Eclectic Texan singer/songwriter that traverses a range of styles with his music. Joshua Judges Ruth brought Lovett significant commercial success to go with his already strong cult following. Folk, country, blues, gospel and swing combine for an extremely well-balanced record featuring plenty of emotional up and downs. Great stuff.
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A Few Small Repairs Shawn Colvin 1996 [Columbia]
An album cataloguing the range of emotions experienced by Colvin following her divorce. Although there are plenty of dark moments, the focus from Colvin and producer John Leventhal is a profound set of songs charting life's learning curve. Should convince those who take Colvin lightly that she is one of contemporary folk's finest.
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Other Voices, Too Nanci Griffith 1998 [Elektra]
The follow-up to 1993's superb Other Voices, Other Rooms finds Griffith's folkabilly Texan drawl plastered all over a varied set of covers. Similar in concept, the basic idea was to get a bunch of really nice (& notable) folks together as guest artists and sing their songs, as well as tackling a couple of standards in the process.
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Broke Down Slaid Cleaves 2000 [Philo]
Coming from New England, Cleaves managed to establish a name for himself in the Austin music scene in the face of some pretty tough competition. Despite the downtrodden subject matter of these songs, his laidback style manages to convey an infectious hominess. 'This Morning I am Born Again' puts some Woody Guthrie words to music.
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One Endless Night Jimmie Dale Gilmore 2000 [Rounder]
A founding member of the Flatlanders, Texan Jimmie Dale Gilmore followed-up his heavily-produced Braver New World with this earthier outing that harks back to his 80s cowboy-folk sound. Two originals join a relatively eclectic selection of covers that bring out the best from the stellar supporting cast. Best track: Grateful Dead's 'Ripple'.
Roots-rocker Lucinda Williams exposes her delicate side on this sometimes bleak set of mostly gentle tunes about overcoming grief. Williams is a known perfectionist in the studio and it shows here. The uptempo 'Get Right With God' is more of what we have come to expect, while the snarling title track is just downright scary.
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The Dark Guy Clark 2002 [Sugar Hill]
Veteran West Texas songwriter who has written a swag of hits for other artists. His first recordings in the mid-70s were straight outlaw country. By the time he got to this record his sound had mellowed into a pleasing bluegrassy ramble. The subtly unobtrusive support includes Darrell Scott on banjo and other strings and fiddler Tim O'Brien.
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Land of Milk and Honey Eliza Gilkyson 2004 [Red House]
Austin-based Gilkyson's socio-political consciousness takes plenty of left turns on this fine collection of mostly-original songs. The exception is Woody Guthrie's previously unreleased 'Peace Call' which, with the help of few folk luminaries, serves as a fitting end to the set. In 'Wonderland' Gilkyson manages to strut some pop sensibility.
