Monday, December 30th, 2013

The Year’s Best Coverfolk, Vol. 2: The Singles (2013)
(b-sides, deep cuts, & more one-shot coverage)



As we noted in Vol. 1 of our year’s best series, we eschew the hierarchical here at Cover Lay Down, preferring celebration to criticism. This is especially true of individual tracks – there’s so much good out there, we could spread the gospel every day, and never run out of moods or music.

Even in our own niche, at the intersection of coverage and folk – where every song is part of the folkways, and every one represents a search for new meaning and new emotion in songs heard sweetly – there is more than we can ever celebrate. But at the end of the year, there are a few songs so dear, so precious, so perfect, that we work to remember them always. And sometimes, rather than struggling to put into words just why a particular song hit us so powerfully, it is time to let the songs speak for themselves.

Music soothes the savage breast, and this year was more savage than most. The songs which we have saved and savored are a hodgepodge heavy with songs which saved us in our darkest hours, and those which spoke to and for our bruised and broken hearts, helping us remember that we were not alone even as we abandoned the blog for weeks on end. Here, too, are songs which brought us joy when we needed it most. And here, too, are the songs which amazed us, and those that simply brought the world to a standstill, stoping our hearts at their bold beauty.

Our annual Best Coverfolk Singles mixtape, then, from tradtunes to obscurities to folk, pop, rock, and country favorites: 36 covers in all, and every one sublime. It was, after all, a very good year for coverage.

The Year’s Best Singles: A 2013 Coverfolk Mix [zip!]

Cover Lay Down thrives throughout the year thanks to the support of artists, labels, promoters, and YOU. So do your part: listen, love, spread the word, and above all, purchase the music, the better to keep it alive and kicking.

And if, in the end, you’ve got goodwill to spare, and want to help keep the music flowing? Please, consider a year’s end contribution to Cover Lay Down. All gifts will go directly to bandwidth and server costs; all giftees will receive undying praise, and an exclusive download code for a special 26-track gift set of alternate favorites and rare 2013 covers otherwise unblogged. Click here to give.

Category: Best of 2013, Mixtapes 3 comments »

3 Responses to “The Year’s Best Coverfolk, Vol. 2: The Singles (2013)
(b-sides, deep cuts, & more one-shot coverage)”

  1. Allysen Callery’s “Long Black Veil” in their Best of 2013 Covers list | JellyFant Schallplatten
    January 3rd, 2014 at 7:10 am

    […] Allysen Callery‘s and Kelly Cleveland‘s “Long Black Veil” in Cover Lay Down’s Best of 2013 Covers list, together with 35 other artist – for free download. […]
  2. Music: Quick Hits and Random Picks | Berkeley Place
    January 23rd, 2014 at 3:26 am

    […] Lay Down has a massive post on his favorite covers of 2013 and another on artists to watch in […]
  3. About Allysen Callery |
    January 23rd, 2014 at 3:25 pm

    […] I also made a few year end lists, but I am especially proud to be on Cover Lay Down’s best of 2013 Mixtape for my cover of Long Black Veil (harmony vocals by the adorable Kelly Cleveland!) Lots of beautiful covers here, to download for free: BEST of 2013 Covers Mixtape-Free download […]

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