NPR Gives Away 12-Song Folk Sampler

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Newport Folk Festival.  This historic event is taking place this weekend (Aug. 1-2) at Fort Adams Park in Newport, RI.  Pete Seeger, one of the co-founders of the festival will actually be there performing both nights.  Tonight he’ll be joined by Judy Collins.  The line-up is pretty incredible, including both the legends of folk music and the contemporary pioneers.  Yesterdays line-up was simply stellar with acts such as The Decemberists, Fleet Foxes, Billy Bragg, The Avett Brothers, Iron & Wine and more.   I can only imagine what musical euphoria was experienced in Newport yesterday.  Amazingly enough, today has just as great of a line-up with Joe Pug, Deer Tick, Elvis Perkins, Josh Ritter, Neko Case and of course closing with Pete Seeger and Judy Collins.  I know what you’re thinking, and I feel your pain.  Why can’t events like this take place closer to us.  Well even though we may not have gotten to experience this historic weekend, thanks to NPR we don’t have to leave this weekend empty handed.  The great folks at NPR Music have put together a 12-song folk sampler made up of artists that performed this weekend at the Newport Folk Festival.  It’s a great playlist and is completely free to download.