Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

Much loved Nashville artist and producer Buddy Miller teamed up with experimental guitarists Bill Frisell and Marc Ribot and pedal steel supremo Greg Leisz to record an album of organic versions of old country tunes over a couple of days back in 2010. Recorded at Miller's house and on a 16 track tape recorder to keep things authentic, this informal supergroup's debut venture is nothing short of sensational. Add to the mix some definitive guest vocal performances from stars like Lee Ann Womack, Shawn Colvin and Emmylou Harris and you have one of the most enjoyable albums of the year. First up is a meandering version of Tex Owens' "Cattle Call" which sets the scene for an album of intricate musical interaction between Miller, Frisell, Ribot and Leisz to provide a sound that is both skilful and delightfully chaotic at the same time. Haunting numbers like Ribot's unconventional take on the traditional "Barres De La Prison" and his own "Meds" follow - the latter featuring an incredible vocal and an arguably out of character performance by Lee Ann Womack playing the part of a mental hospital patient - whilst tender ballads such as "That's The Way Love Goes" and "Why I'm Walkin'" are expertly delivered by Miller's old associates Shawn Colvin and Emmylou Harris respectively. Radical re-workings of "Bury Me Not On The Lone Prairie" and the Roger Miller classic "Dang Me" (featuring Chocolate Genius vocalist Marc Anthony Thompson) give a darker slant on proceedings whilst Miller et al shine in upbeat numbers such as the old Mickey and Sylvia song "No Good Lover" and George Jones' "Why Baby Why". Buddy's wife Julie gives a fine vocal performance on "God's Wing'ed Horse" - penned by Julie and Frisell - which closes a stunning release in style and reflects something of Buddy and Julie's Christian faith in the process. A bonus edition with a DVD containing a short 'making of' documentary and an endearingly shambolic live version of "Why Baby Why" is also available.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.