Infamous Angel
Artist: Iris DeMent

A remarkable debut, Infamous Angel established Iris DeMent as one of the greatest artists of her generation. With her gift for poignant, confessional songwriting and a voice that makes raw beauty seem like a brand new thing, she invokes the elemental magic of the Carter Family while sounding as fresh and modern as John Prine (who, not... Read More

Everything Matters
Artist: Pierce Pettis

Pierce Pettis is an engaging vocalist and an excellent guitarist, but he's primarily one of the pre-eminent songwriters of our time. Any disc of his is an event, and this one is no exception. His fifth album and second for Compass, Everything Matters is a series of self-portraits capturing the passion, longing, faith, release, compassion and... Read More

Making Light of It
Artist: Pierce Pettis

Produced by David Miner, Making Light has a somewhat more polished surface than Pierce Pettis' previous albums, yet that doesn't diminish the quiet power of his songs. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide Read More

Gypsy Cadillac
Artist: Sylvia Tyson

Here's a new vehicle for fans to ride in. ~ Mike Fleischer, All Music Guide Read More

My Life
Artist: Iris DeMent
Community Score: 10.00

Like Infamous Angel, My Life opens on a light note, which is hardly adequate preparation for the emotional turbulence that follows. The album is dedicated to Iris Dement's father, who passed away prior to its release, and although there are some scattered moments of joy here, they are largely absorbed by a collection of songs dealing with primal... Read More

Heart on a Sleeve - EDSEL
Artist: Tom Russell
The Best of Mary McCaslin: Things We Said Today
Artist: Mary McCaslin

If Mary McCaslin's name fails to jump out at the listener as a singer/songwriter of note, it has nothing to do with the quality of her music. She made a fine series of LPs for Philo in the mid-'70s, and The Best of Mary McCaslin collects 18 songs from those efforts. Unlike a number of singer/songwriters today, McCaslin never minded offering... Read More

At Town Hall
Artist: Carolyn Hester

This recording is probably the best existing representation of Hester's work, capturing her voice in all of its natural vibrancy, in a setting where spontaneity matters more than control. The repertory may also explain -- along with Hester's Southern/Texas twang -- why she never quite caught on with folk audiences nationwide. By 1965, Hester was... Read More

Circles & Arrows
Artist: Cheryl Wheeler

Wheeler shines on this CD. Guests include Mark O'Connor, Jerry Douglas, Jonathan Edwards, and Billy Joe Walker. Every song is a winner, especially "Northern Girl," "Aces," and "I Know This Town." ~ Chip Renner, All Music Guide Read More

Cheryl Wheeler
Artist: Cheryl Wheeler

Her debut album features her hit "Addicted," and is more rock & roll than her other albums. If you like the rest, you should add this to the collection. ~ Chip Renner, All Music Guide Read More

Cowboy Real
Artist: Tom Russell Band

Fans of folk singer Tom Russell won't be surprised to learn that his father was an Iowa horsetrader or that his brother is a rancher and cattle supplier; all of his albums leave little doubt that he has the cowboy spirit in his blood. This particular album leaves less doubt than most, though, since Russell focuses exclusively here on his... Read More

Hurricane Season
Artist: Tom Russell Band

Tom Russell scores consistently as both performer and songwriter on this release, which is loaded with inventive lyrics, effusive vocals, and rich, exuberant instrumentation. Best tracks include "Black Pearl," awhich benefits from Fats Kaplin's accordion; "Chocolate Cigarettes," which Russell cowrote with folksinger Sylvia Tyson; and the... Read More

Moments
Artist: Pierce Pettis

Containing the title cut, "Grandmother's Song," and "St. Paul's Song, " this is his first album, and still his best. ~ Richard Meyer, All Music Guide Read More

Loving You
Artist: Hugh Moffatt

A very good debut album with solid songwriting. Russ Barrenberg and Jerry Douglas back up Moffatt. ~ Chip Renner, All Music Guide Read More

Cold Dog Soup
Artist: Guy Clark

Cold Dog Soup follows Dublin Blues in its poignant observations of life, love, death, and all the states in between. Clark's voice may be a little worn, but his songwriting skills are sharper than ever here. He uses a group of musicians that revolve around longtime collaborators Verlon Thompson and Darrell Scott and the backing vocals of Emmylou... Read More