was happy to get this one into my player. Church House Hymns is what bluegrass gospel is all about.

Don't forget about the Larry Stephenson Band Thankful, their 4th all gospel album. Thankful is a dozen tracks of bluegrass gospel that only this band can do. His vocals are clear, clean and pure. Gospel fans will want this album too.

Grasstowne's The Road Headin' Home is a new look at bluegrass. Grasstowne took a new mix of bluegrass artists and created a new bluegrass sound that has been fully accepted by contemporary and traditionalists alike. There is just nothing not to like with The Road Headin' Home. It's pure, tight, soulful and arranged extremely well. You'll want to stuff your own sock with this one!

Another album for the Bluegrass & Country fan has got to be Randy Kohrs Old Photograph released at the start of 2007. The album is still being talked almost a year after its release. You'll enjoy this album if you enjoy contemporary bluegrass music. It is all here.

Another one of those true to blue contemporary bluegrass albums has got to be John Starling and Carolina Star Slidin' Home. If you enjoyed the Seldom Scene, they you'll enjoy John Starling and Carolina Star. The band has been doing this material for 30 years and with John Starling (guitar, vocals), Mike Auldridge (dobro, vocals) and Tom Gray (bass vocals) you have a solid foundation right out the door.

Another welcome return to bluegrass music was the arrival of Claire Lynch. Claire has always been original and entertaining. This album is no exception. Her voice is as good as ever and New Day continues to set pace for this outstanding artist. Her latest release Crowd Favorite is a continuation of her excellence in acoustic and bluegrass music.

The new album by Alison Krauss, A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection, is just that, a collection. A collection of songs from her various sound tracks and special sessions and collaborations. If you love Alison, you will want this collection in your collection. Yes, it's that simple.

The award winning family band, Cherryholmes did it again with another outstanding release. Cherryholmes II - Black and White features ballads, jams and a whole lot more. This group is entertaining and artistic. They will be around for years to come.

Larry Sparks' first album for McCoury Music, The Last Suit You Wear, is a powerful follow-up to 2005's award-winning 40. Sparks continues to show off his talent with this release. Don't be surprised if you continue to hear about this album for a long time.

The Special Consensus' The Trail of Aching Hearts is one more for the Special C's list of winners. It doesn't seem to matter what material they touch, the Special Consensus makes it happen and The Trail of Aching Hearts is a prime example of that.

Timberline Drive's Drive Time was a welcome surprise. Timberline Drive has the drive and a lot more. Their music is alive and fresh. I enjoy Drive Time and want to see what else this group can do. They have the experience and I think we'll be hearing a lot more down the road from this group.

Little Roy Lewis, Earl Scruggs and Lizzy Long's Lifetimes will catch you off guard. Lizzy's vocals are addicting. I put this album in my car CD changer early in the year and its still there! I normally rotate albums about once a week but I just can't take this one out. It is a blend of old-time, bluegrass and something else. Extremely good.

Who in bluegrass doesn't enjoy The Osborne Brothers? Well, The Osborne Brothers Live In Germany 2-CD+DVD set is what the Osborne Brother are all about. It is a broad collection of their material and the DVD is just a fun video to watch as well.

One album that awakened some folks was the Steep Canyon Rangers Lovin' Pretty Women. This album is where the Rangers got their act together and put it out for the world to see. Lovin' Pretty Women is grass and a lot of it. A whole sod farm if you will. The Steep Canyon Rangers Lovin' Pretty Women is a winner for any bluegrass collection.

Tom T. Hall Sings Miss Dixie and Tom T. is just what the title says. This was a Christmas gift to Miss Dixie and should be on your list too.

Larry Cordle recently released Took Down and Put Up. Cordle never stops! Took Down and Put Up is going and going and is going to get you going. What a fine album -- well produced and the selections don't get to be routine. This is how a bluegrass album should be put together.

Mountain Heart released Road That Never Ends in October. Mountain Heart is a band with a big bluegrass heart and their videos and music show just how professional this band is. They are continuing to evolve and grow and every MH release is a welcome release. The Road That Never Ends is no exception.

On the fringes of bluegrass we have the new SteelDriver's self-titled release. Not everybody will "get" this album but, it definitely puts the blues back into bluegrass. For anybody who enjoyes both genres, this album is more than the sum of both and is highly recommended. Check our Rounder Records for this one.

For an outstanding country album, I suggest Merle Haggard's The Bluegrass Sessions. While I don't personally consider this a bluegrass album, it is probably the most outstanding acoustic country album to come out in a very long time. I highly recommend this one for any Hag fan.

The last on my "outside of bluegrass" recommendation is Robert Plant and Alison Krauss' Raising Sand. I like this album because of the variety of styles, time, songs and, of course, the artists performing them. Raising Sand is a music album that doesn't fit into bluegrass or, any other genre really. It is, however, one of those entertaining albums that is just a pleasure to listen to.

While there were many other albums released during 2007, these would be my pick as gifts for the holiday season. Any of these albums should be a great addition to any bluegrass fan's collection.

Seed Newsvine