Hailing from a tiny town in Washington State, Brandi Carlile began her music career at age 8, when her musician mother brought her on stage to sing a Rosanne Cash song. From then on, music was Carlile's constant companion.
Her big break came in 2004, when she signed with Columbia Records; her self-titled debut was released the following year. Her follow-up, 2007's The Story, showcased an artist who's grown immeasurably as both a musician and a songwriter. This year's Give Up the Ghost may be the best of all: At times, it explores a surprising amount of raw, stripped-down territory. At others, she uses heavy layers of rich harmonies, awash in piano, guitar and strings.
This segment originally ran Nov. 20, 2009.
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