So glad to see a fellow board member won over by the grace of Tift's music! Go buy the album right now!!! Though I agree with the comparisons you made, I would have to say that she reminds me of Bonnie Raitt, more than any other artist you mentioned. In fact she has mentioned Bonnie as a huge impact on her music. Bonnie's a huge fan of her as well! But with that said, I do believe we have a trully great artist in the making.

Plus your a luck dog to have seen her live.  I hear she's just amazing live! even better than her recordings.