| Lost & Found, Vol. 1 - Various Artists | |
|
Reviewed by Kathy Coleman
Over the last few years, I've come to the conclusion that the term "Americana" simply means any roots-music which is either "too country," "too rock," "too folk," or "too blues" for their indicated genres to get played on mainstream radio.
The songs presented on Lost & Found, Vol. 1, a delicious mix of rarities, B-sides, and unreleased/studio cuts from the Lost Highway Records' artists, are all these things, from the grit-and-grime blues of Lucinda Williams and Marc Broussard to the rebellious folk of Kathleen Edwards and Bright Eyes.
The disc gets off to a rockin' start with Ryan Adams' tough sound with "Rosalie Come And Go." The entertainment value for the roots music lover just gets better from there. It's the best of the best, and never falls short. With performances from The Jayhawks, Tift Merritt, Joe Ely, Whiskeytown, and Willie Nelson with Ray Price on board, it's hard to do any less.
Tift Merritt's sweet voice gives us "Trouble Over Me," from her album Bramble Rose; Joe Ely's growling poetry comes across in the title track from his Streets of Sin. Lucinda Williams purrs out "Buick Blues" and "Righteously," her rough, low voice sending pleasing shivers down the spine. Bright Eyes' "Trees Get Wheeled Away" is a pure, out-and-out protest song for today, very much in the style of "Eve of Destruction," deeply moving and true, and the one song recorded especially for Lost & Found.
Willie Nelson sings "Run That By Me One More Time" with Ray Price, from their duet album of the same name; Willie's also here live doing "I Didn't Come Here (And I Ain't Leavin')" from "Willie Nelson & Friends." The rough, gritty folk sounds from the UK-based group UnAmerican (name chosen because of where they're from, nothing else!) gives out a passionate song, "Sometimes," a track from their forthcoming album, due out next year. Their sound is tremendous and their love of American roots music obvious. They may be my new favorite group.
But the disc is capped with tremendous dignity and class with the final track, an LP-only bonus track from American IV: The Man Comes Around by Johnny Cash, "Wichita Lineman." Having never heard Johnny Cash sing that one, it's a real treat. I also didn't know Lost Highway released LPs (much less LPs with bonus tracks! Talk about a reverse!). Cash is joined on this track by Glen Campbell himself on guitar.
For fans of roots music, this disc is really a must-have. It's a good sampling of Lost Highway's artists and may make you want to seek some of them out for their further work. Strong sounds and powerful lyrics make it a great listen for anyone.
Song List:
Album cover, used with permission of Lost Highway Records
Click on the button below to find the best price for this CD and purchase it from a retailer on the Internet.
New posts to the Country Music forums:
