Once the denizen of passionate preservationists, folk music after Dylan has become a singer-songwriter affair, a genre in which a song gains force as an expression of self rather than tradition. The Newport festivals heeded that change, and this solid anthology has striking, nervy performances of originals like Robert Earl Keen"s "Mariano," Shawn Colvin"s "Cry Like an Angel," and Cheryl Wheeler"s "Arrow," all of which surpass their studio predecessors. The rare tracks from Greg Brown and Richard Thompson are also welcome. Indeed, only the opening and closing contributions from Pete Seeger seem out of place. No matter: Chris Smither"s gorgeous solo acoustic version of "Killing the Blues" is ample compensation. --Roy Kasten