VA - Shelter: The Best Of Contemporary Singer-Songwriters (1994)

The double-disc Shelter: The Best of Contemporary Singer-Songwriters assembles an impressive array of primarily folk-oriented performers who made their names mostly during the decade before the collection's 1994 release date. Naturally, there are a few subpar moments scattered across the discs, but for the most part, the wealth of talent here makes for a pretty consistently strong listening experience. Among the many singer/songwriters who have material present are Joe Henry, Dougie MacLean, Sarah McLachlan, Freedy Johnston, Rory Block, Nanci Griffith, Carrie Newcomer, Darden Smith, Dar Williams, John Gorka, Shawn Colvin, Mary-Chapin Carpenter, and John Martyn, plus many more.