I thought it might be fun to keep up a conversation about bands other than Gillian and David, since we are all (presumably) interested in listening to good stuff and learning about more good stuff.
The new Ryan Adams album is streaming right now, either on NPR: http://www.npr.org/2011/09/25/140640429/first-listen-ryan-adams-ashes-and-fire (Check out the new Joe Henry on that page, too)
or http://ashesandfire.com/ (where you can listen to some bonus tracks, too).
I'd recommend Amy LaVere. Her album Anchors & Anvils is just great.
Other artists I love:
Abigail Washburn & The Sparrow Quartet
Del McCoury Band. The best bluegrass band around and the one that got me heavy into bluegrass music in general.
Leo Kottke
Tom Waits
Jolie Holland (formerly of the Be Good Tanyas) - check out Escondida for a good starter album.
Madeline Adams - her albums "Black Velvet" and "Kissing and Dancing" are really good
The Jerry Garcia Band (better than the Grateful Dead IMO)
Zoe Keating - Cello X 16
John Hartford (my favs are Mark Twang, Steam Powered Aero-Plain, and Morning Bugle)
I'm also into a ton of more experimental stuff like Jack Rose, The Residents, John Zorn...etc
If you haven't heard the new Yo-Yo Ma Album "The Goat Rodeo Sessions" get it quick!
other great music...
I like the Be Good Tanyas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UPbRBnNRno
and Jenny Lewis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ5PZLk4x8U
Only just became aware of Sigur Ros, a band from Iceland. I find it moving.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xow2gnVTUjs
oh and i second Sarah Janosz :) she's brilliant
I'm always on the lookout for great songwriters, particularly the Americana-ish ones who aren't afraid to get dark and tragic. Some of my favorites I've discovered over the last year (I'm sure you've heard of some, but hey, on the off chance you missed em):
Jason Isbell - Southeastern
Milk Carton Kids - Prologue
Dawes - Nothing is Wrong
Del Barber - Headwaters
Willie Watson - Folk Singer Vol.1
I got to add a few singer songwriters that are great friends of mine. London is such a great hub of Americana music and I know a lot of the locals and foreigners that come by to visit and stay a while. Ben Folke Thomas is my best buddy and has recently gone back to sweden. He writes amazing songs. The `Hank Dogs are one of the Last bands Joe Boyd produced and are a duo like Gill & Dave. They are also legendary. Robery Chaney from Florida has lived inb london a couple of years and he's one of the finest around. Tom Paley has lived in London 30 odd years, he's now 82 and Dylan is a fan. Danny & The Champions Of the World go from Strength to strength and Lorraine Wood is sublime.