These three stellar artists teamed up to cover a couple of tunes (including the superbly arranged I am a Child by Neil Young), perform each others' songs, and collaborate on a traditional tune (Wayfaring Stranger).
While the songwriting is outstanding, what strikes me most about this album are the lush solo and blended vocals, and the gorgeous arrangements. This album is produced in a way that truly allows the lyrics to stand on their own and do all the heavy lifting. The instrument and harmony vocal arrangements are all there for a single purpose - to support the songs at an emotional level.
Dear readers, you must listen to this album. Best enjoyed with high quality ear buds or head phones.
2. The Garden (Ruth Moody), Red House Records: Graceful, well thought-out discretion is the byline of Ruth Moody's first full length solo album. Moody, of Wailin' Jennys fame, expertly lays down her richly lyrical imagination and then complements it all with a variety of instruments, many of which she plays herself. This deceptively simple sounding album is the result of a seductively complex effort and subtle attention to detail. Every instrument and note serves a purpose - even an Omnichord shows up unexpectedly, but by no means frivolously.From a performance perspective, this could be a penultimate how-to album for vocalists working to refine their delivery; Moody's tuning, breathing, and phrasing is impeccable. Every syllable, vowel, and consonant is executed with perfect nuance. Like Red Horse, this album is best enjoyed in a quiet room with excellent earbuds or headphones. Heard in this way, it sounds like Moody is sitting right next to you. Simply incredible execution.
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