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

Songs from the Levee
Artist: Kate Campbell

Kate Campbell's debut album, Songs from the Levee, is an impressive collection of honest, stripped-down country and folk, suggesting she's a songwriter of great promise. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide Read More

Rain on a Conga Drum: Live in Berlin
Artist: Townes Van Zandt
Community Score: 6.00

This 18-track, 63-minute import disc was Townes Van Zandt's third live album, recorded in October 1990. It shared eight selections with his first, Live At The Old Quarter, Houston, Texas, and five with his second, Live & Obscure. Distinguishing this set were some interesting covers, including Lightnin' Hopkins's "Short-Haired Woman Blues" and... Read More

Gringo Honeymoon
Artist: Robert Earl Keen, Jr.

Framed by smooth production and tasteful instrumentation, Robert Earl Keen, Jr. hands over ten more tunes on this 1994 release. Gringo Honeymoon is more lively and immediately likeable than previous efforts and is comprised of all Keen originals, save Steve Earle's "Tom Ames' Prayer." Keen transports the listener to Texas with his stories and... 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

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

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

No Kinda Dancer
Artist: Robert Earl Keen, Jr.

A well-crafted debut, not one bad song. "Armadillo Jackal & This Old Porch," co-written by Lyle Lovett, features Lovett and Nanci Griffith singing harmony. ~ 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