Bend in the River: Collected Songs

Multi-instrumentalist and powerhouse singer has been bringing her blend of folk, jazz, and blues to audiences for some four decades now, and this 16-track set serves a sort of primer to her career. Collecting tracks from her five albums from , and featuring guest spots from members of , , and ' crackerjack junkyard touring band, it shows that is and was much more than a folk singer. It also spotlights her sharp songwriting, with only one traditional song ("Wayfaring Stranger") included -- the rest were written by . ~ Steve Leggett