Cris Cuddy: Diamond Shine (2010)
Tradition-minded yet imbued with the snap and immediacy of a Saturday night club show, Cuddy's new CD veers from the high-country ache of "Lonesome Old Freight Train" to a clutch of superlative song-stories exploring late hours, lost friends and love's torn remnants. Lucky Charm might be the best ballad of Cuddy's long career, delivered in a halting, grainy tenor that dusts the upbeat lyric with a grace note of regret. Accompanied by a Who's Who of session stars, including violinist Emory Lester, Prairie Oyster/Lynn Miles guitarist Keith Glass and the great Silver Tractors/Vinyl Cafe bassist Dennis Pendrith
Recommended if you like
Elvis Costello,
Robert Earl Keen,
Steve Earle.