release date: Sep. 16, 2003
format: cd
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,18]
producer: Natalie Merchant
label: Myth America Records - nationality: USA
Track highlights: 1. "Sally Ann" - 2. "Which Side Are You On?" - 5. "Weeping Pilgrim" -7. "Bury Me Under the Weeping Willow"
4th studio album by Natalie Merchant is her first album release on her own independent label, Myth America Records and it has the subtitle "A Collection of Traditional & Contemporary Folk Music". It marks a substantial change in style towards traditional folk as a majority (7 out of 11) of the tracks are traditionals rearranged by Merchant. The remaining 4 tracks are covers, which means that the album doesn't contain songs written by Merchant herself.
It's a very scraped down album with only few instruments - some songs appear as vocal with strings only, and it may only appeal to people who prefer traditional folk. I don't really enjoy this much, and think of it as Merchant's roots album. Yes, Merchant has a fine singing voice, but I don't think she challenges that instrument particular well on this, which is a bit of a pity.
[ allmusic.com, Uncut 4 / 5, Rolling Stone, Mojo 3 / 5 stars ]
