First album of 2010: 'July Flame' by Laura Veirs

Laura Veirs lives in Portland, Oregon, where she teaches banjo. She started writing music while miserable in China, working as a translator with a geological expedition. Since her debut Laura Veirs in 1999, she has recorded six albums none of which I have heard, but will soon be reporting back on, since I like July Flame so much. It's consistently beautiful — my first favorite album of 2010.